To celebrate 10 years of offering adventure holidays to the Galapagos Islands, Celebrity Cruises has launched new land excursions that range from dining on authentic cuisine prepared by local residents to contributing to the protected islands by giving new life to a native tree species.

Building on 10 years of involvement in the Galapagos Islands, Celebrity Cruises continues its commitment to supporting and empowering the communities of the region with a medical clinic, fishing and agriculture cooperatives, and a partnership with the Galapagos Conservancy which will include a matching programme to double the value of guests’ donations.

New experiences available for guests visiting the unspoiled region include:

·      Authentic dining in the Highlands – Dine on local fare at a family’s farm in the highlands of Santa Cruz, Galapagos. Arranged exclusively by Celebrity Cruises, the immersive experience directly connects visitors with residents of the local community and the beauty of the island, its farms and even the giant tortoises roaming in their natural habitat.

·      Scalesia Reforestation Project – In close collaboration with the Galapagos National Park in Santa Cruz, guests guided by Celebrity Cruises’ naturalists can join a reforestation project with the goal to plant 5,000 Scalesia trees – an endemic tree that has lost much of its habitat in the Galapagos. This Scalesia-saving project is the first ever of its kind with the Galapagos National Park.

·      Collaborating with farmers for onboard menus – The new dining menu onboard Celebrity Xpedition reflects Celebrity Cruises’ effort to preserve the natural conditions and support local farmers in the Galapagos region. Foods sourced from Galapagos Islands’ fishermen and farmers and served onboard include locally caught, sustainable fish and seafood and fresh, organic vegetables and fruits.

·      Commemorative Book – Each guest onboard Celebrity Xpedition between June 2014 and December 2015 will receive a coffee table book featuring fun, touching and inspiring stories and photos submitted via Facebook by past guests who have explored the islands with Celebrity Cruises, along with information on the Galapagos Islands environment and community.

The new adventures are included when sailing onboard Celebrity Xpedition, in addition to the daily naturalist-led lectures and excursions on the untouched islands, their highlands and beautiful beaches.