Today there is so much information on Galapagos Islands cruises readily available on the Internet to make your head spin. This can be very advantageous and helpful for the reader as information is readily available …. everything from island descriptions, weather details, island maps, wildlife details and cruise options.
But how ACCURATE and UP TO DATE is most of the information regarding Galapagos Island cruise on the Internet. INFORMATION IS ONLY AS GOOD AND USEFUL AS IT IS ACCURATE, HONEST AND UP TO DATE.
Making one’s decision based on inaccurate, incomplete and/or out-of-date information can cause not only frustration but a sense of deception. With accurate information, and complete information, your choices and decisions are made easier.
The most common information that is either out-of-date or inaccurate …
ABOUT BOATS THAT NO LONGER FLOAT ….
A Google search the following term: “Darwin Explorer” (a boat that, incidentally, that sunk in September 2005) was conducted.
There are dozens of agencies apparently offering cruises on a boat that no longer exists.
The same holds true for other Galapagos boats that no longer exist, like the Rumba (sunk July 2, 2010), Alta (ran aground March 18, 2010), Cormorant II – aka Galapagos Journey II (sank October 1, 2009), Spondylus (sank July 1, 2008), Parranda, Ambassador (to name a few).
The same exercise can be applied to other frequent and wide-spread “errors” relating to Galapagos cruise details, which mainly include the following information that is inaccurate:
- Cruise itinerary and/or departure days;
- Classification of boats;
- Images of boats (some are correct but have been ‘adjusted’);
- Technical details (i.e., capacity, cabin types etc).
Although typographical errors and other minor errors are likely and sometime easily missed, it is now wonder that many people are easily frustrate and confused during their Internet surfing for Galapagos travel options!
Sangay Touring takes every effort to keep our readers and clients as accurately informed and up to date as possible. Over the years, this alone has gained us respect in the field. As we dedicate ourselves to Galapagos Islands travel, we are in constant communication with service providers and keep our information fresh, current and accurate.
ABOUT EXPECTATIONS ….
I have found that individuals’ experience and feedback comments on any given cruise are directly related to their EXPECTATIONS. If one’s expectations have been falsely (purposely or not) raised beyond the reality, the person will almost always be disappointed. If one’s expectations are in line with reality, one’s experience will be what you expect. A great deal boils down to one’s expectations.
I would rather prefer to err on the side of caution and have my clients have a slightly lower level of expectation about their Galapagos boat and be pleasantly surprised when the reality is better than expected. I have seen, all too many a time, that on the same Galapagos cruise that there is a wide discrepancy regarding the passengers’ overall review of the cruise – with some disappointed, others exactly what they were expecting and others extremely satisfied.
It boils down to how closely their expectations matched the reality!
ABOUT THE TYPES OF BOATS …
That being said, there is no one Galapagos cruise that is perfect for everyone. Each person has his or her particular likes and dislikes, expectations and requirements. Some prefer the large, comfortable Deluxe cruise ships that carry 40 to 100 passengers (i.e., Galapagos Explorer II, Santa Cruz, Galapagos Legend, Evolution, Eclipse etc) while most prefer a more intimate, smaller option. The vast majority of the non-cruise ships are, on average for 16 passengers (allocated into 8 double cabins).
PHYSICAL ASPECT
There are different advantages and disadvantages of the various types of vessel (cruise ship, motor catamaran, motor-sail catamaran, motor boat, sailing and motor-sailers). The larger and heavier the vessel, the more stable it is in the water. The most stable (important for those extremely sensitive to sea sickness) are the large capacity cruise ships (i.e., Eclipse, Evolution, Galapagos Explorer II, Galapagos Legend, Isabella II, La Pinta & Santa Cruz).
These vessels carry between 32 to 100 passengers, have spacious and well acquainted cabins & facilities, spacious decks and social areas and highly qualified and trained crew members. Cabins are generally allocated on two (or more) different decks. Several boast Jacuzzis, gyms and other perks.
The possible disadvantages (depending obviously on one’s point of view) are the following: (1) generally attract an older and higher socio-economic clientele; (2) a greater number of fellow passengers; (3) the activities are generally geared towards older passengers so are not demanding (for those wanting a more active cruise – plenty of snorkeling & hiking etc – a smaller vessel is better suited for you); and (4) slower boarding and debarking of the vessel (i.e., for island visits) as passengers are divided into smaller groups of 16 to 20 passengers each.
Of these smaller options, they can neatly be divided into the following type:
- motor
- motor sailer (or sailer)
- catamarans (motor or motor sailer).
