Celebrity Xpedition
Former names: MS Xpedition, Sun Bay
Cruise line
Galapagos (Celebrity Cruises)
Celebrity Xpedition current position
Celebrity Xpedition current location is at South America West Coast (coordinates -1.04711 S / -90.71601 W) cruising at speed of 10.1 kn (19 km/h | 12 mph) en route to PTO. AYORA. The AIS position was reported 1 minute ago.
All Itineraries Current PositionCurrent itinerary of Celebrity Xpedition
Celebrity Xpedition current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands. The itinerary starts on 03 Jun, 2023 and ends on 10 Jun, 2023.
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
03 Jun 15:00 | Departing from Baltra Island, Galapagos hotels |
03 Jun 15:30 - 18:00 | North Seymour Island, Galapagos |
04 Jun 07:00 - 11:30 | Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Puerto Ayora |
04 Jun 15:00 - 18:00 | Santa Fe Island, Galapagos |
05 Jun 07:00 - 18:00 | San Cristobal Island, Puerto Baquerizo, Galapagos |
06 Jun 07:00 - 18:00 | Floreana Island, Galapagos |
07 Jun 07:00 - 18:00 | Isabela Island, Galapagos |
08 Jun 07:00 - 18:00 | Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Puerto Ayora |
09 Jun 07:00 - 18:00 | Espanola Island, Galapagos |
10 Jun 08:00 | Arriving in Baltra Island, Galapagos hotels |
Specifications of Celebrity Xpedition
Year of build | 2001 / Age: 22 |
Flag state | Ecuador |
Builder | Cassens Schiffswerft (Emden, Germany) |
Class | Galapagos Islands expedition ship |
Building cost | USD 35 million |
Speed | 15 kn / 28 km/h / 17 mph |
Length (LOA) | 88 m / 289 ft |
Beam (width) | 14 m / 46 ft |
Gross Tonnage | 2842 gt |
Passengers | 98 - 118 |
Crew | 48 |
Passengers-to-space ratio | 24 |
Decks | 6 |
Cabins | 49 |
Decks with cabins | 4 |
Last Refurbishment | 2022 |
Former names | MS Xpedition, Sun Bay |
Owner | RCG-Royal Caribbean Group (via RCCL-Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd) |
Operator | Celebrity Cruises Galapagos |
Celebrity Xpedition Itineraries
Date | Itinerary | Departure Port | Price from |
---|---|---|---|
2023 May 27 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $11380 |
2023 Jun 03 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2023 Jun 10 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $8087 |
2023 Jun 17 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7760 |
2023 Jun 24 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2023 Jul 01 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6696 |
2023 Jul 08 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2023 Jul 15 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2023 Jul 22 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $8355 |
2023 Jul 29 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6740 |
2023 Aug 05 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2023 Aug 12 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2023 Aug 19 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2023 Aug 26 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6696 |
2023 Sep 02 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7648 |
2023 Sep 09 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7172 |
2023 Sep 16 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2023 Sep 23 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7423 |
2023 Sep 30 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2023 Oct 07 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5907 |
2023 Oct 14 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7120 |
2023 Oct 21 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7293 |
2023 Oct 28 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6331 |
2023 Nov 04 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7631 |
2023 Nov 11 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7207 |
2023 Nov 18 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $9228 |
2023 Nov 25 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2023 Dec 02 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2023 Dec 09 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6359 |
2023 Dec 16 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6299 |
2023 Dec 23 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2023 Dec 30 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $11852 |
2024 Jan 06 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $9300 |
2024 Jan 13 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $9404 |
2024 Jan 20 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $10684 |
2024 Jan 27 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $14291 |
2024 Feb 03 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $10243 |
2024 Feb 10 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7207 |
2024 Feb 17 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $10061 |
2024 Feb 24 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $8181 |
2024 Mar 02 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2024 Mar 09 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $8345 |
2024 Mar 16 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7717 |
2024 Mar 23 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $8902 |
2024 Mar 30 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7077 |
2024 Apr 06 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $9162 |
2024 Apr 13 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $9430 |
2024 Apr 20 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $10182 |
2024 Apr 27 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $8444 |
2024 May 04 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $9681 |
2024 May 11 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $8703 |
2024 May 18 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $14403 |
2024 May 25 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $9681 |
2024 Jun 01 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7587 |
