For the atomic athletes out there, note that a stationary bike lives on the top deck of the yacht, providing your “gym” with arguably the best view on the planet.
Desserts were plentiful, too, which doesn’t do a body good after a week of indulgence.
QUASAR GALAPAGOS FULL
The chef prepared local Ecuadorian cuisine daily, filling my belly full of ceviches, salads, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and different meats. One of the most frequently asked questions I receive regarding each destination I visit is, “How was the food?” I love answering this, because, put simply, I love food therefore I love talking about it. How could you not love working in this environment? Many staff members were even born and raised in the Galapagos, and I don’t blame them one bit for sticking around. They started at the top, and the only place to go is down after leaving this paradise. Smiles were abundant, help was always near, and the level of professionalism was off the charts. It was very evident that the crew loved their job from sun up to sun down while taking great pride in the boat. But let’s be honest. The staff aboard the M/Y Grace has first-class service down to an art. I’m a firm believer that you must be passionate about what you do in order to do it well. With Quasar, rest assured you’ll be a traveler, not a tourist, as the small numbers also allow for a better passenger-to-guide ratio, bringing everyone a sense of immersion and wealth of knowledge from experts while in the Galapagos. The M/Y Grace only allows 18 passengers onboard, incorporating an intimacy that is unheard of while being a tourist aboard larger vessels found in the Galapagos carrying 100 people. I’ve been on cruise ships before and have attested to my hatred of cruises previously, but this expedition was no normal cruise. luxury adventure yacht offers two Master Suites, two Twin Suites and five Premium Staterooms. She did a stint with the Royal Navy during WWII, was once in possession of Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis , was the honeymoon destination for Prince Rainier and Princess Grace Kelly, and was finally acquired by Quasar in 2007 and rechristened the M/Y Grace: a name that would take her back into her history, her most elegant years. Born in 1928, the yacht has seen varying times, names and owners over the past near century. This 18-passenger iconic yacht has more history than meets the eye. To see the Galapagos Islands with Quasar Expeditions while aboard the M/Y Grace is to live like royalty for a week, literally. It’s where we ventured out to natural paradises daily, and where we came to know the real inhabitants of this vibrant earth in the middle of nowhere. The ultimate luxury adventure can be found sailing from island to island in the name of royalty on the same boat where Princess Grace Kelly honeymooned. A seven-night stay aboard the classic M/Y Grace yacht offers boutique hotel service while being outfitted for true expeditions. With over 28 years of experience, it’s an understatement to say these people are experts in the field. Quasar Expeditions was named Best Small-ship Ocean Cruise Line by Travel + Leisure in both 20.I recently set sail in search of the islands with Quasar Expeditions, the second longest running Galapagos travel company in the business.
It’s a unique and intriguing way to experience one of the most incredible national parks in the world. Unwind after each day's activities in some of the best properties in the region. Drive on your own, or with a guide, through Chile's Torres del Paine National Park and Argentina's Los Glaciares National Park. Equally as exciting, Quasar offers overland expeditions to explore Patagonia in your own Jeep. They now own and run two of the most sought after yachts in the Galapagos: The Grace and The Evolution. Quasar was truly a pioneer of high-end, small-yacht travel in Galapagos, so that clients could explore the Islands the way Darwin once did. Over 3 decades later their dream lives on, as Quasar Expeditions continues to lead the field as pioneers of unique and meaningful travel experiences in South America.
Eduardo Diez and Dolores Gangotena believed then, that through sustainable tourism they could keep our natural treasures intact for future generations to enjoy. In 1986, a young couple from Ecuador had a dream that was simple enough: to show the treasures of the Galapagos Islands to the world.