MV 'Eclipse' - The Best Ship in the Galapagos Islands

Large enough to travel the Pacific in comfort and safety, small enough to dock at remote ports and negotiate inter-island landings with agility, 'Eclipse' is the perfect size for an expeditionary cruise to the Galapagos.

At 210 feet long, with a beam of 41 feet, most Galapagos ships the size of 'Eclipse' would, and do, carry an average of 80-100 passengers. 'Eclipse,' however, hosts just 48 guests in 27 spacious cabins, all with outside sea views, private facilities and air conditioning throughout.

Add her smaller-than-usual passenger complement, and a naturalist-guide for every 12-16 guests aboard, and we believe she's "simply the best" travel choice in the islands today.

Spacious cabins
'Eclipse' offers accommodation in three cabin categories, all charmingly decorated and equipped with private facilities, air conditioning, and ocean-view windows or portholes. Deluxe outside doubles, on the lower deck average 165 square feet, while her suites and deluxe staterooms are among the largest of any ship now sailing the Galapagos Islands. Staterooms, about 176 square feet in size, include a large closet and either queen or twin bed configuration. Suites offer an average of 207 square feet each, complete with a queen bed plus a sofa bed and bathtub.

Relaxed atmosphere and inviting public spaces
Passengers appreciate the "non-cruise" atmosphere aboard 'Eclipse,' informal, unregimented and with a warm sense of camaraderie. While you might like to change out of your beach clothes for dinner, you won't need a wardrobe any dressier than "smart casual" wear. Meals are served in a single open seating so everyone can eat together; the lounge offers a bar with plenty of comfortable seating, the perfect place for an informal recap of the day's events with your naturalist-guide; and the "best seats in the house" for outdoor sightseeing and star-gazing are found topside on the Observation Deck.

Ship features also include an air-renewal system; a shaded al fresco dining area and outdoor bar; hot tub; sun deck; gift desk; library/video room; an infirmary with a medical doctor on board at all times; and an open-bridge policy. Guests are welcome to visit the Captain and his officers for a lesson in navigation or marine engineering whenever the ship is anchored. Snorkeling equipment is available on board at no extra charge and a limited number of wet-suits are available for rent at a nominal cost.

The spirit of discovery
'Eclipse' carries her passengers in comfort, but she never forgets they're on board to explore one of the world's most exciting wildlife environments. She sails with a fleet of hard-bottom, inflatable pangas (rubber boats) quick to launch, stable to ride and ready to land almost anywhere. Each seats a maximum of 12 passengers with its own naturalist-guide.

Safe and ecologically sound
'Eclipse' operates under two equally important guidelines: to ensure the comfort and safety of our passengers at all times, and to do all that is possible to protect the integrity of the fragile Galapagos environment. Partnering with the Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research center to provide conservation education, 'Eclipse' complies with all current SOLAS (Safety of Life At Sea) and ISM (International Safety Management) regulations.

Smart Voyager Certification
The Rainforest Alliance has awarded their "Smart Voyager" seal of approval to 'Eclipse,' certifying it as eco-friendly and socially responsible. The certification program works to minimize the environmental impact of tourism and recognize operators who meet strict conservation standards for protecting the environment, wildlife and the well-being of workers and local communities. Smart Voyager, designed and operated by the Rainforest Alliance in collaboration with Conservación y Desarrollo (a non-profit environmental organization in Ecuador) is a founding member of the Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas and was recognized by UNESCO as an example for other World Heritage sites.