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My friend and I took a cruise on the Origin in September. It was superb! I want to provide some details why.

We took the northern and western route. I am sure that we went to islands and areas that few tourists get to see because we didn’t see many other tourists on the outer islands. We saw wildlife activities…feeding, mating and nesting…that few tourists get to see. We saw just about every species we wanted to see. Your company has an excellent ability to get your ships into areas less frequently traveled.

The Captain and crew’s first priority during the entire cruise was the safety of the passengers and ship.  During our first boarding of the Zodiac, we were taught how to hold onto the crew members arm to assist boarding and deboarding the Zodiac. Life jackets were always required on the Zodiac – no exceptions.  The captain and crew are skilled in their various duties, as expected. But they all seem to love their jobs, as evident by the smiles that they always have on their faces. They are very friendly and outgoing.

A few comments on the Origin.  It is well designed from our standpoint. The cabins have plenty of room for storing our clothes and fear. The bathroom is much roomier than typical cruise ships. The addition of baskets on the bathroom shelves ins a good feature to allow us to readily access our toiletries.  The dining and lounge areas are also laid out very well. The layout facilitates passengers mixing early and often with each other and the crew. The outdoor grill on the upper deck is an especially nice feature. The exercise facility in the forward lower deck is another nice feature. We used it, but the daily rigors of the adventures of the cruise made additional exercise unnecessary.  The fear and equipment used for our daily events, such as snorkels and masks, wet suits and fins, kayaks and paddleboards, were all well maintained and in good shape. The availability of a fresh water rinse tub on the stern is excellent for maintaining snorkel gear.  I was impressed to learn that the Origin has its own desalinization plant on board. It confirms Ecoventura’s commitment to preserving the environment of the Galapagos.

The quality of the food was excellent. Our chef and his staff prepared some tasty meals and snacks. I fully expected this level of food service. I was pleasantly surprised by the consistent high quality of the scrambled eggs on the breakfast buffet.  I know this may seem trivial, but it is an example of attention to details that the entire crew shows throughout our cruise. The crew maintained the vessel’s cleanliness throughout the voyage. The daily housekeeper in our cabin was also excellent. Considering the amount of sand that all of the passengers tracked back onto the ship, I consider this, again an example of outstanding attention to detail.

We are already looking forward to booking in the near future the southern itinerary so we can watch the mating ritual of the albatross.

William Stromberg,   Fairhope AL

September 2018 MV Origin

Dear Mr. Dunn, Congratulations on Ecoventura!MV Origin, September 2018

I wanted to let you know how incredible our week-long adventure in the Galápagos Islands (Northern and Western) was with Jose and Fabrizio from November 4-11, 2018.

I traveled with two high school girlfriends to celebrate our 40th birthdays together. We could not have asked for a more amazing trip. From the boat accommodations to the food to the crew to the amazing guides Jose and Fabrizio to the landscapes and wildlife we saw, it was completely off the charts incredible! Our traveling companions on the boat were wonderful too…you did a great job coordinating the guests on each boat (Eric and Letty) so that we could have the most enjoyable time with like-minded travelers. Snorkeling almost every day with sea turtles and sea lions and learning so much about the wildlife from our fabulous guides was an absolute dream come true for this biology major and environmental consultant. We just cannot say enough about how wonderful Jose and Fabrizio were, as well as the rest of the crew aboard the Letty. The small touches, like the chocolate on our pillows each evening, and the birthday treats (champagne in our room, cookbooks, cake and candles after dinner), and a planned dinner together on land on our last night…just made our trip all the more memorable.

They say it’s a once in a lifetime trip, but the three of us are already talking about a return trip with REI and Ecoventura to see the southern and eastern islands. Maybe for our 50th birthdays! But hopefully before then. It seems like a day without sea lions is like a day without sunshine!!

Thank you so much for everything you did to make our adventure so perfect.

