Yacht:
|
AIDA MARIA
|
|
Type:
|
Motor
|
Guide:
|
Class
II
|
Capacity:
|
16
(8 double cabins – bunk beds)
|
Snorkel:
|
Complimentary
use (free)
|
Cruise
review:
|
Overall
the trip was fantastic and any other comments are only trying to be
useful, as they may help to improve the service for others. The
downstairs cabins are extremely noisy overnight and perhaps clients
should be advised about this when booking so they can decide whether to
go on an upper deck on a different boat. The
mattresses are too thin, and hence sore backs on board were common. Cleaning
in the rooms was limited. Our wash basin
was cleaned on only one morning during the trip. The
food on the whole was good, a good balance of fruit and vegetables,
however as is common in Ecuador, the meat fish
and on one occasion the vegetables were generally overcooked. As you know I do not eat meat, most of the
time the alternative was poor, being either, cheese, on occasion
omelette or plain rice. For the gluten
free a real understanding of what white flour is, is required as
certainly on at least one occasion Theo was unwell as a result of white
flour. This is not a complaint about the chef, who was very good, and
very charming, only comments that it is more usual to lightly
cook/steam fish, meat and vegetables in Europe, so clients
prefer it. The
guide, Ruben on the whole was good, although briefings were too long,
not concise enough, he also had a tendency
to be a bit grumpy at times. At the end of
the tour the guide provided two envelopes for tips for himself and the
rest of the crew. When asked how much we
should tip he suggested a fairly substantial amount. (USD10 X per
person x no. of days which for our family of 2 adults and 2 kids worked
out as USD320! a little unrealistic!!!) We
gave what seemed to be a reasonable tip, certainly higher than we have
previously given for any other tour, we are aware some of the guests
chose not to tip, which of course should be their decision. He appeared to be unhappy with the tips and
grumped about the following day, failing to say goodbye at the airport,
except to one couple who managed to find him in the lounge with the
other guides. We
did have a great time, The boat was
generally excellent and we would recommend it.
[Theo
Chapman | May 28th to June 4th, 2006]
|
| Itinerary
(map) |
|
Itinerary
(text):
|
Sunday:
|
Baltra
/ Santa Cruz (Bachas Beach)
|
Monday:
|
South
Plazas / Santa Fe
|
Tuesday:
|
Espanola
(Punta Suarez / Gardner Bay)
|
Wednesday:
|
Floreana
(Post Office Bay / Devil's Crown / Punta Cormorant)
|
Thursday:
|
Santa
Cruz (Charles Darwin Station / Highlands)
|
Friday:
|
Rabida
/ Santiago (James Bay) |
Saturday:
|
Bartolome / Santiago
(Sullivan Bay)
|
Sunday:
|
North
Seymour
|
Notes:
|
ITINERARIES
ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
|
|
|
|
