Category Archives: expeditionary cruises

expeditionary cruises

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Launches 7 Arctic Voyages to Rarely Explored Territory

Lindblad’s Arctic expeditions are set aboard the 148-guest National Geographic Explorer, with an ice-strengthened hull and advanced navigation equipment for polar expeditions; and fleet of Zodiacs and sea kayaks.
Lindblad’s Arctic expeditions are set aboard the 148-guest National Geographic Explorer, with an ice-strengthened hull and advanced navigation equipment for polar expeditions; and fleet of Zodiacs and sea kayaks.

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has announced seven 2015 Arctic itineraries – including two new voyages – that will explore the vast geography of Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland and Canada from late May through early September. Much of the season will be spent in the high Arctic. Each expedition promises Arctic wildlife, riveting ice in myriad forms, plus dramatic elements of human history. Lindblad Expeditions’ Arctic voyages underscore what sets an “expedition” apart from a “cruise.” New for 2015 are:

• Epic 80ºN: Exploring Greenland, Baffin & Ellesmere Islands will explore Baffin Island and Lancaster Sound, then make its way up the beautiful coast of Ellesmere, which reaches farther north than any other land, except for Greenland. The expedition has been planned to allow time to go as far north as the ice allows, and then trace the rarely explored coast of northwest Greenland, going places Lindblad has never been—where tidewater glaciers of extreme beauty dominate. Guests will experience unbridled 21st-century exploration as they venture deep into the far reaches of the ice to Zodiac cruise, kayak, and hike the tundra. They will encounter hardy Inuit communities and learn about the ancient Thule and Dorset at remote archaeological sites, some marvelously preserved. Observe polar bears, walruses, and even elusive narwhals. Explore amid the big ice of Philpots Island. Departs Aug. 17 for 23 days. Rates from $23,990 pp/double.

• Exploring Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic ventures deep into the far northern reaches of the Arctic on a quest for arctic wildlife and the magisterial scenery of the ice occurring at an epic scale in Greenland. Guests will share the experience of explorers driven to discover the Northwest Passage. This itinerary provides opportunities to navigate the eastern entrance of Canada’s fabled Northwest Passage; explore Greenland’s fjords, and the Ilulissat Glacier, a UNESCO site and a tongue of the Greenland ice cap; spend a week in the Canadian High Arctic observing polar bears and other denizens of the ice, and visit an historic Inuit fishing village and former whaling port. The 13-day voyages depart July 28 and Aug. 7, 2015. Rates from $12,990.

The other five Arctic itineraries include the Land of the Ice Bears: An In-Depth Exploration of Arctic Svalbard; Norway’s Fjords and Arctic Svalbard; Svalbard, Iceland & Greenland’s East Coast; Along the Viking Trail: From Iceland to Greenland, and A Circumnavigation of Iceland (sold out). Lindblad Expeditions’ route in the Arctic is flexible and completely ice and weather dependent.

Lindblad’s Arctic expeditions are set aboard the 148-guest National Geographic Explorer, with an ice-strengthened hull and advanced navigation equipment for polar expeditions; and fleet of Zodiacs and sea kayaks.

Contact Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic voyages at www.expeditions.com, 800-EXPEDITION (800-397-3348), or a travel agent.

 

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expeditionary cruises, Nature Travel

Natural Habitat Charters “Grizzly Ship” Ursus For Close Encounters with Alaska’s Giant Brown Bears

Natural Habitat Adventures has just announced its exclusive charter of a legendary vessel it has rechristened the M/V Natural Habitat Ursus, to take guests as close as possible in safety to the largest coastal grizzlies in the world.
Natural Habitat Adventures has just announced its exclusive charter of a legendary vessel it has rechristened the M/V Natural Habitat Ursus, to take guests as close as possible in safety to the largest coastal grizzlies in the world.

BOULDER, CO, — Natural Habitat Adventures has just announced its exclusive charter of a legendary vessel in it has rechristened the M/VNatural Habitat Ursus, to take guests as close as possible in safety to the largest coastal grizzlies in the world, in Alaska.

The new adventure, Alaska’s Coastal Grizzlies: Kodiak to Katmai, will accommodate just eight guests at a time aboard the Ursus.

Two versions of the trip are scheduled weekly from mid June through mid September 2015: Alaska’s Coastal Grizzlies: Kodiak to Katmai (seven days) and Alaska’s Coastal Grizzlies: Kodiak to Katmai Photo Tour (eight days). The rate is from $7,995 per person, double occupancy. Photo-focused departures are led by a naturalist guide who is also a professional photographer.