2024 Jun 08 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $8193 |
2024 Jun 15 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $8902 |
2024 Jun 22 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6806 |
2024 Jun 29 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7181 |
2024 Jul 06 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6806 |
2024 Jul 13 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6757 |
2024 Jul 20 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7362 |
2024 Jul 27 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | |
2024 Aug 03 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7250 |
2024 Aug 10 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6878 |
2024 Aug 17 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6679 |
2024 Aug 24 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6373 |
2024 Aug 31 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6373 |
2024 Sep 07 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7250 |
2024 Sep 14 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $9672 |
2024 Sep 21 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6662 |
2024 Sep 28 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6662 |
2024 Oct 05 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6688 |
2024 Oct 12 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6394 |
2024 Oct 19 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $8305 |
2024 Oct 26 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $8729 |
2024 Nov 02 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $8470 |
2024 Nov 09 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $9110 |
2024 Nov 16 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6714 |
2024 Nov 23 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6506 |
2024 Nov 30 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6558 |
2024 Dec 07 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6826 |
2024 Dec 14 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $9655 |
2024 Dec 21 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $8293 |
2024 Dec 28 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7861 |
2025 Jan 04 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5213 |
2025 Jan 11 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $4988 |
2025 Jan 18 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5265 |
2025 Jan 25 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5265 |
2025 Feb 01 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7047 |
2025 Feb 08 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5542 |
2025 Feb 15 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5594 |
2025 Feb 22 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5083 |
2025 Mar 01 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5230 |
2025 Mar 08 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5473 |
2025 Mar 15 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5784 |
2025 Mar 22 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5473 |
2025 Mar 29 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5663 |
2025 Apr 05 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5741 |
2025 Apr 12 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7254 |
2025 Apr 19 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6069 |
2025 Apr 26 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5663 |
2025 May 03 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5974 |
2025 May 10 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5663 |
2025 May 17 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7099 |
2025 May 24 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5663 |
2025 May 31 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $9105 |
2025 Jun 07 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5663 |
2025 Jun 14 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6683 |
2025 Jun 21 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6623 |
2025 Jun 28 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5663 |
2025 Jul 05 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5663 |
2025 Jul 12 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5377 |
2025 Aug 02 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7090 |
2025 Aug 09 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5282 |
2025 Aug 16 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5282 |
2025 Aug 23 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5282 |
2025 Aug 30 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5187 |
2025 Sep 06 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5455 |
2025 Sep 13 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5187 |
2025 Sep 20 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5135 |
2025 Sep 27 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5135 |
2025 Oct 04 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $5741 |
2025 Oct 11 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $4902 |
2025 Nov 15 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $4807 |
2025 Nov 22 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $4988 |
2025 Nov 29 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $4781 |
2025 Dec 06 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $4824 |
2025 Dec 13 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $4512 |
2025 Dec 20 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $7004 |
2025 Dec 27 | 7 days, round-trip Galapagos Islands | Baltra Island | $6623 |
Celebrity Xpedition Review
Review of Celebrity Xpedition
The 2004-built (as "MS Xpedition") cruise ship Celebrity Xpedition is the oldest vessel in the Celebrity Cruises Galapagos fleet. It belongs to the company's small-sized "expedition fleet" - with fleetmates Celebrity Xploration (2007) and Celebrity Flora (2019).
The vessel (IMO number 9228368) is currently Ecuador-flagged (MMSI 735023483).
