5 Best Luxury Galapagos Cruises To Choose From in 2024

Cazzy Magennis
Written By:
Cazzy Magennis
Last Updated:
January 1, 2024
Dreaming of the Galapagos islands and an amazing cruise? Look no further. We take you through the BEST luxury Galapagos on offer, including our favorite!
best luxury Galapagos cruise

If you love exploring the world and looking out for wildlife, then a visit to the Galapagos Islands should be TOP on your travel bucket list!

This archipelago of volcanic islands is located off the coast of mainland Ecuador, in South America. 

Consisting of 127 islands in total (only some of which you can visit), this place is famous for its wildlife-watching opportunities.

The Galapagos Islands are home to a wealth of land-based wildlife, marine life, and birds.

During your time here, you might get to spot giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, and even, the Galapagos penguin! 

These islands are also famous for being the birthplace of Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution’ so they truly are one of a kind.

However, there are a lot of rules to follow when you come here and only four islands are suitable to stay on.

For this reason, we believe that taking a luxury Galapagos Island cruise is the best way to get around!

Before I dive into the best Galapagos luxury cruises, there are a couple of things to consider …

Note: Some posts may contain affiliate links. Read more in our Privacy Policy. Learn more about how we create and update content in our Publishing Guidelines.
TAP TO INTERACT

Why should you choose a luxury cruise to explore the Galapagos?

frigate birds in the galapagos

The key thing to remember about the Galapagos Islands is that there are very strict rules when it comes to protecting this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and rightly so! 

One of these rules is that you have to have a tour guide with you when exploring the islands within the national park.

This is obligatory, and they have to be a licensed National Park guide.

There are a few places that you can explore on your own, but you don’t want to just stick to these areas if you want to see the best of the islands.

If you go on a luxury Galapagos cruise then you’ll have an experienced guide with you at all times, and you won’t need to organize this aspect yourself. 

Not only that but all your travel between the islands will be covered, so you won’t have to take the inter-island shuttles.

Working out how to visit the Galapagos Islands can be overwhelming, so at least this way, all your transport is covered. 

Aside from that, your food will be included, as well as a variety of awesome activities. 

Lastly, exploring the Galapagos Islands by luxury cruise allows you to see a lot within a short amount of time. 

Things to consider when choosing a luxury Galapagos cruise

Before you choose your Galapagos Islands cruise, it’s important to consider a few things to ensure you have the best trip possible.

Below, I’m going to break down a few of these factors so keep reading!

What type of vessel would you like to be on?

When it comes to luxury Galapagos cruises, you’ve got a few different options in terms of vessels.

Which one you choose will all depend on your travel preference, the size of the group you’d like to travel with, and availability. 

This region offers Galapagos cruise ships, luxury yachts, and catamarans and each one offers something special. 

For starters, cruise ships tend to be the largest of the three, and offer the least intimate experience, however, you can often find some great deals on these.

Whereas, the luxury yachts and catamarans tend to have fewer cabins, therefore fewer people.

You’ll also find that smaller boats can maneuver the area that much easier, but be willing to pay extra for this.

Which islands would you like to visit?

galapagos islands

The next thing to consider when cruising the Galapagos is the islands you’d like to visit.

There are 13 major islands in this region and several minor islands too.

Before you choose a cruise, do a bit of research to see what each one has to offer.

This way, you can decide which islands you’d like to visit and check the ship itinerary includes them!

Some of the most popular islands for wildlife viewing include Santa Cruz, Isabela, Floreana, and San Cristobal.

You’ve also got Fernandina and Española, both of which are typically only accessed by cruise anyway.

The best way to decide is to make a list of the ones you’d most like to visit. Then check the itineraries of a few different Galapagos luxury cruises, and see which one suits you the best. 

How much time do you have?

animals in the galapagos

One of the most important things to think about when choosing a luxury Galapagos cruise is the amount of time you have to work with.

If you can, you’ll want to allow at least 5-7 days for your trip.

This will give you enough time to see the highlights whilst on a cruise, but keep in mind the itineraries differ depending on your trip duration.

If you’ve got the time (and money) then why not consider a trip extension too? For example, Galapagos Voyage has an ‘Ecuador’s Amazon’ 7-day extension that you can include alongside your cruise.