M/V Natural Habitat Ursus (Latin for ‘bear’) has been recently refurbished to provide comfortable accommodations. It was originally built in 1984 as a crab fishing boat called Time Bandit, which plied the stormy waters of the Bering Sea and gained fame in the Discovery Channel TV series “The Deadliest Catch.” Its shallow draft allows cruising near the shoreline, where guests can watch bears forage in meadows and dig clams on the tide flats in remote Katmai National Park on the Alaska Peninsula.

The route is flexible in order to follow the bears while aboard this classic 73-foot-long wooden vessel. The Ursus accommodates a maximum of eight travelers in four guest cabins with upper/lower bunks. It carries a full complement of state-of-the-art navigation and safety equipment. The ship’s interior is intimate and simply appointed, with ample space for meals and activities. Guests share two toilets and two showers. A well-lit galley and dining area provide for convivial conversation over gourmet meals prepared each day by the onboard chef. Fresh Alaskan seafood, including halibut, salmon and crab, highlight the menu.

“With Ursus providing our offshore expedition base, we are able to visit some of the planet’s most pristine wilderness in Katmai National Park without leaving an impact. Shore excursions, which get us even closer to the bears, take place via Zodiac rafts carried on board,” explained Ben Bressler, founder and president of Natural Habitat Adventures.

Nature puts on few displays as arresting as Alaskan brown bears feeding on summer’s bounty. These bears – the largest coastal grizzlies in the world – gorge on spawning salmon as the fish swim up the rivers that pour onto these wild beaches. “Nothing can prepare you for the drama of an actual encounter with these magnificent beasts, just yards away,” says Bressler. Since these bears live in protected habitat and have never had negative experiences with humans, they are nonchalant to the group’s presence and are safely approachable at close range.

The adventure begins on Kodiak Island where guests are introduced to Alaska Native and Russian cultures. A local boat excursion follows rocky shorelines for sightings of sea lions, otters, puffins, bald eagles and occasionally whales. A floatplane on Day 3 flies guests to Kukak Bay to meet the M/V Natural Habitat Ursus, which immediately begins cruising slowly along the coast toward Hallo Bay to spot the first bears. Days 4 through 6 unveil the drama of multiple encounters with North America’s largest land predators (an adult male can weigh 900 pounds).

Guests take a skiff to shore to explore on foot, guided by a highly experienced Expedition Leader. It’s not uncommon to find massive grizzlies in great numbers; previous trips have seen as many as 30 to 40 of them at once. And far from dozing lethargically, these bears put on quite a show in their efforts to fill up on enough protein-rich food to prepare them for a long winter in hibernation. Depending on the time of the visit, bears may be mating or cubs gallivanting. On Day 7 guests depart from Kodiak.

NHA Expedition Leader Brad Josephs leads the Kodiak to Katmai Photography Tour (10 dates have been scheduled for 2015). A noted bear expert and Alaska resident (when he is not guiding bear adventures around the world from China to Churchill), he is one of Alaska’s premier naturalist guides, as well as a superlative professional wildlife photographer who is gifted at sharing photography tips and guidance with his guests.

M/V Natural Habitat Ursus was built in 1984 and transitioned for research use by the National Park Service in 1989, conducting scientific study and monitoring. It has since been converted and comfortably appointed for custom marine charter use. In addition to Nat Hab’s grizzly adventures, the ship has outfitted two international filmmaking projects, the 2012 BBC/Discovery Channel documentary Great Bear Stakeout, and an NHK (Japanese public television) program on orcas hunting gray whales and humpbacks.

Natural Habitat Adventures is a world leader in responsible adventure travel and nature-based ecotourism. Since its founding in 1985, the company has offered eco-conscious expeditions and wildlife-focused small-group tours to the planet’s most remarkable nature destinations. Inspired and created from years of scouring the planet for the singular and extraordinary, Nat Hab’s itineraries are artfully crafted experiences that are far from “typical.” Trips are guided by professional naturalist Expedition Leaders, and Nat Hab enjoys a longstanding reputation for hiring some of the world’s best guides. Conservation is at the forefront of everything NHA does, and its philosophy is simple: tourism must work with and benefit local communities, which will in turn find value in protecting natural resources and wildlife. NHA is proud to be the travel partner of World Wildlife Fund, sharing a mutual commitment to travel as a means of helping to protect the world’s wondrous natural places.

