Cruise to the Galapagos archipelago is the most convenient and interesting way to get to know the islands closer. Of course, very few tourists fly to Ecuador only to make such a cruise: in most cases it is combined either with a rich "excursion" along the continental part of the country, or add to the journey a second country - Peru or Venezuela.
Duration of cruise programs is
The duration of all cruise programs on the Galapagos is 4, 5 or 8 days. Different cruise companies choose different routes, trying to be original and not like others. But, one way or another, almost all programs include the most interesting and deserving islands of the archipelago: this "standard set" is almost always the same and varies only in terms of the order of their visit.
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Day of the traveler on the Galapagos
Traveler's day in the Galapagos Islands (with small variations) is as follows: the excursion program begins immediately after breakfast, tourists on small boat-pangs cross the ship to the island, where together with the guide they examine the local "must see". They return to the ship around noon, and after dinner can relax, sunbathe, etc. After the "siesta" passengers are going to discuss with the guide plans for the next day. Since each island has its own unique landscape and a huge variety of flora and fauna, tourists will wait for new impressions every day.
Travel program
To make it clearer that they are waiting for the Galapagos, we will give an approximate program of an eight-day cruise on the islands with the possibility of diving. Such a program will include both a rich "excursion" and an opportunity to get acquainted with the underwater world of Galapagos, doing two dives per day.
Day one: from the airport on the island of San Cristobal tourists go to the ship and on the first day make two dives, in between which a "raid" to the island of Lobos .The second day begins with a dive, then - an excursion to the island of Hispaniola, in the afternoon - dive .Day three - dive in the Devil's Crown near the island of Santa Maria, then - visit the island itself, in the evening the second dive is possible .The fourth and fifth days are completely devoted to the study of the islands of Isabela and Santa Cruz .Sixth day - diving near the North Seymour Island, "excursion" on the island of Bartolome and the second dive near it $ $ .The next day will please travelers by dipping near the Gordon Rock reef, which is considered one of the best dive sites in the central islands, a visit to Santa Fe and another dive .And on the last, eighth day - return to the island of San Cristobal, tour of it and transfer to the airport .
The cost of such a cruise includes the use of equipment on board, food, drinks (water, tea, coffee), guide services, all transfers according to the program. Additional fees are paid for visiting the Galapagos Islands, flights from the mainland to the islands and additional dives not included in the program.
Choose a ship
If we talk about the classification of ships, then everything that floats in cruises around the Galapagos is divided into two large groups - liners (large ships) and yachts. In turn, the liners are divided into classic oceanic pleasure liners (usually the "luxury" category) and so-called expedition vessels. Most of these vessels are research ships converted into tourist liners. The capacity of large cruise ships is from 50 to 100.
Yachts are divided into a much larger number of "subspecies": sailing, motor, sailing-motor and yachts-catamarans. Such vessels can be from 6-8 (lower class of yachts) to 16-20 passengers. In terms of comfort level, yachts are divided into luxury yachts, first class yachts, tourist high class yachts (Tourist superior), yachts of tourist class and yachts of economy class.
Yachts of economy class are usually very small - their capacity is about 6-8 people. If we talk about a simple tourist class, they are somewhat larger: they have a capacity of 8-12, and sometimes - up to 16 people. The capacity of the remaining classes of yachts is 16-20 passengers. Economic class - usually not the newest yachts with a smaller "claim" for the interior. The last repair there, if it was, then a very long time. These yachts almost always smell of oil or fuel. In addition, there are yachts with the possibility of diving and without it. All yachts on which diving is possible are marked with a standard flag (red with a white stripe diagonally). They have all the necessary equipment, including compressors for charging cylinders, as well as all the necessary equipment that is rented. As a rule, a certain number of dives are included in the cost of cruises on these yachts. These yachts are usually small - for 10-16 people. Of the total number of yachts, only about 20% offers cruises with diving.
How much is
Here is the average cost of an eight-day trip on yachts: economic class - 800-1300 USD, tourist class - 1000-1700 USD, Tourist superior - 1500-2200 USD, first class - 2000-3500 USD, luxury category - 2500-4000 USD.
Cruise on the islands on the liner will cost more, and the range of prices is much greater, because on any liner there are different classes of cabins (standard, superior comfort, junior suites, etc.). On average, traveling on a large ship lasting 8 days costs from 2500 to 4000 USD. And, for example, the seat in the penthouse suite on the ship Xpedition will facilitate the traveler's pocket for at least 8000 USD.
The cost of the cruise includes: accommodation in the cabin of the chosen category, full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner), entertainment program on the ship, transportation between all ports on the route. On most ships, alcoholic drinks and additional shore excursions are not included in the basic price and are paid extra.
Reservation, cancellation and insurance
Cruise programs for the Galapagos all carry out about 150 ships. But even despite such an impressive number, places on ships are often not enough for everyone. Hence the conclusion: it is necessary to book "strongly" in advance, especially this applies to the courts of high comfort and to the most "budgetary" options. The best option is to book a cruise program for 12 months, in extreme cases - for 6.
If the insurance is not included in the package of the tour operator or you book a cruise directly, you will have to issue it yourself .Fortunately, many large insurance companies have special programs for diving and cruises .All cruise programs have an increase factor for insurance .Some Russian companies that specialize in cruises cooperate with foreign insurance companies, because overseas to insure this kind of program is much cheaper, more coverage and less premium is .In addition, many foreign insurance companies actually insure customers for a year, since the cost of one trip insurance is almost equal to the insurance for a year .That is, the client will be able to travel around the world within a year, once having issued insurance when buying a cruise program .To insure this way with modern technology is very simple: a policy is issued through the Internet, paid and immediately printed out .
Most cruise companies, upon cancellation less than 60 days before the start of the tour, will charge 100% fine, and some companies will be fined "in full" upon refusal for 90 or even 120 days before the start of the trip. And since the cost of cruise programs is not small, many cruise companies offer their clients various types of insurance that will protect their wallets in the event of a variety of unforeseen situations.
Thank you for your help in preparing Igor Logunov's material from Exotic Travel Club company.
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