OUR COMPANY

• Pioneers: 40 years’ operating in Galapagos Islands
• 24/7 on-site operational support
• General life, health and liability insurance
• Every two months, our whole Galapagos operation is analysed by our Quality Control Management Committee, which includes our CEO, Commercial Vice-President, Nautical Affairs Vice-President, Acquisitions Manager, Captains, Hotel Managers, Head of Expedition, Expedition Leaders, Naturalist Guides, the Innovation and Quality Department, and Human Resources. This guarantees a positive feedback loop from clients’ comment cards and personal communications.

OUR STAFF

• Our Expedition Leaders on board are selected Naturalist Guides who have been raised to the same hierarchical level as the yacht’s Hotel Manager. This means the expedition experience is given the same relevance and importance as other aspects of the expedition cruise (e.g. hospitality).
• We are the only Galapagos tour operator with an Expedition Department, led by a former Expedition Leader and Naturalist Guide, putting the expedition experience at the heart of everything we do and providing unrivalled on-the-ground, hands-on knowledge.
• We have established our own, in-house categories for Naturalist Guides, using individual assessment based on field knowledge, service aptitude and communication skills (90%), and 10% on number of years guiding. Our Expedition Leaders are those guides that obtain the highest levels in this assessment and have proven themselves in other related areas.
• We have an on-going focus on training of all our staff and guides – e.g. every time a yacht goes to dry dock, they go back to school.
• Naturalist guides and lecture services in English/Spanish (guiding in other languages upon request for groups larger than 10 guests: German, French, Italian, Russian).

OUR OPERATION

• All itineraries cover the highlights of the archipelago in a balanced way.
• Ground operation office in Puerto Ayora for logistic, maintenance, storage and operational support, with extra support in San Cristóbal.
• We have a Ground Operation Office in Puerto Ayora for logistic, maintenance, storage and operational support, with extra support in San Cristóbal.
• Transfers on shared basis included at no extra cost from main hotels on the mainland to/from Galapagos flights.
• Our company operates its own cargo ship which, along with our logistical support in Guayaquil and our purchases within the archipelago, guarantee our yachts are supplied with goods and foodstuffs in a timely way.
• We use and take advantage of the two airports in Galápagos for more efficient logistical management of itineraries and resupplying of ships.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES

• Permanent doctor (MD Officer) on board all vessels, giving free consultations.
• Photo show at the end of every expedition, and all photos are uploaded to websites.
• Glass-bottomed boat for people who don’t want to snorkel (only very few other operators have them).
• Disembarkation gangways are at sea level on Isabela and La Pinta, (MV Santa Cruz has disembarkation ladders).
• Larger vessels (vs. small yachts/catamarans) minimize the possibility of sea sickness and also offer ample deck space and additional amenities such as a natural history library, gift shop, lecture programmes and more.
• Some triple cabins available for young children to share with parents, with sofas only on Isabela II and La Pinta, and either bunk beds or sofas on MV Santa Cruz.
• iPod, MP3, MP4 dock in cabins (all of La Pinta, Santa Cruz Upper Deck).
• Satellite phone/computers with internet; WiFi in social areas.
• Free use of snorkelling equipment (mask, fins, snorkel, snorkelling vest, and mesh bag)
• Wetsuits available for rent.
• Jacuzzi.
• Sun deck & bar.
• Well-stocked bar
• Lounge.
• Business Centre with a wide selection of books, DVDs, games.
• Buffet breakfast and lunch with pre-established menu options for dinner on all vessels.
• 24-hour free coffee and tea stations.
• Optional al fresco dining (except MV Santa Cruz).
• International-style cuisine with a great focus on Ecuadorian flavours, recipes and traditional food, all of which enhance cultural values. Plus, special once-weekly Ecuadorian menu.
• Young Pirates programme for children on board all our vessels.
• Galapagos Natural History lectures and stargazing talks (weather depending).
• Central air-conditioning with individual controls in each cabin/room. • In-room safety deposit box.
• Boutique/gift shop.
• Indoor gym with cardiovascular equipment aboard yachts La Pinta and Isabela II.
• Free use of sea kayaks (except MV Santa Cruz for now).
• Latest generation GPS navigational and nautical safety systems on all vessels.
• Closed-circuit television on all vessels and FBH.

SAFETY

Our vessels undergo a number of strict internal and external control inspections. They comply with both international and Ecuadorian regulations, ranging from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Safety Management Code (ISMC), the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS 74), Smart Voyager best environmental and social practices, the Ecuadorian Merchant Marine Office (DIRNEA), among others.

On all of our operations, the competence of crew members is verified, the quality and state of vessels’ equipment and materials checked, periodic maintenance and training performed, and safety procedures and equipment constantly monitored.