Galapagos Legend: comments?
Apr 17th, 2009, 02:14 PM
#1
Galapagos Legend: comments?
Hi, Just informed that our cruise on the Coral II has been cancelled and they're putting us on Legend instead....4 night cruise leaving on a Thurs. Anyone been on one recently? Would appreciate your comments, helpful tips, and what to wear at dinner time. Thanks!
Apr 17th, 2009, 02:33 PM
#2
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Went on the Legend last year, the staff and crew were excellent. The cabins were small. Most days were long and tiring which is the norm for Galapagos trips regardless of which ship you take. We'd be up by 630 am or 7 am, have breakfast, go on an excursion have lunch, siesta, (much needed, believe me), wake up and go on another excursion, return to the ship and have dinner. Dinner is smart casual attire. Take shoes for a wet landing, good sturdy walking shoes for hikes, and pants that zip off and turn into shorts.
While I didn't care for the ship, the staff are outstanding, great you by name and go out of their way to help guess. I was very impressed with their professionalism. You will not be disappointed.
Surpirsed that the Coral II is cancelled, do you know why?
While I didn't care for the ship, the staff are outstanding, great you by name and go out of their way to help guess. I was very impressed with their professionalism. You will not be disappointed.
Surpirsed that the Coral II is cancelled, do you know why?
Apr 17th, 2009, 02:46 PM
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sorry, trying to do too many things at the same time, also take a hat, a water bottle, flip flops for the beach. The last day of the cruise you will go shopping in town after the Darwin research centre (unless the itinerary has changed), take cash (US Dollars), make sure your notes are in good condition. I had diffculty at the stores processing my cc, cc transactions took along time and were a waste of time when we had so little time on shore. Not sure why this happened to me. Also, have cash with you for tipping the crew you will be given two envelopes, on for tips to the guide and one for tips to the onboard crew. All of these people work very hard and the cruise company doesn't charge a mandatory tip, so tipping is solely at your disrection and it's well deserved.
Drinks on board are very reasonable, every day theres a daily cocktail, I think the prices was US$ 2.50. One night we had a pool side BBQ other meals were all had in the dinning room at the front of the ship.
you'll be assigned to a group for your onshore activities, each day teh guides will explain the activities for the following day, you'll be told what to take on shore, how strenous the activities are, etc. The group size is a maximum of 15 people. The Legend's guides are well organized and they take there groups to different areas of the islands at different times, so during excursion, any one area of the island will not be crowded as there will only be your group in the area.
This is without a doubt one of my most memorable trips, the trip was fantastic. Have fun.
Drinks on board are very reasonable, every day theres a daily cocktail, I think the prices was US$ 2.50. One night we had a pool side BBQ other meals were all had in the dinning room at the front of the ship.
you'll be assigned to a group for your onshore activities, each day teh guides will explain the activities for the following day, you'll be told what to take on shore, how strenous the activities are, etc. The group size is a maximum of 15 people. The Legend's guides are well organized and they take there groups to different areas of the islands at different times, so during excursion, any one area of the island will not be crowded as there will only be your group in the area.
This is without a doubt one of my most memorable trips, the trip was fantastic. Have fun.
Apr 17th, 2009, 03:07 PM
#5
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I have not been on either ship but I googled them both and this is what I found.
Coral II--20 to 24 passengers
Legend--100 passengers
If you wanted a more intimate ship atmosphere with even more casual eating arrangements that are typical on the smaller boats, that will no longer be the case. I would think a change of this magnitude would be grounds for getting out of the trip.
I've only done small ship Galapagos trips, but there is an advantage of a larger boat in reducing sea sickness. So maybe this is a change for the better.
Also, the larger groups split up because the allowable guide to guest ratio in the Galapagos is 1 to 16. So it's not like all 100 passengers will be in the same place.
The other thing I'd compare is your current itinerary, if you have one, and the Legend itinerary. Do you go the same places? Post the two here, if you want, for more comments.
If cabin size is an important issue to you or you'd like to use it as a bargaining chip on your behalf, I'd seek out the dimensions of your cabin on Coral II vs. Legend.
Finally, are the activities the same? For example was snorkeling or kayaking offered on Coral II and is it offered on Legend? That assumes you'd be interested in these things.
If my passenger #s are correct, it seems as though several smaller ships may not have had enough passengers, so you are being combined for savings.
But if your heart is set on going on this particular trip at the time you scheduled, don't let a change in the vessel that takes you there get you all upset. You'll be thrilled with the Galapagos and you'll return understanding how they earned the name Enchanted Islands.
