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Adventures by Disney's Galapagos itineraries span nine days and visit about 15 sites. The Cormorant II can carry 16 passengers in nine cabins, all with private balconies. Some of the suites even come with walk-in closets and their own Jacuzzi tubs. Travelers can opt for a four- to eight-day cruise with inclusive excursions such as snorkeling, kayaking, and glass-bottom boat tours. The 100-passenger Silver Origin is an all-suite ship with accommodations up to 1,722 square feet, some with in-room espresso machines and mini-bars, private verandas, and butler service. The ship also has a fitness center, a spa, a communal fire pit, and two restaurants.
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The Anahi has eight rooms accommodating up to 16 passengers, including two spacious suites. Travelers can expect traditional yacht design details, like polished wooden floors and portrait windows. There are multiple itineraries to choose from, each stopping off at different islands and exploring different parts of the Galápagos. Galápagos National Park regulates the number and type of tourist boats that are allowed to operate in the famously biodiverse area. This helps with overcrowding, conserving the environment, and minimizing stress on the amazing wildlife of the Galápagos.
Our Team in Galápagos
Between the intensity of the rays, the amount of zinc needed to protect my skin and the lack of shade on the islands, I was constantly sweaty and sticky — and the humidity didn't help matters. I understand that the climate of the Galapagos is essential for the well-being of the many animals that call it home. The welcoming, no-nonsense nature of the people who live in the few populated areas of the Galapagos is another endearing trait. During my trip, I visited several local shops and businesses where the owners were eager to show off their work. Last year, when I embarked on my first-ever expedition cruise to the Arctic, I thought the number of animals — polar bears, reindeer, whales — I saw was impressive. But the Arctic has nothing on the Galapagos when it comes to creature sightings.
Best Galapagos cruise for stargazing
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Their chill attitudes, mixed with curiosity, meant I frequently had to move away from animals that were coming too close to me rather than the other way around. As we neared, the coloring of their feet became more evident, but so did the white hue that adorned the rocks — bird excrement. I know it's natural, but I wasn't expecting such pretty animals to smell so unpretty. Temperatures for my February sailing were in the high 70s to mid-80s, but the sun made things feel much hotter.
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To comprehensively explore every major island of the archipelago, consider an epic 15 day Galapagos cruise. Varied activities await you at each of the visitor points to be explored in Galapagos. Kayak on tranquil bays of turquoise waters, take a peek at colorful sea wildlife while snorkeling, and trek through moon-like volcanic landscapes. All of our ships feature service so attentive, so intuitive, yet so unobtrusive, that the things you want tend to appear before you even realize you want them. These islands may be primitive, but your time with us will be anything but. On our award-winning Galapagos adventures, you'll meet amazing wildlife, trek unearthly landscapes, and see it all through the eyes of experts.
Each of the 24 cabins offers outside views (though only eight offer French-style balconies), and the ship's two Category 5 cabins are noteworthy for offering wraparound views overlooking the bow of the ship. The ship also features a few cool novelties, including video microscopes and an underwater bow camera. Celebrity's first Galapagos-based expedition ship may not be the new kid on the block anymore, but this vessel still packs a punch.
Celebrity Flora
International flights will usually arrive at Quito or Guayaquil international airports on the Ecuadorian mainland. Direct flights from US cities are available, as well as from some European cities. A domestic flight from Quito or Guayaquil is required to get to the Galapagos Islands. These flights are usually not included in the advertised tour cost but can be arranged when booking with Liveaboard.com. It is strongly advised that you make your domestic travel arrangements when booking your Galapagos cruise to ensure you arrive on time for the cruise departure. I was surprised to discover how different the islands in the western Galapagos were from each other.

Popular Galapagos cruise ships
However, it's also in the Galapagos, chartering the 16-passenger small ship Treasure of Galapagos for seven-night sailings from February through November 2023. The comfortable ship has the rare-in-the-Galapagos feature of a swimming pool, plus a hot tub. When Disney is on board, its trained Adventure Guides lead special Junior Adventurers activities for kids, in addition to the usual snorkeling, kayaking and glass-bottom boat rides. Select sailings invite special guest experts on board to give workshops and presentations in their area of expertise.
