Eclipse

Overview

Description

Situated 600 miles (966 km) off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos archipelago consists of nineteen islands and more than forty islets that were created six million years ago when they emerged from the Pacific in a flurry of volcanic activity.

Each island forms a unique ecosystem, a series of specialized relationships that have adapted to the volcanic and isolated nature of the islands. As a result, the Galapagos Islands are home to a wide variety of endemic species. Only here will you see Galapagos penguins, waved albatrosses, flightless cormorants, swallow-tailed gulls, land and marine iguanas, as well as the giant tortoises that give the archipelago its name.

It has been more than 450 years since their discovery, and the islands remain largely intact thanks to the conservation efforts of the Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research Station. A further boost to the protection of the islands was given in 1978, when UNESCO declared them a World Heritage Site. The waters around the Galapagos, which are the lifeblood of the archipelago, are also legally protected within the Galapagos Marine Reserve.

The Galapagos Islands offer a unique interaction with nature, and their name is synonymous with survival and the celebration of the diversity of the Earth's species. The Eclipse is a 210-foot expedition vessel that accommodates up to 48 passengers in 26 staterooms, all with views of the sea. There is a well-equipped lounge for relaxation and for the nightly briefings on the day's discoveries and the following day's activities. In addition to the elegant indoor dining room, there is an al fresco dining area located on the weather deck, where you can enjoy the islands' spectacular scenery over a delicious lunch. There is also a well-stocked library for quiet study and reading.

One of the most popular areas on board the Eclipse is the observation/sun deck, ideal for stargazing, whale watching, or simply relaxing in the jacuzzi or on the comfortable sun loungers. For our more active passengers, the sun deck is also equipped with two elliptical machines.

Rooms

26 cabins with ocean view. Fully air-conditioned, the spacious cabins have either double or twin beds and well-furnished bathrooms with fresh towels provided every day and complimentary bathrobes. All of the ship's twin beds can be converted to queen-size beds. Deluxe and Superior staterooms on the boat deck have picture windows and staterooms on the main deck have portholes. All cabins have both 110 and 220 volt electrical outlets.

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 77

Percentage of local employees: 98%

For several years, the Eclipse has used only four stroke outboard engines in its dinghies, as opposed to two stroke engines which are considered to have adverse effects on the environment. Ocean Adventures, our parent company, implemented this change long before the local authorities decided to make four stroke engines mandatory from 2008 onwards.

We've installed special filters in the main engines and generators in order to reduce and, in some cases, eliminate the need to change oil and lubricants.

We've purchased and installed special equipment for the adequate treatment of organic waste aboard the Eclipse. The boat has a black and gray water treatment plant and an on-board desalinization plant.

Ocean Adventures retains a modest portion of the sale of every cruise ticket and annually donates funds to a variety of worthy causes in the Galapagos. Some of these funds have been channelled via the Charles Darwin Foundation and have contributed to the following projects, which are all primarily education-oriented:

• Purchase of equipment and materials for the AGIPA (local Guide Association) library in Puerto Ayora.
• Co-sponsorship of a children's board game, "El Sabuesito", for free distribution within some of the schools in Santa Cruz island.
• Donation of funds for purchase of equipment for the Chef's School in the Colegio Galapagos in Puerto Ayora.
• Funding and sponsorship of training for new naturalist guides.
• Annual donation to the education programs of the Quito Zoo.

Rates

$150 and up

Starting at $735 per night, per person, in a double cabin. Year-round rates, no seasonal changes.

For more information about rates, please see:

• More information about the 2011 rates for our 7-night cruises (available in English).
• Detailed information about reservations and payments (available in English).

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Quito (UIO); Guayaquil (GYE)

Nearest local/national airport: Baltra (GPS)

The M/V Eclipse operates year-round except during our dry dock period in September.

Galapagos can be reached only by air. The Eclipse operates from Saturday to Saturday with the following Aerogal airlines schedule:

• From Quito to Baltra, the departure time is 9:30am, and arrival time is 11:30am (Galapagos time). Passengers boarding in Quito have to be at the airport's national terminal at 8:30 am for check-in. Our representative will meet them at the Aerogal counter to give them their cruise voucher and boarding pass.
• From Guayaquil to Baltra, departure time is 11:00am, arrival time 11:30am (Galapagos time). Passengers boarding in Guayaquil have to be at the airport at 9:30 am for check-in. If passengers have contracted a local tour operator for their transfer service to the airport, we will deliver all documents to the operator. If passengers are traveling on their own, the documents will be delivered to their hotel.
• From Baltra to Quito, departure time 12:30pm, arrival time 16:15 (continental time).
• From Baltra to Guayaquil, departure time 12:30, arrival time 15:00 (continental time).

Meeting point at the airport in the Galapagos:

Upon arrival in Baltra, passengers are met by our guides after passing through passport control. Only original passports will be accepted as identification. Passengers are then transported on Aerogal buses to the vessel anchored nearby.

Entrance fee to the Galapagos National Park: All visitors to the Galapagos have to pay an entrance fee in cash upon arrival in Baltra. No credit cards or traveler's checks are accepted. The entrance fee may be prepaid with the cost of the cruise.

Additional Information

Awards or Recognitions

• Top Small Cruise Ship in the Condé Nast 2010 Reader’s Poll.
• One of the Top 6 Boat Breaks of 2010 by Harper’s Bazaar magazine.

Date This Information Was Provided

May 2011.

Photos courtesy of Eclipse, Ecuador, for SustainableTrip.org.