Galapagos expedition yacht operator Ecoventura recently entered into an equity partnership with A&K Travel Group, the parent company to Abercrombie & Kent and the recently resurrected Crystal Cruises.
We sat down with Santiago Dunn, CEO of Ecoventura, to discuss what the partnership entails and what’s in store for the future of the yacht operator.
What does the equity partnership with A&K Travel Group mean for the future of Ecoventura?
As we’re now part of A&K Travel Group, our small family business will benefit from the strength of this prestigious luxury travel brand. A&K has placed a lot of trust in us to help develop new properties — on land, as well as on rivers and oceans — that share the same ethos for luxury and conservation that Ecoventura has been a pioneer in for the last 30 years.
A&K recognized the success of our strong brand philosophy, experience and vision. As a result, we will be creating luxury, experiential and sustainable properties under the A&K umbrella across Latin America.
What can Ecoventura loyalists and those new to the brand expect from your new ship, Evolve?
We are thrilled to welcome Evolve to the family alongside identical sister ships Theory and Origin. All three are sophisticated newbuilds — not renovated older vessels — launched from 2016 to 2023. They feature chic interiors designed locally with curated art and contemporary, understated decor.
How is the rest of the fleet being updated to keep up?
We did an eight-week dry dock on Origin to make it completely identical to Theory and Evolve. When we originally launched the ship, the Jacuzzi was located on the arrival deck while the other two [ships] feature the Jacuzzi on the sun deck. Now, the Jacuzzi has been relocated there, expanding the external lounge area. The Origin also had a slightly different layout on the social deck (behind the bridge), which was modified during this period to be identical to its sister ships.
How does Ecoventura set itself apart from other operators in the Galapagos?
Ecoventura is a family-operated, responsible cruise company from Ecuador that was founded in 1991. We have the only yachts in the Galapagos that are members of the esteemed Relais & Chateaux collection, which means there is a big focus on the cuisine, service and high-end amenities.
Ecoventura is a family-operated, responsible cruise company from Ecuador that was founded in 1991. We have the only yachts in the Galapagos that are members of the esteemed Relais & Chateaux collection, which means there is a big focus on the cuisine, service and high-end amenities.
We offer the lowest guide-to-passenger ratio in the Galapagos with two naturalist guides (one for every 10 guests) and a crew of 13, including a concierge to attend to our guests’ every need. Evening meals are an a la carte culinary experience inspired by Relais & Chateaux, with dishes freshly prepared by our chefs.
With a fleet of three identical luxury expedition yachts, we can curate guided groups into the best combinations. The ships are sustainably designed to reduce fuel consumption and created to purpose after 30-plus years of operating in the Galapagos.
We know the best routes and ways to deliver an experience that is sensitive to the environment. All 10 designer cabins are located on the same main deck, and all have unobstructed views of the ocean as opposed to other yachts (with two to three decks of cabins and only porthole views).
What can you tell us about your sustainability efforts?
As an operator of boutique luxury vessels in these islands, we recognize our fundamental role in supporting the conservation of this destination and its communities of wildlife and locals.
Ecoventura has long been a supporter of organizations that work tirelessly to protect the ecosystem and the animals that depend on it, including the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) — a nonprofit group dedicated to conducting scientific research in the Galapagos Islands. We have raised more than $270,000 for the Galapagos Biodiversity and Education for Sustainability Fund, set up by Ecoventura in collaboration with the CDF and the Galapagos National Park Directorate. Most recently, we partnered with Avianca to develop a recycling center on the islands designed to ensure all waste be transferred to the mainland.
What kind of itineraries and inclusions do you offer?
Instead of a combination of shorter segments, Ecoventura offers guaranteed departures every Sunday on an in-depth one- or two-week exhilarating itinerary, helping reduce the number of flights. We have an open-bar policy included in our cruise rates, along with satellite communications and Wi-Fi access available 24/7 and limited to one PIN per cabin.
Lastly, what would your message be to travel agents considering selling Ecoventura to their clients?
When we incorporated in Ecuador 31 years ago, we also did so in the U.S., in Miami, where our sales office is located. When travel advisors deal with us, nothing is lost in translation. The team can help them every step of the way, so we can provide clients an unforgettable experience that begins with the booking process.