For trip information, descriptive itineraries, date availability and reservations, call 800.543.8917 or visit http://www.nathab.com/. Click HERE to order a copy of the 2015 catalog.

 

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expeditionary cruises

AdventureSmith Explorations Adds Historic Yacht Westward To Inventory of Small Ships Exploring Baja Peninsula

Small ship cruise expert AdventureSmith Explorations announces a new 10-day Baja, Mexico cruise aboard the 86-foot, historic eight-guest adventure yacht, Westward.
Small ship cruise expert AdventureSmith Explorations announces a new 10-day Baja, Mexico cruise aboard the 86-foot, historic eight-guest adventure yacht, Westward.

TAHOE CITY, CA–Small ship cruise expert AdventureSmith Explorations announces a new 10-day Baja, Mexico cruise aboard the 86-foot, historic eight-guest adventure yacht, Westward.

Launched in 1924 as the flagship of the Alaska Coast Hunting and Cruising Co., she is arguably Seattle’s most famous motor yacht having pioneered hunting, fishing, and adventure travel in the remote regions of Washington, British Columbia and Alaska.

“Westward Voyages in the Sea of Cortez, launching January 2015 is our perfect complement to an already outstanding portfolio of Baja small Ship Cruises,” said Todd Smith, AdventureSmith Explorations’ Founder/Owner. Ten-day itineraries featuring both the Sea of Cortez and whale watching in the Pacific’s San Ignacio Lagoon are offered in January and February 2015.

Smith likened cruising the eco systems of the Baja Peninsula to cruising the islands of the Galapagos. Both regions offer explorations of geography, flora and fauna, bird and wildlife. Both regions are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Westward Voyages in the Sea of Cortez spends seven days cruising in the Sea of Cortez with three days watching gray whales based from Kuyimita Tent Camp adjacent to San Ignacio Lagoon Whale Sanctuary. The resulting 9-night/10-day cruise/tour is the most in-depth and intimate Baja exploration available. The per person double rate is $5,750. See: www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/westward-voyages-in-the-sea-of-cortez .
Westward will ply the pristine waters of Baja in the coolest months in order to enhance the cruise experience that includes the cacophony of leaping rays, spouting whales, acrobatic dolphins and chirping bird song from the dawning shore.

Guests and crew gather on the 17 by 14-foot shaded back deck for meals and conversation.  Each stateroom has three portholes that open. In addition each bathroom has one opening port. Staterooms are outfitted with a portable, battery-powered fan to provide a breeze on still nights. The air may be warm and dry in the Gulf of California winters, but the water is cool and helps offset the warmth of the day, especially in staterooms that extend below the waterline.

Other cruise programs on ships for up to 84 guests are available. (See: www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/baja-california).

Additional options include two eight-day whale watching cruises January-March on a variety of small ships. Rates are from $2,995 per person, double, aboard the 84-guest Safari Endeavor. Rates are from $5,990 per person, double, aboard the 62-guest National Geographic Sea Lion and Sea Bird. Additional cruise programs for up to 15 days are also offered in this region.

Westward is listed with the US National Register of Historic Places and remains dependably powered by her original Atlas Imperial Diesel Engine. Westward’s historical and adventurous spirit enriches the voyages of those lucky enough to cruise the waters with her. Modeled after a salmon cannery tender, she launched in 1924 as the flagship of the Alaska Coast Hunting and Cruising Co. Westward served a noteworthy clientele of hunters and fishermen for nearly 20 years. Distinguished guests included Bing Crosby, Walt Disney, E.F. Hutton, John Wayne, Dean Witter and numerous other VIP’s of the era. During WW II Westward served as a patrol boat off the California coast before returning to the Pacific Northwest. See: http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/westward

Founded in 2003, AdventureSmith Exploration has become a global leader in small ship, expeditionary cruise vacations. Company president and founder Todd Smith pioneered the concept of wilderness cruising – combining the comforts of a small cruise ship with the adventure of sea kayaking and exploring ashore in remote wilderness areas. In 2012, Smith joined the ranks of Conde Nast Traveler’s prestigious 14th Annual Travel Specialists List as the world’s expert on small ship expeditions, and again in 2013 and 2014. For information, availability and 2015 reservations, 800-728-2875 or visit www.adventuresmithexplorations.com.

 

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ecotourism, expeditionary cruises

Lindblad Expeditions Launches 7 New Itineraries on National Geographic Explorer

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Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has announced seven new itineraries for 2015 aboard National Geographic Explorer. The diverse itineraries range from the iconic to the little known, mostly wild, with human history and culture woven in.