History - construction and ownership
Celebrity Cruises was founded in 1988 as the Greece-based Chandris Line (cruise shipping operations between 1974-1996). In 1997, Royal Caribbean International (RCI) merged with "Celebrity Cruises Ltd" to become "Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd" (RCCL). The "X" on ship funnels is the Greek letter chi (standing for "Chandris"). Common features of Celebrity Cruises ships include aft located glass-walled dining rooms, signature alternate dining venues, bars and lounges, spacious Atrium lobby areas, a large number of balcony staterooms, large sundecks with swimming pools, The Retreat (adults-only sundeck with full-size swimming pool, Jacuzzi, cabanas, poolside full bar service). Rooftop Terrace (top-deck outdoor lounge-restaurant-cinema), large Spa (with Thermal Suites), premium retail shops selling top-brand merchandise.
The 100-passenger Galapagos ship Celebrity Xpedition is an adventurous alternative to the company's large liners. It offers personal attention which is afforded by the smaller size. The ship operates an active itinerary program that attracts younger and better-educated travelers. The vessel is honored consistently as the best Galapagos eco-friendly ship. It features wastewater treatment advanced system in the islands, onboard desalination system (which covers the boat's freshwater needs), dedicated recycling staff and room.
IMPORTANT: In June 2019, cruise ship's passenger capacity was officially reduced from 98 down to 68. All deck 3 cabins and some of deck 4's rooms (numbers 401-409-415-416-417-418-419-420) became no longer offered/available for booking. In September 2019, the occupancy was further reduced to 48.
Decks and Cabins
Most Celebrity Xpedition staterooms (33 out of 49 total, in 5 grades) are sized 15-m2/160-ft2 and in categories Premium and Deluxe. All passenger cabins are outside/with oceanviews and include 8 Suites. Two are wheelchair-accessible cabins. The largest is the Penthouse Suite (460 ft2 / 43 m2 plus 150 ft2 / 14 m2 terrace).
The boat has 6 decks, of which 4 are passenger-accessible and all with cabins.
Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks
Celebrity Xpedition cruise ship is among the highest rated in the Galapagos Islands. She offers excellent service and food, intimate setting for exotic voyages, together with many of the larger ships' amenities. Celebrity Xpedition cruise fares include beer, liquor, soft drinks, house wine, and all gratuities and shore excursions. The dining options include the main dining room, outdoor Beagle Grill and Darwin's Restaurant with an elegant yet casual ambiance. Passengers can have a drink at the Blue Finch Bar while enjoying the perfect ocean views. The 24-hour room service menu includes fries, hot sandwiches, drinks and part of Darwin Restaurant dishes.
Follows the complete list of Celebrity Xpedition restaurants and food bars.
- Darwin Restaurant (106-seat forward Dining Room; features world-class cuisine, with a menu reflecting the Galapagos itinerary: locally grown organic fruits, vegetables, fresh fish)
- Beagles Restaurant & Grill (78-seat, aft buffet restaurant for casual breakfast, lunch grill and burger bar. Once on every Xpedition cruise, the Beagles serves as Dining Room with fresh seafood and barbeque).
Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport
The Discovery Lounge homes a small library and a stage for presentations and lectures given by naturalists accompanying guests during the voyage. The luxury onboard the Celebrity Xpedition is impressive and the cruise company is targeting younger and well-educated guests. Have your time to unwind in the spa, hot tub, sauna and sunning area on the Sunrise Deck. The route of the cruise ships includes the Galapagos Islands and ports visited in the past by the explorer Charles Darwin. The mega yacht is capable to visit smaller ports, something impossible to bigger cruise ships.
Follows the complete list of Celebrity Xpedition lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.
- Gift Shop (toiletries, clothes, lotions, sundries, logo merchandise)
- Beauty Centre (Beauty Salon for cosmetics and treatments)
- Beach Club (marine platform for launching Zodiacs and storing snorkel/diving equipment)
- Internet Cafe (Internet computers room)
- Library (books and board games)
- Discovery Lounge & Bar (98-seat main lounge and entertainment area, with its own full bar, Wi-Fi, dance floor. The program features films, trivia games, karaoke, live piano performances, dance parties. The lounge hosts Galapagos Islands related lectures by certified naturalists and various discussions)
- Blue Finch Bar (indoor complimentary bar, with canopied seats for panoramic sea views; most of the drinks served are complimentary)
- Spa & Fitness area: Exercise Room (small fitness/gym with stationary bikes, walking/running treadmills, steppers, free weights)
- Massage Room; Sundeck area (with Hot Tub and sun loungers).
