Cruising the Galapagos
Jun 18th, 2012, 03:45 PM
#141
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Obviously, they lost Daniela (who we have nicknamed Tinker Bell for the Tinker bvell back pack that she carries).
We bought 2 CDs from her. One CD conatins shots that she took of wild life and vegetations, the other were candid shots she took of the passengers. Each CD conatins a few hundred pictires, which are not high resolutions but still decent enough quality if you print 4x6s. I think might have paid $15 for each CD which is very cheap.
She also sold full resolution full size pictures but there wasn't too many takers as they did not have a display area for her shots (like the mass amrket ships) so what happened was the passengers would approach her and she showed them the shots on her laptop, people pick the picture, she printed it and collect the money after and I think it was a token $5 to $7 for each picture, which is also cheap.
I am not sure what the deal was between her and the ship. I didn't know if she was an employee or free lance on her own and the ship provided "space".
She also used our camera and took picture of us (she did it for anyone who asked) which was veruy nice, but didn't make business sense. Can you imagine the mass market ship's photographers taking your picture with your camera?
In small talks, she said she is leaving at her end of her contract to go to Spain and pursuit studies in photogrpagy. She did gave me a date but I didn't remember when it was but it would have been in early 2012.
Maybe they have not find a suitable replacement yet. May be it is a business decision. By her taking pictures of us with our camera, there really isn't any compelling reason or incentive to buy pictures from her candid shots of us, unless the shots are amazing, which I admit, they were.
But even for those that bought the picture, what was charged wasn't a lot of money and with only 100 passenger and each couple buying 1 photo on average, it is still not a lot of money generated for her or the ship, especailly when the CD has most of the shots anyway and the CD wasn't that expensive eitehr. Again, with 100 passengers, she might have sold 50 sets maximum. I knew our group of 9 bought 4 sets of 2 CDs in total. Based on revenue generated, I can see the photographer position may be a luxury that the ship cannot afford.
It is too bad taht they didn't ahve a photographer for your trip.
Percy, did they have a photographer on teh Isabella?
We bought 2 CDs from her. One CD conatins shots that she took of wild life and vegetations, the other were candid shots she took of the passengers. Each CD conatins a few hundred pictires, which are not high resolutions but still decent enough quality if you print 4x6s. I think might have paid $15 for each CD which is very cheap.
She also sold full resolution full size pictures but there wasn't too many takers as they did not have a display area for her shots (like the mass amrket ships) so what happened was the passengers would approach her and she showed them the shots on her laptop, people pick the picture, she printed it and collect the money after and I think it was a token $5 to $7 for each picture, which is also cheap.
I am not sure what the deal was between her and the ship. I didn't know if she was an employee or free lance on her own and the ship provided "space".
She also used our camera and took picture of us (she did it for anyone who asked) which was veruy nice, but didn't make business sense. Can you imagine the mass market ship's photographers taking your picture with your camera?
In small talks, she said she is leaving at her end of her contract to go to Spain and pursuit studies in photogrpagy. She did gave me a date but I didn't remember when it was but it would have been in early 2012.
Maybe they have not find a suitable replacement yet. May be it is a business decision. By her taking pictures of us with our camera, there really isn't any compelling reason or incentive to buy pictures from her candid shots of us, unless the shots are amazing, which I admit, they were.
But even for those that bought the picture, what was charged wasn't a lot of money and with only 100 passenger and each couple buying 1 photo on average, it is still not a lot of money generated for her or the ship, especailly when the CD has most of the shots anyway and the CD wasn't that expensive eitehr. Again, with 100 passengers, she might have sold 50 sets maximum. I knew our group of 9 bought 4 sets of 2 CDs in total. Based on revenue generated, I can see the photographer position may be a luxury that the ship cannot afford.
It is too bad taht they didn't ahve a photographer for your trip.
Percy, did they have a photographer on teh Isabella?
Jun 28th, 2012, 01:33 PM
#142
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It is with great sadness to report the passing of Lonesome George, on Sunday June 24, 2012, near a watering hole at the Charles Darwin research center. He was the last of of a 10 million year old tortoise subspecies.
Jun 28th, 2012, 06:28 PM
#143
Hi Eschew
No we did not have a photgrapher on the Isabella II.
I was saddened to hear about Lonesome George.
No we did not have a photgrapher on the Isabella II.
I was saddened to hear about Lonesome George.
Jun 29th, 2012, 04:05 AM
#144
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I was saddened also by LG's passing. And glad to have seen him just a few weeks before...
LibraryLass...49 days around S. America...that is awesome. You'll get to see so much in 7 weeks. That much time on a cruise ship would require some amount of discipline as far as eating goes. I've gained weight on every cruise I've taken and the longest was only 2 weeks. I guess after a while you figure out how to regulate or even get sick of looking at all that food!
LibraryLass...49 days around S. America...that is awesome. You'll get to see so much in 7 weeks. That much time on a cruise ship would require some amount of discipline as far as eating goes. I've gained weight on every cruise I've taken and the longest was only 2 weeks. I guess after a while you figure out how to regulate or even get sick of looking at all that food!
