Treasure of Galapagos

Exploring the Galápagos Islands on board the 9-suite Treasure of Galápagos goes beyond traditional cruising and allows you a truly intimate experience with a maximum of 16 guests. Chartered for Avalon guests, the Treasure of Galápagos features spacious suites with balconies and takes you around the archipelago to explore the natural wonders of this region in privacy and comfort. Completely refurbished recently, the Treasure of Galápagos is designed to surpass luxurious standards with an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere, allowing guests to enjoy all of the treasures of the Galápagos Islands! From penguins and flamingos sharing the same beach, ancient tortoises and iguanas that swim, colorful birdlife that forgot how to fly, and the diverse marine world teeming with life, these dramatic volcanic islands truly are "a laboratory of evolution." Delve into this unique world with the Treasure of Galápagos' crew and expert Naturalist, who share their passion for nature and conservation of this mysterious part of the world. Your Galápagos cruise includes Naturalist-guided shore excursions, lectures, and exploration of the marine reserve by strolling, hiking, and snorkeling. At day's end, you'll return to the relaxed luxury of your ship.

Specifications
  • Size mini
  • Style Expedition
  • Type ocean
  • Year of launch 2009
  • Year of last refit 2017
  • Gross tonnage 343t
  • Length 31.6m
  • Width 11.2m
  • Speed 12kts
  • Decks 3
  • Language Spanish & English
  • Currency US Dollar ($)
  • No. of passengers 18
  • No. of crew 10
  • No. of cabins 9
  • -wheelchair access 0
Gratuities

Tipping is a personal way to show your satisfaction for good service and is a general practice on all vacations. It is recommended that tips be paid in cash—unless when paying by credit card there is a specific gratuity line. General tipping guidelines can be found below. Each country in Europe has different customs regarding tipping and guidelines can be found in each country-specific guide.

With Avalon, all your hotel taxes, service charges, tips for luggage handling, and gratuities for included meals are included in the vacation price.

For services with gratuity not included in the vacation price, we recommend the following as tipping guidelines. More information can be found in the country-specific sections of the Know Before You Go document and in your Important Travel Documents, which will be available 2-3 weeks prior to your vacation. Since each country is unique, the below are merely guidelines to assist with budgeting.

Cruise Directors

Gratuities for your Cruise Director are not included in the vacation price. For a good job, we suggest the equivalent of €3 (Euros) per day per passenger for your Cruise Director. An envelope will be provided in your stateroom for you to deposit any gratuities you would like to provide your Cruise Director. It is also possible for you to pre-pay the gratuities for your Cruise Director at the time of paying the balance of your cruise cost.

Ship’s Crew

Gratuities for your crew on board our Avalon Waterways ships are not included in the vacation price. For a good job, we suggest the equivalent of €12 (Euros) per day per passenger for the ship’s crew. This will be pooled and distributed fairly among those who have been of service to you, including personnel who work behind the scenes and whose service is equally crucial to your enjoyment of the cruise. It is also possible for you to pre-pay the gratuities for your crew at the time of paying the balance of your cruise cost.

Drivers

Gratuities for sightseeing drivers are included in the vacation price.

Hotel Services

It is customary to tip hotel staff for room service delivery if the charge has not already been added to the bill. If ice machines are not available and you get ice from the bar, a small tip to the bartender is always appreciated. Avalon includes gratuities for luggage handling for one bag per passenger. You may wish to tip for any excess luggage delivery. Gratuities for included hotel meals are already taken care of by Avalon.

Certified Local Guides

Traveling with us means you get specialized sightseeing with Certified Local Guides in each major city. To make each location come alive throughout your vacation, these Certified Local Guides share their vast knowledge about culture and history with you. Gratuities for your Certified Local Guides are included in the vacation price.

Restaurants

For restaurant meals not included in the Avalon itinerary, gratuities are not included and we recommend you review the country-specific guidelines for appropriate gratuity amount based on quality of service. Additional details and recommendations will be included in your Important Travel Documents, sent approximately 2-3 weeks prior to your vacation start date, and your Cruise Director can always help with local customs on tipping. Tips in restaurants are usually left in cash and not added to the credit card payment, unless there is a specific line for it on the credit card signature receipt. In many European restaurants, there is also a per-person cover charge that will be added to your check/bill. This is not a gratuity.

Taxis

Usually, rounding up the fare for driver gratuity is more than adequate in most countries. A few dollars is usually reasonable for service, equal to 10-15% of the fare. If possible, we recommend you pre-negotiate taxi fares in foreign countries to avoid unpleasant surprises at the end of your journey. Ask hotel/ship staff or airport hospitality desks for the best cab companies, and make sure pricing is either clearly indicated prior to departure or prenegotiated. In all instances, we recommend that you carry some small change with you, as it is unusual to ask for change when you are tipping.

Facilities
No
No
Designated areas only
Not available
Accommodation

The Treasure of Galapagos has 8 spacious suites with balconies for a maximum of 16 guests. All suites are air-conditioned, and have private bathrooms, living space and balconies.

Decks
Dining

Treasure of Galapagos cruises feature a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard, with menus that feature the very best international cuisine and celebrated Ecuadorian dishes. Guests will receive wine with dinner as well as 24-hour complimentary water, tea and coffee.

Entertainment

Avalon Waterways want your experience with them to be as rich as possible and have included everything that they know will be important to your cruise enjoyment.

With so many amenities on board, whether you are making the most of happy hour by enjoying a glass of wine or a gin and tonic in the bar, or having a quiet moment in the Lounge with a cappuccino, there is plenty of space to stretch out and relax on an Avalon ship. Complimentary Wi-Fi access and free use of computers or laptops is available to help you stay in touch with friends and family. They've designed a cruise experience that includes all the right things...but still leaves room for your own preferences. 

Health and fitness

Cruise into total body wellness. Start your mornings with an exercise program in the Fitness Centre on the Boat Deck.

Kids and Teens

Children aged 8 years and over are welcome on board the Treasure of Galapagos. A trip to the Galapagos is both fun and educational for children, who will enjoy the excitement of coming face to face with the local wildlife. 

Enrichment

Avalon Waterways know that no two travellers are alike so they don't assume all their guests will like the same activities and excursions. With more expertly led discovery options than any other river cruise line they make it possible for you to explore each port of call according to what intrigues you most.

Useful to know