Best regards,

Anna D.
Fredericksburg, Virginia

An Amazing Journey with Jose and Fabrizio on the Letty!MY Eric & Letty, November 2018

I am writing to express to you how much we enjoyed our trip on the MV Origin at the beginning of this month. Both my wife and I scheduled this trip as part of our 10 year wedding anniversary. The food and service on the ship were superb and you should be commended for providing such a comprehensive cruise.

Our naturalist guides, Gustavo and Sophia were second to none. Their knowledge of the islands and their ability to explain the flora and fauna were well received. Please express to them how much we enjoyed the trip.  Additionally the storytelling by Jack Grove made for fun dinner conversations and lectures.

As a Boston College alum, it’s great to see that you’re excelling in providing a wonderful travel experience for your customers. We hope to revisit the Galapagos again in the future and are considering a possible dive trip to Darwin and Wolf.

 Sincerely,

John L, BC class of ‘96

We Enjoyed Our Trip On The MV ORIGINMV Origin, September 2017

We did both itinerary’s, Week A and B in May & June 2018 and it was a trip of a lifetime. The islands are magical and fascinating. Walking and swimming with wildlife who aren’t afraid of you is incredible.

The trip is expensive and well worth every penny. The food on this boat was incredible. Better and more consistent than most restaurants I’ve been to in the San Francisco Bay area, where I live, and that’s saying a lot! The rooms were big, with large windows with amazing views, very comfortable beds, great bathrooms. It’s a new boat and as a result, from a conservation and guest comfort perspective, it’s one of the best around. Only 20 guests and 13 staff to support us!

We went out on pangas (like zodiacs) that held 10 people, with a National Park trained guide (fluent in English and very knowledgeable and friendly) on each panga. You could choose which panga you went on so you got to mix a lot with the other guests. We basically became like family for the time we were together.

Staff is very friendly, and we got woken up every morning by Jennifer’s wonderful voice, the best wake-up call i’ve ever had. They keep you very busy during the day. The activities included hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle-boarding, with usually a combination of the those activities during the day. This is a wonderfully active and busy vacation where you fall asleep at around 9:30 pm and wake up at dawn, 6:30am, to get on the Islands while the animals are active. It’s well worth it!

What makes Ecoventura and The Origin special is the high quality of everything, the small number of guests and the friendliness and accessibility of the staff. We all had opportunities to have dinner with the boat Captain and he was always open to talking with us. We were on a first name basis with him. The Island guides were very knowledgeable and friendly and joined us for meals as well.

I feel very lucky to have had this experience and highly recommend seriously considering Ecoventura and The Origin if you’re going to the Galapagos. It worked for couples and families and we all intermingled. My husband and I are in our 60’s and got very friendly with a family that included three kids, high school and younger. The staff love the Galapagos and share that love and knowledge with the guests, while creating an atmosphere of warmth and friendship. It all works and if I am lucky enough to return to the Galapagos i’d go on the Origin again.

Magical Galapagos with Ecoventura on The OriginGuest on board MV ORIGIN, May 2018

We just came from a week on the Letty from May 6-13.

As you know, Malena is an outstanding guide/naturalist/leader and resource for everyone on the trip.  I found her warmth, kindness and enthusiasm for her job to be central to our enjoyment of the trip.  Her knowledge of wildlife is astonishing. When my husband and I let her know we love birds, she made a point of looking for small shore and land birds for us in addition to the larger and more famous bird species. She was very organized and gave us  detailed and accurate information about what we would need for each day’s journey. I can’t praise her enough.

A second person who made a big difference to us was Luis, the panga driver.  Although we could not communicate a lot with words, his warm eyes and smile were a warm welcome every time we got in and out of the boat.  When we were taking wildlife journeys on the panga, such as in the mangrove area, he made a point of spotting turtles and rays and pointing them out to me.  When we saw our first blue footed boobie and penguin, he expertly navigated the panga so that we could get close and take great pictures. He was always patient and helpful and would navigate expertly for the best viewing.