Or, you can always finish your cruise and base yourself on one of the inhabited islands to experience the best of both worlds.

Can you book spontaneously?

If you’re a digital nomad or working some kind of travel job, you’re likely to have more flexibility in terms of booking a trip.

This can save you a lot of money when it comes to Galapagos Island cruises, as you can either fly to Ecuador early or work from the country whilst you wait for a bargain.

Websites like Liveaboard offer a great way to compare last-minute cruises in the Galapagos, some of which have discounts of up to 72%.

However, these deals snap up fast so you’ll want to keep an eye on the website and be quick about booking.

Another great way to find discounts on luxury cruises in the Galapagos is by contacting the companies directly by email or phone!

Best Luxury cruises to take in the Galapagos

1. Golden Galapagos - Overall Best luxury Galapagos cruise

Type of Vessel: Luxury Catamaran

Trip duration: 3 nights- 7 nights

Maximum group size: Ocean Spray - 16-passenger

Cost: $3800-8900

Our experience

In my opinion, Golden Galapagos offers the best Galapagos cruise as it’s intimate, luxurious, and offers excellent value for money. 

I will dive more into the exact experience below.

But honestly, we had the most unforgettable time onboard and it’s hard to imagine having a better experience visiting the Galapagos.

The Ocean Spray (by Golden Galapagos) is a beautifully styled 16-passenger vessel boasting, style, stability, and comfort with high-end amenities and facilities. 

We absolutely adored the rooms. 

They’re spacious, nicely decorated, and most of all, luxurious. 

We stayed in the “Green Sea Turtle'' room, which featured a large balcony with sweeping ocean views. 

On a number of occasions, we saw lots of animals just from the balcony. 

We would enjoy sitting on the balcony with a cup of coffee and animal spotting. 

It is, for this reason, I would recommend visiting the Galapagos on a luxury cruise like this as you are constantly watching animals for the entirety of your stay.

Some animals we saw here included dolphins, sea turtles, frigate birds, turtles, and manta rays.

All of the staterooms feature premium biodegradable amenities, deluxe bed linens, and natural lighting.

The rooms are also cleaned around 3 times a day, so every time you re-enter your room after an excursion or dinner, you feel like you’ve walked into a brand-new room, which is lovely. 

We loved the special touches added to the room too, most notably, the towel designs. When we returned after an excursion our towels would be transformed into an animal unique to the Galapagos! 

We had some impressive animals! 

ocean spray by golden galapagos
Hehe

After dinner, you would also be greeted with a delicious local Ecuadorian mini chocolate bar, and of course, your bed would be ready for sleep. 

The food on board was great. 

food on board ocean spray golden galapagos

Breakfast and lunch are typically buffet style, and dinner tends to be a sit-down 3-course meal.

Breakfast was served in the wonderfully air-conditioned main room, and lunch would either be served there too, or on occasion on the open deck with the bar and sweeping sea views! 

There is a bar on board, and you can order cocktails, wine, and spirits.

Prices are typical for the level of quality you are receiving on a cruise, and can range anywhere from $8-15 US dollars. 

You can pay by card too at the end of the trip when you close your bar tab.

Soft drinks are included in your cruise, and I appreciate that they had sugar-free options. 

Brad and I are vegetarians and we appreciated the effort that went into creating delicious meals for us on board.

Dinner was creative and we didn’t go hungry. 

Before you head off on your cruise, you can request dietary restrictions and requirements ahead of time, so you know you’ll be looked after on board. 

As I mentioned before our itinerary was jam-packed and this was fantastic.

We had many different excursions and had the opportunity to snorkel every day. 

excursions on the ocean spray

The snorkeling got better every day too and I can say that the Galapagos offers some of the best snorkeling opportunities we’ve experienced around the world. 

We got to see so many animals, including sharks, manta rays, turtles, penguins, hundreds of fish, and more. 

It was truly magical, the best snorkeling we have ever experienced.

This is saying a lot when you compare it to places like The Philippines which offers an abundance of incredible reefs and underwater sea life.

However, it just didn’t seem to compare with the true quantity of larger animal species we found in The Galapagos.

Other excursions

This included kayaking, short hikes, and bird watching (which is a whole different level of excitement with the Galapagos birds- trust me!). 

bird watching in the Galapagos

Another highlight for us with the cruise was the staff. 

