CRUISE COMMENTS « Galapagos, Ecuador & Peru Last Minute Travel Offers (live)

Galapagos last minute tours – ANGELIQUE

WE HAVE CEASED OFFERING THIS OPTION.

Galapagos last minute on ANGELIQUE.

NOTE: Spaces, prices & availabilities are subject to change. [Last updated: July 1st, 2011]

From To Nights Space(s) Rate per person Note(s) Reservation

CEASED OFFERING Reserve

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;

Economic Galapagos boat GABY – warning

As a public courtesy, and following Sangay Touring’s constant ethical and professional approach to Galapagos cruises, we publish the following regarding the economic Galapagos Islands boat, M/Y Gaby (aka Gabi):

Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism

Oficio No.- MT-GRG-2010-0013

Date: January 21, 2010

To all tour operators and agencies we inform you of the report by the Puerto Ayora Port Captain [see below excerpt section]. In addition we take this opportunity to inform you that, due to numerous complaints regarding the incompletion of services provided by the operator of the Gaby, the respective legal department of the Minsitry of Tourism will be exectuting in the following days, in conjuction with the Direccion Juridica, the respective administrative and legal procedures to ensure that all the pertinent and legal procedures are applied.

Official communication [translation of pertinent sections] from Capitania de Puerto Ayora, Galapagos

Date: January 18, 2010

The boat, Gaby, is currently prohibited to navigate due to the incompletion of Internaitonal security regulations. The boat, due to damages to its motor and generator, cannot navigate December 28th, 29th & 30th 2009 and after 3 inspections conducted by the Puerto Ayora Port captain to verify the boat’s condition has decided to stop its operation until such time as the boat returns to satisfactory conditions.

Galapagos cruise money warning / advise!

It appears as though there is an increasing trend and probability that on numerous Galapagos Islands cruises – even high-end deluxe class cruises – that the chance of having money ‘go missing’ from one’s cabin (for cruise boats that do not supply a safety deposit box or other security measures) is becoming more frequent.

The whole tip issue and security for money, requirement to have large sums of money on hand, only asks for this kind of trouble.

The main problem is that expecting to have to pay large tips IN CASH sets up a security problem. There are no safes in the rooms. There was major crew turnover half way through the trip. It only takes one bad apple. I took $1000 cash, my wife about $500. Some other system needs to be in place. A safe, keys to room with only one crew member having access…something.

Again, a wonderful cruise in many respects, but tainted by the missing $100 and the safety concerns are also very real.

Sangay Touring® strongly urges clients visiting the Galapagos to take all necessary precautions and steps, if travelling with sums of cash to beware, becareful and be cautious …. especially if your hotel or boat does not provide guests a safety deposit box or other secure method to store your valuables.