Luis, the server and bartender, as you know, has a huge job. I was amazed that he managed all of the meals , snacks and the bar by himself. He always delivered the right dish at dinner to each person, and remembered who liked red and who liked white wine.  He brought me coffee in the morning the way I like it.  I can’t imagine how exhausting his job must be, but he was always patient and efficient.

Finally, I would like to praise David, the naturalist, for the care he took of our small group on our departure day. At the airport, we learned our flight had been delayed three hours, and he made sure each of us got our bags checked, then accompanied us on the bus into town, showed us which restaurants would have good food and Wi-Fi and came and retrieved all of us when the bus was ready to take us back to the airport. He even told us when to line up for our flight. It was so helpful and reassuring to have him with  us every step of the way.

And Paulina, was so helpful before the cruise, answering all of my questions very quickly and kindly.  You have a very well run organization and excellent staff.

Thank you to all of your staff for making our trip so seamless and enjoyable.

Janice & Michael Ryan

Thank you to all of your team- an amazing group of people!MY Letty, May 2018

The Origin is a fabulous boat! Beautiful staterooms (love the frosted window in the shower!), lots of outdoor spaces to relax between island excursions/kayaking/Zodiac tours, great food (how they pulled off multiple gourmet options for each meal working in a tiny galley is beyond me)and an attentive and fun crew. On one Zodiac excursion, I realized that its captain Christian was looking through the viewscreen of my camera and gently lining up the boat so I could get a perfect picture of a blue-footed booby. That is definitely attention to detail.

Our Galapagos naturalists were Yvonne Mortola and Gustavo Castro — both were excellent. We appreciated their enthusiasm, attention to detail, flexibility to take us where the bird/animal watching was best, etc. It was especially great to see Yvonne’s enthusiasm catching sight of, and filming, a baby hammerhead shark swimming along a beach. She said it was the first time in 35 years she had seen such a thing and conveyed her excitement to all of us. And Gustavo, worked to find a flamingo for a New Zealander in our group who had never seen one.  They also put together a great slide show/video for our group that they shared at trip’s end.  The willingness of all our guides to talk about their own life experiences in Ecuador made this trip extra special for us.

Jeannie C. & Thomas W.

Absolutely everything on the Origin stood out, it was a culinary delight!MV Origin, April 2018

My husband Andy and I recently returned from an Ecoventura cruise. We chose Ecoventura because our research indicated this company would be excellent — and indeed, it was! I am writing let you know how happy we were, with the many ways we enjoyed our Galapagos experience.

We were assigned to cruise on the Eric. The yacht was comfortable and beautiful. Its cabins, though small, are thoughtfully laid out so that passengers can store all belongings and still enjoy being in their cabins. Beds were comfortable and our bathroom was just right.

Andy and I knew that our naturalists would be critically important to the experience we would have. Fabricio and Pepe, were highly knowledgeable and engaging; we could not have asked for more. Each man combined the right combination of education, humor, kindness, patience, and enthusiasm in his role. It was not lost on me that Fabricio and Pepe do tours day in and day out, and they still bring joy and excitement to their work. We received an abundance of attention from them, even on our last day in San Cristobal, a day when the crew was preparing for our departure and the arrival of a whole new group of passengers. These guides were attentive to our experiences onshore, to fill the time pleasantly before our flight. I was impressed that our group was even escorted through the airport, making sure that check-in went smoothly.

The rest of the crew was highly professional, too. Our bartender/waiter, Luis, remembered everyone’s particular dietary needs, was masterful in his role, and was perfectly charming 24/7. Beautiful Maria kept our rooms pristine from dawn until dusk and greeted all with a bright smile. She also helped us when we returned from multiple daily outings, guiding us in and out of the water so that we would not slip and fall. The captain also took the time away from navigating the yacht when we returned from outings, helping us hang up our life vests. Panga drivers were skilled in taking us to remote corners so that we could see everything up close and personal. The chefs — oh my goodness! All the food was remarkable, every meal fresh, delicious, and beautiful to behold. And there were others, who were less well-known to us, because they worked behind the scenes, so that we would have the experience of a lifetime.