Memories to last a lifetime!

Every single member of staff was friendly, funny, and simply a pleasure to be around. We also loved our guide (shout out to Enrique!). There wasn't a question he couldn’t answer and he was super knowledgeable, funny, and kind. 

A quick note to bear in mind: The better quality of the cruise you purchase, the better quality of the guide you receive. With these luxury cruises, they have the most experienced, and most qualified experts anywhere in the Galapagos. All of whom have spent years, or decades, working their way up through the ranks to work onboard these vessels.

We also loved the fact that this was a smaller boat (16 passengers), we made new friends, and real human connections, which is honestly harder in a highly digital world. 

We also really appreciated that there was no WIFI.

It gave us a chance to reconnect with nature and really force ourselves to be in the moment and enjoy the surroundings- which isn’t hard to do, the Galapagos Islands are one of the best places on Earth to do this... 

Facilities overview:

The great thing about a cruise with Golden Galapagos is the fact that they offer a range of boats, durations, and tour itineraries, so you can find a cruise that suits your needs perfectly. 

Our cruise was on the Ocean Spray, so this is where we will be providing you with the most detail, but I will give you an overview of the other boats and itineraries on offer. 

What I will say is regardless of what boat you opt for, you’ll be receiving an intimate experience, a top-class guide (which makes all the difference!) all meals and snacks included, all your activities included (which there is a lot of) and an overall highly luxurious experience. 

Cruise Itinerary 

We took a cruise on board the Ocean Spray, for which there are a few itinerary and duration options.

You can choose from 3,4, and 7-night cruises, which embark on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

We opted for a 4-night cruise (called option B) and I have outlined it below … 

As you can see it was actually a pretty busy itinerary, and I personally think this is great.

It never felt like we were wasting time, and it felt like there was always something to do, or an opportunity to be had! 

Day 1
cruise itineary golden galapagos

Morning

Baltra Island - this is where the airport is located, and you will be greeted by your guide and Golden Galapagos staff who are ready to take you on your adventure.

It’s a short (5-minute) ride to the dock to board your boat!

Afternoon 

Bartholomew island - after you’ve had your meet and greet on board, you’ll head towards this island, where you will first have the chance to snorkel (this is where we saw the Galapagos penguin!), then in the late afternoon, you will be offered the opportunity for a short hike up to the Pinnacle Rock viewpoint near sunset, which offers spectacular views.

Day 2

Morning

Genovese Bay, here you'll start your morning with an excursion that takes you bird watching. I swear, I never thought I'd be a person who gets excited by bird watching, but on the Galapagos, the birds are SO unique, beautiful and they are right there, so it's a great activity.

You'll also have the chance to see seals and baby ones too!

Afternoon

Before lunch there is the chance to go snorkelling again, this time in slightly deeper waters.

You'll have some free time in the afternoon, (great time to jump on top deck, read a book and try a cocktail!)

Then you'll also have an evening excursion where you will discover more birds, including a very unique owl! 

Day 3
how to choose a luxury galapagos cruise

Morning

Your morning starts on the island of Santiago where it's time to head out on Kayaks (or paddleboards if you prefer!)

They are double kayaks and we actually seen a lot of cool sea life. Then afterwards, of course there is another chance to snorkel.

Afternoon

You'll have another land excursions where you will go on a short walk, and discover more birds and the chance to see lot of land and water iguanas (which are both equally as cool!) 

Day 4
giant tortoise in golden galapagos

Morning

Here you'll start your day at north Seymour island where you'll head on land to find more animals, this is where we saw lots of frigate birds doing their mating call (this is when they're balloons fully inflate) and we even saw blue boobies dance to each other.

After your time on land, you'll be offered snorkelling and this was the BEST snorkelling of the trip and I'd say one of the best snorkelling experiences of my life. Not only was the water crazy blue and clear (I thought I was dreaming) but we seen a wide range of animals and I see and swam with sharks for the 1st time in my life, and I wasn't scared. IT WAS EPIC! We also saw sea turtles, mantra rays, a million fish and more....it was a once in a lifetime experience.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, it's actually time to head off the boat and water entirely to explore Santa Cruz Island, and for one great reason, it's time to find those giant tortoises!