Coral II--20 to 24 passengers
Legend--100 passengers
If you wanted a more intimate ship atmosphere with even more casual eating arrangements that are typical on the smaller boats, that will no longer be the case. I would think a change of this magnitude would be grounds for getting out of the trip.
I've only done small ship Galapagos trips, but there is an advantage of a larger boat in reducing sea sickness. So maybe this is a change for the better.
Also, the larger groups split up because the allowable guide to guest ratio in the Galapagos is 1 to 16. So it's not like all 100 passengers will be in the same place.
The other thing I'd compare is your current itinerary, if you have one, and the Legend itinerary. Do you go the same places? Post the two here, if you want, for more comments.
If cabin size is an important issue to you or you'd like to use it as a bargaining chip on your behalf, I'd seek out the dimensions of your cabin on Coral II vs. Legend.
Finally, are the activities the same? For example was snorkeling or kayaking offered on Coral II and is it offered on Legend? That assumes you'd be interested in these things.
If my passenger #s are correct, it seems as though several smaller ships may not have had enough passengers, so you are being combined for savings.
But if your heart is set on going on this particular trip at the time you scheduled, don't let a change in the vessel that takes you there get you all upset. You'll be thrilled with the Galapagos and you'll return understanding how they earned the name Enchanted Islands.
Apr 19th, 2009, 04:28 AM
#6
Retired in Florida (so are we!)...thanks for such a detailed evaluation. It was very helpful and we'll know what to expect. I was surprised to hear the dress code is smart casual because so many others have written that it's shorts & tshirts for dinner...but that's probably because they're on smaller ships. I wss told that "regulations in the national park" forced the cancellation, but I'm sure it was because there were only 12 people booked on the ship. which actually held 36 guests...(sorry I made a mistake saying it was the Coral II when it actually was the Coral 1)
Atravelynn...your posts are always so helpful...I remember them from the Africa site. I was very disappointed with the change in ships when I got the news, because I had researched ships for months..and definately didn't want to be on such a large ship. But, we have no choice because I got the news Friday and Monday am. we're heading to Guayaquil, and the rest of our almost month trip to Ecuador & Peru follows this cruise. As it was, I had to cut out our 2 nights in Cuenca to accommodate the change, and am adding a night to our Hacienda Cusin stay in Otavalo. The itinerary is very similar, except for two areas, and from what I've read, I like the Coral I itinerary better since we were visiting Tagus Cove and now it's Urvina Bay, and now going to Baches Beach and the Highlands,, instead of Black Turtle Cove and Dragon Hill, but I think the Highlands will be a good substition.
The tour agency has been very helpful in picking up the cost of our hotel for the additional night in Guayaquil and upgrading us to moon level suite with a balcony. That should be wonderful. Still this has been a most stressful weekend trying to get all the changes in, since I've arranged the trip myself with the exception of the cruise. Wish us luck! I've read that in Ecuador you have to stay flexible with the possibility of changed plans at any moment.
Atravelynn...your posts are always so helpful...I remember them from the Africa site. I was very disappointed with the change in ships when I got the news, because I had researched ships for months..and definately didn't want to be on such a large ship. But, we have no choice because I got the news Friday and Monday am. we're heading to Guayaquil, and the rest of our almost month trip to Ecuador & Peru follows this cruise. As it was, I had to cut out our 2 nights in Cuenca to accommodate the change, and am adding a night to our Hacienda Cusin stay in Otavalo. The itinerary is very similar, except for two areas, and from what I've read, I like the Coral I itinerary better since we were visiting Tagus Cove and now it's Urvina Bay, and now going to Baches Beach and the Highlands,, instead of Black Turtle Cove and Dragon Hill, but I think the Highlands will be a good substition.
The tour agency has been very helpful in picking up the cost of our hotel for the additional night in Guayaquil and upgrading us to moon level suite with a balcony. That should be wonderful. Still this has been a most stressful weekend trying to get all the changes in, since I've arranged the trip myself with the exception of the cruise. Wish us luck! I've read that in Ecuador you have to stay flexible with the possibility of changed plans at any moment.
Feb 11th, 2010, 08:21 AM
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Hi. I was going to book a trip in May on the Legend with a local Ecuadorian Tour agency and they are asking me to pay everything up front in cash. How did your tour company handle the payment? Is there a tour company that you would recommend?
