Elite Galápagos Cruise

The Galápagos Elite has taken her maiden Galápagos cruise in June 2019. This exciting luxury yacht has been completely custom-designed for sailing around Galápagos. Her twin-hull catamaran configuration will provide guests with an extremely stable cruising experience, giving guests a far smoother ride than older single-hull boats can hope to offer. As well as increased stability, fuel efficiency and cruising speed, the twin hulls mean guests can enjoy more space, including larger, more comfortable social areas, luxurious suites, and opulent premium suites. Outdoor space is also increased, including the huge, semi-shaded sky deck, a delightful alfresco dining area, and a supremely comfortable saloon and bar. The Galápagos Elite will of course feature state-of-the-art power plant, navigation and safety equipment, making her the safest and most reliable ship in the Galápagos cruise fleet. A standout feature for us is the panoramic windows that are a feature of every suite. "Windows" doesn't really do them justice, as they are actually glass walls. This will provide a unique experience as you wake each morning to a new view that will bring the outside in to your suite. The food and drink offering onboard Elite is being designed to make meals a real experience. Your chefs will prepare three stunning meals every day. Breakfast and most lunches will be served in a relaxed buffet style. In the evenings, a more elegant dining experience is available, with your meal served to you in the stunning alfresco dining area on the sky deck. Your chefs will only use the freshest local produce and will cater for any special dietary requirements. They are also delighted to offer child-friendly portions and taste options, giving the whole family a chance to experience this once-in-a-lifetime Galápagos cruise option. Despite her stunning luxury, most guests will be keen to experience the unique animals and habitats of the Galápagos Islands themselves. The Elite naturalist itineraries have been designed to give you the most exciting encounters, with visits to the best visitor sites the Galápagos Islands and seas have to offer. Just a few highlights include: hiking the stark, volcanic fields of Fernandina Island; marvel at the Albatross nesting sites on Española; snorkel with Galápagos Sea Lions around the so-called "Devil's Crown"; exploring the world-famous "Bird Island" of Genovesa. During your excursions you can expect to see all the iconic endemic animals associated with the islands, including giant tortoises, land and marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and much, much more. Your dedicated onboard naturalist guides are experts in their field, with intimate knowledge of all the species and where you are most likely to encounter them. The Galápagos Elite will be operated by a highly-respected operator that has many years' experience serving Galápagos visitors. The owner only hires the best captains, guides, chefs and crews for the vessels they operate. Their philosophy is that the people, not simply the luxury ship, are what will make the trip memorable for their guests, and they are the difference between a good Galápagos cruise and an outstanding one.

At Galapatours we love and respect the pristine ecosystems and fascinating wildlife of the Galápagos Islands. To protect the archipelago, all vessels in Galápagos must have sophisticated water filtration systems, modern, efficient engines, and strict maintenance schedules to minimize pollution. Furthermore, The Galápagos National Park authority defines exact cruising routes that dictate which ships can visit which highlights at what day and time, as well as limiting passenger numbers.

But at Galapatours we like to go even further: We voluntarily offset all the CO2 emissions of every cruise we sell - at no cost to you. You can also play your part by traveling responsibly and following our Eco Guidelines during your stay. Click here to find out more about these guidelines, our commitment to sustainable tourism, and the Galápagos National Park rules.

The food on our Galapágos Cruises is among the very best you will find in South America. Most of the on-board chefs are internationally trained and have prior experience working in the best hotels and restaurants in Ecuador and indeed around the world.

You can expect a first-class selection of food, including a good variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, locally sourced poultry and fish/seafood, rice and pasta dishes. Most boats will always include some typical Ecuadorian dishes on the menu during your cruise. If you have specific dietary requirements then these can usually be accommodated by the chef providing you have given advance notice. Please make sure you tell us about any allergies or dietary requirements you have at the time you book with us. If you leave it until you arrive at the dockside, then it may well be impossible to accommodate your needs.

Most boats serve a range of options at meal times in a relaxed buffet-style. At the first class and luxury end of the market, some boats have more formal dining where you will be served at your seat. However the atmosphere is always relaxed on board our cruises, and never stuffy or formal.