The Galapagos Sea Star currently has availability on its 6-day Southern Islands cruise from the 20th until the 25th of December from $6,139 per person; as well as availability on its 5-day Northern Islands cruise from the 25th until the 29th of December from $4,949 per person; and its 10-day cruise of the Southern and Northern Islands from the 20th until the 29th of December from $11,149 per person.

Highlights of the cruise onboard the Sea Star include visiting the Galapagos’ remote and famous ‘bird island’ of Genovesa and the chance to spot Galapagos penguins—the only penguins north of the Equator—and baby giant tortoises that begin to hatch during December.

The company launched the offers in the hopes of providing the opportunity for more travellers to get away towards the end of this year after noticing that cruise availability has been running thin and costs proving prohibitively expensive, with the founder, Jeremy Clubb, stating.

With this Christmas being the first where COVID-19-related restrictions have been at their lowest across the globe, we want cruise passengers to have the opportunity to make up for lost time with loved ones and travel together once more.

“There is no better time than the festive season to connect with family and friends so, with affordable cruise availability for this period growing scarce, launching these last-minute Christmas cruise deals allows more people the opportunity to have a memorable festive travel experience this year.”

Awarded South America’s ‘Best Leading Boutique Cruise’ for three years running and offering an intimate and immersive wildlife experience, the Galapagos Sea Star Yacht accommodates up to 16 guests in 8 cabins.

Christmas travel is proving to be as popular as ever, and anyone looking to take a trip during the holidays should consider booking now to avoid disappointment, with many tour companies, cruise lines, and hotels having already been booked up over the festive period despite the high season supplements associated with this time of year.

Highlights of the cruise include unrivalled onboard experiences, such as cooking classes with the vessel’s esteemed chefs and a visit to Black Turtle Cove, one of the islands’ most secluded mangrove estuaries.

Highlights of its 5-day tour deep into the Peruvian Amazon’s Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve—the second largest natural protected area in Peru—include a nighttime outing to view the Amazon’s nocturnal residents and sighting the phenomenal pink river dolphin, found only in the Amazon.

Nearly 50% of Americans will travel this upcoming holiday season, according to the latest PwC Holiday Outlook 2022 report, an increase compared to pre-pandemic, attributed to ‘revenge travel’ and many people having to reschedule trips as a result of pandemic-related restrictions.

“Christmas cruises to the destinations on offer have historically been booked up years in advance, so this is a rare opportunity to experience some of the world’s most famous wildlife destinations during peak season at short notice—something that is unlikely to ever happen again.”

Christmas Cruise Offers Available.

Rainforest Cruises are also offering deals for Christmas, as mentioned earlier cruises. But for anyone concerned about missing out on, or indeed the cost of, a Christmas holiday, exotic riverboat and small ship cruise specialists Rainforest Cruises have launched several last-minute Christmas cruise deals in some of South America’s most sought-after travel destinations. On One Of The Galapagos’ Most Luxurious Voyages

For those seeking the height of luxury this Christmas, the Alya catamaran offers a luxury-class experience in the Galapagos. For the

above Amazon cruise, this includes 50% off the second passenger when staying in double occupancy, a free night’s hotel stays at the DoubleTree by Hilton Iquitos the night before the cruise and free return domestic flights between Lima and Iquitos. And, with global searches for the term ‘holiday at Christmas’ increased by 179% in the past 30 days alone, according to Google Trends, it appears that a lack of COVID-19-related restrictions this year is encouraging travellers to make the most of this festive season.

Guests can also access various onboard experiences, including cooking classes, bridge visits, and even a pirate’s night! Hosting up to 38 guests across 19 cabins, the Zafiro is a luxury riverboat that indulges its guests in its refined style, offering panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows in its suites and an international culinary a-Vesselary experience like no other, serving delectable Amazonian fusion dishes.

Should you be looking to travel solo, Alya even offers a single cabin for guests, with no single supplement necessary. But, best of all, you can even catch a glimpse of the Galapagos’ most festive resident—the ‘Christmas’ marine iguana. The 6-day Western Islands Cruise begins with a visit to the Charles Darwin Station, one of the islands’ most famed and important research centres.

And whilst onboard, guests can also indulge in a cocktail masterclass and even have the opportunity to savour a gala dinner with the captain themselves.

The 6-day Western Islands cruise onboard the Eco Galaxy is available for its December 24th embarkation costing from $5400 per person. The Alya 5-day Northern Islands cruise departing on December 22nd and disembarking on the 26th is available from $4,725 per person. And for the Galapagos cruises, guests can enjoy a complimentary night in the Wyndham Quito Airport hotel the night before the cruise, plus the Galapagos National Park entrance and Transit Control Card costs.

They offer the opportunity to observe some of South America’s most Christmassy creatures, including the “Stinky Turkey”—a pungent prehistoric bird in the Amazon Rainforest—and the “Christmas Iguana”—a resplendent reptilian resident of the Galapagos Islands. The Zafiro 5-Day Amazon & Marañón cruise is available in December, departing on the 22nd and disembarking on the 26th, starting from $3,879 per person. And for those looking to have a real Christmas reunion this year, the vessel can be chartered for up to 16 guests, making for the most epic and luxurious Christmas experience with loved ones.

During your visit, you’ll have a chance to see the Amazon’s elusive and remarkable ‘prehistoric’ resident—the Hoatzin bird. The vessel can host up to 16 guests across eight cabins and features an onboard bar serving expertly created international and regional cocktails. The ship’s main deck also offers a jacuzzi and sun deck, making for a genuinely luxurious experience as you explore one of the planet’s most pristine locations.

Eco-Friendly Catamaran Exploration Of The Galapagos

As one of the most eco-friendly catamarans in the Galapagos Islands waters, the Eco Galaxy offers a first-class experience to its guests.

Galapagos.

Visit the vibrant Christmas Iguana on Española Island in the Galapagos. Known for being the main breeding site on Santa Cruz, the station is working to save endemic species, including land iguanas and giant tortoises—the largest living tortoise in the world.

Only visible on Española Island from December to January during the mating season, the males’ normally black scales are transformed into a bright red and green (hence its nickname!). Common in the lowlands of the Amazon, the younglings are specially evolved with claws on their wings to climb and are nicknamed the ‘Stinky Turkey’ due to their naturally smelly odour.

Its tour includes personalised onboard service, professional chefs, a jacuzzi, and amazing onboard social areas. Aboard The Zafiro Luxury Riverboat.

Cruise and Travel Deals.

The vessel also has veteran leaders to guide you during your trip, with over 20 years of experience in this secluded Amazonian region.

Offering both comfort and style, each suite offers a personal balcony area and is equipped with panoramic windows. For more information about Rainforest Cruises’ Christmas and New Year’s, Please note that the Zafiro Suite, the vessel’s most luxurious suite, is already booked. And, what’s more, these cruises are not without some festive fauna.

 

Written by: William Trevan

 

 

 

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