Galápagos is ready to receive new attraction for tourists
Ecuadornews:
Galapagos is preparing to welcome Celebrity Flora, who in addition to thinking about the welfare of its guests will mark a milestone in the development of sustainable tourism in the Insular region. Going into this boat is probably moving to a kind of paradise, especially for lovers of cruises.
The route, on the one hand of this ship, began on deck five (it has six decks), in this space is the spa and gym, and several suites, divided into: Penthouse, Sky and Royal.
According to Martha Chica, one of the guides, this cover is standard and “the most purchased and most affordable price”. The most expensive suites, he says, are on deck six.
The decoration has not gone unnoticed. When Celebrity Cruises, a company of which Flora is part, set out to build the first boat designed with the Galapagos Islands in mind, he also considered it necessary to have a designer whose aesthetics will not only be inspired by the region, but also have a connection Personal with this unique destination and could complete the design of the ship made by BG Studio, and the chosen one was Adriana Hoyos.
Its unique pieces are found in Discovery Lounge, Penthouse Suites and Marina, complementing the boat’s design with local elements that connect organically with the destination.
Penthouse Suite. The largest and most luxurious suites. Photo: Celebrity Cruises.
The menu also fulfills a great function within the cruise. There are three restaurants, Vista, Seaside and Ocean Grill. According to Cristian Rebolledo, executive chef, he will show the mix of Latin and Galapaguena cuisine. “80% of our menu is with local Galápagos products,” explains the chef.
During the Celebrity Flora presentation luncheon on Monday, chefs surprised the audience with a musical presentation. Photo: Ángel Aguirre.
The itinerary by the Celebrity Flora, which has capacity for 100 guests, continued through the cabin, from where it is directed and which is under the command of Captain Vladimir Armas, who explains that it is a boat with cutting edge technology. “We have a state-of-the-art propulsion system … For any emergency situation we have all the equipment that complies with national and international regulations.”
About the crew, highlights that there are 82 crew members, most of them are Ecuadorians, within them there are 11 naturalist guides (permanent resident of Galápagos).
The ship was built exclusively for the Galapagos Islands by De Hoop Shipyard, Rotterdam (Holland). “In every detail is the care for the environment … The paint, the material, the operative part,” explains Armas.
He cites as an example that the lights in Galapagos can not be white or very intense or reflected in the water, therefore they use the glasses with UV filters, to avoid that there is not much reflection towards the animals. As an ecological benefit, they will not perform anchoring maneuvers and will remain standing with the dynamic position system.
View of the Celebrity Flora. Photo: Ángel Aguirre.
Bitinia Espinoza, director of cruise, explains that the paint used for the boat is with silicone (non-stick paint, so that the animals do not adhere and that there is greater speed), which is equivalent to efficiency in navigation and fuel cost. “It’s the only boat that has all the kind of machinery for water processing, food. We almost do not have plastic. Guests will be given a returnable bottle to fill with water in different seasons … “, he says.
For his part, Bernardo Carrillo, CEO of Celebrity Cruises in Ecuador, says it is the “most sustainable boat of this size that exists” and that the engines are electric.
Armas adds that the construction of the ship began in November 2017. There was participation of the Ecuadorian and foreign crew that was sent by the company Celebrity Cruises.
Part of cover 8 of the cruise Celebrity Flora. Photo: Ángel Aguirre.
The idea of this boat arose after the visit made by one of the company’s top executives, Lisa Lutoff-perlo, to Galapagos. “She promised us that we will have good surprises and here she is! that dream come true, “says Armas, who works for Celebrity Cruises, since 2012.
The cruise is seven days, from Sunday to Sunday. The routes, according to Espinoza, are established by the Galapagos National Park. On June 30, the first cruise will take place, which will begin on Baltra Island. (I)