Feb 14th, 2010, 09:07 AM
#8
Hi veronana70,
The following is an excerpt from my trip report about the Legend and the Galapagos, concerning the local Ecuadorian tour agency we used, Klein Travel. We did have to pay upfront as well. Hope this is helpful.
Three days before we were to depart, I received an email from Klein Tours, an Ecuadorian travel agency who arranged our 4 night Galapagos cruise, informing us that our cruise aboard the Coral I was being cancelled due to " National Park regulations" and that we could be re-accommodated aboard their other larger ship, The Legend, which left a day later. To make up for this, they would pay for our extra night in Guayaquil and upgrade us to a balcony suite on the cruise, with a bottle of champagne. I was quite upset with the change, because I wanted the experience of a smaller ship (the Coral I was about 36 pax) and the Legend was about 100 pax, altho we had 70 aboard. I do think they cancelled the Coral I because only 12 people were booked. The change also meant I had to delete Cuenca from my itinerary due to flight scheduling, and we spent 3 rather than 2 nights in Guayaquil, which is 2 nights too much, and one extra night in Otavalo. I was able to cancel my hotel in Cuenca, Mansion Alcazar, without penalty.
I did appreciate that Klein did make amends....however, my overall experience was not up to my expectations....it took a long time for them to respond to questions, they didn't send any formal documentation regarding the cruise or the Galapagos flights, or offer much information about what to expect, bring, etc. I felt I had to drag everything out of them. Everything did work out, however, if you require some hand holding to feel comfortable, they don't provide it.
The following is an excerpt from my trip report about the Legend and the Galapagos, concerning the local Ecuadorian tour agency we used, Klein Travel. We did have to pay upfront as well. Hope this is helpful.
Three days before we were to depart, I received an email from Klein Tours, an Ecuadorian travel agency who arranged our 4 night Galapagos cruise, informing us that our cruise aboard the Coral I was being cancelled due to " National Park regulations" and that we could be re-accommodated aboard their other larger ship, The Legend, which left a day later. To make up for this, they would pay for our extra night in Guayaquil and upgrade us to a balcony suite on the cruise, with a bottle of champagne. I was quite upset with the change, because I wanted the experience of a smaller ship (the Coral I was about 36 pax) and the Legend was about 100 pax, altho we had 70 aboard. I do think they cancelled the Coral I because only 12 people were booked. The change also meant I had to delete Cuenca from my itinerary due to flight scheduling, and we spent 3 rather than 2 nights in Guayaquil, which is 2 nights too much, and one extra night in Otavalo. I was able to cancel my hotel in Cuenca, Mansion Alcazar, without penalty.
I did appreciate that Klein did make amends....however, my overall experience was not up to my expectations....it took a long time for them to respond to questions, they didn't send any formal documentation regarding the cruise or the Galapagos flights, or offer much information about what to expect, bring, etc. I felt I had to drag everything out of them. Everything did work out, however, if you require some hand holding to feel comfortable, they don't provide it.
May 16th, 2010, 10:44 PM
#9
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Galapagos Legend cruise ship put me in the hospital for one week and then two more weeks in a hotel for recovery.
Lack of hygiene was a big issue at the Galapagos legend cruise. They simply didn’t have it. The Seafood was not properly taken care of. It was rotten and full of bugs. They reused it from one day to the next one, and so to catch an entercolitis mix (bacterium-amoeba) infection became quite easy. I got a very serious one that almost killed me. Water is another issue. You received a water bottle that you needed to keep refilling from the public water dispenser that has a gooseneck, so each time you put your bottle to refill it, saliva from the many bottles of the other passengers would be transferred to your own. Toilet paper was another issue seeing you had to throw it into a trash can beside the WC, so you can imagine how the smell stayed all night long.
The doctor on board is also of big concern since he does not keep any confidentiality, on any consultation you make with him. He quite willingly passes your records and consultation matters to the company (Klein tours and Gala Tours) completely disregarding any doctor/patient confidentially you are entitled to. In my case, my daughter was treated of an infection before we took the cruise and she visited the doctor to ensure she had recovered completely, from this visit the doctor passed the information to the administration of the boat and they made a medical diagnosis that I too was ill and when I was not even the patient that the doctor saw!
As a consequence of the infection received due to the poor hygiene of Klein Tours, at the airport I lost consciousness, and even though I was still under the care of Klein Tours, they offered no assistance and did not attempt any type of action to help me.
