Understanding the 4 types of Galapagos Cruise categories
Which Galapagos cruise is best for you?
A cruise is widely considered the best way to experience the Galápagos Islands. Unlike land-based tours, of so called ‘Island Hopping Tours’, a cruise offers a more complete Galapagos experience. Cruises allow visitors to visit multiple different wildlife site per day. They also make it easier to visit the more remote and less touristic areas of the Galapagos Islands. But Galapagos cruises are also expensive. For this reason it is important to read well about the different cruise options, including the 4 different Galapagos cruise categories.
4 Different Galapagos Cruise Categories
Cruise ships/ yachts vary significantly in size, comfort, onboard amenities, and overall travel experience. When thinking on a cruise category, you can compare it with hotel categories: you can find from 2-star to 5-star hotels. Categories vary by price range, level of comfort of cabins and accommodations, amenities onboard, size of the cabins and common areas, food, and sometimes the quality of the guide on board.
In general, Galápagos cruises can be divided into four categories: Economy, Tourist Superior, First Class, and Luxury. Understanding the differences can help you choose the cruise that best matches your budget, travel style, and expectations. So let’s explain:
Economy/ Tourist/ Budget/ cruises
Economy cruises are the go-to option if you are looking for the full Galapagos experience, but it is stretching your travel budget. The yachts in this category are not very big, but still much more comfortable than the open speed boats that are used for day-excursions, organised from the Islands. On an Economy cruise you will still be navigating around the enchanting Galapagos islands and exploring its unique flora and fauna. You will also visit the same highlights as the more luxury cruises do. During these excursions you will be accompanied by an English speaking guide who explains you more about the Galapagos Islands and its flora and fauna. He/ she is always a licensed guide who received additional training about working on the Galapagos. They have a good level of English, but the quality can vary. On board of the yacht you will have simple, but still good breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The dimension defines the category of the cruise
Actually, the biggest difference between the Galapagos Cruise categories are the dimensions. Economy yachts are smaller in size. And at Economy cruises the yachts are also designed very functional, with little additional space to move around. The cabins are small and have bunk beds. Some cabins will be next to the engine room, but even if your cabin is in the bow of the yacht, you will still hear the engine. If this is disturbing depends on you. I, for example, find it a comforting sound, like when I ride a train. The bathroom space in an economic cruise is very compact and comparable to the size of a restroom in a plane. The social areas are big enough to accommodate everyone comfortably, but there isn’t much additional space.
Tourist Superior Class aka Mid-range Galapagos cruises
If your budget is not too tight, and you would like a little more comfort and privacy, the Tourist Superior Cruise can be a good option. The excursion and food experiences are very similar to the Economy class. One of the biggest differences with the Economy class cruises is that the Tourist Superior class are a little bigger. Therefore they have more space to offer a combination of cabins with bunk beds, twin beds, or even a double bed. There is also a higher standard for your guide on board. He/ she has often more experiences and a better level of English, than the guides on an economy cruise. Several years ago the guides for the Galapagos ware classified by Level I,II and III,, with Level III being the best guides. You are likely still going to find this classification on some of the websites that sell Galapagos cruises, but it is officially not in use anymore.
First Class Galapagos Cruises
Most First Class cruises will feature comfortable sun decks.
First Class cruises in Galapagos are considered high-end boats. The yachts are bigger than the Tourist Superior class and therefore they provide more space on board. The cabins are bigger and feature twin beds, double beds or even queen beds. The facilities on board will be very comfy, with spacious common areas, sun decks and sometimes even a Jacuzzi and spa.
Regarding the guides on board on First Class cruise yachts. They’ve completed a more rigorous training. They have years of field experience, and an academic backgrounds in biology and/or environmental science. They often speak 3 languages, or more.
Luxury Galapagos Cruises
As the name implies, you will get the full package here. These high-end vessels offer comfortable cabins which can feature a bathtubs, a “hers” and “his” bathroom in the suites, king or queen beds, ample social areas, a bar area, lounge and jacuzzi that will allow you to enjoy some “me” time after every excursion, dedicated crew members and gourmet food. Gourmet meals are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner and sometime include some types of alcoholic beverages. You might get access to the VIP lounge at the airport on the Galapagos Islands, so you can wait comfortable, before your tour departs. Guides onboard luxury yachts are the experts among experts. They have many years of field experience, an academic backgrounds in biology and/or environmental science and a university degree. They often speak 3 languages, or more. If you are looking for some adventure without compromising comfort, a luxury yacht is the best option for you.
Note: many of the Luxury Galapagos cruises are on bigger ships, with more passengers. This provided more place to move around, but might also provide a less intimate experience.
Galapagos cruise examples in each category
There navigate around 70 different cruise ships/ yachts around the Galapagos Islands. Below you can find a small selection within each cruise category.
Economy class, price range between 1700 US$ p.p. to 2400 US$ p.p. for a 5-Day Galapagos Cruise. Economic yachts include:
– M/S Merak (a Sailboat) – Website of the operator of Merak
– Golondrina (a motor yacht) – Website of the operator of Golondrina
– Darwin (a small motor yacht) – Check out our own website for more infor about the Darwin yacht.
Tourist Superior class, price range between 2400 US$ p.p. to 3500 US$ p.p. for a 5-Day Galapagos Cruise. Tourist Superior yachts include:
– Fragata (motor yacht) – Website of the operator of Fragata
– M/Y Galaxy Bonita (motor yacht) – Website of the operator of Bonita
– Nemo III (catamaran) – Website of the operator of Nemo III
First class Galapagos cruises, price range between 3500 US$ p.p. to 4500 US$ p.p. for a 5-Day Galapagos Cruise. First class yachts include:
Monserrat (motor yacht) – Website of the operator of Monserrat
M/C Galapagos Seaman Journey (motor catamaran) – Website of the operator of M/C Galapagos Seaman Journey
M/Y Coral I & II (motor yachts) – Website of the operator of the Coral yachts
Cachalote Explorer (motor yacht) – Website of the operator of Cachalote Explorer
Beluga (motor yacht) – Website of the operator of Beluga
The Tiptop Fleet (catamarans and motor yachts) – Website of the operator of the Tiptop fleet
Luxury class Galapagos cruises, price range from 4500 US$ p.p. to higher for a 5-Day Galapagos Cruise. Luxury class yachts/ ships include:
– M/C Ocean Spray (motor catamaran) – Website of the operator of the M/C Ocean Spray
– Galaxy Alya (motor catamaran) – Website of the operator of the Galaxy Alya
Galapagos cruise itineraries
When selecting a Galapagos tour or cruise, it is important to keep in mind that the Galápagos National Park strictly controls visitor access. All (around 70) authorized cruise vessels follow approved itineraries and visit designated landing sites according to park regulations. A traveler on an economy yacht may see the same giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, sea lions, and penguins as someone traveling on a luxury expedition ship. For nature lovers, the travel itinerary is often more important than the luxury onboard of the cruise.
