FEEDBACK REPORT FROM FEBRUARY 2010

Aqui estan mis impresiones escritas sobre nuestro crucero a Los Galapagos.

Habia elegido un crucero de 5 dias que iba a las islas del sur de los Galapagos (Baltra, Seymour, Plaza, Santa Fe, Española, Floreana, Santa Cruz) con el barco New Flamingo. Fuimos alla entre el 19 y 23 de febrero de 2010.

El viaje paso muy bien aparte del barco. Habiamos elegido una clase turista, entonces sabiamos que no era un crucero de lujo pero este barco fue muy malo.

De hecho el barco estaba muy muy muy viejo y poco confortable :

- cucarachas y otros insectos en las cabinas y en el puente,

- cabinas muy pequeñas donde no habia lugar para poner una mochila en en suelo (tuvimos que poner las mochilas sobre la cama!),

- infliltraciones de agua en las cabinas cuando lluvia,

- no agua caliente en las cabinas (como lo me habia dicho), y muy poca agua en las duchas,

- el aire condicionado se daño durante el viaje y fue imposible dormir en las cabinas (tan pequeñas que sean), tuvimos que dormir en el puente,

- varios miembros de la tripulacion no tenian cabinas entonces dormaban en el puente tambien.

Sin embargo, la tripulacion del barco era muy amable y la cocina muy rica.

Nuestro guia era formidable con mucha experiencia y sabiduria. El trataba cada rato de mostrarnos causas dificiles de ver o de pasar por un camino diferente de los otros grupos. El hablaba perfectamente el Ingles.

Espero que esto podria servir para los turistas sigientes.

Mis padres estan un poco enfadados a causa de eso. Me preguntaron de escribir al Lonely Planet, porque es gracias a este libro que he encontrado su agencia. Yo espero que este solo es un incidente.

Saludos,

Sarah.

Here are my impression of our cruise in the Galapagos Islands.

We chose the 5 day cruise to the Galapagos Islands (Baltra, North Seymour, Espanola, Floreana, Santa Cruz) on the New Flamingo.  We went from February 19th to 23rd 2010.

The trip went well apart from the boat itself.  We chose a tourist class knowing that we would not be on a luxury cruise but this boat was aweful.

The boat was very very old and uncomfortable.

• Cockroaches and other insects in the cabins and on deck
• The cabins were extremely small to the point that there was little if any room to put out backpacks on the floor (we had to put the backpacks on our beds!!)
• Water filtration in the cabins when it rained
• No hot water in the bathroom and little water for showers
• The air conditioning was broken during our trip and was impossible to sleep in the cabins … we ended up sleeping on the deck
• Various crew members did not have cabins and also slept on the deck

That being said, the crew was very friendly and the food was delicious.

Our guide was fabulous and with a great deal of experience and knowledge.  He tried at every moment to explain everything in detail and spoke perfect English.

I hope this helps you and your future clients.

Galapagos cruise availabilities on NEW FLAMINGO

Last updated: March 9th, 2010

Prices do not include (unless otherwise specified):

· Round trip airfare to Galapagos (which is booked in conjunction with the cruise);
· Galapagos National Park fee US $100.00 (To be paid in cash only upon arrival in Galapagos);
· Ingala Immigration card of US $10.00 (To be paid in cash in the airport in Quito)
· Tips/gratuities;
· Alcoholic beverages & extra drinks;
· Special service not described above;

CLASS: TOURIST
LINK: http://www.sangay.com/galapagos_boat_NEWFLAMINGO.html

NEW FLAMINGO ITINERARY [7-nights]

TUE: BALTRA / SANTA CRUZ (Highlands)
WED: RABIDA / SANTIAGO (Puerto Egas)
THU: BARTOLOME / SANTIAGO (Sullivan Bay)
FRI: NORTH SEYMOUR / SANTA CRUZ (Black Turtle Cove [Caleta Tortuga Negra])
SAT: PLAZAS / SANTA FE
SUN: ESPANOLA (Gardner Bay / Punta Suarez)
MON: FLOREANA (Punta Cormorant / Post Office Bay)
TUE: SANTA CRUZ (Charles Darwin Station) / BALTRA

NOTE: ITINERARIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE

NEW FLAMINGO ITINERARY [4-nights]

FRI: BALTRA / SANTA CRUZ (Black Turtle Cove [Caleta Tortuga Negra])
SAT: PLAZAS / SANTA FE
SUN: ESPANOLA (Gardner Bay / Punta Suarez)
MON: FLOREANA (Punta Cormorant / Post Office Bay)
TUE: SANTA CRUZ (Charles Darwin Station) / BALTRA

NOTE: ITINERARIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE

NEW FLAMINGO ITINERARY [3-nights]

TUE: BALTRA / SANTA CRUZ (Highlands)
WED: RABIDA / SANTIAGO (Puerto Egas)
THU: BARTOLOME / SANTIAGO (Sullivan Bay)
FRI: NORTH SEYMOUR / BALTRA

NOTE: ITINERARIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE

NEW FLAMINGO BOAT CHARACTERISTICS

CLASS: TOURIST
TYPE: MOTOR
CAPACITY: 10 PASSENGERS
ACCOMMODATION: 5 DOUBLE CABINS (BUNK BEDS)
NATURALIST GUIDE: CLASS II
KAYAKS: NO
SNORKELING: YES (USD $20 for 7-NIGHTS & USD $15 for 4-NIGHTS & $10 for 3-NIGHTS)
SCUBA DIVING: POSSIBLE (MINIMUM 2 PEOPLE / 2 DIVES EACH)
COMMENTS: EXTREMELY BASIC OPTION (IDEAL FOR BACKPACKERS)
SINGLE CABIN: 100%
EXTRA FUEL SURCHARGE: NONE
NORMAL FLIGHTS USED: AEROGAL 2K 032 / 2K 033

NOTE: INFORMATION PROVIDED BY YACHT OPERATOR; SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE