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Eclipse
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Class |
Deluxe |
Type |
Cruise ship |
Pax |
48 |
Cabins |
27 |
Length |
210 feet |
Speed |
15 knots |
Nights |
7 |
Sails |
Sat(7) |
Dive |
No |
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| 2008 season |
7 nights: |
$ 4,800 |
4 nights: |
$ 0 |
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Search |
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Ever since her arrival in Ecuador, the Eclipse has surpassed the other options available as the finest boutique cruise ship in the Galapagos Islands, offering unparalleled levels of comfort and service. She was converted specifically for upscale cruising in the islands, and was designed to meet the exacting demands of luxury travel.
The M/V Eclipse has a well-equipped launch for relaxation and for the nightly briefings on the day's discoveries and the following day's activities. There is also a well-stocked library for quiet study and reading. In addition to the elegant indoor dining room, there is an al fresco dining area, where you can enjoy the island's spectacular scenery over a delicious lunch.
The size of the Eclipse would normally accommodate many more passengers, but in designing her layout chose to compromise on cabin numbers in order to provide the passengers with unrivalled cabin space and ample social areas. The Eclipse is unique in offering the generous accommodation of a larger vessel, while preserving the atmosphere and exclusivity of a smaller yacht. Accommodates up to 48 passengers in staterooms, each with a seaview. Fully air-conditioned, the spacious cabins have either a double or twin bed arrangement and well-appointed bathrooms with fresh towels provided every day and the complimentary use of bathrobes. The yacht has such amenities as a 20 ft. swimming pool, a pool side bar, a souvenir shop, an observation deck, and an M.D. on board.
Whether you are snorkeling with sea lions, watching a blue-footed booby feed its young, or following a giant tortoise through the forest, the Galapagos Islands will surpass all expectations. And there is no better way to enjoy the wonders of the islands, than on board the Eclipse.
| Year |
Service |
Cabin |
7 nights |
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| 2008 |
Individuals |
Staterooms (main deck, # 3-15) |
$4,000 |
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| 2008 |
Individuals |
Single staterooms (main deck, # 1-2) |
$4,200 |
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| 2008 |
Individuals |
Superior staterooms (boat deck, # 21-28) |
$4,400 |
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| 2008 |
Individuals |
Deluxe staterooms (boat deck, # 17-20) |
$4,800 |
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As of June 1st, 2008, fuel prices for Galapagos operators will be increase. This increase will be reflected in all bookings on the yacht, starting as of June 7, 2008. The oil surcharge is US$ 180 per passenger per week.
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| * Rates subject to change, without notice |
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| Year |
Seasons |
| 2008 |
Prices are the same throughout the year unless indicated in the notes. |
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| Accommodation in double sharing cabins, guided visits to the islands, all meals on board, house wine with meals, soft drinks and juices onboard |
| Galapagos National Park fee ($100 per person), TCT/Ingala ($10 per person), premium liquor, beer and cocktails onboard, round trip airfare from Guayaquil or Quito to the Galapagos, gratuities and tips for the crew and staff, airport taxes and personal expenses. |
- Prices are in US dollars, and subject to change without notice
- Prices are per person
- On family departures children are accepted from the age of 5.
- Children under 12 will receive a 25% discount on the rates on all departures except Easter, Christmas and New Year cruises.
- On non-family departures children are accepted from the age of 10.
- Single supplements are as follows: 1.5 x the twin rate for Staterooms; 2 x the twin rate for Superior and Deluxe Staterooms. Single Supplements do not apply to the fuel surcharge
- 3rd person in Deluxe Stateroom (adult) is assessed at the current twin stateroom rate.
- 3rd person in Deluxe Stateroom (child) is assessed at the current twin stateroom rate less child discount
- Use of snorkeling equipment and wet suits at no extra cost
- Galapagos Cruise itineraries are subject to change by the authorities of the Galapagos National Park or acts of providence. |
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Eclipse: day by day itinerary
Day #1
Saturday Morning: Arrive at Baltra Airport – Galapagos Islands
The flight from Quito (via Guayaquil) to the Galapagos Islands takes approximately 2.5 hours. Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, you will be met by your guides, who will escort you on a short bus ride to the harbor. Motorized dinghies, known locally as “pangas” will transport you to the Eclipse, where the captain and crew will welcome you aboard. After departure there will be a briefing, lunch and a safety drill.
Saturday Afternoon: Las Bachas Beach – Santa Cruz Island
Las Bachas Beach is located in the north of Santa Cruz. Its soft, white sand is derived from decomposed coral, making it a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Behind the beach there is a small brackish water lagoon, where it is possible to observe flamingos and other coastal birds, such as black-necked stilts and whimbrels.
Type of landing: Wet
Water activities: Brief swim
Day #2
Sunday Morning: Puerto Egas – Santiago Island
Puerto Egas (James Bay) is located on the northwest side of Santiago. The landing is on a black beach with eroded rock formations in the background. The trail crosses the dry interior, where the remains of a salt mining enterprise can still be seen, and then continues along the coast. Tidal pools are home to a variety of invertebrate organisms, including sea urchins, octopus and starfish. The trail leads to the Fur Seals Grottos, one of the only places in the islands where they can be seen. After the walk, you will have time to swim or snorkel off the beach, where you will see sea lions, fish and maybe some turtles and reef sharks.
Type of landing: Wet
Water activities: Swimming and snorkeling
Sunday Afternoon: Bartolomé Island
Bartolomé is a small island that has two visitor sites. At the first site, you can swim and snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, where penguins are usually seen. Back on board for a quick change of clothes and then it is a short dinghy ride to a dry landing for a climb to the highest point on the island. On the way up, you will encounter different volcanic formations, including spatter and tuff cones, lava flow and lava tubes. From the summit you will have a wonderful view of Sullivan Bay.
Type of landing: Wet at first site and dry at second site
Water activities: Swimming and snorkeling
Day #3
Monday Morning: Cerro Dragón – Santa Cruz Island
The name Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) stems from the fact that it was one of the few sites on Santa Cruz Island where a healthy population of land iguanas were found in 1975. After landing at a pier, a hike takes to you to a salt water lagoon behind the beach, frequented by common stilts, pintail ducks and occasionally flamingos. A short walk up the hill leads you to a land iguana nesting site, with breathtaking views of the bay. You will have the chance to go swimming after the walk.
Type of landing: Dry
Water activities: Swimming
Monday Afternoon: Rábida Island
Rábida is a small island with red volcanic rocks surrounding a beautiful red sand beach, where there is a colony of sea lions and a pelican nesting site. The trail leads to a salt water lagoon where shore birds can be seen. Rábida is considered to be one of the best snorkeling sites in the Galapagos Islands, and you will also have the opportunity to go kayaking.
Type of landing: Wet
Water activities: Swimming, snorkeling and kayaking
Day #4
Tuesday Morning: Tagus Cove – Isabela Island
Tagus Cove was historically used as an anchoring place for pirates, buccaneers and whalers. Here you will see the names of hundreds of ships painted on the high ridges (a practice now forbidden). Depending on the season, you will go hiking, snorkeling or kayaking. On the hike, the trail goes through an area of vegetation and the volcanic landscape of Darwinvolcano. At the top of the trail, you will enjoy an incredible view of the whole cove and Darwin Lake.
The morning activity is followed by a panga ride, where you will have the opportunity to see a large number of blue-footed boobies perched on the ledges of the cliffs, as well as marine iguanas, penguins, brown pelicans, brown noddy terns and swallow-tailed gulls. While exploring the channel between Fernandina and Isabela Islands, we sometimes encounter dolphins and whales.
Type of landing: Dry or wet, plus panga ride
Water activities: Snorkeling and kayaking (depending on the season)
Tuesday Afternoon: Elizabeth Bay – Isabela Island
Elizabeth Bay is one of the furthest points of the Galapagos that we will visit on our cruise. A panga ride around two islets called the Marielas offers a wide variety of bird life, such as flightless cormorants, herons, and blue-footed boobies. Then we will enter a sheltered cove – a wonderful mangrove ecosystem that is a refuge for sea turtles and rays. Panga ride only
Day #5
Wednesday Morning: Punta Espinoza – Fernandina Island
Fernandina last erupted in 1995. La Cumbre Volcano dominates the landscape, with lava fields stretching towards the ocean from its base. Punta Espinosa is a narrow piece of land where some of the most unique Galapagos species can be seen, including the flightless cormorant, Galapagos snakes, marine iguanas, penguins and the Galapagos hawk.
Type of landing: Dry
Wednesday Afternoon: Punta Vicente Roca – Isabela Island
Punta Vicente Roca is a wonderful snorkeling site, where you can usually see turtles as well as all kinds of fish. After the snorkeling you will go on a panga ride, which will give you the opportunity to study some of the Galapagos’ spectacular geological rock formations. Nazca boobies, pelicans, swallow-tailed gulls, marine iguanas, flightless cormorants and penguins are often seen in the area.
Panga ride only
Water activities: Snorkeling
Day #6
Thursday Morning: Charles Darwin Research Station – Santa Cruz Island
On your visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station you will gain insight into the huge efforts being made by scientists, guides, rangers and park managers to preserve this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see the famous Galapagos tortoises that are the islands’ namesake. After the visit you will have some free time to explore the town of Puerto Ayora.
Type of landing: Dry
Thursday Afternoon: Santa Cruz Highlands – Santa Cruz Island
From Puerto Ayora you will travel by bus to the lush, green highlands of Santa Cruz, where you will visit a tortoise reserve to search for giant tortoises in their natural surroundings. You will have the opportunity to walk through lava tunnels so take a flashlight if you have one. Optional activities such as biking, relaxing on the beach or just strolling in town are available.
