As I mentioned, I was on the MV Eclipse, run by Ocean Adventures.
Passenger cabins are along the middle of the lower level, and the square portholes on the upper level (best rooms). A strong tip if you are planning this vessel - get a forward cabin, on either level - the rear cabins, especially on the lower level, are above the engines, which go 24/7 and passengers there complained of the noise at night. I was forward-most on the lower level and suffered only when they ran the anchor up and down (only twice during the night
).
It runs 7 day itineraries alternating between north and southern Galapagos islands; I was on the northern route 'Genovesa', shown on the map. We crossed the Equator 6 times, but only once during the day.
Equator crossing; our guides and champagne and sushi !:
I got the impression that there is nothing really unique to the north or south schedule, but there are variations - for instance, we saw lots of sea lions and penguins, but no large colonies; I think the other route sees them. But we had heaps of coughies and frigate birds etc. And Genovesa (our NE most island) was very unique!
All of the 48 passengers were Americans, except for 2 couples from Nth Ireland, 2 couples from England .. and me. Although a number of the Americans (and Irish!) could be described as 'well healed', we all got along famously; it was a really good crowd. The four guides were all good too. The only minor negative was the 'cruise director' - he had an air of being permanently hassled and under pressure.
The cabins and the ship in general are air-conditioned. Cabins are serviced 3 times a day, handy, as the showers are in demand after every shore trip and its a 'toilet-paper-in-the-bin' situation. I wanted to take my steward, Salome, with me at the end!
The weather (25 April - 2 May) was generally fine, with sun for at least half of every day. We got one rain shower towards the end. Temps are about 30 degrees max and humid. Seas were generally smooth; there was one case of sea sickness on the first night I think, although I only felt a gentle rocking.
I think I'll do this part of the TR by themes rather than chronological, as there was a fair bit of animal and scenery repetition. Sunrises and sunsets were often spectacular - witness the sunset above and this sunrise:
There was usually a morning excursion and an afternoon one (broken into 4 groups of 12, each led by a guide), although sometimes the morning was broken into an early land walk and later snorkelling/kayaking/panga ride options. Pangas - zodiacs - were the transport between ship and shore. A bit tricky at first, we all got the hand of them, and there were always 2 crew or guides to help. Only twice did we come across another ship's group during an excursion. The Galapagos Parks service strictly controls where each ship goes and when and where excursions are done. You often saw other boats - but their passengers were off doing something different from us.
. Did get a couple of rarities (for the Lodge), though - coming up.
