What is the BEST bets for the Galapagos islands ? December/April & best cruise for families.thanks.?

I would suggest April. The water is warmer. Don't expect to find Holland America type vessels, but all cruises serving the Galapagos are excellent. There aren't too many attractions for kids yet the learning experiences at The Galapagos is really worth taking the trip. Look for Galapagos Explorer...

Actually, April is a little cooler than December, which is great for hiking. The water is also cooler, so take that into account, though. I was there in January a few years ago, and I had no problem snorkeling without a wet suit.

The only major cruise line which operates in the Galapagos is Celebrity, and they operate the largest ships there. Even so, don't expect much in entertainment, other than the destination-related ones.

You can also cruise on smaller ships operated by reputable companies, which offer you smaller crowds and a more intimate environment on board.

I went to the Galapagos in late Nov. The weather was beautiful - not a cloud in the sky. The water was pretty cold though. I definitely was glad that we had brought wetsuits.

As far as cruises go, the bigger ships, while they may offer a little bit more in terms of lavish accommodations, are not what I would recommend. When we saw people getting off of them, almost all of the people were much older. One of the many great experiences we had was living on a small yacht for seven nights. We got close to all the people on board with us and had a great time. There was also a family on board who loved it.

My advice would be to really research the individual islands. Every one is different and unless you are going to be there for 2 weeks, you won't be able to see it all. For example, if you are really interested in the flightless cormorant, you will have to go to one of the western islands.

Have fun. I have traveled all over the world and the Galapagos was the most magical place I have ever visited. Whenever you meet someone who has also been there, it's like you are all part of a family; try as you might, you can never truly explain the wonder of the place until you actually visit.

You may find that availability is more the issue as December can be booked far in advance.

Another factor you want to look at are how well people travel. The type of craft you choose may make a difference. Some of the larger cruise ships can't navigate as well through the islands. Some of the smaller craft may not have as smooth a ride. A good tour operator can talk you through these options.

A good friend of mine took his two teen age daughters to the Galapagos two years ago with Geographic Expeditions and they thoroughly loved it. He did tell me he was glad he researched the ships though.