Tonppa --

I assume your $1300 does not include airfare to the Galapagos.

If that's the case, it would seem like your group could easily arrange the same land itinerary for about half the price. I've seen no reports that this is at all difficult.

Your boat trip is at a peak time (Xmas), so it may be more difficult to negotiate a rock-bottom price, and waiting until the last minute could present some problems. That said, I think everyone here would say $1300 for an economy class boat is no bargain. It would seem like you should be able to get tourist class -- or better - for that price.

Dear Tonppa,

Confirm the Sulidae is a cruise ship, and not a day tour ship. Are you sleeping on the ship, and cruising at night between destinations? The Sulidae must be one of the oldest ships in Galapagos - it is certainly economy class. I was under the impression that it no longer had a cruise ship license, but only a day trip license. Make sure you do this with your eyes open. If your expectations are properly adjusted, you'll have a great time.

Warmest regards,

Heather Blenkiron

1300usd includes only the tour, not flights.

The Sulidae will do a cruise and we should sleep in.

Key Features of Sulidae:

Classic “Pirate” Ship

Private Bathrooms with Cold Water

Air-Conditioned Rooms

English Speaking Naturalist Guide

What is the proper price we should target, if we are a group of 8-10 adults?

I think we will choose a cruise based on these comments, but for a what price then ;) ?

The national park website lists the Sulidae as licensed for cruises but without air conditioning up to 31 jan this year. Since they have not updated the national park website its not possible to tell which boats have licenses for 2012 or if there is now air con. In might be worth confirming with the boat if the rooms are really air conditioned if that matters to you.

The boat is early 1900's and is bottom of the range - but the price reflects that. You get to see Espanola and N. Seymour which are more special than the populated islands and more wildlife. I am not sure where you can get a cruise of that length cheaper at that time of year except for last minute bargains which you would not get with a large group.

I think it is a great shame to go to Galapagos and only see populated islands however if you have never been spoiled by doing a cruise you will certainly still enjoy a land visit very much - as you will see from reports of those who have done it. My preference is for a cruise and then some time on land without a specific schedule.

The only thing that bothers me about bottom of the range is thats often where you find problems with hygiene, maintainance and safety - but I haven't seen any specific complaints about this boat except for one that dates back to a time when it had no license. That was an Internet report so I cannot verify it.

With your group size, it may be worth asking someone like happygringo.com about chartering a whole boat. There are some boats that only operate like that and so are not always found on websites.

Dave Peters

DP Software

The problem with determining a "proper price" is that prices are all over the place. The general rule is that the further in advance you book, and the further you do it from Puerto Ayora, the more you pay.

Given the size of your group, it definitely seems like it would be wise to try to get your own yacht for the trip. As Dave Peters notes above, you could contact a mainland Ecuador travel agent like happygringo and see what they can put together for you. This will, of course, involve a middleman (and I'm guessing 2 middlemen) It would obviously be better to do your business direct with the folks in Puerto Ayora. Unfortunately, no one here has ever posted the necessary contacts to do that direct. But wouldn't a Puerto Ayora travel agency (maybe Moonrise?) be a better place to start than a Quito-based agency?

If you are booking well in advance then most agents in Galapagos or Quito are going to quote you the list price. Some may cut into their profit to give you some discount but most don't.

If you use an agent overseas then they often add an extra markup or they bundle transfers , flights, hotel and the add a markup. You need to research the total cost of everything you are being offered to see if its a good deal or not. But don't forget it takes time and effort to put together a package yourself.

When you get close to departure time, you may well get some real bargains especially if you travel to galapagos and book there - but you need flexibility on dates and boat choice. Do your homework first as its difficult to research in the shop. You can't do this if you have a group of 10 though.

Booking direct with a boat is possible but for individual cabins you will normally be quoted the list price and teh boat owner will just avoid paying the agents.

For charters, you may be able to get discount booking direct regardless of the booking date - you are effectively an agent responsible for selling the cabins. You are however then responsible for the entire boat price even if you don't fill it. I don't know of any that will compete with the prices being talked about here. For a charter in 2011 we were looking at $30,000 including discount.

Tonppa,

I always go to Galapagos to cruise and dive. Your budget offer (usd 1300) for seven days looks great!

Definitely the way to do Galapagos and see more is by live aboard boat. Which landing sites of Isabela is the Sulidae offering you? please let us know.

Saludos cordiales,

Dennis Yepez

Sulidae offers landing on:

AM Isabela Island: C:C Arnaldo Tupiza / Wetlands

PM Isabela Island: Tintoreras

Are they the best?

The most spectacular landings on Isabela are all on the western shore, which none of these are. These are all around the town of Puerto Villamil. However, I think folks here have reported that snorkeling around Las Tintoreras can be good.

Tina

trip report at http://galapagos2009.wordpress.com/