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Intro Facilities Island Excursions Kayaking Panga Rides Briefings & Lectures Snorkeling Stargazing Whale Watching Equator Crossing Ceremony Expedition Photography Family Outings
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Intro: The M/V Eclipse is one of the best available expeditions in the Galapagos
Islands,
offering
small
excursion
groups,
unparalleled levels of personalized service and the amenities of a larger boat while still preserving the relaxed exclusivity of a smaller vessel. This exploration vessel was designed to meet the exacting demands of upscale travel. The M/V Eclipse is the perfect base for your Galapagos experience providing the highest standard of quality.
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Facilities: Aboard the Eclipse we count with a central air conditioning system, swimming pool, indoor and outdoor bar, two out restaurants for 48 passengers, library, big screen TV’s and a reading room. Also, you will have a naturalist biologist guide for every 12 passengers and a souvenir shop. Its design is very elegant and comfortable. The bedrooms, luxuriously decorated, have: great space, large windows so you can watch the sea, king and queen size beds, musical environment and telephones for internal communication. Furthermore, the Eclipse has 4 luxurious suites, 8 double standard cabins on the top deck, 13 double standard cabins on the main deck and 2 double standard cabins on the lower deck.
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Activities
Island Excursions: We anchor off-shore at two visitor sites each day. For land visits, guests are divided in groups of a maximum of twelve people, each one with its own naturalist. Guests are carried to the landing points in motorized dinghies, the landings are either dry, when you step from the dinghy directly onto volcanic rocks or wet, when we land on the beach and guest have to wade to shore. On the islands walking routes follow marked trails at a leisurely pace, with the guides explaining the incredible sights and wildlife en route. Guests spend around 3 to 4 hours at each site, allowing for plenty of time to explore and photograph the abundant wildlife. We spend the majority of the trip within the protected areas of the National Park, allowing guests maximum interaction with the extraordinary flora and fauna.
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Activities
Kayaking: This sport is very common to do because of the peerless crystal waters and the diversity of the species that you can observe. The weather is, most of the time, sunny and the sea so mild that both combined make the perfect temperature for kayaking.
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Activities
Panga Rides: At certain visitor points in the islands we are not allowed to go on shore and excursions are made with the dinghies along the shores, which give guests the opportunity to study the spectacular Galapagos geography, paddle through tranquil mangroves and observe marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, penguins, sea birds and much more. Dinghies carry no more than 12 passengers.
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Activities
Briefings & Lectures: Only the most experienced guides are selected to open up the islands’ mysteries to visitors. These on-board experts offer nightly briefings on the day’s discoveries and the following day’s activities plus lectures on specific topics related to the islands. The guides expertise is matched by a contagious enthusiasm, whether discussing birds, geology, marine life or evolution.
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Activities
Snorkeling: Prior or after the island excursions there is often an opportunity to snorkel to explorer the amazing underwater world of the archipelago. It is not unusual to share the marine environment with sea lions, rays, turtles, sharks, flightless cormorants, penguins, marine iguanas, a multitude of fish and of course the ever playful sea lions and fur seals. We offer two types of snorkeling: From the beach for the beginners or from the dinghy for the more experienced guests. Your guides will always stay with you in the water and the dinghy driver keeps the group together, safety is given at all times.
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Activities
Stargazing: If you would like to learn about the equatorial night skies, some of our guides will be happy to join you for stargazing on the Sun Deck (December to April), when climate conditions are appropriate to offer this activity.
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Activities
Whale Watching: Although sightings are not guaranteed, with a keen eye and some luck you may see some whales during your cruise, especially between June and September. An announcement will always be made of a whale is spotted.
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Activities
Equator Crossing Ceremony At The Captain’s Bridge: During our Genovesa itinerary we cross the Equator Tuesday late afternoon. Guests are welcome to join the Captain on the bridge and observe the GPS showing the latitude 0°, followed by a snack at the al fresco dining area. A certificate will be delivered afterwards to your cabin. We also have an open bridge policy in place and navigation lessons are available during the cruise upon request.
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Activities
Expedition Photography: Our Expedition Photography Program offers guests of every interest level unrivalled photography opportunities in a unique wildlife destination. Photo enthusiasts, from beginner to semi-professional, can stand side-by-side with accomplished photographers and pick up tips in an extraordinary environment. The expertise of our award winning wildlife photographer and also certified naturalist guide Jonathan Green will inspire you and help you improve your skills, so you can return home with great shots of your once-in-a-lifetime journey. Jonathan R. Green was born and raised in England. He extensively travelled throughout Europe after obtaining his University Degree in Geography and Geology. After this, Jonathan decided to go to the Galapagos in 1988, where he was formed as a naturalist at the “Galapagos National Park” and the “Charles Darwin Research Station”. Thanks to that, his passion for photography has always been with him, even under the water after becoming an expert diver from the “Marina Galapagos Dive Master Research”. Ever since Jonathan has published in the Times magazine, the BBC wildlife and others. Also, he has exposed many of his work at the Natural History Museum, the Olympia Exhibition Centre in London as well as other worldwide galleries.
The Photography Exploration has only two exclusive departures in 2013:
May 25th - June 01st August 17th - 24th
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Jonathan R. Green
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Activities
Family Outings: The Galapagos Islands are a destination where fun and education
coexist
seamlessly;
it
is
a
wonderful
once-in-a-lifetime experience for children, a visit with a tremendous positive impact on them. Upon entering their cabins, children are given their first treat. Their cabins are colorful decorated and bathrooms include cheerful amenities such as kid friendly toothbrush holders, cups, trash cans and more. Our Child Coordinator organizes discovery and learning exercises throughout the cruise including special briefings, game and movie nights, handicrafts and much more. Additionally we offer child-friendly menu selections including “Making your own pizza day” and “Ice Cream Festivals” plus earlier meal times. The M/V Eclipse operates around 20 family sailings during holiday seasons (Spring break, summer holidays and Christmas/New Year). We welcome kids from the age of 4 years.
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