Galapagos Cruises
The visit to the Galapagos Islands is probably the Highlight of Your Ecuador Trip and should therefore be well planned.
Let us help you with it!
We divide the Galapagos cruises in four different service categories:
A visit to the Galapagos Islands is for most Ecuador travelers the highlight of their trip and should therefore be well planned.
Nowadays, you can find a lot of information about Galapagos cruises on the web but sometimes this information is not up-to-date, what can be really confusing. Especially, as there are more than 50 boats operating in Galapagos and each boat has specific departure dates and at least two different itineraries.
For someone who is just starting to plan his or her Galapagos cruise, this is simply overwhelming and so that’s where Midland Travel comes into play.
Our experienced staff will send you cruise offers according to you travel inquiry and will make sure you get the proper information, so you can chose the perfect Galapagos cruise for you and your travel companions.
Service Categories
The service classes in Galapagos are very different from the ones in other tourism sectors. They are not only defined by the comfort and service onboard a boat but also by a boat’s itineraries and guides.
Midland Travel divides the Galapagos cruises in four categories: Budget, Mid-Range, First and Luxury Class.
BUDGET CLASS
The boats in this category are the most basic ones in Galapagos and also the ones with the lowest rates. They are the best choice for travelers who are on a tight budget but still want to explore the Galapagos Islands through a cruise.
Price Range: approx. $230-$350 per day
Advantage:
+ Low prices
Disadvantages:
- Some boats/itineraries only cover central islands (less wildlife)
- Very little comfort (small cabins with bunk beds)
- Guides have less knowledge and experience
- Low service level (food, crew)
MID-RANGE CLASS
This category is very varied. Each mid-range class boat has a feature that stands out. For example: The boat is very comfortable but the service and guide are not quite first class or the boat is very simple but the guide is top-notch.
Price Range: approx. $350-$500 per day
Advantages:
+ Comfortable cabins or outstanding guide
+ Good itineraries
Disadvantage:
- Medium service level (food, crew, guides)
FIRST CLASS
First class boats feature comfortable cabins - some more, some less spacious. The guides hired are very good and so is the service on board. Some boats of this category even offer extras like a jacuzzi or suites.
Price Range: approx. $450-$650 per day
Advantages:
+ Comfortable cabins
+ Good itineraries
+ Experienced and knowledgeable guides
+ Very good service
Disadvantage:
- Higher prices
LUXURY CLASS
The cruises featured in this category offer you spacious and very comfortable cabins and/or suites, excellent guides and service.
Price range: $550+ per day
Advantages:
+ Comfortable cabins
+ Good itineraries
+ Excellent service and guides
+ Luxury amenities (e.g. Jacuzzi on board)
Disadvantage:
- High prices
Boat Types
There are four different types of boats that navigate in Galapagos: yachts, catamarans, sailing boats and vessels.
As the winds in Galapagos are not strong enough to keep up with the tight cruise schedules, all boat types run on motor power.
Each boat type has its specialities, advantages and disadvantages.
The motor yachts form the most common boat type in Galapagos and are found in all service categories.
The motor yachts form the most common boat type in Galapagos and are found in all service categories. Most yacht accommodate up to 16 guests. Their designs vary greatly from very small budget class yachts with bunk beds to luxurious mega yachts with spacious cabins.
- Capacity: 10 – 20 Passengers
- Service Categories: Budget, mid-range, first, luxury class
- Advantages:
- • Intimate experience (max. 20 passengers)
- Disadvantage:
- • More movement (especially on smaller yachts)
- • Little space (applies for small yachts)
Especially the larger catama-rans are a great choice for travelers who are prone to seasickness.
There exist catamarans like the one on the picture and also a few sailing catamarans in Galapagos.
Most catamarans in Galapagos are boats like the one on the picture but there also exist three sailing catamarans in the archipelago which offer less comfort, space and stability than the other catamarans.
Especially the larger catamarans are a great choice for travelers who are prone to seasickness.
In general, this boat type offers more space than yachts and sailing boats.
Due to their special construction, catamarans often feature different cabin designs.
Capacity: 14 – 16 Passengers
Service Categories:
Mid-range, first, luxury class
Advantages:
• Intimate experience (max. 16 passengers)
• More stable than sailors and most yachts
• Spacious decks (except sailing catamarans)
Disadvantages:
• Little space in some cabins of the sailing catamarans
Capacity: 14 – 16 Passengers
Service Categories: Mid-range, first, luxury class
Advantages:
• Intimate experience (max. 16 passengers)
• More stable than sailors and most yachts
• Spacious decks (except sailing catamarans)
Disadvantages:
• Little space in some cabins of the sailing catamarans
While sailing boats do not offer a lot of comfort and space, they sure make you feel like Charles Darwin on an adventurous expedition.
While sailing boats do not offer a lot of comfort and space, they sure make you feel like Charles Darwin on an adventurous expedition.
The rather rustic design is part of this boat type's charm.
Midland Travel does not recommend motor sailors to people who are prone to seasickness.
Capacity: 14 – 20 Passengers
Service Categories:
Mid-range, first class
Advantages:
• Charming design (romantic)
• Intimate experience (max. 20 passengers)
Disadvantages:
• Little space and comfort
• Least stable cruises
Capacity: 14 – 20 Passengers
Service Categories: Mid-range, first class
Advantages:
• Charming design (romantic)
• Intimate experience (max. 20 passengers)
Disadvantages:
• Little space
• Most sailors only feature bunk beds (less comfort)
• Least stable cruises
Motor vessels are the largest boats in Galapagos and are therefore the most stable ones and especially recommended for travelers who get easily sea sick.
They are also a great choice for families.
Motor vessels are the largest boats in Galapagos and are therefore the most stable ones and especially recommended for travelers who get easily sea sick. Midland Travel also recommends this boat type for families as there are usually more kids on board and these ships feature the necessary logistic to make families feel more comfortable (special cabins, kids programs, more space to play).
Some motor vessels not only offer English and Spanish guided tours but also German, French and Italian guided tours for groups without surcharge.
Capacity: 30 – 100 Passengers
Service Categories:
First, luxury class
Advantages:
• Family friendly
• Most stable boat type
• Spacious decks
• Buffet-type of meals
• Special amenities
Disadvantage:
• More people on board
Capacity: 30 – 100 Passengers
Service Categories: First, luxury class
Advantages:
• Family friendly
• Most stable boat type
• Spacious decks
• Buffet-type of meals
• Special amenities (e.g. Jacuzzi, kayaks, etc.)
Disadvantage:
• More people on board (less intimate)
All information is in general and may vary.
Live Galapagos Cruise Availability and Rates
Whether you are ready to book or just starting to plan and want a quick quote, check out our Galapagos cruise search engine for up-to-date availabilty and prices.
