Call us + 1 949 682 7745 Start Planning Special Offers

Galapagos Luxury Cruises, What is luxury in the Islands?

For those who want a little bit of decadence and a huge helping of relaxation and style when taking their voyage to the enchanted isles, checking out the Galapagos Luxury Cruises available for your holiday is an absolute must. After each visit to the unique lava fields and beautiful bays, inlets, volcanic craters, cloud forests and nature trails, which make up this remarkable archipelago, you'll be able to unwind in the heights of luxury. Each luxury yacht and deluxe expedition cruise ship is equipped with the latest in elegant fittings and amenities. Every small ship in this category will allow you to feel like royalty as you head off to another fascinating destination.

One of the highlights of traveling on board Galapagos Islands Luxury Cruise is that you can simply see much more of this stunning part of the world. As many of the islands and parts of the archipelago are inaccessible for land based travelers, the choice to join a luxury boat based itinerary gives you the full advantage of the fact that your cruise vessel can easily travel from one isle to another. Stopping at all the highlights and amazing visitor sites each Galapagos Island has to offer. You'll be able to get a much more personalized and intimate view of the archipelago both from land and from the sea and come away feeling inspired each evening, and waking up feeling utterly refreshed and eager to explore further, thanks to the comfortable and elegant cabin you've spent the night in.

Remember, the giant tortoise and other wildlife are the same regardless of the boat you choose. We also have a selection of Galapagos tour ships and yachts in other categories.

Our Luxury Galapagos Cruises

Capacity

Price per day

More Categories

Cruise Types

Cruise Categories

Itineraries by Islands

Itineraries by Days

What Standards Can Be Expected On-Board A Luxury Galapagos Cruise ?

Practically, all your needs are catered for. Each of the luxury Galapagos catamaran and upmarket yachts featured in our collection, is fully equipped with everything you require to make your trip a dream come true. As soon as you board the additional investment in design, space and expedition facilities will be evident.

In the end it is all about expectations, here we list some common perks found on board a deluxe expedition vessel:

Spacious Sun deck

The outside areas are perhaps the place where guests spend most of their time while they are on board. As your luxury catamaran navigates the waters of the Galapagos Archipelago towards the next anchorage, you can catch a few rays and soak up the gorgeous equatorial sunshine. Soak in a hot tube after you return from snorkeling with sea turtles and you share the story of the playful sea lion who pulled on your fin during the afternoon outing. You can also take a nap under the shaded canopy area on a day bed or a lounger as you observe a frigate bird stealing food from a blue footed booby from the comfort of your cozy observation platform.

A Must For Foodies

One of the joys of travel is experiencing the gastronomy of a new destination. For food lovers, you will be amazed by the range and quality of the meals prepared by excellent onboard chefs, who are more than happy to meet your dietary requirements and please you with their unique creations. The meals offered on a luxury Galapagos yacht are plentiful, prepared with premium ingredients from both mainland Ecuador and fresh catch purchased at fish markets on Santa Cristobal or Santa Cruz island. Beyond the standard international dishes, the on board chef will delight you with their own creations. Meals will be either served al fresco as you enjoy the scenery or in the well appointed dining room.

Safety Certifications, Service And World Class Eco Tourism Standards

Strict regulations are established by both the Galapagos National Park and the Ecuador marine authorities to safeguard the wildlife, the nature and the safety of visitors and crew. Every Galapagos cruise ship, liveaboard yacht and catamaran is required to abide to international safety protocols, recycling programs and equiped with black water processing plants. When cruising the islands on one of the deluxe options there is a competition to the top. Crew members are highly trained and are endowed with many years of oceangoing experience and customer service, apart from the regular on board staff there are cruise / hotel directors on board to ensure pleasant onboard experiences. Another feature of upmarket vessels is stabilizers and a more sturdy build which allows for smoother navigation, specially when exploring the western side of Isabela and Fernandina island in search of the endemic flightless cormorant.

Cabin Space and Social Areas on a Luxury Galapagos Cruise

After a full day of exploring and enjoying this natural wonder retiring to spacious cabins and private balconies is definitely a relief. A boat-based Galapagos vacation will be no less than 3 nights, it is best to have that extra closet space, private bathrooms and a comfortable matress to rest on after a fullday of encounters with the Galapagos tortoise and marine iguana. Indoor lounges and living room areas have nice sofa's and temperature is kept at proper comfort levels. A visit to the enchanted isles is an active trip with hiking, snorkeling and sea kayaking. Being in a remote area some 600 miles from continental South America, guests will appreciate the additional level of comfort and convenience.

The Naturalist Guide and The Expedition Equipment

Unlike any other luxury cruise experience around the globe, the key focus of a Galapagos luxury cruise is to come close to nature in a private and respectful way. All expedition ships, catamarans and Galapagos luxury yachts carry 90 guests or less. Most of the smaller yachts and catamarans are appointed for only 16 guests. The naturalist guide leads the pace, facilitates nature encounters, offers on-sight and evening lectures, the more experienced and skilled the guide is, the better interaction with the natural world will be. The naturalists on-board the deluxe liveaboards have a better command of foreign languages, they also go through additional training for people skills and are willing to explore the extra mile to spot a Galapagos Penguin or slow down to allow time for more photos of a Nazca booby.

It is also nice to find a spacious zodiac where everyone can sit comfortably during transfers from the cruise vessel or yacht to the landing areas, well maintained sea kayaks with working paddles, proper snorkeling equipment and wetsuits.