A Galápagos cruise is one of those trips that can be difficult to picture until you start looking into what you actually do each day. Most of us have seen photographs of the giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas, but the pictures do not really explain what traveling through these islands is like.

This is definitely not the typical tropical cruise vacation.

You may start your morning climbing into a Zodiac, walk across a volcanic landscape with a naturalist and then come back aboard for lunch before heading straight back out to snorkel. There can be sea lions in the water, marine iguanas stretched across black rocks and giant tortoises that seem completely unconcerned by the people standing nearby.

That is what I find so interesting about the Galápagos. The ship is important, especially when you want somewhere comfortable to return to at the end of the day, but the real experience is happening outside.

If you have been thinking about visiting the Galápagos as part of a larger trip to South America, there are a few things worth knowing before choosing your cruise.

The Wildlife Really Is That Close

I think everyone expects to see wildlife in the Galápagos. What can be surprising is how naturally you encounter it.

You are not arriving at an attraction where animals have been placed conveniently for visitors. You are walking through their environment, and some of the animals have very little interest in moving simply because you have arrived.

You might find a sea lion sleeping near a path or have to pay close attention to avoid overlooking marine iguanas blending into dark volcanic rocks. The famous blue-footed boobies are just as unusual as they look in photographs, while seeing a giant tortoise slowly making its way through the landscape is one of those experiences that finally makes you understand why people travel so far to get here.

The same thing happens underwater.

Snorkeling can be one of the highlights of the entire trip. Depending on the location and conditions, you may encounter sea turtles, rays, colorful fish, sea lions and even Galápagos penguins.

Even if snorkeling normally is not the part of a cruise that excites you, I would give it another chance here. There is a considerable difference between snorkeling off a resort beach and looking underwater to discover that a curious sea lion has decided to swim past you.

Do Not Pick the Cruise Based Only on the Ship

This is one of the biggest pieces of advice I would give someone researching the Galápagos for the first time.

Look at the itinerary.

The Galápagos are made up of many islands, and they can feel surprisingly different from one another. Some have beautiful beaches and calm bays, while others are dominated by volcanic rock and landscapes that almost look like they belong on another planet.

Wildlife varies too.

Depending on your itinerary, you may visit places such as Isabela, Fernandina, Española, Floreana, Santiago, Santa Cruz or Bartolomé. You do not need to become an expert on every island before booking, but I would pay attention to the variety offered by the route.

Celebrity Flora, for example, operates different Inner and Outer Loop itineraries, while Silver Origin explores different areas of the archipelago on its weeklong voyages.

For my first trip, I would want a good combination of wildlife, snorkeling, volcanic landscapes and different types of landings rather than trying to check the greatest number of islands off a list.

This is one destination where the itinerary deserves just as much attention as the ship.

Small Ships Feel Right Here

There are destinations where I enjoy having a large ship with dozens of restaurants, entertainment venues and things to do.

The Galápagos is not one of them.

I am not traveling this far to spend the afternoon on a pool deck because I could not decide what else to do. I want to get off the ship.

That is one reason the vessels sailing here are so interesting.

Celebrity Cruises operates Celebrity Flora, a purpose-built all-suite ship carrying around 100 guests. If you are familiar with Celebrity's large ocean ships, Flora almost feels like a different cruise line. The experience is centered around exploring the islands with certified naturalists rather than traditional big-ship entertainment.

Silversea's Silver Origin is also designed specifically for the Galápagos and carries only 100 guests. It takes the small expedition concept and adds the type of suite accommodations and personalized service you would expect from an ultra-luxury line.

The smaller ships make sense because the goal is not to keep you entertained onboard all day.

The goal is to make it easy to explore.

Your Naturalist May Become One of the Most Important People on the Trip

Normally when I choose a cruise, the onboard lecturers are not near the top of my list of priorities.

The Galápagos are different.

You can look at a marine iguana and think it is a very strange-looking lizard. Then a naturalist explains that it is the only marine lizard in the world, how it adapted to feed in the ocean and why those adaptations matter.

Suddenly you are looking at it completely differently.

The same thing happens with the birds, tortoises, plants and volcanic landscape. The islands become much more interesting when someone helps you understand why the animals developed the way they did and why certain species are found in one area but not another.

Both Celebrity and Silversea build their Galápagos programs heavily around local naturalist guides.

I would actually attend the briefings before the landings.

Knowing what you are looking for makes a surprisingly big difference once you step ashore.

You Are Going to Get Wet and Probably a Little Dirty

This is another part of the trip that glossy ship photographs do not always communicate.

Some days are active.

