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.
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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:
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Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
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- Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer expires 11/2/22.
- 6x points at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 6X | 6x points at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
| 4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
| 2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer expires 11/2/22.Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 points75,000 pointsAnnual Fee
$125Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6x points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4x points at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer expires 11/2/22.
- 6x points at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.
- See Rates & Fees