Eastern Islands

Kathy

Passion Galapagos Cruise

Luxury Ship

Gracias, danke, thank you! Our family had an awesome 8 days on the luxury yacht Passion. 8 days of hikes, 6 days snorkeling with sea turtles, sea lions, penguins, reef sharks, greeted aboard with warm towels. Gourmet meals. The trip of a lifetime!

Best cruise ever We just returned from a week in the Galapagos onboard the Passion. It was a wonderful experience. The crew was a joy. And like true professionals, they took care of us in style every minute of every day. There was only one other couple onboard, so the 4 of us had all (I think) 13 crew members to ourselves. And like good stage performers, they performed as if to a full house. Our Guide Fernando was a PRO. He took us on each island and lovingly shared his animals, plants and geology with us. He was a dive master for years (I’m an avid diver although we could only snorkel on this trip) so he pointed out the penguins, sea lions and fish with great glee and passion. He also headed a conservation group so he was very protective of the animals as he should be. It’s a very aggressive schedule. Each morning we toured an island. Then we came back and had breakfast. Next often a snorkeling trip. Then lunch and then another island and maybe another snorkeling trip. We never had a spare minute. You won’t be bored, but you might be tired. The trails on the island are often quite challenging. But the crew was great about helping us. I thanked them for saving my life, as in one location, two crew members came ashore to support us as we crossed the rocks at the landing site while two others helped us on and off the Panga (Zodiac) and another piloted the Panga so it was against the rocks as each of us entered and exited. I share this so you’ll know that you will be helped. Not sure how a ship with a large group handles it all. But at all times, on and off the Yacht, wet or dry landings, the crew was 100% marvelous. The suites were great. Frankly better than on most full size cruise ships we’ve been on. We had a king bed, 2 bathrooms and a nice tub and separate shower. All very nice when we were leaving early in the mornings... We had the VIP Suite. There was also a bigger suite and 4 normal cabins, each with a nice bathroom and tub/shower. The common areas were large and the entire ship was spotless. I saw some reviews that noted that the cabins were made up often, but that they never saw anyone do it. I guess they do it while we’re off the ship. Our room was always clean and they even folded the clothes that I left on the bed. We ate breakfast and lunch on deck under a canopy on deck. And dinner was in a very nice dining room on a spectacular alabaster table. Even the centerpieces were new every day. The food was really great. Perfectly cooked and never repeated, except for breakfast where I ordered the same type of eggs each morning. One night our guide Fernando made dinner and it was fabulous. Very much like a whole catfish that we get at a restaurant we like in Los Angeles. I wish I could remember all the crew names, because they were all cheerful and wonderfully helpful especially getting on and off the boat several times a day. but I do remember Roberto who handled serving us meals. He and the rest of the crew were second to none, the best we’ve had. And as an example, I drink a lot of diet coke and soda water. There was always a bottle nearby. All I had to do was look up. It’s not an inexpensive trip. But I’d be hard pressed to think of any way that the service or accommodations could be improved. Book the Passion. You’ll be glad you did. Source: goo.gl/Sgxqwd

Comfort and luxury We recently returned from an amazing cruise on the M/Y Passion. The ship, the crew, the service, the food and the islands were all wonderful. We can’t say enough good things. We were a multi-generational family group, twelve in total, including two grandparents, four parents and six children (ages 4 – 13). The crew effortlessly handled each and every one of our needs, from serving a “children’s meal” in the evening to making sure that there were snorkels and wetsuits for all. Our staterooms were kept impeccably clean and the entire ship was immaculate. The excellent service from the crew allowed us to relax and enjoy being together as a family, more than on any vacation that we have experienced. The ship is extremely comfortable and large enough that there is plenty of room for everyone, including twelve crew members. There is a lovely outdoor dining area on the upper deck where we enjoyed numerous meals and spent countless hours enjoying one another’s company. The living room area inside the ship has a large television and comfortable seating for all. And the moment we sat down to watch a movie our cruise director, Roberto, appeared with popcorn for everyone, as if anticipating our needs. The staterooms are all expertly appointed and large enough for adults and children alike, each with an en-suite bathroom. The food was fantastic, the best we experienced in Ecuador. Our chef, Anna, created interesting and delicious meals and would cater her menu to the tastes and needs of our group. Every meal was thoughtfully prepared and expertly served. The landscape and wildlife of the Galapagos was also incredible. Young and old alike were amazed at the creatures we saw on land and that we swam with in the water. We were all thrilled the first time a penguin swam with us while snorkeling and when the sea lions would play it was even better. The children are still talking about the experiences they had and the memories from the trip will last a lifetime. Our exploration was as impactful as it was due to our guide, Sandie, who was wonderful. She was extremely knowledgeable about all of the flora and fauna in the islands, including the ability to speak sea lion. She expertly introduced us to all of the wonders of the Galapagos and skillfully balanced the needs of the different age groups. She willingly snorkeled with some of the younger children while their parents explored deeper waters. She took time to explain the history of the islands and the animals so that everyone could understand. She diligently sat on the deck of the ship, scanning the seas for whales, dolphins and other wildlife. The level of guide provided by the ship assured us that this was a first class operation in every imaginable way. We were truly privileged to have spent time on the M/Y Passion. It is an outstanding ship with an energetic and creative crew. The owners have made every effort to ensure that the passengers have a most enjoyable stay on board. Our entire party would all highly recommend the M/Y Passion. Source: goo.gl/EzFbRj

