Air-conditioning
There is air-conditioning throughout the boat. Air-conditioning can be adjusted for each individual cabin.

Baggage
There is a luggage allowance of one piece of 44lbs (20 kilos) plus 2 small carry-ons on flights to and from Galapagos. Any additional pieces can be left at your hotel desk on mainland. Excess baggage is charged at US$ 2 per kilo if the airline chooses to do so.

Communications / Telephone
There is full phone and cellular phone communication in the Galapagos. In the main ports on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal islands there are plenty of internet cafes etc to make international calls. Your itinerary will include some time in at least one of these ports to use these facilities if you wish.

When cruising the islands, the boat’s cell phone is available for your use however there is only a signal when sailing close to populated areas. In more remote areas the boat maintains communications using radio.

Cruise attire
The dress code aboard is informal. For island visits bring comfortable lightweight clothing. For the evenings bring long pants and a wind-breaker / light jacket.

Customs
The Galapagos Islands does not have customs since there are no international airports. However to prevent the introduction of new species to the islands you are not allowed to take items such as fruit, flowers and seeds. Your luggage may be x-rayed and inspected to detect these items.

Documents Required
According to Ecuadorian Immigration regulations, every foreign passenger entering the Country must have a passport with a time validity of at least 6 months from the day of arrival to Ecuador. Most Western European and North American passport holders do not require a visa to enter Ecuador. However please contact your nearest Ecuadorian embassy for the latest visa requirements.

Electricity
On the catamaran and generally throughout Ecuador 110V AC.

Food
We always receive great reviews about the food on board. There is a varied menu onboard, including international and local cuisines, designed to accommodate a variety of dietary needs including vegetarians. There is always a choice and at least one vegetarian option. If you have any special dietary needs please let us know in advance so that we can make the necessary arrangements. All meals on board are included in the cruise price.

Health
Daily trips to the islands involve getting in and out of small boats known as pangas, requiring some physical effort and balance. Daily nature walks may include walking on irregular ground including boulders. Briefings will be given by your guide in advance of the landings to better help you determine levels of difficulty.

Trip members should be in reasonably good health and physical condition to fully enjoy a cruise in the Galapagos Islands. If a passenger suffers from any medical condition that might impact their travel experience they should consult with their doctor before traveling to ensure that they are capable of undertaking the trip. In addition, passengers should advise us of their condition and associated medical needs prior to travel.

Internet
In the main ports on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal islands there are plenty of internet cafes. Your itinerary will include some time in at least one of these ports to use these facilities if you wish. None of the boats offer onboard internet service.

Island Visits
The catamaran will anchor at two visitor sites each day. You will be ferried to the islands in "pangas" (local name for dinghies). Once ashore your guide will lead you along marked trails explaining the natural history as you walk. Island visits are done at a leisurely pace allowing plenty of time to enjoy and photograph the amazing wildlife and scenery. There is often an opportunity to swim and / or snorkel during these visits should you wish.

Jacuzzi
Depending on the navigation conditions and based on our itinerary, please check with your Guide or Quality Control Manager for our Jaccuzi schedules.

Landings
The shores of the islands, and the access to visitor sites, can have rocky surfaces or beaches. Landings may be dry or wet. Dry landings are easily performed, as you will find a flat rocky surface for proper docking with the outing boats or sometimes a real pier as a landing place. When a beach is the only way of accessing a visitor site, it is performed as a wet landing. These are also quite simple since you just remove your shoes and socks, proceed to the front of the dinghy (or panga), and while swinging your legs out, you gently slide off the side of the panga, and will not wet yourself any higher than knee level. Afterwards, dry your feet, put your shoes on, and you will be ready to go. From time to time you may find rougher swells than the usual ones, and so the wet landing requires extra caution. At any landing, please, follow the instructions of the staff in charge.

Money, Debit & Credit Cards
The local currency in The Galapagos Islands and throughout Ecuador is US dollars. On the Islands, most major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners) are widely accepted except in smaller stores.

There are Banco del Pacifico branches on the islands of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal. Both have ATM machines that accept MasterCard, Visa and cards affiliated with the Cirrus, Maestro, Banred and ATM system. It is also possible to change travelers checks but this is more difficult and a there is a service charge.

On board the Cormorant & Ocean Spray, we only accept US $ cash, and credit cards (Visa & MasterCard).

Important note: Most shops, restaurants, individuals, and even some banks will not accept $100 bills, we recommend taking smaller denomination notes.

Seasickness / Motion Sickness
By global standards the seas around Galapagos are considered to be calm however passengers can be affected by seasickness / motion sickness. The Ocean Spray and the Cormorant are Catamarans and two of the largest 16 passenger vessels operating in the islands making them more stable and thus reducing the chance of motion sickness. If you do suffer from motion sickness then you should try to avoid the months when the seas are generally the roughest (August and September) and plan your trip for the months when the seas are generally the calmest (January to April). There are also various sea sickness medications and aids readily available from pharmacist and other suppliers.

Shopping
On board we have available for sale T-shirts, baseball caps, handmade Ecuadorian jewelry and other items. We also maintain a small stock of toiletries, basic medications, hair dryers (for loan), batteries etc. When we are in Port there will be an opportunity to browse some of the shops to purchase local crafts and souvenirs.

Smoking Policy
Smoking is not allowed within the Galapagos National Park or within enclosed areas of the boat. Smoking is permitted on deck though we ask our guests to be considerate of other passengers who may be within the vicinity.

Snorkeling & Wetsuits
Snorkelling equipment and wetsuit is complimentary all year round. However, some guests sometimes prefer to bring their own to ensure the perfect fit. Please advise your size in advance (XS, S,M,L, XL).

Tipping / Gratuities
In Galapagos, it is customary to leave a gratuity for the guide and crew separately. Gratuities are at the sole discretion of the passengers and should be based on the level of service received.

If you wish to leave a tip you may give it directly to the relevant staff member. Alternatively, you can put cash in the envelopes marked "CREW" and "GUIDE" that will be left in your room on your last day.

Please put the envelopes in the gratuity box that will be left in the dining area on the day of your departure.

All the money in the "CREW" envelope will be shared equally among the crew members.

Here is a guideline based on past experience. If service was excellent, the average tip has been $20 per person per day for the entire ship's crew and $10 per person per day for the guide.

Please understand that this is just a suggestion: tipping/gratuities are a very personal matter and it entirely depends on the value of the service you received.

Water
On board we use reverse osmosis to produce fresh water. The water from the taps is perfectly safe to drink but to be 100% safe we recommend that our guests only drink the bottled water which is complimentary.