Mary Anne Galápagos Cruise
The only fully rigged barquentine in Galápagos
A Galápagos Cruise on board the Mary Anne
12 Reviews
What we love about the Mary Anne
The ultimate Galápagos sailing experience
Fully rigged schooner – unique
Perfect for single travellers
Help the crew rig the sails!
- The ultimate Galápagos sailing experience
- Fully rigged schooner - unique
- Perfect for single travellers
- Help the crew rig the sails!
There is simply no better way to follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin than to navigate around the Galápagos Islands under sail as he did. Launched in 1997, and offering the best of modern design, stability and safety married with the romance of cruising under sail, the Mary Anne is the perfect “trip of a lifetime” choice for your Galápagos adventure.
More space Mary Anne was originally designed to accommodate 24 passengers, but in Galápagos she only takes 16 guests. This means that you never feel crowded or shoehorned in. It also means that Mary Anne is one of the few Galápagos cruise ships to carry eight cabins dedicated to single occupancy with no supplement. This makes her the perfect choice for solo travellers. All of her cabins are below the main deck, which makes this ship a wonderful choice for a Galápagos cruise for those who suffer with motion sickness, as being low in the ship minimises any motion you will feel.
Each cabin is beautifully appointed with light and airy modern decor, complimenting the beautiful wooden fixtures and fittings. All cabins feature traditional porthole windows, en suite bathrooms, air conditioning and fans, and (uniquely) 220V European and 110V North American electricity sockets. Cabins also have ample storage, with wardrobe, closet and night stand. Reading lamps finish the cosy atmosphere.
Wonderful social areas The main deck houses the delightful wood-panelled lounge and bar. Four lovely U-shaped sofas and tables make it easy to relax in comfort and swap your stories about your Galápagos adventure, or simply watch the sea and islands pass by through the large windows.
On this deck is also a library and entertainment area center, perfect for a bit of down time, and where your expert naturalist guide will give you your daily briefings about the Galápagos wildlife and habitats you will be exploring on your Galápagos cruise.
You’ll also find the indoor dining room here, where you’ll be able to enjoy wonderful international and local dishes served whenever it’s too windy to enjoy the outdoor dining area at the stern! Her chef tells us that the dish he enjoys preparing the most is Ceviche de Palometa. He says "this simple-looking dish never fails to surprise passengers with its amazing flavors, and I love seeing their reactions."
Finally, and most magnificently, you can enjoy perhaps the best sundeck in the whole Galápagos fleet - on the main deck of a wonderful sailing ship under the equatorial sun. Because wind and currents don’t always do the right thing, you won’t spend the whole trip under sail, but whenever conditions are right the crew will rig the masts - and you can even help if you want to. Or you may prefer to recline on a comfortable deck lounger and watch them work! On Mary Anne, the choice is yours.
Fantastic wildlife Mary Anne offers a choice of two stunning Galápagos sailing cruise itineraries, known as the Western and Eastern. The Western Galápagos itinerary enables you to explore Fernandina, the most pristine of the islands, as well as the far side of Isabella, with its imposing shield volcanoes and abundant sea life. The Eastern itinerary focuses on the older islands, like Espanola and Genovesa, where you can marvel at the otherworldly landscapes and unique creatures that can’t be found anywhere else. Are you looking for the ultimate Galápagos adventure? Then we recommend you join these two itineraries together and have a once-in-a-lifetime two week cruise aboard a real sailing ship touring around one of the most remarkable places on earth.
Our comments If you can, you must experience the Galápagos on Mary Anne. Owned by one of the original colonising families of the Galápagos, her crew are extremely proud of their ship and their islands, and they will do everything they can to make sure you have an unforgettable time. Her captain told us: "Mary Anne is my favorite ship in Galápagos island for one simple reason: the sensation of guiding her with full sails on a sunny afternoon reminds me of why I chose this profession in the first place - it's something that the newest motor yachts will never be able to compete with."
We couldn't agree more - everything about the ship is charming, from the decor to amenities and the superb food. But the icing on the cake is when you are on deck under the full sails - it really does make for memories of the Galápagos that will last a lifetime. The family who own her are justifiably proud of her too - and of their heritage in sharing the wonders of Galápagos with explorers, scientists and now tourists. Please book now to make sure you can secure your dates on this very popular ship.
Amenities on board the Mary Anne
All meals
Transfers to and from ship
Snorkel gear (free of charge)
Single cabin without supplement
Travel for good: Your Each booking contributes to Ventura’s Conservation Project.
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Water, Coffee, Tea & fresh juices
-25% for children ≤ 12
Triple cabins
English guides
Food & Drinks on board the Mary Anne
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, and we insist that our cruise partners do too. To protect the archipelago all our cruise vessels must have sophisticated water filtration systems, modern efficient engines, and strict maintenance schedules to minimize pollution.
The Galápagos National Park authority also defines exact cruising routes that dictate which ships can visit highlights at specific times, as well as limiting passenger numbers. These measures ensure that animals and habitats are not disturbed by too many visitors.
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! And 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.