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Grand Daphne

Grand Daphne Galápagos Cruise

Exceptional value cruises with great choice of itineraries

A Galápagos Cruise on board the Grand Daphne

13 Reviews

Classic
Grand Daphne
Grand Daphne, Galpatours
Grand Daphne

A Galápagos cruise on board the Grand Daphne proves that you don’t have to have a huge budget to see the best the Galápagos has to offer in comfort. Built in 1979 and fully refitted in 2015, Grand Daphne and her crew pride themselves on offering a 1st Class service and experience at a superb price.

Traditional Motor Yacht Grand Daphne is a traditional motor yacht design, and she’s proud of this heritage. Yet despite this, she offers comfortable accommodation with some features you wouldn’t necessarily expect on a cruise vessel this class. Cabins are located on the upper or lower decks, with communal areas on the main deck between. Guests who are prone to motion sickness will appreciate the cabins on the lower decks, as they will have less movement. These are laid out as twin bunk beds, although the lower bunks are big enough for a cozy couple if you prefer! All the rooms feature traditional porthole style windows, wood finishes, en suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, and individual air conditioning for your comfort. Upper deck cabins are a mix of twin bunk and traditional beds, and they offer lovely panoramic windows, giving you stunning views of the Galápagos Islands and the sea. All the cabins feature 110V outlets for charging your devices, as well as reading lights and plenty of storage.

Eat, Drink and Relax Grand Daphne’s main deck hosts her dining room and salon. These areas feature a stunning polished teak floor, and lots of other beautiful real wood fixtures and fittings. Two dining tables set for eight people each ensures a delightful, sociable mealtime experience, allowing you to share the memories of your day exploring Galápagos with like-minded travelers while you enjoy the view from the huge picture windows. Delicious local and international dishes are served her, and the chef uses only the freshest local ingredients, so you can enjoy three wonderful meals as well as plenty of tasty snacks throughout the day.

Also located here is the ship’s well-stocked bar, which can serve you a variety of local and imported beers, wines and spirits. Water, tea, and coffee are always available, 24 hours, free of charge to all our cruise guests.

The lounge features a wonderful U-shaped couch, which again sums up the social focus of this relaxed boat. Here you can chat, unwind with a drink, or watch a movie on the flat screen TV with DVD player. This is also where your expert bilingual naturalist guide will give you amazing briefings about the islands and their unique flora and fauna, and outline the next day’s activities on your Galápagos adventure. Outside, you can climb the stairway up to the stunning sundeck. This runs the whole length of the boat and offers wonderful views. There is plenty of seating and comfortable loungers up here, and for those who don’t want to get too much sun, there’s a shaded area to cool off in. If you’re looking for a little more privacy, Galápagos Grand Daphne has a small shaded terrace at the stern end of the main deck with comfortable seating for three or four.

Fantastic Itineraries Grand Daphne’s expert Galápagos naturalist guide will really make your trip come to life, thanks to their knowledge of the islands and the best places to see what the archipelago has to offer. Grand Daphne has a choice of two eight day itineraries and two shorter for or five day itineraries. Each of Grand Daphne’s cruise itineraries have been carefully planned to give you a real flavor of a key area of the Galápagos archipelago. For the ultimate experience, why not join the two eight day itineraries into a complete Galápagos experience - this would make a fabulous trip of a lifetime at a really superb price. As well as island excursions by “panga” (inflatable boat) you will also go snorkeling with sea lions and turtles thanks to the complimentary snorkel gear carried on board Grand Daphne. For guests who wish to hire a wetsuit, these are available for only $5 per day.

Our comments Experiencing the Galápagos aboard the yacht Grand Daphne is a superb option for those who are looking to enjoy an amazing Galápagos experience on a budget, but would like to enjoy more space and comfort than is usually available on a budget class boat. Grand Daphne’s crew are consistently highly rated - they go above and beyond to make sure you have an amazing time. We really like her itineraries, they have been cleverly put together - but if you can stretch to it, joining the two eight-day trips would make for a remarkable “special occasion” trip of a lifetime.

Dates & Prices on board the Grand Daphne

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Amenities on board the Grand Daphne

transfer

Transfers to and from ship

snorkeling

Snorkel gear (free of charge)

meal

All meals

footprint

Travel for good: Your Each booking contributes to Ventura’s Conservation Project.

air conditioning

Air conditioning & private bathroom

shared bedroom

Single travellers can share cabin

drinks

Water, Coffee, Tea & fresh juices

EN guide

English guides

flight

Flights to and from Galapagos

Food & Drinks on board the Grand Daphne

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.

Sustainable Tourism

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.

