Sailing around an archipelago of remote Pacific islands in search of endemic wildlife, it’s safe to say Galapagos cruises are far from the average cruise vacation. Instead of bustling port towns and cultural excursions, expect wild volcanic landings populated with surreal animal species. An experience as special and unique as a Galapagos cruise deserves nothing but the best itineraries and excursions on the finest cruise liners — and the region certainly delivers.
Between the wildlife encounters on land and the luxury facilities onboard, it’s safe to say a luxury Galapagos cruise is worth every cent. Yes, even though they don’t come cheap. But before splashing out and traveling halfway around the world to experience a luxury Galapagos tour, it’s worth knowing exactly what to expect. Not in case you might change your mind, just so that you can look forward to it even more.
Elegant Yachts With Covetable Facilities
The Galapagos offers some of the best cruising in the world with yachts and catamarans that would even make Bill Gates jealous. Choose from numerous ultra-luxury vessels holding as little as 8-16 passengers for an attentive and personal experience. A yacht’s low passenger capacity doesn’t mean it’s small and crowded. From the suits to the lounges, bars, and restaurants, passengers on a luxury Galapagos yacht tour have the privilege of space and privacy that larger-capacity cruises can’t afford.
While some yachts exude that classic nautical style with mahogany wood-paneled walls and classy brass finishes, others show off a sleek and minimal approach. Whichever style of yacht you’re most drawn to, expect state-of-the-art onboard facilities including gyms, mini spas, private balconies, and sun deck jacuzzis — the perfect place to sit with a glass of bubbly for your sunset sail away.
However, the winning feature of luxury Galapagos yachts may just be their specialist adventure equipment that allows its passengers to explore further and deeper than your average cruise. Forget sharing, on luxury yachts, guests have access to their own kayaks, dive and snorkel gear, dinghies, and much more. This means more exciting experiences, more time to explore, and more rewarding moments.
Spacious Suites With Floor-to-Ceiling Views
© Royal Galapagos
While the state-of-the-art facilities and equipment promise to greatly elevate any luxury Galapagos cruise experience, the yachts’ spacious suites are what firmly justify the decision to splash out. From the classic to the modern, expect your luxury Galapagos suite to pull off the tricky balance of plush yet refined and sophisticated interiors.
Cruise ship accommodation is notoriously small and pokey with a lack of natural light but the suites on our favorite luxury Galapagos yachts are anything but. They offer anything from 28 to 80 square meters of space with multiple portals and windows to provide staggering views of the unusual Galapagos archipelago from bed. Some even boast private balconies, an ideal place for breakfast coupled with a moment of wildlife spotting.
The term ‘cabin fever’ was coined for a reason, but between the generous space and exceptional sense of style onboard a luxury Galapagos yacht, guests might have a hard time being coaxed outside! After all, the peace and privacy they afford is an indulgence that can’t be taken for granted.
Unfalteringly Good Onboard Cuisine
© Royal Galapagos
Sure, spotting blue-footed boobies and swimming with turtles is great, but some might say the food served on a luxury Galapagos cruise is even better. With a highly acclaimed chef on board serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it’s hardly surprising.
Despite being on a contained vessel far from any mainland, the cuisine is always made using fresh ingredients. The daily menu is also just as exciting and varied as the itinerary, listing everything from the classics like English breakfast and burgers to creative Galapagos-inspired dishes.
Complementing the extraordinary food is an extraordinary setting. Most yachts feature an onboard restaurant and patio that affords panoramic views of the Galapagos scenery so you never miss a thing. After dinner, move to the bar for your drink of choice to sip as the sun sets over the archipelago.
Cracking Itineraries and Excursions
© Royal Galapagos
The cruise’s itinerary is just as important as the vessel itself when picking your luxury Galapagos cruise tour. Luckily, they come hand in hand as the most luxurious yachts often facilitate the most exceptional itineraries. Choose from three, four, and seven-night itineraries. While a three-nighter offers a satisfying taste of the archipelago, the seven-nighter offers a fulfilling in-depth experience.