You may be climbing in and out of Zodiacs, walking on uneven volcanic surfaces or snorkeling before returning to the ship. Some landings are easier than others, and you should expect your shoes to actually get used.

I would pack comfortable walking shoes with decent grip rather than trying to make one pair of sandals handle the entire vacation.

I would also bring a good hat, plenty of sun protection and lightweight clothing that works well for active days. You are very close to the equator, and the sun can catch you faster than you might expect when you are outside for hours.

The water can surprise people too. Being near the equator does not automatically mean every snorkeling location feels like a warm swimming pool. Ocean currents influence water temperatures around the islands, which is why wetsuits are commonly used.

Fortunately, some cruise lines provide much of the specialized gear. Celebrity, for example, includes snorkeling equipment and wetsuits as part of its Galápagos experience.

Check what your particular sailing provides before filling your suitcase with equipment you may not need.

I Would Spend More Than Seven Days on the Entire Trip

A week exploring the Galápagos can be plenty.

A week for the entire vacation feels rushed.

Most travelers will pass through mainland Ecuador before continuing to the islands, and I think it is worth allowing yourself some time there rather than treating it purely as an airport connection.

Quito is particularly easy to incorporate into the journey, and some cruise packages already include hotel stays, transfers and flights between mainland Ecuador and the Galápagos.

If you have even more time, this is also when Peru starts becoming tempting.

Machu Picchu and the Galápagos are obviously completely different experiences, but combining them can make sense when you have already traveled all the way to this part of South America. Some extended cruise packages are designed around exactly that type of trip.

I would not try to squeeze everything into ten days just to say I did it.

But if I had two weeks or longer available, I would certainly look at the possibilities before flying home.

There Is No Bad Time That Everyone Should Avoid

One of the nice things about planning a Galápagos cruise is that ships operate throughout the year.

That does not mean every month is identical.

There are warmer and cooler periods, and ocean conditions change as different currents influence the islands. Wildlife behavior changes throughout the year as animals nest, breed and raise their young.

Instead of looking for one magical "best month," I would think about what matters most to you.

Someone especially interested in snorkeling and warmer water may have different priorities from someone who is more interested in certain wildlife activity or cooler hiking conditions.

I would not let this become something that stops you from booking, though.

Unlike destinations with a very short season, the Galápagos have interesting wildlife throughout the year. There is always something happening.

Do Not Pack Like You Are Going on a Traditional Luxury Cruise

Even if you choose an upscale ship, I would keep the suitcase fairly practical.

Comfortable walking shoes, lightweight clothes, sun protection and something easy to put on after snorkeling are going to get much more use than a collection of formal outfits.

I would bring a small waterproof bag as well. When you are constantly moving between the ship, Zodiacs, beaches and snorkeling locations, having somewhere safe for a phone, camera or other small items becomes very useful.

And check whether binoculars are provided onboard before buying or packing your own.

One thing I would definitely bring is more sunscreen than I think I need.

You are outside a lot.

Between the equatorial sun and the reflection off the water, this is not the vacation where I would plan on buying one tiny bottle after I arrive and hoping it lasts all week.

The Ship Still Matters, Just in a Different Way

After spending the morning hiking and the afternoon snorkeling, I am definitely going to appreciate a good shower, comfortable suite and a nice dinner.

That is where choosing the right cruise line still matters.

Celebrity Flora gives travelers a very polished expedition experience while still retaining some of the familiarity of Celebrity. Silver Origin takes things further into the luxury end of the market with all-suite accommodations, butler service and an onboard experience designed specifically around Ecuador and the Galápagos.

But I would not let the ship become the main reason for choosing this trip.

The Galápagos are one of those rare destinations where the ship should almost disappear into the background.

It gets you from island to island. It gives you somewhere comfortable to sleep, eat and relax. Then, the next morning, it puts you somewhere completely different.

And you start all over again.

The Galápagos Are About the Moments You Cannot Schedule

I think that is ultimately what makes this trip so appealing.

You can research the islands. You can choose the itinerary carefully and decide between Celebrity Flora and Silver Origin. You can look at photographs and watch videos before you go.

But you cannot really schedule the moments that end up becoming your favorite part of the trip.

Maybe it is the first giant tortoise you see in the wild.

Maybe it is watching a blue-footed booby and finally realizing that, yes, its feet really are that blue.

Or maybe you are snorkeling when a sea lion suddenly appears and decides to swim around you for a few seconds.

Those are the stories I would expect to bring home.

The beautiful ship, comfortable suite and good dinner are certainly part of the vacation.

They are just not the reason I would travel all the way to the Galápagos.