Our adventure together starts on May 9, 2024 in Quito, Ecuador. The main international airport is Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport, airport code UIO.

Flying onward or home on May 18, 2024, you can either connect in Guayaquil (GYE) or Quito (UIO). Our flight from San Cristobal departs at 10:35am on May 18 and arrives in Guayaquil at 1:21pm. This same flight continues to Quito and arrives in Quito at 2:54pm.

The currency of Ecuador is the US dollar. 

American Express, MasterCard, and Visa are widely accepted. You’ll find that ATMs are readily available at the airport and in the city center.

All emails to our Booked Guests are available here:

With this being a small expedition cruise, VACAYA will be bringing the fabulous Nate Buccieri and one singer with us for piano bar nights throughout the week. There is no theater onboard. 

Most excursions on this expedition adventure are included. Any optional excursion opportunities will be detailed onboard. 

You have pre-paid basic gratuities. However, if someone goes above and beyond for you, you are more than welcome to offer them a few dollars (or more if appropriate) as an extended note of appreciation and grace. Collectively, those small thank yous add up and can make all the difference in the lives of these hard-working crew members.

For each of our adventures together, VACAYA hosts an Official Facebook Group. This group is your chance to connect with other Galápagos cruisers before we meet each other in-person. You can join the group HERE.

We’ll have a complete list of cocktail party themes approximately 120 days before our cruise. In the meantime, know that we’ll feature the following 2 signature parties:

THIS IS ME
Our signature Night 1 cocktail party brings all our guests together for the very first time. This is your chance to meet, mix, and mingle with fellow travelers. Wear a little somethin’ somethin’ to let us know where you’re from.

BATHROBE GALA NIGHT
In one of our favorite VACAYA Luxe traditions, you’ll throw on your bathrobe at 6pm and wear it all night long – to pre-dinner drinks, to our gala dinner, and to our after-party!

Our flight from San Cristobal departs at 10:35am on May 18 and arrives in Guayaquil at 1:21pm. This same flight continues to Quito and arrives in Quito at 2:54pm.

Your onboard magnetic card (we point out it’s magnetic to warn against placing it too close to your mobile phone, which could erase the information), which will be handed to you upon boarding is your room key. It’s also your onboard charge card and you’ll be asked for it to make onboard purchases. Whenever you leave the ship or re-board it in our ports of call, you’ll show your card to Security when leaving/returning.

When you board, you’ll want to register a credit card with Reception to cover any onboard purchases. You’ll receive a final invoice in your room on the last evening of your cruise. Assuming all of the charges are correct (and if not, be sure to speak with Reception), your card on file with Silversea will be automatically charged the morning of disembarkation. If you’d prefer to pay cash to close out your account, you will need to do that on our last night before they charge your card the following morning.

ALL GUESTS ARE NOW WELCOME, REGARDLESS OF THEIR COVID-19 VACCINATION STATUS. NO PRE-CRUISE TESTING IS REQUIRED.

These days, most safety protocols are happening behind the scenes to minimize interruptions to the experience. So know that whatever the protocols end up being on our cruise, we are going to have a great time exploring together. #AdaptToLive 

VACAYA is all about connections. To help strengthen the bonds between our guests, we’re creating a “This Is Me” Community Board where pictures and fun facts of each of our guests will be featured. We’re hoping this new board will be a welcome addition to your VACAYA Luxe experience.

While participation is certainly not compulsory, we hope each of you will choose to join us. If you’d like to be included, please send the following to us prior to Friday, April 19, 2024:

• A Photo of you as an Individual or as a Couple (the orientation of the pics will be portrait, so think about that as you choose the best pic). Be sure the photo you choose is a clear face pic and no larger than 5MB.
• Your Name (or Names if a couple. Please indicate who’s who in the pic.)
• Your Hometown
• Your Relationship Status
• Occupation
• Family Info (children, pets, etc.)
• Interest/Hobbies
• Social Media Handle

You can send your photo and the above information to V Team Member Jen at jen@myvacaya.com. Simply click on that pink link to connect with Jen.

Please note that we won’t be able to add anyone to the board after the deadline. Shortly after April 19, 2024, the information we’ve received will be laid out by a graphic designer and the boards completed. Also, each This Is Me board is independent from past boards. So even if you’ve sent in your information for a past cruise, it won’t carry forward to this one. So, you’ll need to send it in again.

This Community Board will be posted near the ship’s Lobby.

Here is an example of what your entry will look like on the board:

Silversea ships have a state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant onboard, which helps preserve the pristine waters through which we sail. To assure it can properly do its job, we need your full cooperation.

• Only use the biodegradable toilet tissue provided.
• Do not flush facial tissues, sanitary wipes, feminine hygiene products, condoms, cigarettes (you shouldn’t be smoking in your bathroom anyway), or any other materials, as they can affect the entire system and may cause embarrassing backups in your room AND in your neighbors’ rooms.
• Keep the toilet lid closed when not in use, and be careful not to drop towels, wash cloths, or personal grooming articles (including floss and Q-tips) into the toilet while flushing.

In today’s ever-shifting world, it’s imperative to protect your hard-earned vacation dollars. You can do that by insuring your investment. VACAYA partners with Travel Guard.

If you ever need to make an adjustment to your Travel Guard policy (for example, if your travel dates have shifted or you’ve added to your travel plans beyond our cruise), you can submit a policy modification request via Travel Guard’s online modification form. Modification requests must be submitted prior to your travel dates. Through this form, you can also change or add any pre- or post-cruise travel days or add additional trip costs (flights, hotel, etc.). Adding coverage for other items beyond your cruise (if that’s all that was covered in your original policy) may incur additional premium costs.

If you have questions, we encourage you to visit Travel Guard’s Resource Center, where you’ll find answers to many frequently asked questions. You can also speak with a licensed Travel Guard insurance agent by calling 800.826.5248.

A NOTE ABOUT TRIP INTERRUPTION INSURANCE
If you’ve not purchased trip interruption insurance, there’s still time to add it to your existing policy or originate a policy with most travel insurance carriers. Although we can’t consult on insurance, we are pointing out that these policies offer peace of mind for a reasonable price.

Weather in this region is typically hot and humid year-round, with occasional mid-afternoon heat-generated thunderstorms providing a bit of a cool off. Galápagos is located almost right on the equator. 

Although our super yachts are quite elegant, we maintain a relaxed comfy vibe onboard.

Shorts/swimsuits and T-shirts are the go-to wear during the day, with long pants, collared shirts, and sundresses the norm for dinner. 

Complimentary WiFi is included. However, please keep in mind that the speed is more akin to old-school dial-up.