Finally, I want to say that we were fortunate that our fellow passengers were so much fun to be with — each person added positivity to the total experience.

Thanks, Ecoventura. We enjoyed the trip of a lifetime.

Gwen W.  Raleigh, North Carolina USA  

Thanks, Ecoventura. We enjoyed the trip of a lifetime!MY Eric & Letty, April 2018

I had the incredible privilege of experiencing a Galapagos Islands tour aboard the Letty March 25th through April 1st of 2018.    Since I was provided with your contact, I would like to take a few moments and share feedback regarding outstanding points of mention.

I chose a trip to the Galapagos due to the symbolism, education and the wildlife photography opportunities it offered.  In a world where human comfort and convenience have led to the careless destruction of habitat and species, my soul appreciates positive examples of conservation as well as like minds.  Combined with the theory’s of Darwin, this is the ultimate trip for anyone interested in the origin of species and the future for wildlife.  Visiting these islands has given me hope that with proper education and support through regulations, wildlife can peacefully exist despite human interference.

While I have taken many cruises, this was my first attempt at a ship of this size.  I wasn’t certain I would care for the more intimate nature of a small passenger boat.  The most surprising and unexpected outcome from the trip was the relationships I formed, and how much I enjoyed meeting people from all over the world and hearing their stories.  It was more difficult to say goodbye to new friends than I ever dreamed it would be!  The people (staff included) made the trip even more special.  I will most definitely seek out similar options when considering cruises in the future.

The boat was clean and comfortable.  The quality and selection of food were excellent.   The itinerary was perfectly varied and offered non-stop land and sea adventure.  Everything ran on time with razor-sharp precision.  We were well informed how to prepare for each day. The map provided on departure was also I nice bonus—it will take me a while to fully absorb all of the places I’ve been in the past several days!   Without a doubt, this was a very well-oiled operation from excited beginning to sad end.  That coordination made for a very smooth and enjoyable experience.

Regarding your staff; I am sure you are aware, any company or organization is only as good as the staff they employ.  I can assure you, your company is well represented and in very good hands.   Every employee I encountered was professional, friendly and accommodating on every level.  Claudia, Luis and Jorge—all fantastic.  So many other staff members were ghostly invisible, and although their names aren’t listed here, their hard work to ensure our safe and comfortable travels didn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated.  Everyone was truly top-notch.

A special mention for your Naturalists, Jose and Fabricio.  I can’t possibly say enough about this well-matched team. They functioned with utmost patience and professionalism to ensure all travelers remained on schedule as possible.  Clearly respected, even by other guides in the field, I feel we were blessed with the very best when we received their assignment.  They were enthusiastic, fun, customer-focused, and SO knowledgeable! They turned vacation into an experience.  Like walking text books, they literally brought learning to life.  Their passion for wildlife and the Galapagos environment /history is catching, and their message is so important for the future of Galapagos and similar wildlife environments.  I feel tremendous gratitude for their sacrifices and tireless dedication to such a significant cause.  You are beyond fortunate to call these individuals ‘yours’.

In closing, I would like to offer my most sincere thanks to everyone involved in the creation of memories that will last my lifetime.   Even though I’m back at my desk,  I’ve had a hard time thinking about anything else since I left.   I’m hopeful this communication will help me gain some closure so I can get back to work!  Without a doubt, Galapagos is a special, indescribable, magical place that touched my heart.

I’ll be back!

I had the incredible privilege of experiencing a Galapagos Islands tour aboard the LettyMarcy M, MY Letty March 2018

This was the trip of a lifetime for both my husband and I. We were lucky to be invited to travel with a group of other friends and family on the MV Eric in the Galapagos Islands. This trip exceeded our expectations in so many ways it is hard to describe. It began with the Ecoventura travel planners who made all the arrangements for our trip seamless, including an additional week at the Sacha Lodge in the Amazon jungle.

