Tip Top IV Galápagos Cruise+Flights

Odyssey

- Traditional first class motor yacht; - Stunning panoramic views from all cabins; - Superb social areas, including Jacuzzi on the sundeck for decadent relaxation; - Packed itinerary, at least two site visits per day, includes kayaking. The Motor Yacht Galápagos Odyssey combines the traditions and service of a classic first class yacht with a modern and stylish design that's a wonderful place to stay while exploring the islands. Completely refurbished in 2014, Odyssey boasts spacious cabins that feature individual air-conditioning, a small desk, sofa, mini-bar, and closet, as well as spacious bathrooms with shower cabins. Picture windows in each cabin give you stunning views of the Galápagos. Odyssey's social areas are inviting and luxurious, with plenty of space to enjoy some downtime or to gather and listen to your experienced naturalist guide brief you on the wide range of excursions you will enjoy. Outside space is plentiful, and you can soak up the Galápagos sun on one of the sundeck's comfortable loungers, or even in the outdoor Jacuzzi while enjoying a cocktail. With indoor and outdoor dining areas, you'll enjoy wonderful meals cooked with fresh local ingredients with your fellow guests. A range of wines, beers and cocktails is available from the well-stocked bar. The highly experienced crew of 9 will attend to your every need and make your stay on board a memorable one. There are a range of naturalist itineraries to choose from, and each offers at least 2 excursions per day. Odyssey also carries 8 tandem kayaks providing additional opportunities to enjoy the Galápagos up close. Our comments We really enjoy the "classic" motor yacht ambience of Odyssey, and her recent refit has turned her into one of the most spacious and comfortable boats in her class. Her extra size means you get "big ship" amenities like kayaks for all passenger, Jacuzzi, and really spacious cabins, and yet the intimacy of a maximum of only 16 guests at a time. Odyssey really is a first class way to see exactly what the Galápagos has to offer.

Master

Galápagos Master prides itself as being one of the most eco-friendly Galápagos diving boats in the fleet. This sturdy, all-steel vessel is the perfect choice for getting you to some of the world’s best diving sites at the remote Wolf and Darwin islands. With only 16 guests maximum per trip and a crew of 12, she offers one of the best guest-to-crew ratios of any live aboard dive boat in the Galápagos, and her equipment is first class. Comfortable cabins Master has nine modern and well-appointed cabins, including four twins on the lower deck, and four on the upper deck. There is an additional single cabin which is available for solo travelers. Lower deck cabins may be preferable for those who suffer from motion sickness, as the ship’s movement will be less apparent in the swells that sometimes occur as you cruise the waters around the Galápagos. Lower deck cabins feature traditional portholes, while upper deck cabins have larger windows. All have en suite bathrooms with shower, and rooms are air-conditioned for your comfort. A social experience Galápagos Master’s communal areas are the heart of the ship. The main deck houses the spacious indoor lounge. Comfortable social seating makes this a great place to relax and swap stories about the day’s adventures and your Galápagos diving experience. You’ll also receive your safety and naturalist briefings here. There’s a large flat screen TV with HDMI inputs, which is perfect for watching your diving movies or taking a look at your photos. Also, on the main deck is the dining area and cocktail bar. Your chef Angel produces a great range of mouthwatering dishes, including his specialty ceviche, which is truly delicious, and can be enjoyed with a range of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks from the bar. Another great touch is the dedicated “camera station” where you can charge and store cameras - there are several North American power sockets available here, ensuring you’ll always be ready to capture the marine life that thrives in the Galápagos. For sun worshipers, the upper deck open-air lounge is perfect. Comfortable seating and loungers are available to help you soak up the equatorial sun. If you prefer a little more privacy, Galápagos Master’s bow area offers a quieter place to relax, with room for four sun loungers. The boat is very informal and relaxed, and you’re always welcome to use any of the gangways to move around the boat, and the captain is always happy to receive visitors on the bridge. High quality dive experience The dive deck on Master is very well-equipped, with everything you need for a first class Galápagos diving experience. Everyone is allocated their own equipment set up area, with storage for personal items. Generously sized rinse tanks are centrally located for washing down your dive equipment and camera gear, and there are 2 shower heads if you want a quick post-dive rinse. When you return from a dive, you’ll find a large dry towel waiting for you at your dive station, as well as a welcoming selection of warm drinks and snacks. **Stunning diving itineraries** With a choice of seven night and ten night itineraries, a Galápagos Master diving cruise offers something for everyone. Most days include four dives: two in the morning and two in the afternoon, but on some days you will have a shore excursion in the afternoon to allow you to see even more of the stunning Galápagos Islands and some of the land-based animals. This means that even on a seven night trip, you will enjoy 18-20 dives. However, the ten night trip means an amazing 28 dives are possible - if you can, this would be our recommendation for the ultimate Galápagos diving adventure of a lifetime. Galápagos Master offers you a wide range of dive equipment for rent at a reasonable daily rate, including full sets (excluding torch and dive computer) from $45 per day. Nitrox is available. **Our comments** Galápagos Master is a great option for seasoned divers who want to experience some of the best and most wildlife-rich diving in the world - including the world-famous Galápagos dive sites of Wolf and Darwin. Captain Javier and his dive team are highly experienced and very welcoming, and we particularly like the additional thoughtful touches that Master’s operators have put in place, such as the dedicated camera charging station and the individual preparation stations. This is a very social boat, and her large and comfortable communal areas attest to this. The salon is a great place to spend the evening checking out everyone’s photos and videos on the big screen - pictures from Galápagos you’ll treasure forever!

