Isabela II

The 40-guest Isabela II, with 20 outside cabins, is one of the most luxurious yachts cruising the Galapagos. Presenting an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere, her helpful and warm staff attend to your every need. All passenger cabins are spacious and have private bathrooms. The Isabela II is fully air-conditioned and has the amenities of a larger vessel, including a bar, dining room, and sun deck. The sun deck comprises a bar with ample outdoor seating, an observation area for whale and dolphin watching, a gym and Jacuzzi, and solarium. The Isabela II carries sea kayaks and three Zodiacs, and as an alternative to snorkeling, her glass-bottom boat offers a great opportunity to observe the marine life from above the waves. From dining room to stateroom, one senses the superior quality at all levels of service. The yachtss trained chefs prepare a superb a la carte selection of all dinner meals. The library contains the largest variety of books on Galapagos and Ecuador of any ship in Galapagos waters, as well as excellent nature and conservation videos. Registry: Ecuador

Download the Ship Fact sheet here.

Tonnage: 1,025
Length: 166 feet
Speed: 10 knots
Ship Registry: Ecuador

Accounts Onboard

Upon embarkation, a shipboard account is automatically opened for your convenience. The "chit" system is used for all onboard purchases, including bar charges, gift shop purchases, laundry, medical services, communication, etc. You will sign a chit for each purchase, and the amount will be debited to your shipboard account, which is presented for settlement at the end of the voyage.

The U.S. dollar is the currency used on board. Travelers checks and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express) are accepted for payment of shipboard accounts.

Air Conditioning

Each cabin has individual controls for air conditioning.

Baggage

Baggage is restricted only per the airlines regulations (See Baggage Allowance section under General Information). We do recommend that you travel with soft luggage, as this is less bulky to store and storage space aboard the ship is limited. Please ensure that your baggage is clearly labeled with your name and home address and attach yellow Zegrahm Expeditions luggage tags, which will be provided with your final documents packet, to each piece of luggage. Our staff will use these tags for easy identification of group passengers and baggage.

Bar

There are two bars on board, one in the salon and one on the sun deck. Both are fully-stocked with liquor, wine, and beer.

Bridge Visits

There is an open-bridge policy on board. However, the bridge will be closed to visitors during maneuvers in port, when anchoring, during periods of inclement weather, and at the captains discretion.

Cabins and Service

Cabins are serviced daily by your cabin attendant. If you require additional housekeeping service, please advise the reception desk.

All cabins feature an ocean view, two twin beds or one double bed, en suite bathroom, ample storage space, small safe, and hair dryer.

Contact Information

The ship has facilities available for incoming/outgoing e-mail, telephone, and fax. You will be charged for all personal communication to/from the ship. Currently, outgoing calls and faxes cost $6.50 per minute. Use of the internet is available 24 hours a day and is free to guests.

Specific contact information will be included in your final packet of trip documents sent approximately one month prior to your departure.

Daily Programs

The daily program is distributed to all cabins and posted in common areas every evening on board. The program announces the cruising schedule, lectures, and shore excursions. Weather conditions may, of course, alter the days intended program.

Dietary Needs

Special dietary foods can be provided, but we must be notified in writing on the Personal Information Form. The galley is equipped to prepare or serve most special dietary foods except kosher cuisine.

Dining and Meals

Meals will be informal and times will vary. The typical schedule is breakfast at 7:30 a.m., lunch around 12:30 p.m., and dinner around 7:30 p.m. Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style, and dinner features table service. The menus are international with a taste of Ecuadorian specialties. Snacks are served after shore excursions.

Electricity

The electricity on board runs at 110 volts, and outlets take standard, U.S. flat-prong plugs.

Elevator

There is no elevator on board.

Exercise Facilities

A small gym is located on the Sun Deck and includes a stationary bicycle and treadmill.

Gift Shop

There is no gift shop on board.

Gratuities

All gratuities for onboard staff and crew are included in the cost of the expedition.

Hair Dryer

Each cabin is equipped with a hair dryer.

Hair Salon

The ship does not offer hair cutting or hair styling services.

