GALAPAGOS ISLANDS LUXURY CLASS EXPEDITION SHIP "M/V GALAPAGOS EXPLORER II"
Built in 1990 as the Renaissance Ill, the Galapagos Explorer II brings a whole new dimension to exploring the Galapagos Islands. She is an all suite ship - all her spacious 52 air-conditioned cabins have a sitting area in addition to a sleeping area and features amenities such as in-cabin safety deposit box, mini-refrigerator, TV with VCR, personal hair dryer and telephone with intentional communications abilities. The private bath has a marble vanity & personal hairdryer. Cabins have either two twin beds or one queen bed.
The electrical current aboard ship is 110 volts. An elevator makes getting between the six decks easy. There is a small fresh-water pool; Jacuzzi; solarium; library with a wide variety of books and new release videos; boutique and gift shop featuring native souvenirs, books, sports clothing, sundry and personal items. There is a clinic with resident doctor to handle minor illnesses and mishaps.
The dining room serves breakfast (buffet style) and dinner (sit-down service); buffet lunch is generally served on deck. Service is open seating and the entire restaurant is designated non-smoking. In addition to the Piano Lounge there are other two bar areas.
Dress aboard ship is casual with the exception of dinner when "dressy-casual" (slacks instead of jeans or shorts, as an example) is the norm. The ship has limited snorkeling equipment available on board.

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Itinerary Back to top

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Technical Specifications
Category: Deluxe
Classified: SOLAS, ISM Certificate, Load Line, Marpol (Prevention of pollution), Classification: RINA Registro Italiano Navale
Speed: Design speed 17 Knots, Cruise speed 14.5 Knots
GRT: 4077 Tons, Net 1223 Tons, Length Overall 88.16 m,
Beam 15.3 m, Draft 4.012 m
Passengers: 100
Crew: 70 + physician
Guides: 6 (multilingual naturalists )
Heavy duty
Radar: Furuno FR-1510 Mark III
Radar Arpa : Furuno FR-2125
GPS: Navtrac
Sat. Navigator: Shipmate
Echo Sounder: Simrad
Gyro Compass: Anschutz
Fire Alarm: Salwico
Radio: GMDSS Raytheon
SATCOM C.: Fax
Sat Phone: Trane & Trane
Phone: 874-762014651
Fax: 874-762014652
Decks: 5

Cabins Back to top
All suite Accommodations, convertible double beds, extra sofa bed for triple configurations, mini-bar, television, marble bathroom, private safety deposit box, walk-in or large closets, satellite communication, 110/220 volt outlets, hair dryer. Vanity dresser

Classic Suites Magellan Deck They feature a spacious walk-in closet and a courtain separating the sleeping and seating areas. Area 210 ft2/19.51 m2 to 240 ft2/22.30 m2	Classic Suites Columbus Deck: Located on the Columbus Deck. They come with three large windows. Average suites size - 250 ft2/23.23 m2
Premium Suites Marco Polo Deck Located on the Marco Polo Deck. They feature three picture windows and two full-length wardrobes. Average suites size - 235 ft2/21.83 m2	De Luxe Suites Erickson Deck Located on the Erickson Deck, they feature three picture windows and two full-length wardrobes. Average suites size: 215 ft2/19.97 m2
Renaissance Panoramic Suites Erickson Deck Located on the Erickson Deck, they offer the ultimate amenity. They are spacious and have three panoramic windows that overlook the bow of the ship. They feature three full-length wardrobes. Average suites size: 284 ft2/26.38 m2	Renaissance Balcony Suites Explorer Deck Located on the Explorer Deck, they offer the ultimate amenity: a private verandah. They feature three full-length wardrobes. Average suites size - 287 ft2/26.66 m2

Social Areas Back to top

Swimming pool and sun deck
Observation deck
Piano lounge
Conference room
Other social areas: library, hospital, restaurant, research room

Cruise Price Back to top

Includes
All meals on board (breakfast B, lunch L, dinner D), Galapagos cruise, Guided excursions, Briefings and lectures, Bottled water on cruise ship, aiport to dock transfers in the Galapagos islands.

Not Included
Use of snorkeling equipment, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, gratuities, personal expenses. Local Roundtrip airfare: Quito / Galapagos / Quito $393, Guayaquil / Galapagos / Guayaquil $366, Galapagos park tax $100, Ecuador international departure tax $25, hotel nights in Quito or Guayaquil, airport transfers in mainland Ecuador, Airfare to Ecuador is extra.

Additional information Back to top
Pricing: U.S. Dollars
Departures: Every Wednesday and Saturday all year round.
Meeting and departing: Quito or Guayaquil. You must plan to arrive at least 1 day before cruise and will have to depart at least 1 day after, airline connections do not allow for direct international flight connections to the Galapagos islands.

Advantages
The Galapagos Explorer is a fast ship in the Islands and has many comforts. Is more stable than sailing on a yacht in the islands allowing for a smoother voyage. Has the comforts and camaraderie only a larger boat can offer. 24 hour Doctor/Physician on duty. Offers luxury in the larger ship category.

Disadvantages
Lacks the privacy found on a smaller yacht. Service and food will always be of higher quality on smaller yachts.

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