Itineraries
Celebrity Xpedition itinerary program is based on year-round, round-trip 7-day luxury Galapagos Islands cruises with departures from Balta. The ship offers Ecuador and Peru land tour packages for up to 12-day exotic South America vacations.
Next map of Galapagos Islands cruise ship itineraries shows the park's two main routes (inner loop and outer loop) and the archipelago's all-island stops (ports/landing sites).
MS Xpedition Galapagos cruise packages
MS Xpedition Galapagos package deals are inclusive of:
- Quito airport transfers to and from your hotel
- 3 overnight hotel stays in Quito (JW Marriott, 2 before and 1 after the Galapagos cruise)
- (full-day, before sailing) Quito city tour
- (afternoon, after sailing) Quito shopping tour
- 8 days Galapagos Islands cruise (all inclusive) - accommodation, meals, wine and champagne, alcohol, beer, and soft beverages, also tips/gratuities
- air travel from Quito to Galapagos to Quito
- Baltra transfer to the ship
- complimentary National Park Entrance
- All Galapagos Islands shore excursions and tours (guided).
Celebrity Xpedition - user reviews and comments
Celebrity Xpedition ship related cruise news
- Cruise Industry
Celebrity Cruises introduces 2024 Galapagos Islands' sailings
Celebrity Cruises revealed its 2024 Galapagos Islands program. Setting in January 2024, the Royal Caribbean-owned brand has 3 Galapagos-based boats...
February 13, 2022 - Cruise Industry
Celebrity Equinox approved by the CDC to sail from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades FL) on July 25
Leading the way with the first cruise ship to sail in North America on June 5, Celebrity Cruises’ return to sailing continues, as the new...
June 10, 2021 - Cruise Industry
Celebrity resumes Galapagos Islands cruises on July 4
Celebrity Cruises announced its plans to resume sailings in the Galapagos Islands this summer on 3 expedition ships. The 100-guest newbuild...
May 6, 2021 - Cruise Industry
Celebrity introduces 2023 Galapagos cruises
The RCG-Royal Caribbean Group's brand Celebrity Cruises announced 2023 sailings in Ecuador's Galapagos Islands. From New Year’s Eve 2022...
March 12, 2021 - Cruise Industry
RCG-Royal Caribbean sells the cruise ships Silver Galapagos and Celebrity Xperience
RCG-Royal Caribbean Group sold 2 cruise ships sailing under the Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises brands. These are small expedition ships...
January 29, 2021 - Accidents
Celebrity Xpedition Evacuated in the Galapagos
On November 5, 2019, at ~11:30 pm, the Galapagos Islands-based cruise ship Celebrity Xpedition carrying 46 passengers ran aground on a sand bar at...
November 6, 2019 - Cruise Industry
Celebrity Cruises Announces Galapagos Deployment for 2021
Celebrity Cruises announced its Galapagos Islands 2021 sailings. With the modernization of Celebrity Xpedition and the launch of the luxury mega...
February 25, 2019 - Cruise Industry
Celebrity Xpedition Emerges After 7-day Makeover
Celebrity Cruises' latest ship to receive mekeover was the expedition ship Celebrity Xpedition. When she returns to service on Sunday, September 23...
September 22, 2018 - Cruise Industry
Azamara Pursuit Offers New South American Itineraries
Azamara Cruises announced the launch of 3 new Land & Sea packages in South America aboard Azamara Pursuit (former Adonia). The cruises...
January 22, 2018 - show more news
Other Galapagos cruise ships
Celebrity Xpedition Wiki
Celebrity Cruises Xpedition ship is the company's only Expedition-class boat and has no sisterships. MS Xpedition is a nice alternative to the Celebrity's much bigger liners. Xpedition offers a more intimate cruising experience provided by its small but dedicated staff and crew. She has a limited capacity (98 pax), and her Galapagos cruising guests are usually younger and well-educated active travelers.