Every itinerary on a luxury Galapagos cruise will stop at the must-see ports and bays including Puerto Ayora where sleeping seals are as abundant as beachfront restaurants. Yet, they tend to be more adventurous and lead their guests off the well-sailed seas to the lesser-known spots. Not only does this allow guests to see and experience more than the average Galapagos traveler, but it gives them a more private crowd-free experience too.
Moreover, the itineraries are thoughtfully crafted to provide a perfect balance of adventure and downtime. Expect between one and two excursions and activities a day with ample time to relax, indulge in a long lunch, and enjoy the yacht’s facilities. Best of all, the itineraries can be adjusted and adhered to as you wish thanks to its personal service.
Expert Naturalist Guides
Since the Galapagos is a haven of endemic wildlife and fragile yet bountiful ecosystems, visiting the Galapagos without a guide is strictly forbidden. Besides, with their valuable knowledge of the Galapagos’ unique geography and biology, you wouldn’t want to explore without them.
Luxury Galapagos tours and cruises are led by the archipelago’s most passionate and experienced naturalist guides, providing you with an unparalleled understanding of the landscapes you explore and the wildlife you observe. At the very least, you’ll learn exactly how the Galapagos was formed by volcanoes millions of years ago and how it came to be one of the most highly concentrated endemic wildlife ecosystems.
However, the best guides delve deeper to impress you with their facts about the migration habits of the waved albatross, the science behind lava fields springing with pear cacti, and how the marine iguana swimming beneath evolved.
Since the higher-end Galapagos cruises generally have a lower passenger capacity, there’s often a much greater guest-to-guide ratio. As a result, you get more quality time with the guide to answer your burning questions and have more fun!
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VIEW TRIP >>Close Encounters With Endemic Wildlife
You can eat all the gourmet meals and enjoy as many sunset jacuzzi sessions as you want, the highlight of any Galapagos cruise is seeing the endemic wildlife that swims around its shores and walks on its volcanic ground. It’s the very thing that draws us there, after all.
The Galapagos is best known for its array of endemic birds including blue and red-footed boobies, flightless cormorants, frigates, waved albatross, and the Galapagos penguin. However, its large variety of endemic sea life often takes the limelight. On a usual day of snorkeling, you can expect to spot Galapagos turtles, manta rays, reef sharks, and marine iguanas among schools of fish. Every day, there’s something new and unexpected to discover.
Regardless of which cruise you choose, seeing the archipelago’s wildlife is guaranteed. However, it’s not just about seeing it, it’s about becoming immersed in it to a point where it no longer feels like an alien world but a familiar and beloved part of our Earth. Through their itineraries, excursions, and knowledge-sharing, the best cruises and guides will ensure their guests get this experience.
Plenty of Special Moments
Sometimes, it’s not about how beautiful the yacht’s interiors are or how delicious the cuisine is that people enjoy most about a luxury Galapagos tour special, it’s the small moments of excitement, joy, and wonder. And on a cruise like this, they’re plentiful.
Imagine the anticipation felt looking out to the Galapagos Sea on the first night’s sailaway. Imagine the awe felt when encountering marine iguanas on a dive. Imagine stepping on shore and seeing a landscape you didn’t know the Earth was capable of creating. These are the kind of moments we are talking about.
In a place as surprising and magical as the Galapagos, every visitor will leave with countless special moments to treasure and reflect upon for years to come. The luxuries of a five-star yacht like the spacious suites, state-of-the-art equipment, and impeccable service are all just a happy bonus. Whether you are traveling with your family or after retirement as a senior traveler we have itineraries suitable for all.
Book your Luxury Galapagos Tour
It won’t be surprising to hear that Galapagos cruises are in high demand — especially high-end ones with limited capacity. It’s not unlikely that they can sell out a year in advance so booking ahead of time is crucial to avoid missing out on this epic adventure. For more information about luxury Galapagos tours and cruise availability, get in touch with the Galapagos experts at Totally Latin America. They have the insight to arrange the best luxury yachts in the Galapagos at the best prices. Get in touch with our expert travel planners here or call toll-free on +1 855 217 9045.
