Deal watch: Get up to 40% off Galapagos cruises and free air with exclusive offer
Thinking about a Galapagos Islands cruise? You can save a serious sum if you book a trip in the very short term with Quasar Expeditions.
The Galapagos Islands cruise specialist is offering up to 40% off published rates for select sailings in September and October on its two small Galapagos vessels. It's throwing in free air to reach the destination, to boot.
In addition, in an exclusive offer to TPG readers, Quasar is extending the promotion to sailings scheduled for November through mid-December.
Specifically, as part of the offer:
- Seven-night Galapagos sailings on Quasar's 32-passenger Evolution start at $4,800 per person, a 40% discount to the published starting rate of $8,000 per person.
- Seven-night Galapagos sailings on the brand's 16-passenger Grace start at $6,500 per person, a 30% discount to the published starting rate of $9,350 per person.
In both cases, the offer price includes a credit for international air from the United States to the Galapagos Islands, up to a limit of $1,500 per person.
For sailings on Evolution, the offer is available for sailings between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31, with an extension for TPG readers to sailings through Dec. 16.
For sailings on Grace, the offer is available for sailings between Sept. 1 and Nov. 7, with an extension for TPG readers to sailings through Dec. 19.
To book the offer, customers should head to Quasar's special promotion landing page.
Quasar's two small vessels offer safari-style adventures around the Galapagos Islands, where small-ship travel is the norm.
Related: The ultimate Galapagos cruise guide | The best Galapagos cruises for an epic wildlife adventure
By law, all cruise vessels operating in the Galapagos must carry just 100 or fewer passengers and operate in the destination year-round. Still, Quasar's vessels are on the smaller side of those operating in the Galapagos, offering an intimate and personal experience.
The smaller of the company's two vessels, Grace, comes with a larger-than-life backstory. It was built as a private yacht for a tycoon, was later put into service for the British government in World War II (Winston Churchill traveled on the vessel during the war) and eventually was given to Grace Kelly and Monaco's Prince Rainier as a wedding gift in 1956.
Princess Grace, as she came to be known, used the vessel as a private yacht for years, which is the origin of its current name.
The company's second ship, Evolution, has the look of a luxury steamer from the golden age of steamship travel in the early 1900s but actually dates to 2005.
While relatively small as cruise vessels go, Quasar's vessels are filled with all the creature comforts.
The bigger of the vessels, Evolution, has 16 passenger cabins, an indoor lounge, an outdoor lounge and bar, an outdoor dining area, an indoor dining area, a boutique and an outdoor Jacuzzi at its bow.
Grace has eight passenger cabins, an interior lounge, an outdoor lounge, an outdoor dining area, a top-of-the-ship sunbathing area, and an outdoor Jacuzzi at its bow.
The fine print
As is typical for Quasar sailings, all meals and snacks on board the ships are included in the fares above, though alcoholic beverages cost extra.
In addition, all activities and explorations are part of the price. This means kayaking with sea lions, snorkeling with penguins 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.
Among the fine print:
- The offer is valid for bookings only and is not retroactive to existing bookings
- The offer cannot be combined with any other discounts or specials available
Some sailings scheduled during the eligible months for the offer already are sold out. As of Thursday, sailings on Evolution on Sept. 2, 9 and 16 were sold out, as were sailings on Grace scheduled for Aug. 29 and Oct. 17 and 24.
All other sailings during September and October still had cabins available, though in some cases, it was just one or two cabins.
Note that the Galapagos Islands are part of Ecuador, which has been experiencing political unrest in recent days in the wake of the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio on Aug. 10. Villavicencio was assassinated at an election rally in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. The assassination prompted the declaration of a state of emergency across Ecuador for 60 days.
The unrest is in isolated parts of Ecuador and has not affected the Galapagos Islands. The U.S. Department currently has a Level 2 advisory in place for Ecuador, which recommends exercising increased caution when traveling to Ecuador. (A Level 3 advisory recommends reconsidering travel, while Level 4 advisory comes with a recommendation not to travel.)
Related: How to check the safety of your next travel destination
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways cruisers waste money
- 15 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
- What to pack for your first cruise
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- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 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. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.