Our commitment extends beyond the mandatory environmental standards for cruise vessels in the region: A portion of your trip price now contributes to our Conservation Project. This initiative empowers local communities to protect their territory, engage in reforestation, and prepare for long-term environmental stewardship. This way, your trip contributes to environmental protection and truly shows how travel can be a force for good! 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.

Cabins categories on board the Grand Daphne

Grand Daphne Galápagos Cruise Standard Cabin
Lower Deck Convertible

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Grand Daphne masGrand Daphne master  suiteter  suite
Main Deck Suite

Type:

Matrimonial

Max. occupancy:

2

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Upper Deck Superior Cabins Grand Daphne
Upper Deck Superior Cabins:

Type:

Double/Matrimionial (convertible)

Max. occupancy:

2

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Grand Daphne Galápagos Cruise Standard Cabin
Lower Deck Double

Type:

Matrimonial

Max. occupancy:

2

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Technical details of Grand Daphne

Category
Classic
Type
Small Yacht
Length
21m
Electricity
110V with North American flat plugs.
Cruising speed
9 kt.
Beam
6m / 20 feet
Draft
7m
Capacity
16

Reviews of Grand Daphne

Sally

Grand Daphne Galapagos Cruise

Classic

Incredible cruise The complete Daphne tour enables the visitor to see many of the highlights of wildlife and geography that the Galapagos is famous for. Although there are many other boats nearby, the groups rarely crossed, and the tour was not rushed, giving us plenty of time to observe and photograph. Source: goo.gl/j3DdjZ

AnothersEyes, San Jose, CA

Grand Daphne Galapagos Cruise

Classic

Wonderful boat and journey We were on the Daphne in May 2014 and had a great time. It's a great boat with a great crew. Our trip was amazing. We lucked out and had the suite on the upper deck. The guide was great (they rotate) and the wildlife amazing. The food was good, but too much eggs for breakfast for our tastes. They provide masks & fins for snorkeling, but I recommend bringing your own mask if you have one. We booked it as a last minute deal while in Quito about two weeks before and do not regret it. Source: goo.gl/Ny8BaK

Sheila

Grand Daphne Galapagos Cruise

Classic

Absolutely amazing Galápagos was absolutely amazing. Of the two best things we have seen in our many travels, African game viewing and the Galápagos Islands are top of the list. We are going to find it hard to better them. Our guide was fabulous and the staff on the Daphne marvellous. Don’t go for less than a week or on a big boat. The snorkelling was the absolute highlight and we were given many opportunities to be in the water. Thank you for a truly memorable experience. Source: goo.gl/j3DdjZ

amandaelsewhere - Philadelphia

Grand Daphne Galapagos Cruise

Classic

Daphne cruise was wonderful We just got back from a 4 day trip on the Daphne around Santa Cruz, Floreana, Espanola, and San Cristobal. It was a wonderful no-frills boat with an excellent staff and guide (Jose). The food was great, and they do provide snacks when you come back on board after every activity. They had wetsuits to accommodate every size of person. You do end up getting wet going to/from the Daphne as a lot of places in Galapagos don't allow large boats to dock - they drop anchor and you take little dinghy boats to/from shore, so bring lots of plastic bags and protection for your electronics. Source: goo.gl/jDCn5P

Landscout, Los Angeles

Grand Daphne Galapagos Cruise

Classic

Magnificent cruise i just spent a week on the Daphne with other guests from all corners of the planet. Everyone was really happy with the boat, the staff and the guide. Espanola Island was on the itinerary and was magnificent for the wildlife and pristine beaches. I am not one to write reviews unless I really feel strongly one way or the other and, think that my comments will help people make a decision.Everyone on our boat thought that our guide Carlos was fantastic. Source: goo.gl/ckpgrP

Africaphile, Bristol UK

Grand Daphne Galapagos Cruise

Classic

Wonderful experience My girlfriend and I just spent 8 days on the Daphne Yacht on a Western itinerary. To give you some idea of our expectations, we are both about 30 and normally travel mid-range. 1. The Daphne boat was great. Tourist superior class was fine for us and for the others. Water was hot, the 'bunk-bed' cabins were big enough, and everything was comfortable 2. Snorkel equipment was fine. I am 6ft3, and my girlfriend 5ft, and we both got a wetsuit and fins that fit. If you need a small mask then you may wish to prepare for this yourself. 3. The boat crew - worked really hard and were polite. Excellent staff 4. Food - great! 5. Great mix of other tourists, all like-minded and we got on really well. 6. Some of the things we saw were fantastic! Loads of turtles, sharks, rays, sea-horses, octopus, sea snake, crayfish, and of course loads of iguanas, sea lions, birds and many many others Source: goo.gl/3JRaRu

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