Turning to the non-cruise ship options, you have
- (1) the catamarans – motor & motor sailers – that include Archipel I (aka Galapagos Journey III), Archipel II, Nemo II, Queen Beatriz (aka GAP VI), Queen of Galapagos, Seaman II, Treasure of Galapagos, Anahi, Athala & Nina;
- (2) sailing & motor sailers like Angelique, Encantada, Beagle, Cachalote, Mary Anne, Nautilus, & Sagitta;
- (3) the motor boats – which is the largest list of vessels in Galapagos.
The heavy, wide motor catamaran version (i.e., Archipel I & II, Anahi etc) are not only well appointed, but due to the width of the vessel are spacious in terms of cabins and social areas and stable. Some even have on-board jacuzzi to soak into after a long day hiking the islands. The lighter motor sailing catamarans (i.e., Nemo II etc) are comfortable and relatively spacious, but not as stable as their heavy motor brothers above.
The sailing boats (most of them are technically motor sailers – when there isn’t sufficient wind, I think you would be glad that they can still navigate under motor power!) are long and narrow by nature. This makes them vulnerable to swaying (or rocking) in the seas … even when anchored. Most of these vessels have small and somewhat cramped cabins and limited deck and social areas. However, vessels like the Beagle, Cachalote & Mary Anne have an attractive and cozy atmosphere aboard. These vessels are, without a doubt, geared more towards your adventurous and active passenger. They provide and intimate experience – something that is hard to replicate on a large cruise ship.
The bulk of the Galapagos cruise vessels fall into the ‘motor’ category – from your small, old & basic economic motor boats like the Amigo & New Flamingo right up to the luxurious and relatively spacious Galaxy, Voyager & Grace and Tip Top IV etc. The wider and heavier the motor boat is, the more stable it is. Many (but not all) of these motor vessels have cabins allocated on two (or more) different decks.
CABINS
While most Galapagos boats only have double cabins (cabin for two people), a very limited number have single and/or triple cabin arrangements. The standard bedding arrangements are upper/lower twin bed berths (bunk beds), while a good number – generally in the First and Deluxe classes – may have several cabins that have one double bed and/or two lower twin beds. With very few exceptions, almost every cabin on the various Galapagos boats has its own private facilities (i.e., shower, bathroom, hot/cold water etc). Cabin location can be important. Generally speaking (but depends on the mechanical layout of the boat in question) the father forward and up the cabin is, the farther away you will be from the motors/generators. This translates into less noise, vibration, heat and possible fuel aroma.
ABOUT THE TRAVEL & ITINERARIES …
Regardless of the vessel, they all navigate and operate in a similar fashion – the major inter-island transitions (i.e., from Espanola over to Floreana, for example) are done on the overnight hours. That way, when you awake the next day, the boat is already anchored off the island to be visited that morning. This maximizes the daylights hours, and thereby attempting to reduce transitions during the day to a minimum.
There are occasional transitions done on some boats between the morning and afternoon visit (these transitions may be to another point on the same island or to a nearby island). These however are generally not that noticeable as passengers are enjoying lunch aboard during the transition.
Itineraries are generally variations on a theme. That is to say, most boats visit similar sites – just maybe in a different order. Islands & sites (for map) that are generally common to most cruises are (based on 7-night cruises):
- Baltra airport (not technically a tourist site but the start and/or end point of most cruises);
- Santa Cruz Island (i.e., Puerto Ayora, Charles Darwin Station, Highlands);
- Espanola Island (i.e., Punta Suarez & Gardner Bay);
- Florena Island (i.e., Punta Cormorant, Post Office Bay, Devil’s Crown);
- North Seymour
- (South) Plaza
- Santa Fe
- San Cristobal (i.e., Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Interpretation Center, Leon Dormido etc)
Islands that (up until the end of 2010) are not as commonly featured in the majority of Galapagos cruise itineraries – but highly recommended – are:
- Fernandina Island (i.e., Punta Espinoza)
- Isabela Island (i.e., Elizabeth Bay, Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove etc)
- Genovesa Island (i.e., Darwin Bay & Prince Phillip’s Steps)
For those with an ecological and environmental concern and interest, there are a limited number of Galapagos boats that take serious steps to reduce any negative environmental impact and can be considered as responsible tourism options (please refer to RECOMMENDED BOATS)
ABOUT MOTION OR SEA SICKNESS ….