You'll be able to walk around/next to them, then you'll head to the Charles Darwin Research Centre, but where you can learn more about them, and get the chance to see baby tortoises (super cute) and learn all about lonesome George!

This is a pretty long day off the boat, but you'll also get the chance to grab a drink in town, and do some shopping for souvenirs! 

Day 5

Morning

You will be offered one more excursion in the morning before you disembark, but this is basically before sunrise, so you're up at around 5am, and out of our 14 passengers on board, only 3 braved the morning excursion!

Other boats/tours on offer

Golden Galapagos has 3 other boats called “Endemic”, “Elite” and “Petrel”. Each of these also has its own itineraries and timing options. 

Endemic is described as a new luxury catamaran designed and built to cruise the waters of the Galapagos Islands. 

It offers spacious cabins, excellent food, beautifully decorated common areas, and of course a top deck with a whirlpool, al-fresco dining, and an area to sunbathe and wildlife watching. 

It’s also described as a senior-friendly vessel that has relatively few stairs, cabins located on the most accessible deck, and public areas situated near the sleeping areas.

Elite is described as the catamaran that reinvented luxury cruising in the Galapagos on its initial release in 2019- a big claim indeed! 

The catamaran is a sleek twin-hulled vessel allowing for a steady cruise and it’s unique design allows more space per guest on board, and includes all the typical features of a Golden Galapagos cruise, including beautifully designed rooms and common areas, top-class amenities and food, private outdoor balconies, semi-covered sky deck, the al fresco dining area, top deck bar, and a whirlpool. 

Petrel is described as a modern 16-passenger catamaran custom-built for navigating the Galapagos, again all rooms come with private balconies, and key features you would expect from a quality cruise by Golden Galapagos. 

This includes an al-fresco dining area, a 6-person state-of-the-art whirlpool on the top deck, a beautifully designed lounge and common areas, and much more. 

Read more here.

2. Galapagos Voyage - Best expedition-style luxury Galapagos cruise

Type of Vessel: Small expedition ship

Trip duration: 10 days 

Maximum group size: 96 passengers

Cost: From $7,940 per person

Overview

There are several luxury Galapagos cruises to choose from, but Galapagos Voyage is a fantastic option.

Just keep in mind that It’s a much larger ship compared to the catamarans that Golden Galapagos offer, so it’s less intimate.

You’ll also have to share the ship with 96 people, although there’s plenty of room! 

You’ll be traveling onboard the National Geographic Endeavour II which offers 53 outside cabins, a variety of exploration tools, and plenty of onboard amenities.

These amenities include a fitness center, a global gallery, a spa, a library, and a gallery.

There’s also a spacious sun deck, a lounge area, a full-service bar, and film facilities.

Rather than simply being a luxury cruise, Galapagos Voyage is an expedition trip which is pretty cool.

This means you’ll get access to equipment that you might not have otherwise including zodiacs and paddleboards. 

However, the highlight of exploring the Galapagos Islands with this tour is that you’ll be able to chat with a team of experts.

From naturalists to regional specialists, the expedition team will have extensive knowledge of the local culture, landscapes, and of course, the wildlife. 

Sometimes, there’s even a National Geographic photographer that will join the trip, but this is only on select departures.

Another great thing about this expedition trip is that it’s family-friendly as your experience can be tailored to the activity level that you choose, whether that be light or moderate.

Cruise Itinerary

Although most Galapagos islands cruises offer a couple of itineraries to choose from, you’ll only have the one as this is an expedition trip. 

You don’t have to worry though, as this itinerary is jam-packed!

The first day includes you getting to Guayaquil in Ecuador, and then spending the night in a hotel.

On the second day, you’ll fly to the Galapagos Islands and board the expedition ship.

From lunchtime, your discovery of this breathtaking place begins! 

Between days 3-8, you’ll spend your time going on nature walks with naturalists, snorkeling in tropical waters rich in marine life, and exploring the area by kayak. You’ll also get to take a trip on a glass-bottom boat or Zodiac.

The cruise itinerary consists of you traveling between Baltra Island and San Cristóbal Island and visiting some of the region’s most popular spots.

With Galapagos Voyage, you’ll get to visit seven islands in total; Santa Cruz, Bartolomé, Santiago, Isabella, Floreana, Fernandina, and Española.