The Galápagos is home to whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, spotted eagle rays, manta rays, sunfish, and many other marine creatures. The 16-passenger Celebrity Xploration is arguably the most luxurious catamaran in the Galápagos. Its eight suites and junior suites feature extras like binoculars, personal refrigerators, a pillow menu, and room service.
If you'd prefer a small group and aren't overly concerned with your onboard surroundings, you'll want to avoid Silver Origin and Celebrity Flora, both of which are larger vessels. In the final stretch of each year, giant tortoise eggs start hatching, and sea lion pups begin to mature. In the second quarter of the year, sea turtle, land iguana and marine iguana eggs hatch, and the mating seasons for blue-footed boobies, albatrosses and Galapagos sea lions begin. If a Galapagos cruise is new territory for you, this planning guide will provide the overview you need to prepare for your foray into one of the world's most untouched, undeveloped areas. Because the islands are largely a preserved national park, the Ecuadorian government limits the number of visitors. That translates to an unspoiled environment that's a far cry from touristy.
But first, we’ll stop in on the photogenic Sangolqui open-air market, where you can sample different Andean specialities. The local indigenous people sell their produce here, and you'll see vibrantly-coloured legumes, fruits and vegetables. Food aside, clothing and other handicrafts can be purchased here, and it’ll give you a chance to chat with the friendly stallholders. The safety of our guests, our employees, and the communities we visit is our top priority. This is why we have partnered with leading experts in health and safety to design and implement protocols/procedures across our expedition fleet.
Guests will likely also appreciate the high-tech walls that feature touch-controlled HD screens allowing you to zoom in on exclusive wildlife videos shot by drone in Galapagos National Park. The ship, which is operated on a carbon-neutral basis, is under charter to the well-regarded expedition company Hurtigruten for select dates each month in 2023.
The 100-passenger Celebrity Flora features all of the design elements, amenities, and services of its sibling ships and then some. It has two 1,288-square-foot penthouse suites (the largest in the Galápagos), naturalist-guided stargazing sessions, and outdoor cabanas that you can reserve for a unique glamping experience. The 32-passenger Evolution was designed by Adriana Hoyos, a furniture and interior designer renowned for her work on luxury hotels across the Americas. Passengers can choose between three itineraries, ranging from eight to 15 days and taking different routes around the Galápagos. She and Prince Rainier spent part of their honeymoon on the motor yacht, and now you can sleep in their bedroom, the Grace Kelly Suite, which is one of nine rooms aboard.
There’s no more luxurious way to sail the Galapagos Islands than on Silversea's Silver Origin, a ship custom-built for cruising these islands. Silver Origin is Silversea’s first destination-specific ship and includes several features meant to minimize its environmental impact. The all-suite ship can carry up to 100 passengers, is all-inclusive down to the premium spirits in your stateroom's minibar, and includes the luxury cruise line’s signature butler service. There’s also a salon and fitness center on board, a rarity for ships sailing in this region. Most itineraries on the Silver Origin are seven nights, but longer cruises are typically scheduled around winter holidays. The Silver Origin sails the north, central, and western loops of the Galapagos Islands.
Browse through our list of liveaboard diving cruises and let us help you plan your personalized Galapagos adventure now. The live-abroad experience means sleeping and eating aboard a yacht for the duration of your trip. Discover the Galapagos Islands, one of the world's most famous and pristine natural laboratories, through excursions lead by expert Naturalist Guides appointed by the Galapagos National Park. They're eager to share a wealth of knowledge about the many historical and natural highlights of the Galapagos archipelago. One thing makes our world-renowned cuisine, with menus crafted by a Michelin-starred chef, even better. From the robust coffee grown on Ecuadoran plantations to the fresh local seafood, almost everything was grown, raised, or caught nearby.
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Take in a briefing about what the next day holds before settling down for a gourmet dinner, full of fresh seafood and incredible local flavors. Relax, and get ready to rest up in the haven of your room for tomorrow’s adventures. Since the animals here don’t fear humans, you can truly get up close and personal, looking into the eyes of a Galapagos marine iguana, and walking among penguins – the only penguin species north of the equator. Here, you’ll discover creatures whose very existence forms the basis for one of the most famous scientific theories in history. If you take your time and enlist the help of a seasoned travel agent, you should be able to eliminate many of the usual snags and focus on enjoying your time on some of the world's most untouched islands. Also, keep any fresh fruits and vegetables at home, along with loose nuts and seeds.
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