Jun 29th, 2012, 12:46 PM
#145
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Leslie, we have managed not to gain weight on our last few cruises and we have to thank a certain lady that we have met on the ship a while back.
Tip #1 - walk everywhere and do not take the elevator.
Tip #2 - breakfast and lunch at the dinning rooms rather than buffet.
Tip #3 - avoid snacks and midnight buffets!
We have followed this guidelines maybe 70% of the time and we managed to keep our weight in check. We have breakfast in the dining room maybe 50% of the time but lunch in the dining rooms or pub (not buffet) 100% of the time. For dinner, we select lighter items and avoid eating the potatoes and heavy desserts. We did not avoid food that we like, nor did we skip out on our favorite desserts and fattening items such as lattes. Okay, we don't dip too much in the cream sauce either but I have been known to sneak into the buffet later in the evening if they have the cream of wild mushroom soup!
Tip #1 - walk everywhere and do not take the elevator.
Tip #2 - breakfast and lunch at the dinning rooms rather than buffet.
Tip #3 - avoid snacks and midnight buffets!
We have followed this guidelines maybe 70% of the time and we managed to keep our weight in check. We have breakfast in the dining room maybe 50% of the time but lunch in the dining rooms or pub (not buffet) 100% of the time. For dinner, we select lighter items and avoid eating the potatoes and heavy desserts. We did not avoid food that we like, nor did we skip out on our favorite desserts and fattening items such as lattes. Okay, we don't dip too much in the cream sauce either but I have been known to sneak into the buffet later in the evening if they have the cream of wild mushroom soup!
Jun 29th, 2012, 03:34 PM
#146
Very Good , I always following your three tips.
And I do the deck walk about 6-10 times a day, especially on Sea Days !
And I do the deck walk about 6-10 times a day, especially on Sea Days !
Jun 30th, 2012, 07:02 AM
#147
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Good tips! We do #1 and #3 and also workout in the fitness center as often as possible.
If you do lunch & breakfast in the dining room doesn't it take a lot longer? We'll have to try that on our next cruise (not until Oct. 2013).
If you do lunch & breakfast in the dining room doesn't it take a lot longer? We'll have to try that on our next cruise (not until Oct. 2013).
Jun 30th, 2012, 09:52 AM
#148
Breakfast/ Lunch in the Dinning room is actually faster.
While you are having coffee,oatmeal, danish, orange juice or whatever ...your omelette is being made.
I use the Dinning room rather than buffet about 90 % of the time.
When I have to be off the ship early , I go to the dinning room ...order and tell them I have to be out of here in half an hour...never had any problems ever.
While you are having coffee,oatmeal, danish, orange juice or whatever ...your omelette is being made.
I use the Dinning room rather than buffet about 90 % of the time.
When I have to be off the ship early , I go to the dinning room ...order and tell them I have to be out of here in half an hour...never had any problems ever.
Jul 1st, 2012, 01:13 PM
#150
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We did come across newbie servers from time to time, especially at breakfast time. It appears that Princess uses the brekfast setting as a training ground for their potential future dinner servers. By and large, it is 45 minutes max but some newbies did managed to stretch it out to 1 hour.
Bonus: No line ups, don't have to hunt for a seat with plate in hand, food more fresh and made/cook to order, well portioned, and the coffee is better (stronger) than the buffet for whatever reason.
By the time I polished off the juices, fresh cut fruits and fresh pastries, my eggs arrives.
Bonus: No line ups, don't have to hunt for a seat with plate in hand, food more fresh and made/cook to order, well portioned, and the coffee is better (stronger) than the buffet for whatever reason.
By the time I polished off the juices, fresh cut fruits and fresh pastries, my eggs arrives.
Jul 1st, 2012, 05:49 PM
#151
49 day cruise Wow !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Jul 2nd, 2012, 05:56 AM
#152
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Percy, just to make sure you know i was kidding and only referring to LibrayLass's post up above about having booked a 49 dayer herself.
Maybe after retiring we can do that but right now I'd certainly be laughed at if I asked to have 49 days off! Or fired.
I'm definitely interested in the dining room b'fast now - sounds like all pros no cons even if newbies in training are waiting on us. I like the portion control element most of all.
Maybe after retiring we can do that but right now I'd certainly be laughed at if I asked to have 49 days off! Or fired.
I'm definitely interested in the dining room b'fast now - sounds like all pros no cons even if newbies in training are waiting on us. I like the portion control element most of all.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 02:44 PM
#153
Hi Leslie_S
To me there is no cons to having breakfast in the dining room.
I usually have coffee ( of course) , orange juice ,oatmeal and a choice of some Dainish...I also order my Omelette and brown bread toast.
Beats waiting in a buffet line and then getting stuck behind someone who is trying to make up their mind, which piece of bacon to take...
then you have to walk around with your plate to find a table ..
Yep, the dining room is better , faster, and more personal.
But hey, nothing wrong with a buffet if you have time to linger.
To me there is no cons to having breakfast in the dining room.