There’s no doubt that Galapagos Voyage offers one of the best Galapagos tours out there!

Just keep in mind that it’s also one of the most expensive, and the itineraries vary as they’re subject to National Park regulations

However, these regulations will affect every luxury cruise operator in the area so that’s not a reason to exclude this option.

Cruise highlights 

  • You’ll have access to kayaks, paddleboards, a glass-bottom boat, and zodiacs, so there are lots of opportunities for exploration
  • You can join National Geographic’s naturalists on interpretive island walks
  • This cruise takes you to seven of the most popular islands! 

3. Infinity - Best luxury yacht Galapagos cruise 

Type of Vessel: Luxury yacht 

Trip duration: 4-8 days 

Maximum group size: 20 passengers

Cost: From $3,500 per person

Overview

Infinity offers some of the best cruises to the Galapagos, and a very intimate experience with only 20 guests allowed onboard.

This newly-built yacht offers the perfect way to explore these islands with spacious cabins that feature private balconies, and plenty of amenities. 

Whilst onboard, you’ll benefit from lounge, dining, and bar areas, with these boasting panoramic windows so you can admire the views.

Not only that, but the top deck of the yacht offers sun loungers and a hot tub. What more could you ask for?

As there’s only a small amount of people onboard you won’t be fighting for the facilities either!

Aside from the design of the boat itself, Infinity has a lot to offer.

For starters, the cruise will have two National Park guides onboard at all times to answer any questions you may have.

You’ll also have the use of wetsuits, snorkeling equipment, and kayaks! There are plenty of awesome activities included too so you’ll never be bored. 

Another bonus of choosing Infinity is that they offer several cruise itineraries and these range from 4-8 days.

So, no matter your trip duration, they’ll be something to suit your needs.

Cruise Itinerary

Infinity offers four different cruise itineraries, and I’m going to look into each one so you’ve got an idea of which is the most suitable for you. 

There are two relatively short cruise options that you can choose from, and these are:

The 4-day itinerary will see you explore the islands of Santa Cruz, Genovesa, Santiago, and Rabida so you’ll still get to see plenty of sights within a short amount of time.

You’ll also get to visit some of the area’s most popular spots including the Charles Darwin Station, Black Turtle Cove, Darwin Bay, and El Barranco. 

The 5-day itinerary gives you an extra day and includes Santa Cruz, Floreana, Española, and San Cristobal. During this cruise, you’ll visit El Chato Reserve, Gardner Bay, Dragon Hill, and the Interpretation Center.

These two cruises are a great option for those who are a bit short of time but still want to see several islands.

Infinity also offers two longer cruise itineraries:

First up we’ve got the ‘Galapagos in Style’ 8-day tour which will see you visit Santa Cruz, Genovesa, Santiago, Rabido, Floreana, Española, and San Cristobal.

On this cruise, you’ll get to visit plenty of highlights including Post Office Bay, Bachas Beach, Charles Darwin Station, and Dragon Hill.

Then there’s the other 8-day tour ‘The Charm of the Western Islands’.

With this cruise itinerary, you’ll explore the islands of San Cristobal, Santa Fe, Plazas, Santa Cruz, Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago, Bartolomé, and North Seymour.

With this tour, Infinity offers arguably the best Galapagos cruise itinerary as you’ll get to visit nine islands in total.

Not only is the itinerary jam-packed, but it offers you endless wildlife-watching opportunities. 

The itinerary you choose will of course depend on the time and money you have.

If either of these factors aren’t an issue (lucky, lucky) then I’d recommend checking out the ‘The Charm of the Western Islands Yacht Venture’.

Cruise highlights

  • Offers a small-group experience, with only 20 guests allowed onboard
  • Plenty of awesome amenities onboard including a hot tub where you can relax
  • There are four different itineraries to choose from ranging between 4-8 days

4. Reina Silvia

Type of Vessel: Luxury catamaran

Trip duration: 8 days 

Maximum group size: 16 passengers

Cost: From $5,600 per person

Overview

Reina Silvia is another fantastic option if you’re looking for luxury Galapagos cruises!

For starters, this catamaran can only accommodate up to 16 people so it offers one of the most intimate cruise experiences in this area. 