The 148-guest National Geographic Explorer is uniquely equipped with an ice-strengthened hull and advanced navigation equipment for polar expeditions; a roster of tools for exploration; and the best expedition team in the industry. With a fleet of Zodiacs and sea kayaks, the ship fosters genuine up-close exploration, enabling guests to have life-enhancing encounters with beauty, wildness, serenity and silence, in the planet’s most pristine places.

Azores to Morocco: Island Wonders and Fabled Shores, 10 days/8 nights. Experience a rare visit to remote islands with a deep-seated history, seafaring traditions, and ancestral cultures of food, wine and music. Walk in Madeira’s lush laurel forests (a UNESCO site); explore the Azores’ spectacular geology: an active volcano and hot springs. Search for whales in the waters around the Azores, and explore two extraordinary Moroccan towns: Casablanca and Essaouira (a UNESCO site). Departs March 27, 2015. Rates begin at $8,790. http://www.expeditions.com/destinations/azores/azores-morocco/

Morocco, Spain and Portugal: Land of the Moors, 10 days/8 nights.  This extraordinary adventure encompasses two continents and three countries, spans centuries and cuts huge swaths through culture. Make a pilgrimage to magnificent Santiago de Compostela—one of the five UNESCO World Heritage sites to be visited; discover Morocco’s ancient medinas and bargain in the souks; savor regional cuisines: port wines in Oporto, Spanish tapas and Moroccan tajines. Departs April 4, 2015. Rates begin at $8,790. http://www.expeditions.com/destinations/morocco-spain-portugal/morocco-iberia/

Along the Viking Trail: Iceland to Greenland, 12 days/10 nights.  Explore Iceland’s western fjords by Zodiac; kayak among the magnificent icebergs of East Greenland; and hike amid charming Scandinavian hamlets. Immerse yourself in Nordic history on visits to fascinating Viking sites and settlements. Departs July 19, 2015. Rates begin at $10,580. Book by Dec 31, 2014 to receive complimentary charter airfare (Kangerlussuaq to Ottawa–a $1,200 value). New bookings only, subject to availability. http://www.expeditions.com/destinations/arctic/along-the-viking-trail/

Exploring Greenland & the Canadian High Arctic, 13 days/12 nights. Venture deep into the far reaches of the Arctic – trace the rugged fjords of Greenland and explore the entrance to Canada’s legendary Northwest Passage. Spot polar bears on the pack ice, watch for a wide variety of whales—from minke and bowhead whales to the rare narwhal. Get up close to massive glaciers, and hike the wild islands that dot Canada’s northern shores. Departs July 28; August 7, 2015. Rates begin at $12,990. http://www.expeditions.com/destinations/arctic/greenland-canadian-high-arctic/

Coastal Treasures from the Panama Canal to Peru, 14 days/12 nights. This multifaceted voyage begins with a transit of the Panama Canal, then on to seldom-visited places along the Pacific coast of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Discover an exciting sequence of off-the-beaten-track islands, and explore protected sites on the Pacific side of Colombia in the company of Colombia’s former president, Cesar Gaviria. See the ruins of the ancient Moche culture and encounter the traditional Embera people. Departs September 27, 2015. Rates begin at $12,590. Book by Dec. 31, 2014 and receive complimentary round-trip airfare between Miami/Panama City and Lima/Miami. Subject to availability, new bookings only. http://www.expeditions.com/destinations/south-american-west-coast/coastal_treasures_from_the_panama_canal_to_peru/

Peru & Chile: Ancient Sites & Natural Wonders, 17 days/15 nights. This adventure is filled with breathtaking archaeological and natural wonders and charged with amazing energy: the Nazca Lines, the wildlife-rich Juan Fernández Islands, said to have inspired the novel Robinson Crusoe, and two days exploring the extraordinary Atacama Desert and the Valley of the Moon, with its jagged mountains and wind-created salt sculptures. Near Paracas, Peru, see the seabird and marine mammal colonies of the Ballestas Islands. Departs Oct. 8, 2015. Rates begin at $17,690. http://www.expeditions.com/destinations/south-american-west-coast/peru-chile-natural-wonders/

Patagonia, The Chilean Fjords and Argentina’s Staten Island, 21 days/18 nights. Venture deep into Chile’s glorious fjords past incandescent icebergs and massive glaciers. From the “land of fire,” Tierra del Fuego, to the jagged spires of Torres del Paine National Park, experience Patagonia at close range.  By special permission, be one of the few people ever to explore Isla de los Estados (Staten Island), located at the extreme end of South America. Transit the legendary Beagle Channel and take in the view of Cape Horn. Departs October 21, 2015. Rates begin at $18,880. http://www.expeditions.com/destinations/south-american-west-coast/patagonia_chile/

(Rates are per person based on double occupancy in a category 1 cabin.)

