Estrella del Mar Galápagos Cruise+Flights

Eden

"Stylish" and "elegant" are the comments we most hear associated with Eden, and it's not hard to see why. Although she was only built in 1996 in Ecuador, she has the timeless lines of a classic luxury motor yacht. A 2002 total brought her even further up to date, and she now boasts a beautiful mix of traditional and contemporary features that make an Eden Galápagos cruise a real trip to paradise. What's even better is that our cruise packages on Eden now come with Galápagos flights included. - Purpose-built Galápagos motor yacht - Galápagos flights included in the price you pay - Snorkeling gear on board - Excellent choice of long and short itineraries Space to enjoy the islands Eden has something you don't find very often in this class of Galápagos cruise ship - space! This means that 5 of her 8 cabins feature standard twin or double beds, with only 3 having bunks. Every cabin, no matter its layout, enjoys a private bathroom and shower and is airconditioned for your complete comfort. Lower deck cabins are beautifully decorated with a light and airy feel and feature traditional portholes. Upper deck cabins enjoy panoramic windows for unbroken views of the sea and islands. Communal areas onboard Eden continue this theme of space and light. Her large saloon and dining area is tastefully decorated with traditional wood features and comfortable sofas, making it an ideal place to relax and swap your Galápagos stories with like-minded travelers. Outside, there's a huge sundeck at the sterns of the upper deck with uninterrupted views. At the bow, there's a more intimate sun area where you can find some peace and quiet if you wish. On the main deck, there's a shaded area where you can enjoy the Galápagos air without the heat of the equatorial sun. When it comes to food and drink, you'll be spoilt by your time on Eden. Most meals are served in a relaxed buffet style, giving you the chance to sample a wide range of delicious Ecuadorian and international dishes prepared by the ship's chef using fresh, local ingredients. Experience Galápagos on land and sea When it comes to itineraries, Eden has a fantastic range of options, including 3-day itineraries for those who are only able to visit the Galápagos for a short time but still want a real taste of what the islands have to offer, as well as the more usual 5- and 7-day options. Unlike many vessels in her class, Eden guests have use of complimentary snorkel equipment (with optional wetsuits available for hire if you wish) and there are plenty of opportunities to get in the water with rare endemic wildlife like Galápagos penguins, Galápagos sea lions, and marine iguanas. The ship's highly experienced naturalist guides are bilingual, and they take great pride in making your experience of the Galápagos even more special by sharing their vast knowledge of the flora, fauna and natural history of this magical archipelago. Our comments For us, Eden is that rare find - a fantastic mix of great value with superb facilities and excellent itineraries. Now she's even better value than ever because, for a short period, the price you pay includes flights to and from the mainland! Eden's classic motor yacht styling and spacious interior make her a superbly comfortable place from which to experience the magic of Galápagos. With flights now included, we don't think you'll find a better value Galápagos cruise at the moment.

Fragata

This 75ft motor yacht is one of the few owner-operated vessels in the Galápagos fleet, and that means there’s a relaxed and family feel to cruises on Fragata. Although the islands and their wildlife are always the stars of the show, the crew make sure that you’ll have a wonderful time on board. Fragata’s crew take pride in their vessel, and this is reflected in her lovely bright and comfortable decor. The communal areas feature plenty of beautiful honey-colored natural wood blended with bright and fresh soft furnishing and fabrics. The main lounge area is made for socializing with three sides taken up with a huge, plush sofa - a perfect place to relax with a drink from the yacht’s bar, or to listen to wonderful talks from the yacht’s bilingual naturalist guide. There’s a large TV with DVD player and a music system for everyone to enjoy. The dining room is also designed to reflect this boat’s friendly ambiance, with two large oval tables meaning meals with new friends are the perfect way to share your day’s adventures. Cabins on Fragata are placed over two of the 4 decks and provide a choice of twin and double accommodation. All cabins have individual air conditioning, a private en suite bathroom with full-size shower, and are fitted with beautiful wood floors and fittings, and bright and airy wall finishes and fabrics. Sun-worshippers and wildlife spotters will appreciate Fragata’s full size upper sun-deck with comfortable loungers that you can place under the ample shade canopy or lie back in the full sun. Snorkeling in Galápagos is a must-do activity, and Fragata carries full snorkeling equipment for you to enjoy, with wet suit hire on request. She also benefits from a diving platform at the rear, which makes entering and leaving the water easy for everyone, and makes another perfect spot for relaxing and watching the world go by. With a maximum of 16 guests at any one time on board, Fragata’s 8 person crew gives everyone great levels of service. Her dedicated bilingual naturalist guide will take you on a fantastic variety of excursions on land and in the water and is on hand at all times to answer your questions and to provide expert insights into the marine and land ecology of Galápagos Fragata is a beautifully maintained owner-run yacht with one of the more experienced crews in the Galápagos with over 20 years experience. The boat always has a really friendly and relaxed feel and the crew always seem to go out of their way to make sure you have a great experience on board and during excursions. We think Fragata is a great value-for-money Galápagos cruise experience.

Bonita

Bonita is one of our favorite yachts in the Galápagos fleet, because it was among the first to be custom-designed for cruising the amazing Galápagos Islands. Because Bonita features accommodation for a maximum of 16 guests, she carries 1 qualified naturalist guide. This means you will get a much smaller guest to guide ratio than most other ships in the fleet. The operator of Bonita refurbishes the yacht every year. This is exceptional, and it means you are always assured of enjoying one of the best-presented yachts in its class. The passenger accommodation is fitted out in the traditional nautical style, with beautiful handcrafted teak fixtures and polished brass fittings. Every cabin features an outside view, and is equipped with either a double bed or twin beds. Each is fully air-conditioned and has a private bathroom with shower. Luxury biodegradable cosmetics are supplied, and additional features includes a hairdryer, plenty of closet and drawer storage, and an intercom. Meals are taken in the cozy dining room. You'll be served a sumptuous selection of international and local dishes, cooked using the freshest local ingredients by your highly skilled chef. There's also a lounge and conference area where the naturalist guides will brief you on some of the amazing sites you will be seeing, and you can relax here and watch TV or choose a book from the library while the islands glide past the panoramic windows. Bonita features a wonderful sundeck. It's the perfect place to catch some equatorial rays while you sip a cocktail, or to come up at night and watch the spectacle as the stars are revealed in the clear Galápagos skies above. Your bilingual naturalist guides know the islands, the habitats, and the wildlife intimately. They will lead you on a variety of incredible expeditions including shore landings, kayaking adventures, snorkeling, beach visits, and more. Snorkel gear, wetsuits, and stand-up paddle boards are also available for guests to use free of charge. Bonita is a truly remarkable ship! The owners lavish such care and attention on the ship that she always look as good as new. We love the fact that Bonita includes complimentary wetsuits and SUPs. For families with young teenagers, this could be the perfect option, and the chefs on board will always provide a kid-friendly menu option if you don't have adventurous eaters.

Galaxy Orion

Reina Silvia