Is that time of the year, you come back home one day and start thinking about your annual vacations, and the questions start popping up in your head: Where to go? What to do? It must be special; it must be memorable… and after reading many blogs and going through an endless list of possible destinations, you finally decide to go somewhere unique, where you will find the perfect combination of pristine beaches, adventure, close encounters with wildlife, and fascinating geological history. That place is the Galapagos Islands.
After giving it a lot of thought, you decide to get on a cruise only to find out that there are over 70 options waiting for you… Once again, you are overwhelmed by all the information. Should you go on a luxury catamaran? A first-class yacht? A sailing ship? You have an estimated budget, and you would like to know what you can get in exchange.
Well, since only you can know what is best for you, we’ve put together a list detailing the main differences between the cruise categories in the Galapagos Islands to help you make an informed decision.
Let’s start with the basics.
These cruises offer an intimate and personalized experience. Your guide and crew will be more dedicated to your needs and questions. As a plus, small groups usually get along faster. It is a more intimate and adventurous experience without a doubt.
After giving it a lot of thought, you decide to get on a cruise only to find out that there are over 70 options waiting for you… Once again, you are overwhelmed by all the information. Should you go on a luxury catamaran? A first-class yacht? A sailing ship? You have an estimated budget, and you would like to know what you can get in exchange.
You can find small cruise options for every taste and budget.
If you go on a cruise with another 99 people you need to keep in mind that every visit to an island must be done in separate groups as the Galapagos National Park only allows small groups to visit the islands during the day, avoid overcrowded trails and erosion. So, while a group goes for a hike to an island, the other will go on a different activity.
All the big cruises in the Galapagos belongs to the luxury category. We will explain more about this category further in this article.
Now you know that you should check your itinerary and see how the dynamic works on vessels with different sizes.
When thinking on a cruise category, you can compare it with hotel categories: you can find from 2-star to 5-star hotels. Categories vary by price range, level of comfort of cabins and accommodations, amenities onboard, size of the cabins and common areas, food, and sometimes the quality of the guide on board.
If you are looking for some adventure without compromising comfort, a luxury yacht is the best option for you.
See our recommended Galapagos luxury cruises:
If you are looking for comfort and simplicity but don’t want to go overboard with your budget, then a first-class cruise will give you exactly that.
See our recommended first-class cruises:
If your budget is not too tight but still need a bit of comfort and privacy, a tourist superior option is good.
There are not many options available for this category in the Galapagos Islands.
Overall, tourist superior cruises are an excellent option that allows you to enjoy a comfortable experience and good service but in a smaller space.
Our recommended tourist superior cruises:
Budget cruises are the go-to option if you are looking for the full Galapagos experience without all the luxuries. Don’t get me wrong. You will still enjoy your meals onboard and have air conditioning and private bathrooms, so there is nothing to worry about. Spaces will be smaller; you will have bunk beds in your cabin and social areas may be limited, but you will still get to cruise the islands accompanied by a guide, and the experience will still be fantastic!.
You can find budget cruises from $1500 USD to $2700 USD.
Our recommended budget cruises:
It is important to remember that the experience of cruising in the Galapagos Islands is a unique opportunity. It is definitely the fastest wat to visit as many islands as possible and spot unique wildlife endemic to those islands only so at the end of the day it is worth to get on board a cruise and visit the islands in the old fashioned way.
You will visit the same islands and spot the same animals whether you go on a luxury cruise or a budget cruise, crew members and guides will do their best to show you their home as it is yours too.