The staff on the MV Eric was wonderful from the moment we arrived on the boat, where we were met with drinks and snacks and given a warm welcome by the naturalist guides and the captain and also introduced to the whole crew. During the week we got to know Abel, who was always so courteous and was able to deliver food and drinks from early morning until the end of the day with a smile; and Maria, who was everywhere organizing the berths and greeting all the returning pangas with a helpful hand and a happy greeting. Our two guides, Freddie and Ivan, were amazing, starting with their daily wake up messages each morning. They both have so much knowledge of the area and wildlife that they were able to really ensure we understood the unique and wonderful aspects of each different island. They were able to show us the incredible wildlife that exists in the Galapagos and we were fortunate to see and snorkel with penguins, sea turtles and manta rays, to mention only a few. They also helped the crew throw a really memorable party in the middle of the week, with some awesome food, singing and musical performances. Ivan sang a very special song that he had written about the Galapagos Islands which was never to be forgotten.

We also spent a week at the Sacha Lodge, which was equally memorable and completely different from the Galapagos adventure. We experienced the same wonderful welcome from Mike, the manager of the lodge, who was so helpful to us when we had to make some changes to our itinerary. Our naturalist guide, Alex, amazed us every day with his ability to recognize so many birds and animals, even from a distance, not only by how they looked but by their unique voices. The two tower visits were amazing and have to be seen to be appreciated. We were high above the canopy, where we were able to really see the vastness of the jungle and its amazing diversity.

We will never forget the weeks we spent in the Galapagos and at the Sacha Lodge and the wonderful people who made the trip so memorable. Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who made this fabulous adventure possible.

This was the trip of a lifetimeMike and Wendy Rawlings, MY Eric & Letty February 2018

Our family was on your Southern islands cruise in the Galapagos which departed on December 24th on the Eric.  I just wanted to take a minute to tell you what an outstanding job everyone did on our ship.  I was incredibly impressed with the forethought Ecoventura put into placing guests on our boat.  We had five families – 10 adults and 10 kids.  The kids bonded immediately and became their own posse for the whole trip, taking over the big table for meals, and commandeering their own panga and naturalist for each excursion.  This gave them the opportunity to have the explorations geared toward them, while the adults could hear  a more adult version given by our own naturalist.  AND, I absolutely trusted that my 13 year old was safe and in very good hands the whole time, so I knew I didn’t have to worry about a thing.  Both Fabricio and Jose were totally wonderful!  Totally!    Their command of facts, information and captivating tidbits was exactly what we were looking for, and expanded our knowledge and appreciation of the Galapagos exponentially.  Because of this, we will be much more effective ambassadors when we are telling our tales of the trip.  And they were funny, funny, funny!  The best!   Other than Jose and Fabricio, the most contact with crew we experienced was with Maria and Abel.  Maria was like vapor – I’ve never seen anything like it.  Our room was always spotless, but we never saw her!  We turned it into a game of trying to catch Maria at work.  Impossible!  And what a smile!  Abel was (I’m sorry to have to use this term), adorable.  He has the patience of Job, and made sure we were v e r y well fed and tended to.  What a sweet, sweet man.  I think the thing that impressed me the most with everyone is that they were so genuine and authentic.  I’m sure it’s wearing to deal with passengers with such different and high expectations, but you never would have known it with this crew.

The communication with your Miami office was seamless, professional, friendly and prompt – they made everything so easy, and I was confident we would have a wonderful trip from the get-go.   This was an expensive adventure for us, but we all came back thinking that we got a huge bang for the buck.  It was an adventure of a lifetime and one we will always remember, and a lot of that had to do with the people of Ecoventura – and the creatures of the Galapagos of course!

Thank you again,

Fabulous Trip!Anne B, MY Eric & Letty, December 2017