INTEGRITY
INTEGRITY
Punta EstradaPuerto Ayora
Santa Cruz, Galapagos
Ecuador
www.integritygalapagos.com
INTEGRITY
History & Story
Founded in 1976 by scientist and Galapagos Naturalist Guide Bill Roberson, INCA has been providing discerning guests with content-rich life-changing Galapagos experiences for over 40 years. INCA is the global sales representative of INTEGRITY.
INTEGRITY was launched in Galapagos in April 2005, having been completely redesigned and rebuilt for luxury Galapagos cruising by her Galapagos-resident, German-Ecuadorian, family owners. INTEGRITY was outfitted with a new deck plan, spacious staterooms, high-end galley, new machinery, stabilizers, and jacuzzi spa. The owners operate a complete maintenance base in Galapagos and are committed to operating to US safety standards.
Location
Academy Bay, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Ecuador
Key sites/activities, landings in the area
INTEGRITY’s two uninterrupted 8-day/7-night itineraries are custom designed from decades of experience. Both start with the Santa Cruz visit to see Giant tortoises in the wild and the Charles Darwin Research Station. This allows a full extra day to explore the most rewarding visitor sites in the outer islands. Both Eastern and Western routes include the northern and southern-most sites on each side of the archipelago.
Main strengths, special touch
INTEGRITY features stabilized comfort for 16 discerning guests. The yacht is large enough for guests to spread out and enjoy multiple public spaces, yet intimate enough for a private voyage among friends and family or a group of like-minded fellow travelers. All staterooms are located on the Main Deck, accessible from a single central hallway. There are no exterior walkways to impede views from the large picture windows. The 350-square foot Owner’s Suite spans the full width of the yacht.
Every INTEGRITY cruise is led by an exceptionally trained and experienced naturalist guide. Bill Roberson personally selects the naturalists for their knowledge of multiple scientific disciplines as well as their congeniality as hosts and cruise directors. Complimentary laundry and high-speed internet access is available to all guests.
INTEGRITY is arguably the greenest yacht in Galapagos with exceptionally fuel-efficient engines and state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant.
Fun facts
INTEGRITY has never missed a single day of service since launch. Refreshing, cold draft beer is complimentary
Children’s Corner
Galapagos is the ideal family adventure. The minimum age is 7 years for FIT bookings, no minimum for private charters. There is an option to hire a second naturalist for children or with those who may wish to enjoy shore visits at a slower pace. Games, puzzles, books, and DVDs can be enjoyed in the main salon or guest staterooms.
BOAT FEATURES
Features
All staterooms are inside on the main deck each with three picture windows, en suite facilities, individual climate control, flat-screen TV, DVD player, refrigerator, and telephone. Views are to Port or Starboard. Public space is generous enabling guests to have private time.
Nine staterooms:
One 350 sq. ft. king-bedded suite with an optional bed for a child
Five 150 sq. ft. convertible king/twin bedded-staterooms.
One 150 sq. ft. queen-bedded stateroom
One fixed 150 sq. ft. twin-bedded stateroom.
One 120 sq. ft. single stateroom.
Seven of the staterooms are identical in size and layout.
Accommodation and living space
All spacious staterooms aboard INTEGRITY feature large picture windows with unobstructed views, individual climate controls, ample storage, separate seating area with table and chairs, refrigerator, multiple electrical outlets, satellite-enabled telephone, and entertainment center with universal docking station and flat-screen tv.
En suite facilities feature a full-size rain shower, eco-friendly amenities, custom hard-wood vanities, vessel sink, hairdryer, bathrobe, and freshly laundered towels. Built-in hardwood cabinetry and vanities made from native Galapagos cedrela trees harvested from yacht owner’s land and hand-milled.
There are nine spacious staterooms in total, all on the main deck.
One 350 sq. ft. king-bedded owner’s suite spans the entire width of the yacht. It features a spacious seating area, writing desk, and an optional 3rd bed for a child.
Seven standard double-occupancy staterooms are all 150 sq. ft. and identical in size and layout. Five of these staterooms may be configured with either one king bed or two twin beds. One has a fixed queen bed and one has fixed twin beds.
There is one 120 sq. ft. single stateroom.
All staterooms face port or starboard.
Chef, Meals, Meals facilities, bars:
Climate-controlled dining salon, main salon, bar, and library are located on the Salon Deck featuring 270-degree views and complimentary WiFi access to high-speed satellite-based internet. The dining salon consists of three tables of six guests each.
Cuisine is contemporary, healthy and includes Ecuadorian specialties. The talented chefs happily cater to a wide range of special diets including gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, low salt and any number of dietary allergies.
Breakfast is served buffet-style with a large selection of cereals, fruits, pieces of bread, meats and cheeses. Eggs are cooked to order.
Three-course lunch and dinner are served plated with an appetizer, choice of entrée and dessert.
Coffee and tea are available at all times. At dinner, guests are treated to two glasses of complimentary house wine.
The bar stocks complimentary soft drinks and draft beer as well as a selection of spirits and wines available for purchase. There is no corkage charge.
The library features a selection of books, games, puzzles, and DVDs which can be played in the main salon or in guest staterooms.
Just forward of the bridge on the Salon Deck is an outdoor circular lounge popular for cocktails and stargazing.
The partially-covered Sun Deck features a generous seating area, space for yoga, a second bar, a barbecue and the spa, which is popular particularly after snorkeling.
Wellness
Where permitted, guests may swim, snorkel and kayak. All gear is provided complimentary.
Yoga mats are available for use in staterooms or on the Sun Deck. Walking sticks are available for guest use.
The spa on the Sundeck is very popular especially after snorkeling in the chilly Galapagos waters. There are yoga mats and walking sticks.
Corporate & Celebration Events
The INTEGRITY is often chartered by families for their annual “big trip,” for milestone celebratory trips, to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Easter week, 4th of July, by special interest groups including photographers, bird watchers, wellness-focused groups, women’s groups, and LBGT groups.
A second naturalist can be added to enhance individual or group experience. Chefs create celebratory meals.
Extra Notable Features
Where permitted, guests may swim, snorkel, and kayak, and make at least two shore visits a day. INTEGRITY has no dive permit; arrangements can be made for rendezvous diving or full week dive charter.
Naturalist Guides are the key to the exceptional guest experience in Galapagos. Bill Roberson, founder and CEO of INCA, is former Galapagos naturalist, personally selects the men and women who are the naturalist guides on the yacht. They come from the US, Canada, UK, Switzerland, and Ecuador. As a former Galapagos guide and scientist, it is essential to Bill that our guides know the Galapagos in depth including biology, ecology, oceanography, meteorology, volcanology, and evolution of the Galapagos. Most importantly, they must be excellent teachers, able to get guests excited over esoteric details, have good social skills, know how to read a group, perform the duties of Cruise Director and be a fun, inspiring and gracious host. Our special guide team members have been with us between 15 and 30 years. Our guests return home inspired and far more aware of the interconnectedness of life on this planet. For most, it is a life-changing experience