Type of landing: Dry
Day #7
Friday Morning: Gardner Bay – Española Island
Gardner Bay offers the chance to enjoy a wonderful white sandy beach. It is home to one of the most important colonies of sea lions, and it is also a nesting site for sea turtles. After the beach time you will have a chance to deep water snorkel from the panga, or go kayaking.
Type of landing: Wet
Water activities: Swimming, snorkeling and kayaking
Friday Afternoon: Punta Suarez – Española Island
Punta Suarez is one of the most popular and attractive sites in the Galapagos. Due to its isolation from other islands, it has a high proportion of endemic fauna. A few steps inland from the landing site, groups of Española marine iguanas bask in the sun. Further inland, Nazca and blue-footed boobies nest almost on the trail, Galapagos doves peck around unaware of visitors and finches go about their business. The trail continues towards a blowhole, which is a fissure in the lava where water spurts high into the air like a geyser. The cracks in the cliffs are home to swallow-tailed gulls and red-billed tropicbirds. Further up the cliff in an area of low-lying trees you will find waved albatrosses nesting. The 10,000 to 12,000 pairs of albatrosses on Española represent the entire population of this species on the planet. They perform one of the most spectacular courtship rituals of the animal world.
Type of landing: Dry
Day #8
Saturday Morning: Black Turtle Cove – Santa Cruz Island
Black Turtle Cove is one of the most beautiful marine sites in Galapagos.
It is a complex maze of tranquil salt-water inlets, surrounded by three different species of mangrove. Its waters are a resting site for sea turtles, rays and sharks. This site is only accessible by panga. Panga ride only
Departure from Baltra Airport |
Eclipse: terms & conditions
FIT & GROUP PAYMENT POLICIES
a) Reservations made 61 days or more prior to departure:
A deposit of US $450 per person is required to confirm the booking. The final balance is required 60 days prior to departure. If the payment is not received on time, the space(s) will be automatically released.
b) Reservations made 60 days or less prior to departure:
A full non-refundable payment is required to confirm the booking.
The price of the cruise is based on double occupancy.
If a person does not occupy a single cabin, single supplements are as follows:
1.5 x the twin rate for Staterooms
2 x the twin rate for Superior and Deluxe Staterooms
Single supplements do not apply to the fuel surcharge.
FIT & GROUP CANCELLATION POLICIES
a) Cancellations made 121 days or more before departure:
The deposit will be refunded, less a US $250 service charge per person.
b) Cancellations made 120 to 61 days prior to departure:
All deposits are non-refundable.
c) Cancellations made 60 days or less prior to departure:
Full payment, including fuel surcharge, will be applied as the cancellation penalty.
Air tickets and entrance fees will only be charged if cancellations are made 9 days or less prior to departure.
Special Notes:
• Medical & Health:
Guests should be in good physical health in order to be able to make the most of their Galapagos cruise. Visiting the different islands involves the use of small motorized dinghies, or pangas as they are locally known, and there are some landings on wet and slippery lava rocks. The daily nature treks may include walking on irregular and elevated terrain and getting in and out of the pangas occasionally requires some physical effort. If a passenger suffers from any medical condition, we advise him/her to consult a physician prior to booking the cruise.
• Insurance:
Travelers are strongly recommended to purchase trip cancellation insurance, which will reimburse the cost of air tickets and other non-refundable trip payments. Life, international medical, baggage loss & delay, and personal belongings insurance are also recommended. The Eclipse's operator, assumes no liability for lost or stolen personal belongings during the trip.
• Vessel Replacement:
Eclipse reserves the right to substitute the Eclipse if considered necessary (i.e. force majeure, mechanical failures, insufficient passengers on a specific departure etc). If this is not possible, Eclipse will make every effort to find a similar category yacht as an alternative. If there is a difference in price, this will be refunded accordingly. If the travelers do not take this option, Eclipse operator reserves the right to cancel the trip upon a refund pro rata per cruise night not used or, as an alternative, will offer credit towards a future cruise on the Eclipse.
• The Galapagos National Park:
The Galapagos Islands are a National Park and Marine Reserve and there are certain rules and regulations that need to be complied with. The naturalist guide will inform passengers of these rules. The Galapagos National Park and Eclipse, through the guide aboard, reserve the right to deny any passenger disembarkation on the islands for land visits if any of these regulations are ignored or violated.
• Special Diets:
Some travelers have special dietary requirements. In this event, Eclipse should be contacted at least 30 days prior to the start of the cruise. Every effort will be made to accommodate any special requests, subject to the products’ availability in Ecuador.
• Responsibilities of Travelers:
Travelers have responsibilities to their fellow passengers and Eclipse' crewmembers. They should review the conditions contained within the trip itinerary, follow normal social behavior patterns with fellow passengers and observe all safety requirements on board and on excursions, acting in an appropriate and respectful manner to the Eclipse's crewmembers and all other personnel involved in the cruise.
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