The Galapagos Cruise Options to Know About

With nearly 70 vessels sailing in and around the Galapagos islands, it can be confusing to know who all the players are. Making it a bit easier is the fact that many of the ships are charter only, particularly when it comes to the smallest yachts and catamarans.  

While several of the cruise lines offering Galapagos itineraries are well-known among North American travel advisors (think Lindblad Expeditions, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea), several may be unfamiliar. 

Below, we’ve rounded up the most important cruise operators in the Galapagos region, but before we get to the list, keep in mind that there are certain things all cruise lines in the Galapagos have in common. 

The Galapagos Islands can only be visited in the company of a Galapagos National Park certified guide. In order to offer landings, therefore, every cruise ship carries at least one guide onboard. The vast majority, though not all, are Ecuadorian. Similarly, Ecuador requires that the majority of crew onboard must be Ecuadorian, and the majority of food must be locally sourced. All itineraries are set — and assigend — by the Galapagos National Park, so, for the most part, all the cruise lines offer similar itineraries. 

Adventures by Disney
Fleet: Adventures by Disney does not operate its own fleet. Instead it charters the 100-passenger Galapagos Legend for around five sailings a year. The ship is one of the only vessels in the region to have an actual swimming pool.

Good to know: Adventures by Disney is known for its edutainment programming that keeps kids involved in the destination. And unlike most other cruise lines, child-friendly meal choices are always available.

Children under 7 years old are not permitted.

Pricing include one pre-cruise night in Quito, internal air, multiple daily excursions, unlimited soft drinks with lunch and dinner, fresh juice with breakfast, transfers upon arrival and departure, Wi-Fi, all gratuities, and all Galapagos taxes. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks outside of meal times are extra.

Itineraries: Nine-days, including a pre-cruise night in Quito, then roundtrip from Baltra.

Pricing: Prices start from $7,199 for children and $7,999 for adults.

Aqua Expeditions
Fleet: Aqua Expeditions operates one of the smaller yachts in the Galapagos, the 16-passenger Aqua Mare. The luxury yacht is one of the most spacious (on a space-per-person ration) in the region, with large suites – the Owner’s Suite is a whopping 861 square feet – and a one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio, not including the two naturalists onboard.

Good to know: Aqua Expeditions ranks up there with Ecoventura and Silversea as the most luxurious options in the Galapagos, but the line places as much emphasis on exploration and adventure as on the onboard luxury.

Fares include all non-alcoholic drinks, selected premium wines and beers, a minimum of twice daily excursions, the Galapagos Park entrance fee and INGALA transit card, group transfers to/from the vessel (when traveling on recommended flights), laundry, Wi-Fi, and use of snorkeling equipment. Cocktail and gratuities are extra.

The line recommends ages 5 and up, but will not stop kids younger than that from sailing. Kids aged 5 to 11 receive a 15% discount.

Itineraries: One-week Eastern and Western loop itineraries.

Prices: Starting from $10,000 for a one-week itinerary.

Celebrity Cruises
Fleet: Celebrity operates three ships in the Galapagos, ranging from the luxurious 100-passenger Celebrity Flora yacht to the recently refurbished and spacious 48-passenger Celebrity Xpedition, and the cozy 16-passenger Celebrity Xploration catamaran. All sailings include twice-daily excursions led by highly-trained Ecuadorian guides, and the fine dining Celebrity Cruises is known for.

Specific to Celebrity Flora, cruisers can pay extra for a glamping experience that includes bedding down overnight on the top deck, stargazing with a naturalist, and a private outdoor breakfast.

Good to know: Only Celebrity Flora and Celebrity Xpedition have suites, and suite perks. Because of its size, cruisers prone to seasickness might want to avoid Celebrity Xploration.

Fares are mostly inclusive with all drinks, unlimited Wi-Fi, twice daily excursions, gratuities, use of snorkeling equipment, and even rain poncho and backpack included.

Itineraries: Seven-night Inner, Outer, Northern, and Southern loops; 10- to 11-night Inner, Outer, Northern, and Southern loops with Quito; plus longer itineraries that add on Peru and Machu Picchu.

Prices: Starting from $6,654 for one week on Celebrity Xpedition, $7,804 for one week on Celebrity Xploration, and $9,125 for one week on Celebrity Flora.

Ecoventura
Fleet: With more than 30 years of experience sailing in the Galapagos and a fleet of the only Galapagos-based yachts to be members of Relais & Chateaux, Ecoventura combines the best of expedition and luxury. The line’s three 20-passenger yachts – Origin, Theory, and Evolve – maintain a true yachting feel with daybeds and a hot tub for relaxing, as well as oversized staterooms with marble countertops and rainfall showerheads in the bathrooms.

