The naturalist guide is key as they can either make or break your trip. Typically first-class and luxury boats have the highest level naturalist guides (Level III) with an excellent level of English.
With all the different classes of boats available in the archipelago it can be overwhelming to choose a Galapagos cruise that’s right for you and your needs.
Before taking a look at the options, here are some important points to consider:
The naturalist guide is key as they can either make or break your trip. Typically first-class and luxury boats have the highest level naturalist guides (Level III) with an excellent level of English.
The boat categories we recommend are tourist-superior, first-class and luxury. When choosing your Galapagos cruise, you can think of the categories as corresponding to the equivalent of a 3, 4 or 5-star hotel.
The itineraries doesn´t depend on the category, since the most important sites in the islands are accessible for almost every cruise. The category is more about the service on board, accommodations, amenities, guides, or food.
No matter what, you will not find any mega ships as the Galapagos National Park, limits boat capacity to 100. You can see the difference between the Galapagos cruises and the big Caribbean cruises
Keep in mind that for the navigable day tours to nearby islands the crossings are on small public speedboats. So, If you’re prone to seasickness, we don´t recommend you an Island Hopping itinerary. Instead, consider a larger ship or one of the newer luxury yachts that have stabilizers to minimize motion at sea.
When choosing a Galapagos cruise, keep in mind that smaller cruises fit up to 16 passengers on board: a smaller group means less impact. You will reduce the impact on land and will increase the quality time you spend with your guide and learn about the issues that the Galapagos is facing and your guide will be able to ensure that everyone follows the trails or get too close to the Galapagos wildlife.
Classic sailing cruise ships are perfect for sailing aficionados or newbies. They offer a unique scenic experience as they sit low in the water, allowing the chance to observe wildlife from spacious wooden decks, as well as exquisite cuisine. The Mary Anne is a great example of one of best, most unique and most photographed ships in the Galapagos Islands, providing a one-of a kind experience with the possibility to reach remote visitor sites due to its compact size.
All luxury class Galapagos cruises provide not only the most qualified and experienced naturalist guides, but are also spacious, comfortable, stable and provide the highest level of on-board services and amenities, which include: gourmet food, safety, comfortable cabins and other additional features you won’t find on just any Galapagos cruise. The M/Y Passion is the perfect example of barefoot luxury and highly recommended for its spacious cabins, excellent service featuring a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, and smooth ride thanks to its electronic stabilizers.
Great value for your money and perfect to suit all your travel needs, thanks to the great range of quality, comfort, space, stability and food, while ensuring intimate experiences on board. We highly suggest M/C Analí catamaran for its stability, great value and spacious cabins and social areas.
For those on a budget, we recommend a hotel-based tour, where you will take day trip excursions to visit the nearby islands, and have the chance to experience how humans and wildlife live together peacefully.
If you’re set on a cruise, you can always choose a more affordable option such as the M/Y Golondrina, where you can travel with younger people.
You have many different options if you prefer a diving cruise or if you are traveling with kids. Just ask our Galapagos travel experts to customize your holiday.
And, if you're still not sure, then don't hesitate to contact one of our knowledgeable local experts who will help answer all your questions and make sure you pick the experience that suits your every need.