An Insider's Look at Embarking on a Grand Adventure Cruise
Ready to set out on an amazing cruise getaway? With Hilton Grand Vacations, it’s easy. Your membership gives you access to ClubPartner Perk Grand Adventure cruises to picturesque ports of call around the world. Each Grand Adventure places you aboard top lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, and features unforgettable experiences and unique excursions.
But don’t just take our word for it: Hear from two Club Members who recently took a Grand Adventure cruise to the Galápagos Islands and Quito, Ecuador, aboard the new Celebrity Flora.
Sailing With HGV
A view from the Celebrity Flora. Photo courtesy of Tracy K.
How was the 10-night land and sea journey to the Galápagos with Celebrity Cruises? Simply put, “beyond amazing,” says Club Member Tracy K., who voyaged with her husband, Jim, in September.
The Members with Elite Premier status joined HGV in 2015 and sailed aboard the Celebrity Flora, the cruise line’s new ship designed to navigate the tight waters of the Galápagos Islands.
“The ship was virtually spotless,” Jim says. “The staff, from the captain to the servers, was so friendly.”
With a capacity of just 100 passengers, the luxurious ship provided an intimate atmosphere where guests, including fellow Club Members, could mingle and connect with each other.
"The coziness of it was amazing because you really got to know people. We made new friends there and we’re going to be catching up with them in April,” Tracy says. “We talked to a lot of Club Members, and it was interesting to know their experiences."
Jim and Tracy K. standing directly on the equator in Ecuador. Photo courtesy of Tracy K.
Their first stop was in Ecuador for a two-night stay in Quito City. Guided tours led them to some of the top cultural and historical highlights such as La Compañia Church, the monastery of San Francisco and Old Town, where they traversed cobblestone streets hundreds of years old. They even took the rare opportunity to stand directly on the equator.
Tracy with the famous Galápagos giant tortoise. Photo courtesy of Tracy K.
After the stay in Quito, Members were on to the Galápagos for a seven-night island-hopping adventure. Every day featured a new island or activity, including snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, walking tours and tender boat rides along the coast.
“The excursions were wonderful. All the naturalists and tour guides were very knowledgeable, and you could tell they were highly enthusiastic,” Jim says.
Tracy and Jim say they were looking forward to the rare and exotic wildlife found in the area — and the Galápagos certainly did not disappoint. Among the many species they saw were giant sea turtles at the Charles Darwin Research Center, sea lions swimming by their kayak, penguins diving into the water for fish, and blue-footed boobies flying above them. But out of all these run-ins with the local fauna, one moment was especially memorable.
Up close and personal with a group of dolphins. Photo courtesy of Tracy K.
“We were on our way to the mangroves and were surrounded by a pod of more than 50 dolphins. It was unbelievable,” Tracy says. “In every direction there were dolphins leaping into the air. We were all there for at least half an hour playing with them. It was just phenomenal.”
After exploring the Galápagos, a journey back to Quito concluded their trip. With ClubPartner Perk Grand Adventures, Tracy and Jim are experiencing new destinations.
“Our horizons have expanded a whole lot since we became Club Members,” Tracy says. “When the opportunity is presented to you, it’s a lot easier than going out looking for it yourself.”
More Grand Adventures
Tracy and Jim’s vacation is just a taste of what Members can experience on HGV’s ClubPartner Perk Grand Adventure cruises. Here are more voyages on the horizon.
- Sail the Greek Isles: Enjoy a 10-night round-trip cruise aboard the Celebrity Edge to the Greek Isles, stopping at islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes and Crete. The journey embarks on June 5, 2020, in Rome, where you’ll sail across the Tyrrhenian Sea from the town of Civitavecchia. Winery tours in Santorini and visits to the Parthenon in Athens and the Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples will be among the highlights of your trip.
- Sail to Bermuda: Take a seven-night Bermuda cruise round trip from New York City on August 2, 2020, aboard the Norwegian Encore. Once you arrive at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda, you’ll begin a three-day stay on the island’s West End, an area known for its sightseeing, shopping, dining and entertainment experiences along with its many beautiful beaches.
- Tour the Great Lakes: On September 21, 2021, embark on a voyage from Toronto to Chicago with Tauck aboard Ponant’s yacht Le Champlain. Along the way, sail through Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron and Michigan, and enjoy visits to Great Lakes towns and cities. The 12-day trip includes a seven-night cruise between Toronto and Chicago, plus two-night stays in both cities at the Four Seasons.
Want to learn more about upcoming adventures? Head to the Club Member Exclusives page on the Club website. Stay tuned for the unveiling of two new exclusive experiences: a seven-night voyage through New Orleans & Mississippi River Plantation Country, departing October 13, 2020, and a 10-night culinary cruise from London to Lisbon with Windstar and its partner, the James Beard Foundation, setting sail September 19, 2020.
*Top photo: Take in amazing sights and experiences on your next cruise with HGV. Photo by LFPuntel/Getty Images