You will put yourself in a very risky situation if you decide to make a Galapagos cruise with the Galapagos legend line.
Lack of hygiene was a big issue at the Galapagos legend cruise. They simply didn’t have it. The Seafood was not properly taken care of. It was rotten and full of bugs. They reused it from one day to the next one, and so to catch an entercolitis mix (bacterium-amoeba) infection became quite easy. I got a very serious one that almost killed me. Water is another issue. You received a water bottle that you needed to keep refilling from the public water dispenser that has a gooseneck, so each time you put your bottle to refill it, saliva from the many bottles of the other passengers would be transferred to your own. Toilet paper was another issue seeing you had to throw it into a trash can beside the WC, so you can imagine how the smell stayed all night long.
The doctor on board is also of big concern since he does not keep any confidentiality, on any consultation you make with him. He quite willingly passes your records and consultation matters to the company (Klein tours and Gala Tours) completely disregarding any doctor/patient confidentially you are entitled to. In my case, my daughter was treated of an infection before we took the cruise and she visited the doctor to ensure she had recovered completely, from this visit the doctor passed the information to the administration of the boat and they made a medical diagnosis that I too was ill and when I was not even the patient that the doctor saw!
As a consequence of the infection received due to the poor hygiene of Klein Tours, at the airport I lost consciousness, and even though I was still under the care of Klein Tours, they offered no assistance and did not attempt any type of action to help me.
You will put yourself in a very risky situation if you decide to make a Galapagos cruise with the Galapagos legend line.
May 17th, 2010, 06:59 AM
#10
seasonedvisitor,
I am so sorry to hear about your horrible experience on the Legend....I don't doubt a word that you say. If I knew I was going to be on a larger ship, I would definitely have chosen the Lindblad explorer ship instead ...they have a great reputation.
I am so sorry to hear about your horrible experience on the Legend....I don't doubt a word that you say. If I knew I was going to be on a larger ship, I would definitely have chosen the Lindblad explorer ship instead ...they have a great reputation.
Jun 22nd, 2010, 11:38 AM
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To seasonedvisitor:
We understand that this is a malicious comment that tries to affect our integrity and discredit our company since Kleintours – Galatours is a tour operator with 27 years experience in the market, throughout these years we have never received such complaint, and since our company works under SICGAL regulations (System of Inspection and Quarantine for Galapagos) every week, a representative inspects all cargo that we send to the Islands, furthermore Kleintours is an ISO 9001 CERTIFIED company. We take health and cleanness seriously; food is fresh and follows strict packing, conservancy, and handling procedures.
According to our records this passenger’s daughter was diagnosed with "traveler's gastroenteritis" before the family board the GALAPAGOS LEGEND, she was already taking medicine and the doctor on duty asked them to keep him informed if any of them felt sick during the cruise, because in cases of gastroenteritis usually the incubation period could take between 7 to 15 days.
According to our comment cards, this family qualified as EXCELLENT their experience on board the GALAPAGOS LEGEND and would recommend this vessel to anyone. They did not report any unpleasant events mentioned on this feedback.
The overall experience of that cruise was EXCELLENT in every point we ask our passengers to evaluate after each cruise: cleanness, food on board, excursions to the islands, naturalist guides, waiter service, bar service, crew hospitality, vessel and passengers’ safety
We understand that this is a malicious comment that tries to affect our integrity and discredit our company since Kleintours – Galatours is a tour operator with 27 years experience in the market, throughout these years we have never received such complaint, and since our company works under SICGAL regulations (System of Inspection and Quarantine for Galapagos) every week, a representative inspects all cargo that we send to the Islands, furthermore Kleintours is an ISO 9001 CERTIFIED company. We take health and cleanness seriously; food is fresh and follows strict packing, conservancy, and handling procedures.
According to our records this passenger’s daughter was diagnosed with "traveler's gastroenteritis" before the family board the GALAPAGOS LEGEND, she was already taking medicine and the doctor on duty asked them to keep him informed if any of them felt sick during the cruise, because in cases of gastroenteritis usually the incubation period could take between 7 to 15 days.
According to our comment cards, this family qualified as EXCELLENT their experience on board the GALAPAGOS LEGEND and would recommend this vessel to anyone. They did not report any unpleasant events mentioned on this feedback.
The overall experience of that cruise was EXCELLENT in every point we ask our passengers to evaluate after each cruise: cleanness, food on board, excursions to the islands, naturalist guides, waiter service, bar service, crew hospitality, vessel and passengers’ safety
