Ecoventura Galapagos Cruise — Small Ship Cruising at its Best

What can you expect on an Ecoventura Galapagos Cruise?

By Dana Freeman

Discovering the Galápagos Islands is generally high on most cruisers’ bucket lists. For many reasons. Including the legendary giant tortoises!

Dana eyeing a giant tortoise in the Galapagos. * Photo: Andy Freeman

However, experiencing it on a small luxury yacht is truly a dream come true.  

I was thrilled that my first cruise in the Galápagos was aboard one of the only Relais & Châteaux yachts that sail in those waters — Ecoventura’s 20-passenger Origin.

Ecoventura’s 20-pax Origin. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Ecoventura’s luxury fleet consists of two twin 20-passenger yachts — the Origin and Theory.

I cruised on the Origin and sailed itinerary A, the southern central route, round-trip from San Cristobal.

The Origin’s Itinerary A, the Southern Central Route round-trip from San Cristobal. * Map: EcoVentura

Overview of the Origin

Origin has four decks with plenty of space for guests to relax and enjoy the ride. This small yacht accommodates 20 guests, 13 crew members, and two guides.

Although there is plenty of room on the ship, with only 20 passengers, you quickly get to know all of them.

Sun Deck Up Top

The partially shaded Sun Deck up top has day beds, loungers, and an outdoor bar. It is a great place to hang out, read, or take a nap.

The appealing top deck offers shade & sun. * Photo: Dana Freeman

There is also a handy outdoor shower which is perfect for rinsing off after snorkeling.

A four-person hot tub is a great feature at the aft end of the Sun Deck.

Origin’s cozy hot tub faces aft. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Darwin Deck

The main deck, called the Darwin Deck, is for socializing. It is where you will find the dining room, lounge, and main bar.

Origin’s dining room, on the Main Deck. * Photo: Dana Freeman

The ship’s main gathering place is the lounge. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Additionally, there are front and back decks with seating available for passengers to congregate or relax.

You may also appreciate the small gym with an elliptical machine and stationary bike, located down on the Finch Deck.

The concierge area has a small but well-equipped library full of publications about the Galápagos and fiction books in the event you forgot something to read.

Our Fellow Shipmates

Our passenger group was very diverse and included a 50-something couple from Atlanta and a family of five from North Carolina, which comprised teenaged twins and an older adult son.

There was also a father/daughter pair on board; she was from Colorado and her father lived in Nebraska (but was originally from Russia).

A middle aged women from Nashville was on her first solo vacation since her husband had passed away. We also cruised with a young 30-something couple on their honeymoon from New York City.

Origin’s captain watches as passengers depart on a zodiac excursion. * Photo: Dana Freeman

The Origin’s Cabins are all on Beagle Deck

All 10 passenger cabins are located on the Beagle Deck. I stayed in cabin number 7, directly adjacent to the stairs. It is a high-traffic area leading up to the main deck where the dining room and salon are located. 

Our stateroom had a wall of oversized windows giving way to unobstructed views of the islands and the passing sea.

Cabin #7; both cabin and bathroom boast large windows. * Photo: Dana Freeman

A large, partially frosted window in the shower provides plenty of natural light, and a peek at the ocean as well. The bathroom is outfitted with l’Occitane toiletries and a hairdryer. The cabin’s electrical outlets are the same as in the US (110/AC 60 cycle).

I had plenty of storage for my belongings. There is a closet, chest of drawers, and one nightstand with a deep drawer and shelf. I really appreciated the row of hooks to hang up our jackets, hats, and wet bathing suits. Additionally, there is a very small corner desk, although it wasn’t large enough for me to work at.

Here’s a quick video tour of my room, #7:

Staterooms come with a pair of binoculars, refillable water bottles, a coffee maker, an electric tea kettle, and snacks.

The coffee and tea options in the cabin. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Plus, there is flat-screen TV pre-loaded with movies. However, I never even turned it on as I was too busy enjoying our natural surroundings and life on board the ship.

I slept very soundly in the king-size bed, which can also be made up of two twins. It has a memory foam mattress with super soft linens. Fair warning, though, it can be rough at night while sailing between the islands.

If you aren’t lulled to sleep by the waves, the yacht keeps a candy dish filled with Dramamine by the bar to help you fall into a deep slumber.

