T[/nectar_dropcap]here are many factors to consider when choosing the best destination for senior travelers that you may not have had to consider in your younger years. These days, comfort, accessibility, and a steady pace may be just as important as adventure and excitement, but who wants to compromise on either? On a luxury cruise to the Galapagos, you get to have it all.
Spend your mornings on your private balcony of a five-star yacht as sail to your next destination, and save the afternoons for exploring the islands and discovering endemic species with a renewed sense of childlike curiosity. With a luxury Galapagos cruise, extreme comfort, world-class hospitality, and extraordinary adventure are guaranteed, allowing you to relax and enjoy every moment to the full. These are just some of the factors that make the Galapagos the best destination for senior travelers. Read on to find out more about what makes the Galapagos the best destination for senior travelers.
What makes the Galapagos the best destination for senior travelers?
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime destination
Your retirement is all about enjoying the rewards of a lifetime of hard work by ticking off your bucket list and visiting the world’s once-in-a-lifetime destinations — and the Galapagos is the best of them. The volcanoes that created the Galapagos archipelago have cultivated an ecosystem unlike anywhere else on Earth. Situated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, far from the hands of humanity, it’s one of the few places left in the world that show us just how magical nature can be without human interference.
The result is a thriving ecosystem of the most weird and wonderful creatures, plants, and landscapes. From one island to the next, the Galapagos’ few lucky visitors get the pleasure of encountering never-before-seen flora and fauna in their natural habitat. It’s like a cruise safari but instead of lions and hippos, you’ll have the honor of seeing giant tortoises, waved albatross, marine iguanas, and so much more.
Accessible activities for all abilities
One of the many wonderful things about traveling to the Galapagos is the ability for visitors to be rewarded with very little effort when exploring the islands. Much of the remarkable flora and fauna that people travel from far and wide to see can be found basking in the sun on the island’s beaches and coastlines or swimming playfully in the waters surrounding yachts. This means visitors aren’t required to climb tall volcanoes or hike deep into forests to find them — although they can if they want!
The main activities featured on a luxury Galapagos cruise include swimming and snorkeling, birdwatching, dinghy, and kayak rides, wildlife spotting, and short hikes. While they’re fun and active, they are not often strenuous. Those that do require a bit more energy can be adapted to the individual thanks to their small group numbers and considerate guide who is there to ensure the comfort and safety of each group member. Overall, senior travelers will love the ability the Galapagos gives them to explore far-off lands like Indiana Jones without having to swing from trees or balance on teetering wooden bridges.
Enjoy the heightened comfort of a luxury Galapagos cruise
Since the Galapagos is spread across an archipelago of hundreds of islands, the best way to explore is by cruise. But instead of giant 1,000+ passenger cruise liners, the Galapagos boasts fleets of small, luxury liners that heighten the travelers’ experience of the destination with a more spacious and comfortable stay. For the senior traveler, an extra helping of space and comfort can go a long way in making travel more accessible and appealing, and it certainly adds to its reputation as the best destination for senior travelers.
The best luxury Galapagos cruises such as the Cormorant II and Agua Mare offer highly personal and intimate trips on elegant yachts with a maximum capacity of 16-20 passengers. On vessels like these, you can expect extra-large suites with king beds, spacious bathrooms, and often a private balcony too. Plus, there is ample social space onboard including lounges, dining rooms, bars, and best of all, sundecks with a jacuzzi.
Expect world-class hospitality
On board a Galapagos cruise you can expect world-class hospitality from your crew, especially on the more luxurious yachts and catamarans which often have an equal guest-to-crew ratio. From the moment you step on board and receive a big heartfelt welcome to the moment you say your sad goodbyes, the crew will go above and beyond to make sure you feel completely at home and want for nothing.
Each cruise, no matter how small, has its very own cruise director who is always there to keep you well-informed about the daily happenings on board, ensure you’re always taken care of, and have a good old chat whenever you’re up for one. Meanwhile, the onboard gourmet chef will be preparing the next delicious meal catered to your dietary needs and personal taste, and the bartender will shake up your signature drink before you’ve even asked for it. Whether you are sunbathing on the sundeck or relaxing in your suite, there will be a crew member at your beck and call nearby.
Travel at a relaxed pace
We know that the best vacations for senior travelers provide the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, and that’s exactly what the Galapagos offers. Each stop along your cruise of the archipelago promises a new adventure whether that be swimming with endemic Galapagos marine life or birdwatching from a breathtaking viewpoint. In between stops, guests have the pleasure of luxuriating back on board with a good book on the sundeck, a drink at the bar with other guests, or quiet time in your suite.
While a luxury Galapagos cruise is thoughtfully designed with an ever-engaging yet relaxed pace in mind, it also provides the ability to adapt the trip to your pace. You can choose which activities you want to take part in and which you’d substitute for an extra few hours in bed. The naturalist guide who leads the excursions will also ensure the ones you do partake in are adapted to any extra needs their guests might have as much as possible.
Discover flora and fauna you’ve never seen before
Allow the Galapagos to renew your curiosity for the world around you with its epic array of endemic flora and fauna. From the sea to the coastlines, and highlands, the Galapagos is teeming with birds, mammals, reptiles, plants, and more that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world because they are native to this remote archipelago and have never left. Everywhere you look on these otherworldly islands there is something new, unusual, and exciting to see.
It could be giant tortoises roaming the hillsides, marine iguanas and Galapagos penguins swimming around your boat, or the legendary blue-footed boobies waddling around your feet. While some must be observed from a distance, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with many of the plant and animal species that call the Galapagos home. As a senior traveler who has become well-acquainted with the world around you, the opportunity to see such beautiful and rare sights as the Galapagos will feel like a great honor.
Learn about the wonders of nature from expert naturalist guides
Every Galapagos excursion is led by an expert naturalist guide who enables visitors the best wildlife-spotting opportunities whilst honoring the rules and regulations of tourism to ensure it’s well-protected. On a luxury Galapagos cruise, the naturalist guide will sail with you throughout the trip, providing guests with ample opportunity to learn everything about the region from its geography to biology.
Whilst out on excursions, your naturalist guide will take the opportunity to share their impressive extensive knowledge about your surroundings and the flora and fauna you discover along the way. Being in a small group, you’ll be able to build a personal rapport with the guide and get plenty of time to ask questions. Back onboard, your expert naturalist guide will give you preliminary insights into your next destinations as well as hold lectures on more generalized topics such as conservation, research, and the history of the Galapagos.
Start planning your luxury Galapagos cruise as a senior traveler now
As both an adventurous and practical travel destination, there’s nowhere better to explore as a senior traveler who wants to make the most of their retirement years. At Totally Latin America, our expert travel planners can help you choose a luxury cruise that meets all your needs. Talk to us today to find out more about available cruises and how to add it to a bespoke itinerary that features more of the best South America destinations for senior travelers. Call us toll free on 1 855 217 9045 (USA/Canada) or by filling in our online contact form.