For reservations or additional information on Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic voyages, visit www.expeditions.com, call 1-800-EXPEDITION (1-800-397-3348) or contact your travel agent.

 

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ecotourism, expeditionary cruises

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Announces 2015-16 Global Perspectives Speakers

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic in Antarctica
Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic in Antarctica

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has announced the guest speakers in their Global Perspectives Program aboard the National Geographic Explorer for the 2015/2016 season. Drawn from the top tiers of journalism, science, and world affairs to add relevant insights, the Global Perspectives Speakers have been chosen to share the expedition experience as active participants and fellow travelers, which allows guests to hear them in the context of their lounge talks, and to spend time with them throughout the voyage while cruising in a Zodiac, on a hike, or during dinner.

Depending on the expedition, guests can explore with a National Geographic Explorer-In-Residence; a scientist doing research in the region they are voyaging, an author, a foreign dignitary, or even a former head of state. A partial listing of the special guests include:

  • Jared Diamond:  A professor of geography at the University of California, Los Angeles, Jared is the author of Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed and the widely acclaimed Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, which won him a Pulitzer Prize as well as Britain’s 1998 Rhone-Poulenc Science Book Prize. Antarctica, February 14, 2015
  • Barry Lopez: Best known as the author of Arctic Dreams, for which he received the National Book Award, he has authored 14 books of fiction and nonfiction.  Among his other books are About This Life and Of Wolves and Men, a finalist for the National Book Award.   Arctic Svalbard, June 8, 2015
  • Alasdair McGregor:  Writer and historian, he wrote the definitive biography of the renowned expedition photographer/adventurer on Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, Frank Hurley: A Photographer’s Life.  Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falklands, November 7, 2015; Antarctica, November 27, 2015.
  • César Gaviria: Former President of Columbia, César Gaviria is known throughout Latin America as an advocate of democracy, staunch supporter of regional integration, and defender of human rights.  An engaging and insightful speaker, President Gaviria will return to the National Geographic Explorer to welcome guests to his country and introduce them to the economic and political climate of Latin America. Coastal Treasures from the Panama Canal to Peru, September 27, 2015.
  • Captain Alfred S. McLaren: Capt. McLaren has explored beneath the Arctic ice on numerous expeditions, the last as commander of his own sub.  After retiring from the Navy in 1981, he earned a Ph.D. in polar studies and focused his research on the Arctic’s role in climate change.  President of the American Polar Society and Honorary Director and President Emeritus of the Explorers Club, in 2012 he received The Explorers Club’s highest honor, The Explorers Club Medal. Norway’s Fjords & Arctic Svalbard, May 19, 2015.
  • Edward J. Larson: Pepperdine University professor and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Edward Larson’s latest book, An Empire of Ice: Scott, Shackleton, and the Heroic Age of Antarctic Science, places the famed voyages of Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, his British rivals Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton, and others in a larger scientific, social, and geopolitical context, much enlivened by his own Antarctic travels. Antarctica, January 7 & 17, 2015.
  • Gil Grosvenor:  Grosvenor serves as Chairman Emeritus of the National Geographic Society’s board of trustees and its Education Foundation, as well as an Honorary Director of the Explorers Club. He retired in 1996, as President of the Society—the fifth generation of his family to serve in that position.  Canadian Maritimes, September 11, 2015.
  • Dr. Joe MacInnis:  Dr. Joe MacInnis is the first person to explore the ocean beneath the North Pole.  He led ten research expeditions under the Arctic Ocean to develop the systems and techniques to make scientific surveys beneath the polar ice cap.  His teams built the first undersea polar station and discovered the world’s northernmost known shipwreck.  Antarctica, January 6, 2016.
  • Peter Hillary:  Peter is the son of Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to summit Mount Everest along with Tenzing Norgay. Peter has climbed the highest mountain on every continent, including Mount Everest, and established a new overland route to the South Pole. Antarctica, February 6, 2015; Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falklands, February 16, 2015.
  • Fen Montaigne: Journalist and author of Fraser’s Penguins: A Journey to the Future in Antarctica, Fen has long studied the impact of rapid warming.  His work has appeared in National Geographic, The New Yorker and others. Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland, June 22, 2015.
  • David Doubilet: Acclaimed leading underwater photographer David Doubilet has produced more than 70 stories for National Geographic magazine.  In 2010 he was part of the Elysium Project, a team of explorers who followed in the footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton from the Weddell Sea to South Georgia, documenting the current state of this last pristine wilderness.   Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falklands, February 15, 2016.

