I have reviewed the top questions and done a bit of searching as well as consulted a couple of boat/trip finder websites - and I am still overwhelmed with a list of at least 30 boats. Is there a way I have not used to narrow it down further? We know we want a boat no larger than 50 and would do a 16 pax boat, for 8 days, east (plus north or south) route itinerary, in April or early May, first class/luxury. Welcome any suggestions!
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23 helpful votes Dear CP,
you describe a common sense of being overwhelmed by choice. Of the 65 ships that ply Galapagos waters, nearly all carry 20 or fewer guests (maybe 52 of them). Of these, maybe 40 are classified as first class / luxury. The fleet has been moving towards replacing tourist / tourist superior vessels (many of which provide vefy fine service) to higher end ships over the past 20 years.
Here are some ideas:
1) Choose a ship with uninterrupted 7 night / 8 day itinerary (not one that is a combination of shorter segments). All ships must follow a 14 night (15 day) circuit, not going back to the same place twice. This is imposed by the Park to spread visitor pressure evenly throughout the archipelago, leading to a better visitor experience and reduced impact. Some ships decide to segment those 14 nights into 3 or 4 short segments, allowing guest to book shorter cruises (as short as 3 nights). If you are keen on a full 7 night cruise - then you should avoid an itinerary that is made up of shorter segments. Such itineraries force the ship to head back to port to pick-up / drop off guests, keeping them from venturing out to the more distant islands. It also disrupts the atmosphere on board - making you feel more like you're on a bus than on an expedition cruise - and finally, being on an itinerary made up of shorter segments will have you go through safety drills more than once, and you'll likely hear your guides repeat things you've already heard.
2) Keep an eye out for activities offered. Some ships have paddleboards, some don't, for example. Some have a reputation for "going all the way" (getting you up at 6AM for a full day of activities) while others will assume you are there more for a relaxing holiday. Decide what's best for you.
3)For the most part, the quality of the fleet and the experience are more homogeneous now than in the past. It has been professionalized quite a bit.Narrow things down to ships that look nice to you, at a price point that works for you, and that fit your travel window best. Once you're down to 3-4 ships, look around for any reviews to help you better understand their reputations.
I hope this helps!
Warmest regards,
Heather Blenkiron
Edited: 04 January 2025, 02:51Thank you so much Heather....can you please tell me how to figure out if a 7d/8n itinerary is uninterrupted or not? I love your logic, which is how I approach travel research as well. Appreciate it!
Welcome
you can make something really difficult than it needs to be. Its your life.
you are making this way more difficult than it needs to be.
i would dump the idea of a boat larger than 16 people. But in the end its your choice.
good luck
I hope someone explicitly answers the question about combining segments, but I think it is if they stop at either Baltra/Santa Cruz or San Cristobal around the middle of the itinerary since those are the two places where all cruises start or end for people to get get on or off.
Agree with #4, also, you could simply contact the boat via email and ask. Most ship websites will have a list of itinerary sites, often with a little map showing the route.
We went with the Tip Top2 last year and would easily recommend them again. We are going back with our kids this May on the Anahi, as their schedule fit our tight calendar demands for my college student son.
Something else to consider when looking at cruises, is what do you want to see? If penguins are a must, a western itinerary is better. Red footed boobies? Eastern. Sharks? I believe that's mostly on itineraries that hit the northernmost islands.