Galapagos Islands - Cruise Ships Categories

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Galapagos Cruises

The ships cruising the Galapagos Islands vary a lot regarding the quality of the services offered, the crew's training, the gastronomic offers as well as the equipment of the ship.

Dear customer,

The ships, cruising on the Galapagos Islands, vary a lot regarding the quality of the services offered, the crew's training, the gastronomic offer as well as the equipment of the ship. Therefore, we provide you with the following classification of ships according to the European standards. By doing this, we hope that our precise and easy differentiation will help you to better plan your cruise. We often hear about unsatisfied or disappointed customers, because their expectations concerning the cruise have not been fulfilled. After having a look at many websites of various companies offering Galapagos cruises you will notice that the same ship is often listed in different categories. We do not want you to have a bad experience and so it is our aim, that your cruise in this unique paradise will be unforgettable. In advance we would like to point out that a cruise in the Galapagos Islands generally is an exclusive trip. The Galapagos is one of the last and untouched paradises existing on earth that - like any other exclusive destination - is more expensive. So it is not advisable to calculate a cruise with a normal budget. Moreover by visiting the Galapagos National Park you are supporting the efforts to conserve this one-of-a-kind natural wonder.

On the Galapagos Islands ships are usually classified in four different categories:

Tourist:
The cabins of tourist class ships are more spacious than in economy class and partly equipped with air-conditioning. Usually the ships have bunk beds. Nevertheless it may happen that the air-conditioning does not work. The ships do not vary significantly from economy class boats with regard to size and service. Guides (Naturalist II) have obtained a better training, speak English well and possess a better knowledge of the islands. All in all the organization is better.

First Class:
Ships of this class are already very comfortable and comply with international standards of superior cruise ships. The cabins are spacious and supply cold and warm water as well as air-conditioning. Guides belong to Naturalist Class II or III, in the latter it means that they have studied (for instance biology) and therefore possess scientific knowledge of flora and fauna, the evolution of the archipelago and are multilingual. In this class meals are mostly served in form of a buffet.

Cruise Ships:
Ships belonging to this category are cruise ships with a capacity of 40 to 100 passengers, additionally single cabins and usually triple cabins are offered. These ships are a lot faster and so more islands can be visited in less time. This makes the program even more interesting than it already is. Guides belong to Naturalist Class II or III, in the latter it means that they have studied (for instance biology) and therefore possess scientific knowledge of flora and fauna, the evolution of the archipelago and are multilingual. In this class meals are mostly served in form of a buffet.

Luxury Ships:
These ships have a capacity between 16 and 40 passengers. The ships are comfortable and you won't miss anything aboard. Part of the comfortable equipment are satellite telephone and TV/Video. It goes without saying that guides belong to the Naturalist Class III mentioned above.

Yacht Operation:
Arrival from Quito or Guayaquil to the Galapagos normally occurs at 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. local time. After airport check out and payment of entrance fees in the airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to the yacht (or to town) which is followed by the guides explanations and first day tour.
The following day is normally when the boat starts to sail at about 2 a.m. on its way to the next island. Arriving at about 6 a.m. Breakfast is served at about 7 a.m. followed by a disembarkation (wet or dry) at the shores of the island where the excursion will last for about 2 – 3 hours followed by usually swimming/snorkel time. Return to the boat is at about 1 p.m. followed by lunch. In the afternoon navigation towards the next point of visit with usually swimming and snorkeling activities also.

Furthermore, please be aware that there are ships which offer 8, 5 and 4-days cruises. In this case you will do the itinerary of the 8 days but passing Baltra or San Cristobal in order to pick-up and drop off the passengers who have reserved the short cruise. So it might be that you have some free time in the morning before lunch while the guide is at the airport.