Quasar Expeditions has been providing world-class small yacht travel to the Galapagos for over three decades. In that time, we’ve developed a deep understanding of how to make the experience of each one of our travelers thrilling, awe-inspiring, and truly transcendent.
One feature that some of our travelers have noticed missing from our high-end yacht expeditions? A constant wireless internet connection. While WiFi is available onboard our ships, we discourage guests from accessing it for general use—though we understand that some do require a WiFi connection from time to time and will accommodate such cases.
That’s left a few of our travelers wondering—In such a universally connected world, why does Quasar Expeditions choose to keep our fully outfitted yachts free from connections to the digital sphere? Where is the Galapagos cruise WiFi? After all, mobile wireless connections have become cost effective and manageable for sea and air travel over the last several years.
For the answer, it’s important to understand what makes our expeditions to the Galapagos truly special.
Journey to An Untamed Paradise
The Galapagos Archipelago is one of the world’s most sparsely inhabited island chains, with 97% of its landmass completely unoccupied by human settlement and 10 of the 13 islands accessible only by sea. This has allowed wildlife and marine life to flourish at an astonishing and awe-inspiring rate.
When combined with the jaw-dropping beauty of the islands’ landscape and the surrounding sea, our small-yacht expeditions allow for a truly immersive experience capable of making travelers feel as though they’ve stepped thousands of years back in time. By encouraging our fellow adventurers to disconnect from the modern world, we ensure a powerfully removed experience that puts the stunning beauty of the islands in sharp focus.
But it isn’t just closeness with nature that makes disconnecting while on a Quasar Expedition worthwhile. There are other proven benefits to unplugging, as well.
Connect with Fellow Travelers
One of the most powerful experiences that our guests report after traveling with us is the sense of connection they feel with their fellow travelers.
One journalist who traveled to the Galapagos with us reported,
"During my year of solo travel, there have been surprisingly few times when I’ve been truly alone. And while I always try and put myself out there and make new friends along the way, I have to say, being on a boat with twenty strangers for a week, where none of us had access to the outside world was a transformative experience."Todd Plummer - The Observer
By disconnecting from well-worn social and interpersonal networks, our travelers are given the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with fellow adventurers they might otherwise never get to know. We’ve found that there’s immense value in exploring a new place and having new experiences alongside new friends, freed from the temptation to avoid social interactions by hiding behind mobile devices.
Experience Fuller Days
In a place as beautiful and unique as the Galapagos, every hour is a gift. Our guests report that disconnecting from technology and unplugging from the demands of their life while exploring with us results in their days feeling more fulfilled, complete, and joyful. And they’re not alone—studies show that disconnecting from work and other demands improves quality of life, health, and overall happiness.
This is one of the most significant reasons we feel that total digital detox is so important on our Galapagos luxury cruise, and why we don’t offer Galapagos WiFi. We want our travelers to have the opportunity to feel truly present and appreciate every minute of this one-of-a-kind natural immersion.
Enjoy More Restful Relaxation and Sleep
It should come as no surprise that our luxurious cruise experiences provide some of the most relaxing and restful atmospheres on earth—after all, what’s more relaxing than tropical ocean breezes and the gentle rocking of a yacht above sparkling, smooth blue waters?
But helping our travelers disconnect from the stresses of their everyday lives also helps maximize that sense of relaxation. In fact, research has shown that disconnecting from the internet improves quality of sleep for people around the world. Blue light, the segment of the light spectrum emitted by devices like our smartphones, tablets and televisions, suppresses the release of melatonin in our brains, which leads to a lower quality of sleep. This in turn can contribute to a variety of negative health effects.
Feel Rejuvenated Upon Return
Why do we travel? Why do our adventurous guests set aside weeks of their lives, putting their professional pursuits on hold to travel halfway around the world in search of natural splendor and isolation?
They certainly enjoy the sense of peace and excitement they feel while exploring these stunning remote islands. But at Quasar Expeditions, we’ve found that their motivations run deeper. Part of the wonder of travel is the feeling that occurs upon taking a break from technology before returning back to the ‘real world,’ and the feeling of peace and rejuvenation that results in the boldness to take on whatever comes next.
The more disconnected you can be from your everyday life, the stronger that energized feeling will be when you finally return. If you’re constantly plugged into your life remotely through a wireless internet connection, will it ever feel like you truly left in the first place?
At Quasar, we don’t just captain cruises—we create life-changing adventures that only a handful of fortunate travelers will ever have the opportunity to experience. As such, we make it our mission to help each one of our travelers experience their Galapagos adventure to the fullest. This is why we’ve made a decision not to let our fleet of yachts be tethered to the digital world.
It’s just one of the many ways Quasar Expeditions helps you experience the world from a new perspective. Come join our vision of what real adventure is all about!
I leave you with this short video from musician Prince Ea, where he shares his views on the 'digital insanity' that leaves many of us consumed by technology. Let us know what you think below in the comments.