Galaxy

This traditional, single-hull motor yacht has been beautifully designed to offer the most relaxing cruise experience in first class surroundings. Built in 2007, Galaxy has modern features and fittings with a sumptuous hand-crafted decor with a traditional flavour. Although capable of carrying 19 passengers, we choose to limit numbers to 16 – keeping your journey aboard Galaxy more intimate and personal than a larger vessel can provide. Galaxy is one of the few boats in her class to be awarded the Smart Voyager Certification. This prestigious accreditation is awarded in recognition of operating practices that reduce negative environmental impact of tourism in the Galápagos Islands. Galaxy has demonstrated her excellence in conservation of ecosystems, decreased risk of introduction of non-native species, continuing staff training programs, exemplary Quality Management systems and the best practices in waste management and security. Inside the ship you can find the lounge with flat screen TV, sound system and a library has amazing panoramic windows providing a constantly changing view of the Galápagos. Rich, sumptuous sofas let you relax totally whilst you simply enjoy being on board. Dining on Galaxy is an experience in itself, and the buffet service in the elegant dining room allows you to sample the best of local and international cuisine in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. With 10 staff to 16 passengers, including a bilingual naturalist guide, you can be assured of excellent levels of service and attention. Our bartender has a particular way with cocktails, so be sure to take advantage of his skills. The outside communal areas take Galaxy above others in her class. The large and beautiful wooden decks provide ample room to find a cozy corner. Sofas and loungers mean comfort is never far away. The upper sun deck has both welcoming shade and open skies – perfect for soaking in the sun or gazing at the stars.

Coral I & II

Unique amongst the Galápagos fleet, these "twins" were the first to operate in this manner. Other firsts we've discovered - the first boats with an on-board barbecue, and the first with solar-powered jacuzzi! Your captains are Javier and Fabian, and in talking with the crew, we discovered that 95% of them have been working on the Corals for 10 years or more - a real sign of quality and smooth running. The Coral twins have an unrivalled reputation for operating sustainably, and we've found out that their reclamation, recycling and waste processing systems exceed the National Park Requirements. For an absolutely unique Galápagos experience, join the beautiful twins Coral I and II as you cruise in tandem to discover the hidden wonders of the archipelago. The two yachts do everything together, including their 2016 refurbishment which saw them completely refurbished with the latest energy-saving equipment and stunning uprated furnishings throughout. Coral I is a modern, first-class mega yacht with 18 double exterior cabins and a maximum of 36 passengers; Coral II is an elegant, classic and charming motor yacht for maximum of 20 passengers. Combined, they provide the intimacy of a small-scale adventure itinerary with the outstanding features of a luxury cruise. These beautiful twins provide the perfect combination of classic lines and wonderful style. The decor throughout has been carefully planned to give a warm and intimate feel, with natural shades reflecting the colors of the Islands as you sail. Thanks to wonderful panoramic windows throughout, the ocean and nature seem to fill the boats. The communal areas of the salon, dining room and bar have been beautifully finished with hand-crafted wood finishes that take you back to the golden age of maritime travel. Cozy sofas, TV/DVD, stereo and guest library add the perfect finishing touches. Bringing us right up to date, the wonderful jacuzzi tub and the sun and shade decks give you the choice of every outdoor ambiance to relax and socialize in. The Corals recent refit brought them right up to date, and they now feature new dedicated electrical outlets for 110V appliances compatible with iPod, iPad, iPhone, Android and MP3 players. There are three classes of cabin to choose from and all have stylish new furniture and full air conditioning. Other cabin amenities include flat screen TV, music system, personal safe and internal phone. Everyone enjoys an elegant private bathroom with cold and hot water, hair dryer, electric mirror and other amenities. Some cabins can also connect, making them ideal for families or group traveling together. No luxury experience would be complete without superb refreshment. The elegant bar on board is well stocked with local beers, the finest South American wines and premium spirits and a selection of cocktails. Highly trained chefs prepare a diverse and exciting range of local and international fine dining served in a more relaxed buffet style. An outdoor barbecue station on the sundeck provides the opportunity to sample wonderfully fresh grilled produce with an ocean view that is unrivalled. The unique twin vessels of Coral I & II just ooze with that classic motor yacht charm, and yet they have up to the minute amenities and comfort. We really like the high sundecks with jacuzzi tubs, and the panoramic windows fitted to all the indoor communal spaces make you feel like you’re outside even when you’re sitting in the comfortable, elegant lounge. There’s also something a little bit special about cruising in tandem, and alway seeing your twin boat with you