Just amazing the Passion I was one of the fortunate few on the maiden voyage of Yacht Passion through the Galapagos Islands.It was a 1st Class experience for me,unforgettable in many ways. Fiddi,the captain,focused on comfort detail,quality diverse food experiences and truly professional guides educating passengers on the unique historical/wildlife on the Islands .Fiddy has many years of experience of taking passengers through the Islands,and it shows.The ship was very clean,well prepared and attention to first class luxury a priority.I would highly recommend the yacht Passion to anyone travelling the Galapagos Islands. JoeForzani [Calgary Alberta Canada] Source: goo.gl/Nup9aP

Excellent choice I just want to emphasize on the Passion crew's professionalism and attention to detail. 1) The crew really places their customer needs as a top priority. They know that we are traveling to the Galapagos to see wild animals, and would even stop the cruise's navigation to do just that! We were lucky enough to see a shark and sea lion feeding frenzy during our navigation, and the captain actually stopped the boat for about an hour to let us observe the phenomenon. 2) Not only will you receive fresh towels coming back from each excursion, but depends on the activity! Cold when snorkeling, here's a warm hot hand tower to warm you up! Sweaty after an excursion? Have a nice ice cool tower to wipe your face. And snacks that the guest would receive after each excursion aren't your typical nuts and crackers, but rather hot meals prepared fresh from the kitchen. It's the attention to detail that made the Passion so wonderful. 3) There was another incident where we navigated past a lobster fishing boat. And without the guest requesting, the crew arranged a deal with the lobster fisherman to spontaneously change our dinner menu to surf and turf. Just another one of the numerous examples of placing guest's priority as their own. If price is not an issue, the Passion would exceed your expectations for your once in a life time Galapagos trip. Source: goo.gl/ChFjZW

The Passion is extraordinary Just spent a week onboard Passion in the Galapagos. We had no idea what to expect but the trip was extraordinary. The boat: Whilst you can visit the Galapagos without a boat, many areas can only be reached by boats and in some cases by a larger vessel that has the range and supplies needed for a multi day journey to the outer islands. Passion is simply a spectacular Yacht. She used to belong to an Englishman (UK travelers will not need adaptors as the original brass sockets are still there next to new US style plugs) but was recently refurbished in Italy. The boat fits 12 people; there were only 9 of us. There are several decks of common space: Large living room featuring a huge TV and the assorted DVD collection, a large bar/chilling area, two separate outdoor lounging places, and two dining areas (indoor/outdoor). Basically you can always find your own spot to relax on your own. Of the many boats we saw while anchored in the central islands none compared in terms of size/passenger or outward look and feel. I saw 4 cabines: numbers 2 has a double bed with a lot of room around it, number 4 has two beds with an amazing marble period bathroom, a massive room in the back and one all the way in the front (make sure you don't get sea sick for that last one). The service: The boat was spotless impeccably maintained! There are about 10 staff members excluding the guide and in our case the host and hostess. The rooms are cleaned several times a day but we never bumped into the guys that do it. I think there is a ghost with a mop somewhere on board. Food was very good! Best we had in Ecuador. There was something different every meal. Even breakfast has a different Ecuadorian dish every morning. Drinks are prepared by Roberto who doubles as a waiter and is simply amazing with his ability to make you feel like no request is bothersome or complicated! Even the minute details like the way the tender drivers handle the waves so you stay perfectly dry. The itinerary: Visiting the galapagos is heavily regulated. This means on the one hand that you see very few people on your trip but one the other that despite the best efforts of your guide you can't make many changes to it. The way it works is that you get to either visit the east of the west islands on our trip. If animal life is what you care about the east is better because you get to see the red footed boobies and the albatros. We did the western itinerary and were thrilled: it's designed so that each day brings new surprises. The routine: Each day, we had breakfast followed by a visit on land with our guide. In our case her name was Carolina who was as knowledgeable about the island as she was lovely. She used to work for the Darwin research center where she accumulated an encyclopedic knowledge of the island as well as a respect for nature (as long as you are not an introduced specie). When you get back on board you get a fresh towel and snacks before you go snorkeling. After that you get lunch followed by a second excursion more snacks and diner. You are free to skip any of the activities you don't feel like doing. Excursions last about 2 hours with some longer hike. Overall, if you want to visit the Galapagos and can afford it this is the best option. Source: goo.gl/ahxQWs