We were refunded a portion of our full payment and received “upgraded” cabins on the M/V Santa Cruz (although I remain disappointed that its itinerary was 2 days shorter and didn’t include the Western islands). Having reserved 2 cabins on Yacht La Pinta nearly a year in advance, I was shocked to learn that we had been “bumped” 10 days before our late-June departure! The ensuing days were stressful, but Metropolitan Touring accommodated nearly all of my requests/demands to rectify their blunder. In other words this has happened more than once in 32 years, some are given compensation some like us are not even reimbursed for the taxi ride! I would not use them again and would caution if you utilize them check check and double check they have made your reservations and that you are not bumped or lost in their system.
They indicated it was the first time in 32 years this had happened yet just read a Trip Advisor review saying they also endured a “lost / bumped” stressful debacle as well with Metro Tours yet this reviewer was upgraded and accommodated in several ways including a partial refund for their inconvenience.
#Yacht la pinta driver#
We arrived on time in the evening after long flight originating in South Africa, our airport driver was NOT there to greet us and when we did arrive at the hotel NO reservations and NO vouchers for our trip the next morning at 9am! We could not reach Metropolitan Tours by phone, fortunately the next morning the we were able to reach them, we were credited the room charge NOT for the trip to the hotel, they did however arrange for an agent to meet us at the airport with our vouchers. He really did a great job of customer service. Our tour guide handled all of the baggage transfers and boarding passes. The bus ride to the airport on the island of Baltra was horrible. Instead we were bussed to a cattle farm that was being re vegetated to observe giant tortoises in the wild. Our pre departure itinerary did call for this visit. The 4 day passengers were hurried off to Baltra to catch their respective outbound flights. It appeared that only the 7 day passengers were going to see this facility.
We were very disappointed to have missed the Darwin Research Facility. Very well thought out and orchestrated by professional naturalists, which were also were our guides. Of course one could choose to participate or not. Our tour schedule was ambitious and not for the faint of heart. We were met at the airport and all of our bags were handled for us and delivered to our room. Very thorough safety briefing and muster drill. Probably 30% larger than a major cruise ship. Possible maximum passengers of 48, but our trip only had 19. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador Sept 21-24 Refurbished in 2007.
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