Dining on the Origin

Most meals are served in the dining room, where seating is not assigned. Instead, four tables range in size from four to eight people. This gives you a chance to change it up and eat with different guests at each meal.

Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style, while dinner is an a-la-carte plated meal.

Here, have a look around the dining room in my video below:

The small, yet creative dinner menu usually has two appetizer choices, a soup, two entrees choices, and a dessert.

Check out this key lime pie. * Photo: Dana Freeman

The cuisine varies from Mexican to Asian to Italian and always includes seafood, 70% of which comes from surrounding islands. The chef uses lots of local ingredients from sustainable providers in all of the dishes.

Delicious sushi. * Photo: Dana Freeman

My favorite meals were the lunches served al fresco on the sun deck with a BBQ grill.

We had a ceviche cooking demonstration one day, followed by a full seafood buffet with fresh grilled lobster, seared ahi tuna, and delicious salads.

Grilled lobster at the seafood-themed BBQ lunch. * Photo: Dana Freeman

You will not ever go hungry while onboard the Origin.

After every excursion, the staff has a gourmet snack waiting for you on the aft deck. Nibbles range from fruit and cheese to flatbread pizzas. One day we even had chocolate fondue!

Additionally, they put out afternoon tea in the lounge with sweet treats.

Snack time, yum! * Photo: Dana Freeman

If you still find you need a snack, Ecuadorian chocolates, chips, cookies, nuts, granola bars, and crackers are always available self-serve from the snack bar.

Snack time is any time! * Photo: Dana Freeman

Activities & Excursions

Each evening before dinner, we had a meeting with our naturalist guides Gustavo and Cecibel in the lounge. They briefed us about what was on the agenda for the next day.

An example of the daily schedule on Origin. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Expect to spend a lot of time in and on the water.

Daily activities usually include a hike, deep water or beach snorkeling, a panga (Zodiac) ride, and sometimes the opportunity to kayak and stand-up paddleboard.

Paddleboards & kayaks are ready & waiting & easily accessible at Origin’s aft. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Kayaking in a sheltered bay of the Galapagos Islands. * Photo: Dana Freeman

All of the islands we visited, except for Santa Cruz and San Cristobal, are uninhabited. Therefore, do not expect a traditional cruise with sightseeing or shopping. And keep in mind that all shore visits are via the ship’s Zodiac, which you climb into from wherever Origin is anchored.

Dana & Andy in a Zodiac boat. * Selfie: Dana Freeman

Instead, this cruise is more akin to a living biology class.

For instance, getting this close to a giant tortoise, as seen in my video below:

As we hiked, our guides provided a wealth of information about the islands’ animals, marine life, plants, and geology.

Our guides. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Expect to see sea lions, blue-footed boobies, sharks, sea turtles, giant tortoises, iguanas, and even penguins.

My favorite animal sighting were the small Galápagos penguins.

So you didn’t know there were penguins in the Galápagos?

Well, see for yourself in my video below!

You don’t always come upon these endemic species while on a Galápagos cruise, so I was lucky! This is the only penguin species found north of the equator.

RELATED:  Read more about the wildlife of the Galápagos Islands from the experts at the Galapagos Conservancy.

Even when we went to the pristine sandy white beaches, it was not to bring a towel and work on our suntans.

Rather it was a time to walk the entire beach, take a swim and observe the sea lions playing in the sand.

You can delight over the adorable creatures in my video below:

However, on the island of Floreana, we did visit the “post office.” This unmanned station is simply a barrel filled with hundreds of postcards left by previous visitors.

Centuries ago, when whalers used to sail through the Galápagos, they used this post office as a way to communicate. They would pick up letters on their way back to their home port and then deliver them. 

The “post office” on the island of Floreana relies on the kindness of strangers. * Photo: Dana Freeman

We did the same. We left addressed, unstamped postcards to our friends and family and then took ones with us that were addressed to anyone near us at home.

You’re supposed to hand-deliver it and tell the tale of how it got there.

One of the ladies on my cruise sent one to herself and already received it from a couple who delivered it to her doorstep!

Everything you need to know before you go:

Itineraries

Ecoventura ships offer two seven-night Galápagos itineraries:

• Central/Southern Route (itinerary A, which covers 350 nautical miles)
• Northern Route (Itinerary B, covering 520 nautical miles)

A deluxe twin/double stateroom, double occupancy is $8,450 per person for a seven-night cruise. 

