Deal alert: 40% off and free international airfare for last-minute Galapagos cruises
Every so often I share a deal that's so good, it's hard to pass up. As an adventure and expeditions fan, this is one of these deals.
Quasar Expeditions, which offers small yacht cruises around the Galapagos Islands, currently has a deal for 40% off the cost of a cruise for fast-approaching dates in August and September. Quasar will also cover the cost of international round-trip airfare for select departures.
I'm especially fond of this deal because I took advantage of a similar offer last summer to bring my family on Quasar's Evolution ship.
The trade-off for the great price on what is definitely a bucket list journey? The need to be super spontaneous for a trip that most people plan a year (or more) in advance.
I wish I had a little more time to prepare for my cruise. However, I was still thrilled to be able to bring my husband and son with me for an epic adventure that cost us nearly half of what it would have set us back had we planned farther in advance.
Related: 9 things I wish I had known before taking a Galapagos cruise
Quasar offers two small ships for safari-style adventures around the Galapagos. The larger, the Evolution, holds a maximum of 32 people. The Grace, which Grace Kelly sailed on for her honeymoon, accommodates just 16 people.
All meals and snacks are included in your cruise (alcoholic beverages cost extra), but more importantly, all activities and explorations are part of the price. This means kayaking with sea lions, snorkeling with sharks and exploring remote islands to see endemic bird life such as blue-footed boobies with some of the best guides in the Galapagos are all part of your up-front cost.
Related: How I saved thousands of dollars by DIY-ing an island-hopping trip in the Galapagos
If visiting the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador is something you've been dreaming about, it may be worth checking out these small expedition ships while they're heavily discounted. See below for details.
Deal basics
Cruise line: Quasar Expeditions.
Location: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
How to book: Book directly through the company's online call center.
Travel dates: 2022 Evolution cruise dates, including airfare: Aug. 20-27, Aug. 27-Sept. 3, Sept. 10-17 and Sept. 17-24, 2022, (additional 2022 Evolution cruise dates, not including airfare: Sept. 24-Oct. 3, 2022); Grace cruise dates, not including airfare: Aug. 16-23, 2022.
Important deal notes
For this deal, you will need to speak with a Quasar specialist directly. We noticed that the 40% off offer is on the website, but the free airfare is not.
When we checked, Quasar said the international airfare offer was only sent as part of an email communication. We're including an image here for reference, but be sure to sign up for email communications prior to calling and booking.
Bottom line
If you're flexible, spontaneous and interested in exploring the marine wonderland of the Galapagos Islands, where you can dive with sharks, swim with sea turtles and explore remote islands filled with endemic avian life — including the iconic blue-footed booby — then this deal may be the answer to your Galapagos bucket list dreams.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.