Laundry

Laundry service will be provided on Friday only. The ship does not have laundry facilities, so your laundry will be collected from the cabins on Thursday and taken to Puerto Ayora on Friday to be washed, ironed, and returned to you. Cost for laundry service will be added to your shipboard account. There is a dryer available for daily needs. No dry cleaning service is available. Same-day laundry service is offered at our hotel in Quito for an additional charge.

Lectures

Our onboard staff will present a series of informative lectures during the voyage. We plan to provide a lecture series that will cover all features of our expedition and the surrounding environment. These presentations are an integral part of this expedition and are designed to lend greater depth and understanding to your travel experience.

Library

There is small library on board with a variety of books about Ecuador and the Galápagos.

Medical Services and Special Needs

Facilities may not be available for the physically challenged traveler. If you have special needs, please contact our office directly.

Passengers requiring special medications should bring sufficient quantities to last the duration of the expedition. If you are under regular treatment for any ailment or disease, you should bring a summarized medical history as well. It is essential that persons with any medical problems and related dietary restrictions inform us well before departure so we may brief the ships staff accordingly.

If you use a hearing aid that might be turned off at night or would otherwise require special assistance in case of an emergency, please advise the reception desk at the time of boarding.

Safety at Sea

Safety at sea is of utmost importance aboard this ship. All officers are trained in emergency procedures, and regular drills are held to instruct the crew in their emergency duties. By international law, passengers must participate in a lifeboat drill within 24 hours of sailing. Upon embarkation, all passengers will be requested to locate their life jacket in their cabin and note their lifeboat and muster station. This mandatory lifeboat drill will be scheduled as soon as is convenient for the expedition leader and captain.

Life preservers are mandatory on Zodiac excursions. All passengers must have their life preserver secured properly before leaving the ship to board the Zodiac.

While the ship is your temporary home, it is also a mobile one, and it is essential that you take certain safety precautions. Here are some basic rules:

Always turn on lights before moving about in a dark cabin.

Walk, never run, aboard the ship, and be extra careful when walking on wet or icy decks.

Wear shoes with slip-resistant soles, especially when walking on deck.

Avoid large, open areas during rough weather, especially outside decks and the bridge. Do not move about unnecessarily.

During particularly rough weather hold on to handrails in stairways, be very careful in the bathroom, never hold a door by its frame in case the ships movement causes the door to close on your hand, and secure all baggage in your cabin and any loose items in your bathroom or on shelves, bureaus, or desks.

Ship Statistics

Built: 1979

Refurbished: 2006

Gross Tonnage: 1025

Length: 166 feet

Beam: 38 feet

Number of Guests: 40

Crew Members: 27

Crew Nationality: Ecuadorian

Ships Registry: Ecuador

Shipboard Amenities

Equipment available includes masks, vests, flippers, snorkels, inflatable vests, mesh bags, and wetsuits. The ship also features eight tandem sea kayaks for passenger use and a special glass-bottom boat offering passengers the opportunity to observe marine life from above the water.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is permitted outside on deck in designated areas only. There is a no-smoking policy throughout the interior of the ship. When smoking on outside decks, please do not throw cigarettes over the side of the ship. Smoking is prohibited while on the Galápagos Islands.

Tagboard

There is no tagboard on board, but you will be asked to sign in and out for landings ashore.

Valuables

Please try and leave any nonessential valuables at home. Zegrahm Expeditions is not responsible for the loss or theft of any jewelry, cash, etc. A personal safe is provided in each cabin, which you are encouraged to use.

Water

Tap water on the ship is best avoided. Bottled water will be provided.

Zodiacs

Zodiacs are the favored means of transportation, and the ship has a fleet that will be used for landings in suitable areas. Their flat-bottom design permits these craft to land directly onto beaches. You can expect, nonetheless, to wade through shallow surf to reach the shore during wet landings.

Zodiacs cruise at an approximate speed of four knots and in windy weather can make for rather splashy rides. We therefore recommend wearing wet-weather gear for Zodiac transfers, and life preservers are absolutely mandatory. You will be given a briefing on the safe use of these boats. Please see the section Proper Use of Zodiacs for further information about procedures during Zodiac landings.

6/19/2011 : Galapagos My Way