Cheap Galapagos Cruises / Galapagos Last Minute News

[NEW - March 12, 2008] Last month the Government of Ecuador issued a decree increasing the cost of diesel from $1.29 per gallon to $2.79 per gallon. This measure will come into effect from the beginning of June 2008 and applies to those tourist vessels in Galapagos that take on more than 4000 gallons per month. The step came as something of a surprise to Galapagos Tour operators and efforts were made to seek a reversal of the decision, but regrettably to no avail.

The majority of live-aboard cruise operations will be affected by the increase. It is therefore with regret that we will be obliged to apply a fuel surcharge to all passengers travelling from the 1st June/08 onwards. The amount of the surcharge vary from yacht to yacht, and depending on the length of cruise. We will be contacting all clients with existing bookings in order to coordinate payment and will be adding the surcharge to all new bookings for departures including and beyond the June 1st 2008.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding and regret any inconvenience that this significant and unexpected measure may cause.

GALAPAGOS NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE FEE COSTS

US $100	Foreign Tourists non-residents of Ecuador over 12 years of age
US $ 50	Foreign Tourists non-residents of Ecuador under 12 years of age.
US $ 6	National Tourists or Foreign Residents of Ecuador over 12 years of age.
US $ 3	National Tourists or Foreign Residents of Ecuador under 12 years of age.
US $ 25	Tourists non-resident foreign students registered at one of the National Universities of Ecuador.

TOURIST CONTROL CARD (TCT).

"Tarjeta de Control de Transito" or TCT card costs $10.00 per person (regardless of age or nationality), and is now required by every visitor to the Galapagos Islands. Presently, this card can only be paid upon arrival into the Galapagos Islands. This fee is in addition to the Galaapgos National Park entrance fee. With the TCT card, INGALA, the institution that controls migration to the islands, will be better able to regulate the flow of all arrivals and departures to Galapagos. Go to www.ingala.gov.ec for more details.

CHANGES IN GALAPAGOS BOATS etc

CHANGES IN GALAPAGOS BOAT CLASSIFICATIONS:

CORAL I & CORAL II have been upgraded from FIRST class to DELUXE class;
BELUGA has now been classified as FIRST class (previously DELUXE class);

NEW GALAPAGOS BOAT ADDITIONS in 2008 TO SELECT FROM:

YOLITA II (TOURIST SUPERIOR CLASS)
GALAXY (FIRST CLASS)
GALAPAGOS VOYAGER (FIRST CLASS)
GRAN NATALIA (FIRST CLASS)
NAUTILUS (EX- SEA CLOUD FIRST CLASS)
QUEEN OF GALAPAGOS (FIRST CLASS)
LA PINTA (DELUXE CLASS)
GALAPAGOS ODYSSEY (DELUXE CLASS)

GALAPAGOS BOATS NO LONGER OPERATING in 2008:

SPONDYLUS (TOURIST SUPERIOR CLASS)
YOLITA (TOURIST CLASS)