Good to know: One of the only Galapagos cruise lines to offer an extra-fee private package including a private naturalist guide on all excursions, private transfers, a private table in the dining room, and a private Zodiac sunset ride. The line also offers a handful of themed departures every year including dedicated family and solo sailings, and culinary- or photography-focused trips.

(Children age 11 and younger are only permitted on designated family departures and children under the age of 6 are only permitted on ship charters.)

Prices include most beverages, Wi-Fi on one device per cabin (except in suites), twice daily shore excursions, use of snorkeling equipment during the cruise, and select transfers. Gratuities, premium drinks, and Galapagos park permits and entry fees cost extra.

Itineraries: Two seven-night options – Northern & Western Route or Southern & Central Route (all within the Galapagos Islands)

Prices: Starting from $9,950 per person for a double cabin ($9,750 for a triple), up to $19,900 per person for a suite.

Hurtigruten
Fleet: One of the newest entry’s to Galapagos cruising, Hurtigruten charters one ship in the Galapagos, the completely refurbished MS Santa Cruz II, which is operated by Metropolitan Touring. The 90-passenger expedition-style ship is comfortable, but a little basic when compared to some others in the region. For instance, the onboard recreation is limited to a small gym and two hot tub. Cabins come in single, double, and triple options.

Like most other Galapagos-based vessels, the ship is equipped with kayaks, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, and a glass-bottom boat for viewing marine life.

Good to know: Unlike most ships in the Galapagos, MS Santa Cruz II has free washers and dryers for guest use. Every sailing features an onboard photographer to help guests with their photos.

Kids under 7 years of age are not permitted onboard.

Fares include pre-cruise hotel, select transfers, in-country flights, Wi-Fi, select drinks at meals (plus welcome and farewell cocktails), twice daily excursions, and use of snorkeling equipment. Beverages and gratuities cost extra.

Itineraries: Options range from seven to 14 days (Eastern, Northern, and Western loops), traveling between January and March, or July and December. Itineraries include mix of those that include only four days in Galapagos and those that include seven or more days. 

Prices: Starting from $8,141 for a seven-day trip with only four days in the Galapagos ($16,243 for an 11-day itinerary that gets you eight days in the Galapagos), and up.

Latin Travel Collection
Fleet: Within its portfolio of tours and hotels, the Latin Travel Collection also operates the 16-passenger catamaran-style yacht Anahi. The cozy yacht offers all ocean-view rooms (including three suites with capacity for up to three people), dining room and lounge, bar, and Jacuzzi.

Good to know: Anahi is a budget-friendly option in the Galapagos, with sailings of several lengths to fit with any travel schedule. The ship is fairly basic, there is no Wi-Fi, very little is included beyond the basics (excursions and food), and there’s only one naturalist guide.

Prices include daily excursions, use of snorkeling equipment (extra fee for wetsuit rental), transfers to and from Anahi, and coffee, tea, and access to a purified water dispenser. Extra costs include the Galapagos National Park entrance fee and transit card, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and gratuities.

Itineraries: Three-, four-, seven-, 10-, 11- and 14-night options.

Prices: From $1,650 for three nights, all the way up to $12,200 or higher for 14 nights.

Lindblad Expeditions
Fleet: Lindblad has been cruising around the Galapagos Islands for more than 50 years and currently sails two ships in the region: the 48-passenger, all-suite National Geographic Islander II luxury yacht and the comfortable and roomy, all outside-view 96-passenger National Geographic Endeavour II. Both ships include a mix of suites, dedicated solo cabins, and connecting cabins.

Good to know: With its National Geographic partnership, Lindblad is best known for having some of the most knowledgeable guides in the region, a photography expert to help cruisers take better pictures, and an onboard science team conducting real-time research, which they present to guests. Lindblad also offers dedicated Global Explorers programming in the Galapagos that focuses on immersing cruisers under the age of 18 in the destination, as well as teaching them how to drive a Zodiac.

Cruises are mostly all-inclusive with all drinks, two excursions daily, and use of snorkeling equipment included. However, gratuities and Wi-Fi cost extra.

Itineraries: Eight-day (includes pre-night in Guayaquil or Quito), 10-day (includes pre- and post-nights in Guayaquil and/or Quito), plus one 12-day holiday sailing each year (with 10 days spent sailing the Galapagos), and longer cruise/land vacations that add in Peru.

