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Galapagos cruise offer - ANGELIQUE

BOAT: ANGELIQUE
LINK: https://www.sangay.com/galapagos_boat_ANGELIQUE.html
CLASS: TOURIST SUPERIOR

Galapagos cruise spaces on ANGELIQUE

Last updated: March 9th, 2010

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

Mar.15 Mar.18 3 10 USD $750 Reserve

Mar.15 Mar.22 7 9 USD $1400 Reserve

Mar.18 Mar.22 4 10 USD $935 Reserve

NOTE: Rates & availabilities are subject to change

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;

CONTACT: info@sangay.com

BOAT: ANGELIQUE
CLASS: Tourist Superior

CRUISE DATE: May 18th to 25th, 2009
PASEENGERS: Bram Caudri & Grabriela Wellman

We (young couple, aged 28-29) very much enjoyed our stay on the Angelique. It is a boat that offers basic comfort and cleanliness, and quite good meals. It is not luxurious but for us it was absolutely fine. The 7/8 day tour we took was amazing, and although i have of course not been on other tours, it seems that we visited all the important and most beautiful spots on the eastern islands.

Cabins

The boat has eight cabins. They are a bit small, but big enough to stay in, and anyway on the Galapagos who wants to stay in a cabin. We stayed in one next to the engine (cabin 8). It has advantages and disadvantages. The smell of diesel oil is quite overwhelming and the noise of the engine is loud (although you get used to both nuisances fairly quickly). On the other hand, as you are near the back of the boat, the cabins are the most stable at night when the boat travels, and that helps you getting a good night rest. In the front of the boat your bed moves with the waves enthusiastically! As the nights are relatively short anyway, we were (in the end) happy to be where we were. I suppose the cabins one step closer to the front would be the most comfortable ones (I think that would be cabins 5 & 6).

Food

The food provided on the boat was basically what you would expect from a simple buffet in a normal, 2 or 3 star european hotel. Breakfast was a cold continental buffet breakfast (the English people will perhaps be slightly disappointed), and lunch and dinner were warm buffet. Of course, there was no great variation in the food on offer, but honestly what can you expect them to provide you with on a bunch of small islands?

Other observations are:

- the boat was in good shape (we felt safe all the time);
- the rooms had good airco and electricity;
- the roof terrace on the boat is amazing to relax on after a long day, and though the other boats may be more modern, the top deck of the Angelique is nicer than any of their afterdecks;
- it was kept quite clean by very friendly and helpful staff.

I suppose the Angelique ranks in between the budget boats and the fancy boats (the reference to a simple 2/3 star hotel is accurate, I think). All in all, if you are looking for a boat with basic amenities, the Angelique is an excellent choice. If you are looking for luxury, this is not the boat for you, but if you just want a nice, safe boat and an enjoyable trip, it is perfect.

Continue reading Galapagos cruise offer – ANGELIQUE

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.