G Adventures has added a fifth yacht to its fleet of
chartered vessels that sail in the Galapagos Islands.
Beginning in January 2019, the 16-passenger Eden will join
the company's four other touring vessels -- all of which are on long-term
exclusive charter with G Adventures -- in hosting small-group cruises around 20
of Ecuador's major and smaller Galapagos islands.
G Adventures reported a 22% increase in bookings for its
Galapagos cruises between 2016 and 2017, and 100% of its yacht departures were
fully sold out between August 2017 and July 2018.
The tour operator offers six itineraries in the Galapagos,
ranging from seven to 17 days.
The Eden features three upper-deck, twin-share cabins with
bunk beds; one main-deck double-bed cabin; and four lower deck twin-share
cabins. There is a two-level, wrap-around deck with an outdoor lounge area for
sunning or wildlife spotting. There are accommodations for nine crew members,
including a naturalist who will accompany the group. The public areas also
consist of an interior dining room and a living room with a television and DVD
player.
The Eden was built in 1996 and refurbished in 2012. G
Adventures plans to move the Eden into drydock this fall for further upgrades
and to give it G Adventures branding. Itineraries on the vessel are currently
available for booking.
Additionally, starting Jan. 1, 2019, G Adventures will be giving
all travelers to the archipelago a complimentary, reusable, stainless steel
water bottle that will replace all plastic bottles. The move is in line with
new regulations in the Galapagos that single-use bottles of any description
will no longer be allowed on the islands starting Feb. 26, 2019. That follows a
ban on plastic straws that went into effect on May 26, 2018, and on plastic
bags, which were banned last July.