You may combine Itinerary A + B for a two-week cruise.

What’s Included in the Fares

Your Ecoventura Galápagos cruise fare includes all meals, snacks, and beverages.

The yacht has an open bar policy that includes a complimentary selection of beer, wine, and liquor.

The open bar includes drinks like this spicy margarita. * Photo: Dana Freeman

There is an up-charge for premium wines and spirits. The only time I upgraded was to purchase a bottle of rose, as only red and white wines are included in your selection 

Satellite WiFi (one PIN per cabin), as well as all guided shore excursions, wet suits, snorkel equipment, sea kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards, are also included.

They also take care of the transfers between the Galapagos airport and the yacht.

Not Included in the Fares

• Laundry
• Boutique purchases
• International airfare to Ecuador (UIO or GYE)
• Domestic airfare from Ecuador (UIO or GYE) to the Galapagos (SCY), although they will make your flight arrangement for you on AVIANCA Airlines ($500/roundtrip).
• Mandatory Galápagos National Park entrance fee ($100/person)
• Mandatory Transit Control Card ($20)
• Tipping — You’ll need to bring cash to tip the crew at the end of your voyage. The suggested amount is $300-$350. Tips are pooled together between the crew and guides. You may decide to also tip individual crew members further if you feel they have done an outstanding job. Our housekeeper, Maria got a well-deserved extra tip from us.

Full Charters are a Great Idea

Not only are Origin & Theory available for private charter, right now they are offering a savings of 15% for 2022.

The rate is $152,150 (regularly $179,000) exclusive of airfare and taxes.

Some meals are served outdoors as well. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Getting There

You will need to fly into Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE), on the mainland of Ecuador, at least one night before your cruise departs.

On the morning of your cruise embarkation, you will fly from the mainland over to San Cristobal Island (SCY). I spent several days in Quito before my cruise at Casa Gangotena, a beautiful Relais & Châteaux property in Old Town.

The evening before your domestic flight, you will receive instructions from the Ecoventura team at your hotel with your day of departure details.

An Ecoventura representative will also meet you at either Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE) to assist you with your AVIANCA flight to the Galápagos and provide you with your boarding pass, cruise ticket, baggage tag, and pre-paid transit card.

Ecoventura Galapagos Cruise Tips & Insights

• Although Ecoventura provides a wetsuit, snorkel and fins, you may want to bring aqua socks, snorkel gloves, and a snorkel cap. I was cold, especially on the deepwater snorkeling opportunities.
• Attire is not fancy at all so leave your dress clothes at home. In fact, I often went to dinner in bare feet as it was easier to walk around on a moving vessel.
• It is important to pack plenty of layers to accommodate the change in temperature. It is often cooler in the morning and then warms up throughout the day.
• Do remember to bring good, closed toes shoes for hiking over the bumpy terrain on the islands. You don’t need hiking boots, good sneakers will suffice.
• There are two kinds of snorkeling in the Galapagos: Easy Beach Snorkeling, where you enter water from the beach in a shallow area where you can touch the bottom; and Deep Water Snorkeling, which is getting into the water from a Zodiac into deeper water where there is possibly a current and requires some confidence and experience. (There are no options to dive.)
• I didn’t expect the seas to be so rough while crossing between islands. Luckily my husband Andrew and I don’t get seasick, so it didn’t bother us at all.
• Keep in mind, there’s a lot to do! Honestly, I didn’t expect such a busy daily schedule. There are multiple activities per day. Of course you don’t have to participate in them all, but you feel torn between missing out on something if you don’t go versus just relaxing on the beautiful yacht. But it’s a high class problem to have!

A daily hike across the ancient landscape of the Galapagos Islands. * Photo: Dana Freeman

Weather

Located on the equator, the subtropical climate of the Galápagos doesn’t change dramatically during the year.

December to May is considered the warm season with temps ranging from 80ºF to 90ºF. Most days are sunny and warm with the potential for late afternoon rain showers.

While June to November is the cool season. It is dry and cooler and can be a bit cloudy with temperatures ranging from 70ºF to 80ºF.

Money Matters

The US dollar is the official currency of Ecuador. Credit cards are accepted onboard and in larger shops on land.

For More Information

Contact Ecoventura – Galápagos Network at www.ecoventura.com or (800) 633-7972.

You’ll love the Galapagos Islands. * Photo: Dana Freeman

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