Celebrity Xpedition is the fleet's smallest vessel - built in Germany, launched (floated-out from drydock) on February 17, 2001, and inaugurated in 2004 (June 13). Despite the smaller size, MS Xpedition still is luxurious and even offers more personal attention to each passenger. The boat combines features, amenities, cuisine and the service of the Celebrity's high level with the intimacy and the calmness of a smaller vessel. Crew members are almost only Ecuadorian. The amenities onboard Xpedition ship include Sunrise Deck, The Blue Finch Bar, Discovery Lounge, Darwin's Restaurant and Beagle Grill. Staterooms are elegant, furniture is trendy.
The cruise ship is more like a mega-yacht. Its former name is "Sun Bay 1" (first cruise January 1, 2001). Its shallow drought allows access to Galapagos island destinations that larger vessels can't visit. The boat's small capacity, active itinerary routes and not cheap prices make it most suitable for younger and better educated "high-end adventure" travelers. There are Galapagos National Park-certified onboard naturalists on each sailing. Crewmembers are all Ecuadorian, dress-code is casual.
In 2017, MS Xpedition became Celebrity Cruises Galapagos fleet's biggest ship after the company acquired in 2016 Ocean Adventures' vessels Celebrity Xperience (formerly Eclipse, 48-passenger yacht) and Celebrity Xploration (formerly Athala II, 16-passenger catamaran). Both new Celebrity Galapagos boats officially entered the fleet in February 2017. They both were acquired in March 2016 following Celebrity's acquisition of "Ocean Adventures" (Galapagos travel company). The deal increased Celebrity's passenger capacity in the Galapagos by 65%.
IMPORTANT: In June 2019, cruise ship's passenger capacity was officially reduced from 98 down to 68. All deck 3 cabins and some of deck 4's rooms (numbers 401-409-415-416-417-418-419-420) are no longer offered/available for booking. The change was noted following feedback from Geoff Shepherd.
MS Xpedition Galapagos itineraries
Operating only the Galapagos Islands destination (South America), mv Xpedition Galapagos itinerary maps show two routes, both round-trips leaving from Baltra. The "Inner Loop" itinerary starts with Daphne Island, followed by Jervis Island, Elizabeth Bay, and Caleta Tagus Cove, Sullivan Bay and San Bartolome, Las Bachas and North Seymour. Next are San Cristobal Island (Puerto Baquerizo, Cerro Brujo, San Cristobal again (Kicker Rock) and the Santa Cruz Island (Puerto Ayora) before the Baltra disembarkation.
The "Outer Loop" Galapagos itinerary starts again with the Daphne Island but continues to Gardner Bay, Floreana Island (Punta Cormorant), Bahia Post Office Bay, Urvina Bay, Fernandina Island, Santa Cruz Island, and the return to Baltra.
Celebrity Xpedition refurbishment 2018 review
The ship's drydock refurbishment in 2018 (September 16-23) resulted in the following changes:
- All cruise cabins, restaurants, and lounges were redecorated.
- Wi-Fi coverage was upgraded, to provide more reliable and faster connections.
- All passenger staterooms were updated and upgraded with new balcony furniture, new carpeting, new bedding (Celebrity eXhale). All entry cabin doors were outfitted with RFID locks.
- Ship's IT systems were upgraded, including O3b satellite reception, full (shipwide) WiFi coverage, enhanced bandwidth.
- Beagle Grill (aft on Deck 4) received new lighting, furniture, and cooking equipment.
- Discovery Lounge (midship on Deck 4) received a top-notch video wall, updated textiles, upgraded finishes, dedicated for DJs station.
- Darwin's Dining Room (midship-aft on Deck 3) received new carpeting, lighting, millwork.
- Water filtration systems were installed on each deck.
- Crew areas (cabins and lounge) were upgraded with new mattresses (eXhale bedding), large TV, carpets.