For more information or to book your Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic voyage, visit http://www.expeditions.com/destinations/antarctica/celebrating-the-centennial/ , call 1-800-EXPEDITION or your travel agent.

cruises, ecotourism, expeditionary cruises, Responsible Travel, Sustainable Travel

Galapagos Small-Ship Cruise Operator Ecoventura To Launch the Islands’ Newest Premium Class Vessel

Ecoventura is now taking bookings for MV Origin’s inaugural cruise Jan. 3, 2016.
Ecoventura is now taking bookings for MV Origin’s inaugural cruise Jan. 3, 2016.

Ecoventura, which operates an environmentally friendly fleet of small expedition yachts in the Galapagos Islands, plans to debut the region’s newest ship in early 2016.

Construction of the 20-passenger motor vessel is underway at the shipyard in Guayaquil, Ecuador but Ecoventura has begun taking bookings for MV Origin’s inaugural cruise Jan. 3, 2016. When launched she will be the newest and most comfortable 20-passenger yacht operating in Galapagos.

The vessel’s owner, Ecoventura, has more than two decades experience in sustainable tourism.

“We are exploring ways to make the Origin the most comfortable and environmentally efficient yacht in Galapagos,” Ecoventura founder and owner Santiago Dunn. “Our first goal is to reduce fossil fuel consumption by 45 percent (from 1800 gallons to 1000 gallons per week),” he explains. “This is no simple achievement when you consider our plans to sail at 12 knots on two engines so that guests can spend as much time as possible at each visitor site.”

MV Origin, designed for guests with a highly evolved lifestyle, will combine modern sophistication and a high level of comfort and service, with quality guided land excursions in small groups, gastronomical experiences, exciting physical activities and a dose of intellectual science for a life enriching experience. A veteran crew supervised by a master-level captain, two expert naturalist guides and a concierge will be at the beck and call of guests. Social areas offer private moments on board with a library, boutique, computer station, lounge areas, dining room, bar, Jacuzzi, sun deck, recliners and wet bar.

Guests aboard Origin will enjoy locally sourced, healthy, gourmet-style menus designed by top local chefs and creatively prepared by Ecoventura’s culinary school trained chefs. Some lunches will be served al fresco on deck. Passengers will have an open bar policy, including wine and local beer.

The vessel will feature 10 deluxe staterooms all located on the main deck with panoramic windows and private bathroom. Each stateroom is 140 square feet, with two twin beds that convert to a king, two connecting cabins, two triples, fine linens, bathrobes, and satellite TV.

Guests wishing to stay in shape will enjoy a fitness center with cardio equipment. The services of a professional masseuse can also be arranged at an additional charge on private charters only. Twice daily cabin cleanings are provided. Laundry service is also available. Guide lectures, cooking demonstrations and yoga will be part of the on-ship activities.
Ecoventura’s Director of Sales & Marketing, Doris Welsh, explained that MV Origin rates reflecting a premium class vessel will be higher than those on its three existing first class vessels, the Eric, Flamingo and Letty.  A per person double rate for an eight-day all-inclusive cruise will be $6,500. Rates include cabin accommodation, all meals and snacks, all beverages including open bar, Captain’s welcome and farewell party, guided shore excursions, services of a concierge, use of wet suits, snorkelling equipment, stand-up paddle boards and sea kayaks, and transfers in the islands between the airport and dock.

There are two distinct itineraries on weekly (Sundays), year-round departures from the island of San Cristobal. The tours visit the most spectacular visitor sites of the archipelago; western/northern and central/southern.

Ecoventura is a family-owned company based in Guayaquil, Ecuador, with sales offices in Quito and Miami. In operation since 1990, the cruise company transports 4,000+ passengers annually aboard its fleet of at present three identical, 20-passenger first-class motor yachts, Eric, Flamingo and Letty, and the 16-passenger luxury dive live-aboard the MV Galapagos Sky. Departures are every Sunday from San Cristobal offering two unique seven-night itineraries.

Contact Ecoventura, at 800.633.7972, or e-mail [email protected]. To access current rates, schedules and itineraries log on to www.ecoventura.com.

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