Onboard, there are 10 cabins in total but only 6 of these offer a balcony so you’ll want to consider this and book in advance if you can.

There are 6 cabins on the main deck, and four on the upper deck so they’re spread out nicely.

Considering Reina Silvia Voyager is one of the smaller catamarans in the Galapagos Islands, it’s got a lot of facilities to offer.

Boasting a sundeck with loungers, an outdoor jacuzzi, a covered bar, and a BBQ area, this small ship offers the ultimate relaxing experience. You’ll also benefit from three lounge areas on this vessel, so you don’t need to worry about space! 

Another great reason to choose this company is that they have plenty of equipment that you can use including kayaks, wetsuits, and snorkeling equipment.

Like any other cruise in the Galapagos, Reina Silvia will have a naturalist guide onboard and they’re there to help make your wildlife-watching experience even better. The guide will lead informative briefings and will be there during your shore excursions!

There are plenty of luxury Galapagos cruises to choose from but if you’re looking for a small-group experience, then you’ll want to check out this company.

If you choose Reina Silvia you’ll have the choice between the ‘Western Route’ and the ‘Eastern Route’. Let’s take a look at these options in more-depth below…

Cruise Itinerary

Reina Silvia has two itineraries, both of which are 8 days long. However, they explore different parts of the Galapagos so it’s important to consider where you’d like to visit first. 

Itinerary A will see you visit the popular islands of Santa Cruz, Española, San Cristobal, Santa Fe, Genovesa, Santiago, Bartolomé, and Rabida.

You’ll be exploring the Eastern side of the Galapagos and will get to explore fantastic spots like Darwin Station, Pitt Point, Sombrero Chino, and Suarez Point.

Itinerary B will take you around the Western Route and includes the islands of Santa Cruz, Floreana, Isabella, Fernandina, Santiago, and North Seymour.

During this cruise, you’ll get to visit Post Office Bay, Tagus Cove, Moreno Point, and Bachas Beach among plenty of other sights.

Although both Rina Silvia itineraries include Santa Cruz and Santiago, the rest of the route differs a lot depending on the itinerary you choose.

Either one is a great option if you’re looking for Galapagos Islands cruises, but you’ll want to consider where you’d like to visit first.

The best way to do this is to make a list of the islands you’d like to visit and see which route matches up the best! 

Cruise highlights

  • Very small catamaran so offers an extremely intimate experience
  • Offers two completely different itineraries (the Western route and the Eastern route) 
  • Guests will benefit from an extended bow pulpit for dolphin and whale-watching

5. Alya

Type of Vessel: Luxury catamaran

Trip duration: 5-6 days 

Maximum group size: 16 passengers 

Cost: From $3,500 per person

Overview

The M/C Alya Luxury Cruise is also known as the ‘Jewel of the Galapagos Islands’ and is considered to be one of the most beautiful vessels in the area. 

It was created to ensure guests have a luxurious experience in the Galapagos through state-of-the-art facilities, a spacious design, and personalized service.

There are 9 cabins on the vessel sleeping up to 16 passengers, so you know you’re in for a relaxing and intimate experience.

You also won’t need to fight the crowds whilst enjoying the amenities.

All cabins onboard (apart from the Matrimonial Cabin) offer a private balcony so you can enjoy the views, and they’re all beautifully decorated.

The King-size cabins offer the most space, and each one comes with a private bathroom. 

Alya has plenty of awesome facilities for guests to use including a coffee station and bar, an entertainment center, a comfortable dining room, and a spacious sun deck.

On this sun deck, you’ll benefit from an observation area where you can look out for wildlife, an outdoor jacuzzi, and cocktail tables.

Not only will you have plenty of things to do onboard, but Alya offers tons of awesome activities too including kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, and snorkeling.

Their trips also include panga rides which are essentially inflatable, motorized dinghies.

Another great reason to pick Alya is that they have the ‘Mydas’ App. Here, you can watch documentaries about the Galapagos Islands and recent blockbuster movies. 

The app will also give you a day-by-day breakdown of your itinerary, information about National Park rules, and travel recommendations.

Cruise Itinerary 

There are three cruise itineraries available with Alya; A, B, and C. To give you an idea of what they have to offer, I’m going to take a look at them in more detail. 

Itinerary A is a 5-day cruise, while both B and C are 6-day cruises. 

