Galapagos Islands Cruises

By David Barclay | November 6, 2024

The Galapagos Islands are undeniably the most popular expedition cruise location for my clients. It’s also the expedition cruise my clients are most likely to recommend to their friends and family. Since the Galapagos Islands lie on the equator, it’s a perfect destination to visit year-round, whether during a school break or in-between trips to other parts of the world that are more sensitive to the time of year.

A Galapagos cruise is a prefect expedition cruise for anyone who loves nature and wishes to see unique wildlife. Only in the Galapagos can you see penguins and giant iguanas on the same day, or even on the same rock next to each other (pictured above from my trip in March 2023). Darwin’s finches sing their songs and green sea turtles swim in the waters between the islands. Most itineraries are designed to let travelers see as many of the “Big 15” animals as possible, including Blue-Footed Boobies, Galapagos Albatrosses, Frigatebirds, Sea Lions, Giant Tortoises and Flamingos. It’s great for couple’s trips, trips with friends, or multi-generational family trips. The experience appeals to all age groups (though most cruise lines will have a minimum age of ~6-8yrs).

The Ecuador government limits the size and number of ships that can sail in the protected waters of the Galapagos. You won’t find any of the mainstream cruise lines with large ships here as ships are limited to a maximum of 100 passengers. Lines that sail the Galapagos tend to be smaller lines, either luxury lines with purpose-built ships, expedition lines, or smaller yachting lines.

The four lines I’ve highlighted below span the gamut of options for exploring the Galapagos by ship. They offer ships ranging in size from 16-100 guests and options for cruise-only packages to packages that include everything from when you depart your home until you return at the end of your trip. And in my opinion, these are the best cruise lines in the Galapagos. I’m sure one of these options would appeal to you for a bucket list adventure in the Galapagos.

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Silversea (Silver Origin)

7-night San Cristóbal to San Cristóbal (10-night total with pre/post cruise)
March 6-16, 2025

In 2021, Silversea replaced the Silver Galapagos (their prior ship in the Galapagos) with the purpose-built Silver Origin. This all-suite ship can accommodate a maximum of 100 guests. The Silver Origin pampers guests with butler service, the expertise of 10 expedition leaders/naturalists, and a total crew of 90, for an almost 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio. All suites include either an outdoor veranda or a Horizon Balcony veranda.

The Silver Origin boasts the largest interactive screen on any ship sailing the Galapagos and oversized zodiacs to ensure guests explore the islands in comfort. Silversea maintains its high level of service for guests, including their usual all-inclusive luxury experience. One change from their traditional cruise experience, the dress code is a more relaxed country club casual both day and night and there are no formal or informal nights.

Silversea offers their door-to-door fares, which includes all transfers (including black car pickup from guests’ homes), economy air (upgradable to business), 2 nights in Quito with daily activities before departing on the charter flight for the Galapagos, and return flights and transfers home after the cruise.

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Celebrity (Celebrity Flora)

7-night Galapagos Outer Loop (10-night total with pre/post cruise)
June 27 – July 7, 2025

Launched in 2019, the Celebrity Flora is another new 100 guest ship, replaced the smaller Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Xploration (which were sold to National Geographic – Lindblad Expeditions). Also purpose-built for the Galapagos, the Celebrity Flora is a cousin to the Silver Origin. They share the same general hull design and were built in the same shipyard, but the Flora’s interior has a more hip and trendy design to match the “New Luxury” brand image of Celebrity Cruises.

The Flora has a total crew of 80, including 8 expedition leaders/naturalists (~1 per 12 guests). Celebrity includes their traditional all-inclusive experience on this all-suite ship (food, beverages, wi-fi, tips, etc.). All suites include an outdoor veranda. Base fares include the cruise and all-inclusive onboard experience, but guests will need to make arrangements for travel to Ecuador and then out to the Galapagos Islands, or guests can add a pre-cruise package which includes a pre-cruise stay in Ecuador and flights to/from the islands.

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National Geographic – Lindblad Expeditions (National Geographic Gemini)

7-night Exploring Galápagos (9-night total with pre/post cruise)
September 12 – 21, 2025

Lindblad Expeditions is a cruise line solely focused on expedition cruising. In 2004 Lindblad partnered with National Geographic and rebranded almost all of their ships with the National Geographic name.

The National Geographic Gemini (formerly the Celebrity Xpedition) accommodates up to 96 guests who are seen to by a crew of 48. As with all Lindblad ships, the naturalists on board are National Geographic naturalists and one of the crew members will be a certified photo instructor, able to assist guests with their photography. A few cruises per year will invite famous photographers on board as guest speakers/photography instructors. Lindblad is known as a family friendly cruise line and offers the National Geographic Global Explorers Program, a program for kids 18 and under with special onboard programs and excursions geared for kids interests. All staterooms on board are outside suites, with large windows for viewing the outdoors. Base fares include an overnight stay pre/post cruise in Ecuador, transfers to/from the Galapagos, all ship-board meals and beverages, and activates/excursions.

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Aqua Expeditions (Aqua Mare)

7-night Baltra Island to Santa Cruz Island
March 21-28, 2025

Aqua Expeditions is an expedition cruise line with a focus on a super-yacht experience. Their new super-yacht, the Aqua Mare, started sailing the Galapagos in 2022. With only seven suites accommodating up to 16 guests, the Aqua Mare is one of the smallest and most intimate ships sailing the region. A crew of 16, including two naturalists, offers one of the best crew-to-guest and naturalist-to-guest ratios. Base fares include all ship-board meals and beverages, laundry, wi-fi and activates/excursions, but guests are responsible for their own arrangements to reach the Galapagos (Aqua Expeditions can recommend flight options).