mlgb

Well, those D*cks at Road Scholar decided to cancel my tour date since "not enough people signed up". After already using my LAN airmiles for the ticket into Ecuador. So I have a request in to the company that runs Mary Anne. Fingers Crossed!

thursdaysd

Oh no! Good luck...

Elizabeth_S

What a drag! Since you have your air booked you might want to contact the travel agent I used when we were in Puerto Ayora - no language issues at all.

http://www.galapagosmoonrise.com/

Good luck!

mlgb

I will do that Elizabeth S. Thanks! (No reply yet from Andando tours via clicking a website link last night).

mlgb

Mary Anne is sold out, Angelito is sold out (for Espanola). I could have had either of those if I'd booked them in December. I may be able to book Seaman Journey independently, or if the price isn't good, I will ask Angelito for June instead.

If not I think I will just do Ecuador and Bolivia without Galapagos. Maybe next year.

mlgb

Update I can get on Angelito if I do it right before I head back home. Their June excursion ends June 21, I would have to hope that LAN does get me back on their 12:45 pm flight Baltra=Guayaquil=Quito as I leave the next morning.

Elizabeth_S

Hmmmm......I had a look at the historical ontime performance for that flight (LAN 1552 I presume) - it's OK

http://www.flightstats.com/go/Flight...tingByRoute.do

Plus you've got two other flights out that day if there's a problem (as long as they're not full)

I suspect most packages are predicated on the flights running on time.....I'd do it if you like the Angelito boat and itinerary.

Nywoman

I took a Galapagos tour by myself a few years ago,for one week in August. Unfortunately no blog. Sangay Touring helped me book a sail boat with 12 passengers, the Beagle and I had a single cabin. No surcharge.
We did it all the negotiations from New York. The boat had excellent guides both in the water and on land.

They were super professional, and extremely helpful, especially when I managed to lose my passport. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

mlgb

Yes, I need to check flightstats before committing. I have had my own experiences with afternoon flights into Quito and they are not good.

I was offered Beagle but it isnt the itinerary I wanted.

Thanks for the ongoing comments.

mlgb

Still working on things...changing my award seats on LAN to add a day or more either side will be impossible, since the award seats are gone in my category. The best they could offer yesterday was a flight that had FOUR legs!!!!

Elizabeth_S

When you're sitting on the boat in the Galapagos and basking in its magnificence it will all be worth it!

Good luck!

mlgb

I will try to remember that.

I know that I can get on the boat I was originally booked with. They assure me they will run. I am having a hard time accepting that, with only a few people down with a deposit.

I wish I had booked the MaryAnne!

mlgb

I decide to book with Angelito, their communication is excellent and I see good reviews, plus they have recently refurbished. Will post a trip report when I return. Thanks for all your advice.

Elizabeth_S

So glad you got it sorted out - I'm sure you'll have a terrific time! Have you noticed my profile pic? Taken outside the bank in Puerto Ayora -- see my buddy behind my shoulder!

mlgb

BTW I didn't mention that Angelito does offer a twin share option (i.e. I will get paired with a random stranger if the cruise is full). The cost booked directly through Cometa Travel gives you a break in that they will not add a fuel surcharge.

They also didn't mind that I am booking my own internal flights, without a surcharge. I will go into Puerto Ayora a few days early to mitigate any chance of LAN delays. Not much I can do on the way back to Quito other than hope that even if it is late, I get there eventually.

Now I can work on the rest of the trip (nearly a month!)