First time Galapagos - liveaboard advice

[chillyinCanada]

I know they call it optional, but if they are going to give a big speech about it and make you feel bad for giving less then I don't consider it truly optional. Actually on my last liveaboard to the Maldives the crew refused to accept anything less than the suggested amount (which was a reasonable $70) so it was really mandatory and not optional. I wish they would just make it a mandatory service charge and call it a day.

How could they refuse? How was the tip process handled?

We were to put our tip into a box and it would be distributed as per a formula that the crew had voted on.

How many days was your liveaboard in Maldives?

 

[jjmochi]

How could they refuse? How was the tip process handled?

We were to put our tip into a box and it would be distributed as per a formula that the crew had voted on.

How many days was your liveaboard in Makdives.

It was a 7 day trip.

One of the guests was short on USD and the deck master told her she had to give at least the suggested amount so she ended up having to borrow from the other guests. We were told to give cash to one of the crew and they kept track of who paid in a notebook. There was no discretionary tip box and I have no idea how the tip got split.

 

[chillyinCanada]

It was a 7 day trip.

One of the guests was short on USD and the deck master told her she had to give at least the suggested amount so she ended up having to borrow from the other guests. We were told to give cash to one of the crew and they kept track of who paid in a notebook. There was no discretionary tip box and I have no idea how the tip got split.

Wow. I've never seen that on any lob that I've been on. There was always the opportunity to be anonymous, if you so chose.

The way it was insisted upon, I you sure it was the tip and not a park fee or fuel supplement?

 

[chillyinCanada]

Remind me please, which boat were you on in Maldives?

 

[jjmochi]

Yup they called it an optional tip. It was the Soleil 2. The crew was pretty good and the amount was reasonable, it was just not optional.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Yup they called it an optional tip. It was the Soleil 2. The crew was pretty good and the amount was reasonable, it was just not optional.

Yes, certainly a reasonable amount but if they refused my money, that would be on them.

Anyway, sorry for the side track. We should return to the thread subject of Galapagos.

 

[jjmochi]

Ok I think I am going back to 10 day trip on Masters. @MaxBottomtime and @brownie I would love to hear how your trip went / goes in a few weeks!

I decided 2x 7 day dive trip doesn't make sense vs 10 day trip, too much time wasted travelling back and forth, more expensive, and you repeat exact same sites twice vs spending the extra days at Wolf/Darwin.

Also decided 7 day dive trip + 7 day naturalist trip also doesn't make sense, naturalist trip is half hiking half snorkeling, and snorkeling excursions may be underwhelming after the dive trip. Plus uses up more vacation days and I think with 3 land excursions on 10 day Masters trip we'll see most of the wildlife.

I also asked about the disproportionate price increase in 2022 rates for 10 day vs 7 day trip, and they said it was b/c of premium charged by Galapagos govt.

10k/person and wait until 2022 is hard to swallow but all things considered I think it is the best option, and in line with what folks suggested initially. Can't believe some of the dates in 2022 are sold out already!

 

[chillyinCanada]

Ok I think I am going back to 10 day trip on Masters. @MaxBottomtime and @brownie I would love to hear how your trip went / goes in a few weeks!

I decided 2x 7 day dive trip doesn't make sense vs 10 day trip, too much time wasted travelling back and forth, more expensive, and you repeat exact same sites twice vs spending the extra days at Wolf/Darwin.

Also decided 7 day dive trip + 7 day naturalist trip also doesn't make sense, naturalist trip is half hiking half snorkeling, and snorkeling excursions may be underwhelming after the dive trip. Plus uses up more vacation days and I think with 3 land excursions on 10 day Masters trip we'll see most of the wildlife.

I also asked about the disproportionate price increase in 2022 rates for 10 day vs 7 day trip, and they said it was b/c of premium charged by Galapagos govt.

10k/person and wait until 2022 is hard to swallow but all things considered I think it is the best option, and in line with what folks suggested initially. Can't believe some of the dates in 2022 are sold out already!

In the meantime, you can practice for it closer to home