For those sensitive to motion or sea-sickness, there are two factors to keep in mind:
(1) time of year – try to avoid late August through to October – as the seas are generally more turbulent this time of the year. Most of the wildlife is present all year round (although in different activities depending on the month in question). The Waved Albatross (usually present on Espanola only from March to December), and whales (usually only present between June and September)
(2) try to avoid the sailing (or motor sailer) boats – the narrower the boat the more prone it is to rocking in the open waters, while the wider (and heavier) the boat is the more stable it is. The most stable are the large cruise ships and the motor catamarans (i.e., Athala, Anahi, Cormorant II, Queen of Galapagos), followed by the wider motor boats and then down to the narrow sailing boats. The smaller the boat, the less stable it is. A recent example is the M/Y Rumba, which capsized recently in Galapagos. This boat was not only small (length & width) but a very light boat – having been constructed entirely of wood.
ABOUT THE NATURALIST GUIDE(S) …
Without any doubt, the on-board naturalist guide is one of the MOST IMPORTANT aspects on a Galapagos Islands cruise. Although all are technically bilingual (Spanish / English), the degree of English spoken does vary. In addition, the level of knowledge regarding the Galapagos (i.e., the wildlife, the geography, the history etc) does play an important part.
You can have a guide that speaks almost fluent English but does not know a great deal on the Galapagos – you have a great conversation with them but won’t learn much about the wildlife, for example. Reversely, an extremely knowledgeable guide on Galapagos but one that has difficulty conversing in English won’t help that much either!
The key is to have a naturalist guide that not only speaks almost fluent English but is also extremely knowledgeable.
ABOUT THE CRUISE LENGTH …
Another consideration is the length of cruise. The first and last day of any given cruise are short days (as they are based on the flight arrival and departure schedules into/out of Galapagos). Cruises really start between 09h30 and 11h30 the morning of the first day of the cruise in Galapagos, and end between 08h30 and 10h30 in the morning of the last day of the cruise.
What most classify as cruises that are 4-DAY, 5-DAYS and 8-DAYS these cruises really translates into 2, 4 and 6 full nights respectively (or 3, 4 and 7 full nights respectively) in the Galapagos Islands. The two partial days at the beginning and end of the cruise are mainly occupied traveling to and from the islands.
In my years of experience I have equal numbers saying that a 4-night cruise was the perfect length, while others stated that the 7-night experience was without a doubt the best. If you want to cover as much of the diversity that the Galapagos has to offer, the 7-night cruise is the best and only option for you.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS?
The Galapagos is visited all year round, but most people select the holiday / vacation periods (i.e., Christmas/New Year’s, Easter, summer holidays/vacations). These periods sell out up to one year in advance (or more!).
The warmest period (air & water temperatures) generally run from November through to April. The coldest (and generally has more turbulent seas) are generally September and October. June through September is normally characterized by the presence of whales in Galapagos (mainly off the coasts of the western islands of Isabela & Fernandina). February through to April are the most desirable months. During this period, the islands not only adopt an emerald-green color, and turn humid and balmy warm, but many species start reproducing now.
* calmest waters;
* the hottest period in Galapagos;
* the islands are generally a lush green due to high humidity & scattered showers;
* most animals are in the height of reproduction, courting and/or nesting;
* Reproduction of land reptiles, as well as land birds.
Finally, the respective CRUISE PRICES DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE QUALITY OF THE CRUISE. Some reasonably-priced cruises are just as good as many more expensive options (but this greatly depends on the yachts in question). During high demand periods such as mid-December through to mid-January (Christmas/New Year’s), April (Easter) and July through to August (summer holidays/vacation), cruise rates can often increase in price (especially for last minute reservations) – this especially applies to Economic, Tourist and Tourist Superior options.
For these exact reasons, we at Sangay Touring have found it necessary to create this blog to keep our clients and the general public up-to-date and informed on the ever-changing Galapagos details.
You have spent time researching, investigating and planning your Galapagos Islands cruise. Now that this step is taken care of, it is time to focus on the practical aspects …. and one of them being, “What do I need to pack for my time in Galapagos?”.
Documents
You need to ensure that you have all the required documents for the trip. This includes everything from your personal passport, International airline tickets, credit cards, travel/health insurance (highly recommended) and required visa and/or vaccines (where necessary).
Essential items
- Sun cream / sun block
- Hat or cap
- Bathing suit / swimming suit
- Sandals & light walking shoes
- Shorts & lightweight trousers
- T-shirts
- Sweatshirt / light jacket
- Extra towel
- Sunglasses
Other important items
- Day pack
- Binoculars (optional)
- Camera (and film or memory sticks)
- Batteries
- Underwater camera or housing
- Water bottle
- Alarm clock
- Travel adapters & chargers
- Snorkeling gear (optional but recommended if you have your own)
- Ziploc bags (to keep items dry)
- Motion sickness medication (for those prone to sea/motion sickness)
- First Aid kit (i.e., Peptobismol, Immodium, Andrews, band aids, burn cream, pain relief medication, insect repellant etc)