First of all, there’s Itinerary A which will see you explore the islands of Santa Cruz, Genovesa, Santiago, Bartolomé, and Mosquera.

During this cruise, you’ll get to visit some of the area’s highlights including Black Turtle Cove, Barranco, and Charles Darwin Station.

Next up, we’ll take a look at Itinerary C (out of order I know), but this will allow you to take a look at the map, whilst I discuss where you’ll be heading. 

Itinerary C is a 6-day cruise that will take you to the islands of Seymour, Plazas, Santa Fe, San Cristobal, Española, and Floreana. On this cruise, you’ll get to visit popular spots like the Interpretation Center, Gardner Bay, Cormorant Point, and Allieri Hill.

Lastly, we have Itinerary B which is another 6-day cruise. This route will allow you to explore the islands of Santa Cruz, Isabella, Fernandina, and Santiago.

During this cruise, you’ll get to see Espinoza Point, Elizabeth Bay, Tagus Cove, and the Highlands.

As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when choosing which itinerary is best for you. Itinerary A is best for those short of time, whilst B and C allow you to see more of the Galapagos.

The key difference between the two 6-day cruises is that one focuses on the West, whilst the other focuses on the East.

Just keep that in mind when you’re choosing which trip to do! 

Cruise highlights

  • Three cruise itineraries to choose from; each of which visits a variety of islands
  • Only hosts 16 passengers so offers an intimate Galapagos experience
  • They have the ‘Mydas’ App which offers lots of features

Galapagos Cruise FAQ

How strenuous is a Galapagos cruise?

As visiting the Galapagos Islands is all about wildlife watching, you’ll find the pace to be more on the slow side.

There are a few hikes to contend with and other activities, but these don’t tend to be demanding or challenging. 

The one thing to note is that the landings can be a bit more challenging as many of them are ‘wet landings’.

This means you’ll have to hop off the boat into the water to reach the islands.

Are the seas rough in the Galapagos?

Generally, the waters in the Galapagos tend to be pretty calm.

This makes them perfect for cruising and will allow you to adjust to cruise life very quickly.

However, when the boat is traveling against the current or traversing long stretches of open ocean, expect some movement.

For this reason, it may be best to pack sea-sickness tablets!

What is not allowed in the Galapagos?

When visiting the Galapagos it’s important to remember the set of rules that have been put in place to protect this magical destination.

This includes no smoking or setting campfires, keeping at least 2 meters from wildlife, and sticking to the marked trails. 

There are also strict rules on what can and can’t be brought to the Galapagos Islands.

Oh, and no, you can't bring a drone into the Galapagos either!

Can you drink alcohol in the Galapagos?

The Pisco Sours on Ocean Spray were excellent!

Most cruises will prohibit you from taking alcohol onboard whilst in the Galapagos.

Some of them won’t include it in their ‘all-inclusive’ pricing either so just make sure you check this in advance. 

When on land, you can only drink in the urban areas of the islands.

Which luxury cruise will you go for?

There you have it, our guide to the best Galapagos cruises!

Whether you’re looking to go on an adventurous expedition cruise or you’d prefer a more laid-back option, there’s something for everyone.

Of course, the cruise you choose will also depend on how much time you have, your budget, and which islands you’d like to visit. 

Being able to cruise the Galapagos Islands truly is a bucket list moment, and will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. 

You won’t have to organize tours or transport, you’ll have an experienced guide with you at all times, and you’ll get fantastic views right from your balcony! 

Sounds magical right? Well, we can 100% recommend this way of exploring the Galapagos. We absolutely loved this experience, and know that you will too.

Final note, if you STILL can't decide who to go with, choose Golden Galapagos, you will definitely be able to find a boat and itinerary to suit you and you will NOT be disappointed at the level of service, quality and general experience offered.

P.S. Before you leave, don't forget to check out our super helpful guide on how to visit the Galapagos Islands.

Disclaimer: Fully research your destination prior to travel, or any products prior to purchase. We can accept no responsibility for anything you experience as a result of the information found on this website. Some posts may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission for some purchases, at no additional expense to you. Read more here
Some images courtesy of Deposit Photos.
Tinggly badge
Other posts
Country Guides
Destination Guides
Accommodation

Leave a comment

Let us know what you think!