I usually have coffee ( of course) , orange juice ,oatmeal and a choice of some Dainish...I also order my Omelette and brown bread toast.
Beats waiting in a buffet line and then getting stuck behind someone who is trying to make up their mind, which piece of bacon to take
...then you have to walk around with your plate to find a table ..
Yep, the dining room is better , faster, and more personal.
But hey, nothing wrong with a buffet if you have time to linger.
Jul 3rd, 2012, 08:31 PM
#154
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Percy, you mean how high they can stack the bacon on the plate without falling, and not which piece of bacon to take ... 
If you want really fast service and extra attention, have a few dolalr bills ready. They will remember you and your preference real quick!
Leslie_S, the freshness of the food makes a bigger difference. It actually tasted better. My freshly cooked soft poached eggs beats cold greasy overcooked fried eggs sitting on a warming table for 15 minutes any day!
If you want really fast service and extra attention, have a few dolalr bills ready. They will remember you and your preference real quick!
Leslie_S, the freshness of the food makes a bigger difference. It actually tasted better. My freshly cooked soft poached eggs beats cold greasy overcooked fried eggs sitting on a warming table for 15 minutes any day!
Jul 4th, 2012, 06:28 AM
#155
Your right Eschew , it is more as to how high they can pile the bacon !!!
Yep you are right again by having a few dollars bills and tip them right after breakfast.
I usually get the same waiter each morning ( and noon if I am there for the noon lunch), when I leave breakfast in the dining room, the waiter usually says , "see you tomorrow morning".
So I assume he has his eye out for me the next morning.
After a day ot two he knows exactly what I want ,unless I alter the order.
Yep you are right again by having a few dollars bills and tip them right after breakfast.
I usually get the same waiter each morning ( and noon if I am there for the noon lunch), when I leave breakfast in the dining room, the waiter usually says , "see you tomorrow morning".
So I assume he has his eye out for me the next morning.
After a day ot two he knows exactly what I want ,unless I alter the order.
Sep 26th, 2012, 11:26 AM
#156
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Awesome!! We also went to Galapagos on a Great Cruise. We booked through http://www.galapagoscruises.com
Nov 16th, 2012, 11:16 PM
#157
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And on the news today ... Galapagos to eradicate 180 million rats with 22 tons of rat poison. Did I read it right?
http://www.montrealgazette.com/trave...908/story.html
http://www.montrealgazette.com/trave...908/story.html
Nov 17th, 2012, 03:07 AM
#158
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Eschew - For some reason this link is taking forever to come up, so I didn't read the story.
Guess the Galapagoans (?) like their birds and sea lions, but not their rats?
How would they know the poison would only kill rats and not other animals?
Guess the Galapagoans (?) like their birds and sea lions, but not their rats?
How would they know the poison would only kill rats and not other animals?
Nov 17th, 2012, 07:29 AM
#159
Here are a few excerpts from the link
"A helicopter is to begin dropping nearly 22 tons of specially designed poison bait on an island Thursday, launching the second phase of a campaign to clear out by 2020 non-native rodents from the archipelago that helped inspire Charles Darwin's theory of evolution."
"The rats have critically endangered bird species on the 19-island cluster 600 miles (1,000 kilometres) from Ecuador's coast."
"The goal is to kill off all nonnative rodents, beginning with the Galapagos' smaller islands, without endangering other wildlife. The islands where humans reside, Isabela and Santa Cruz, will come last."
Seems like a necessary evil .
"A helicopter is to begin dropping nearly 22 tons of specially designed poison bait on an island Thursday, launching the second phase of a campaign to clear out by 2020 non-native rodents from the archipelago that helped inspire Charles Darwin's theory of evolution."
"The rats have critically endangered bird species on the 19-island cluster 600 miles (1,000 kilometres) from Ecuador's coast."
"The goal is to kill off all nonnative rodents, beginning with the Galapagos' smaller islands, without endangering other wildlife. The islands where humans reside, Isabela and Santa Cruz, will come last."
Seems like a necessary evil .
Nov 18th, 2012, 01:48 PM
#160
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Intetresting enough, feral cats were introduced years ago to help control the rats but they have to eradicate the cats (just like they did with the goats and pigs which are not native to the islands) as they are harmful to the local ecosystem.
The rats were originally introduced to the islands back in the 17th century by the buccaneers and whaling ships. With few natural predatror, they just multiple to the point of 10 rats per square meter on Pinzon Island (7 square miles in size and there is no human population there).
The current operation is limited to Pinzon and an islet near by. They have trapped and remove hawks and iguanas for their protection as they may eat the poisoned rats.
#kenav, This link is from NBC. Hopefully it will load better.
http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2...ed-with-poison
The rats were originally introduced to the islands back in the 17th century by the buccaneers and whaling ships. With few natural predatror, they just multiple to the point of 10 rats per square meter on Pinzon Island (7 square miles in size and there is no human population there).
The current operation is limited to Pinzon and an islet near by. They have trapped and remove hawks and iguanas for their protection as they may eat the poisoned rats.
#kenav, This link is from NBC. Hopefully it will load better.
http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2...ed-with-poison