Pricing: $10,090 for eight-day itinerary on Nat Geo Islander II or $8,180 for 10-day itinerary on Nat Geo Endeavour II.

Metropolitan Touring
Fleet: Metropolitan Touring operates a fleet of three ships, though its largest (the 90-passenger MS Santa Cruz II) spends most of the year chartered out to Hurtigruten. Of the remaining two, the more basic Isabella II holds 40 guests in 20 small cabins, while La Pinta holds 48 in more reasonably-sized cabins. Cabins come in single, double, and triple options.

Good to know: Metropolitan Touring’s focus is on land-based exploration, offering a variety of activities at each stop. Its fleet, while comfortable, is more basic, with smaller cabins in general, and has none of the luxury trappings that are found on some of the more expensive Galapagos options. Isabella II is the most basic of the line’s three ships and therefore has the lowest pricing.

Fares include use of snorkeling gear (extra fee may apply for wetsuit use) and Wi-Fi in public areas. Beverages and gratuities cost extra.

Itineraries: Four- and six-night Southeastern, Eastern, Northern, and Western sailings.

Prices: From $4,383 for a four-night sailing on Isabella II, $5,643 for a four-night sailing on La Pinta.

Quasar Expeditions
Fleet: Quasar operates a fleet of two yachts: the 16-passenger Grace and the 32-passenger Evolution. Both are elegantly appointed and have an excellent crew-to-passenger ratio, allowing for friendly, personalized service at all times. Both ships have wraparound decks and a hot tub for relaxation.

Good to know: Quasar’s yacht, Grace, is the most famous ship in the Galapagos market, having been given as a honeymoon gift to Grace Kelly in 1956. (It has been fully updated since then.) The line is geared towards cruisers who want an active experience in the Galapagos and fussy eaters might have a hard time as meal options are limited.

Cabin choices on both ships include singles and doubles, most with windows, that range in size from 140 to 263 square feet.

Prices include multiple daily excursions, all transfers while in the Galapagos, soft drinks, juice, water, coffee and tea, and use of snorkeling equipment. Gratuities, alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi (only in lounges), scuba excursions, Galapagos National Park entrance fee and transit control cards, Galapagos flights (required to book through Quasar), and required personal travel insurance all cost extra.

Itineraries: Eight and 15-day itineraries.

Prices: From $7,300 for eight-day itineraries and $13,870 for 15-day.

Silversea Cruises
Fleet: Silversea’s Galapagos fleet comprises one 100-passenger, all-suite ship, the Silver Origin. Onboard highlights include a mostly all-inclusive experience, butler service, a spa/salon and fitness center, and oceanview bathrooms. (One interesting tidbit about Silver Origin is that despite the décor differences, it is a sister ship to Celebrity Flora.)

Good to know: Silver Origin is the most luxurious large (defined as having the maximum number of guest allowed) ship to sail in the Galapagos. It also has some of the largest suites onboard (tied with Celebrity Flora), with the Owner’s Suite coming in at 1,722-square-feet (including the balcony).

Cruises are all-inclusive with all drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, twice daily excursions, and use of snorkeling gear included.

Itineraries: Mostly seven-night North, Central, and Western loops.

Prices: Starting from $9,550 for one week Port-to-Port and $11,900 for one-week Door-to-Door.

Tauck
Fleet: As with all of its ocean cruise products, Tauck does not operate its own fleet but instead charters ships from other cruise lines. In the Galapagos, this includes Santa Cruz II and Isabella II from Metropolitan Touring, and Silver Origin from Silversea Cruises. 

Good to know: Only some of Tauck’s Galapagos sailings are full charters of ships. For instance, all eight-day Tauck Bridge departures are on partial charters, meaning clients will be sharing the ship with non-Tauck guests. In all cases (full or partial charter), all ship operations and excurisons are organized and led by the host cruise line. A Tauck Director Guide is always onboard to assist guests throughout.

Except on Tauck Bridge departures, children under 5 years old are not permitted.

Pricing includes all shore excursions, gratuities, nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages, airport transfers, all taxes and fees, and hotel stays.

Itineraries: Eight-day “Galapagos: Wildlife Wonderland” Tauck Bridges, with two-nights pre-cruise in Quito and a four-day cruise, or nine-day “Cruising the Galapagos Islands” with a six-day sailing and one night pre- and post-cruise in Guayaquil. Longer options include land tours in Peru.

Pricing: From $8,890 for nine nights and from $7,070 (triple occupancy) for family-specific Tauck Bridges sailings.