Solaris Galápagos Cruise

The Solaris provides you with the unique opportunity to enjoy one of the first journeys onboard a brand new, state-of-the-art, First Class Galápagos cruise yacht. Having completed her luxurious fit-out and sea trials, Solaris had her maiden cruises in March 2019. She's the first yacht in the fleet to tailor her accommodation towards couples, families, and solo travellers.

• Brand new ship, maiden voyage in March 2019
• 5 single cabins - no supplement for solo Galápagos travel!
• Triple occupancy available - family friendly
• Stunning first-class interiors

New beginnings The launch of the Solaris marks the opening of a new chapter in the Galápagos, but also the closing of an old one. Solaris is replacing the wonderful (but mature!) motor yacht San Jose and will be operating the same magnificent itineraries.

Although the wildlife itineraries will be identical, everything else is a superb enhancement. Solaris has been designed and built to a stunning standard of quality and beauty. Her interiors are fresh and modern, as befits the newest ship in the Galápagos fleet. Her expansive saloon is a delightful place to relax, with generous panoramic windows letting you enjoy stunning views of the islands. There's a comfortable lounge area, with comfy sofas and easy chairs, a large-screen TV and a library with books and games.

Eat, Drink and be merry There's also a fantastic bar, which promises to be one of the best-stocked in the Galápagos fleet, with lots of stylish yet informal seating and tables. The dining room is off the saloon and provides contemporary, relaxed "cafe-style" seating and tables. This fits perfectly with the "vibe" onboard Solaris - informal and relaxing, yet incredibly stylish and modern.

Food on board will be of the highest standard and, knowing the chef as we do from the San Jose, there will be more than you can ever eat! The cuisine is a wide range of tastes, including local and South American specialties using the very freshest ingredients from the Galápagos.

Great for families and solo explorers Unique to the Galápagos fleet, Solaris features 5 double cabins that can also be used for triple occupancy and 5 dedicated single cabins. For solo adventurers, this means there is no single supplement and no sharing. You can enjoy a stunning, modern cabin and know that you are not being disadvantaged on price. We anticipate these supplement-free single cabins to sell out very quickly, so if you are planning a solo Galápagos adventure in 2019 our advice is to call one of our travel advisers now!

For couples and families, Solaris offers some of the most spacious rooms in her class. The upper deck cabins feature queen size beds and an additional single bed if required. Just the two of you? Then enjoy an unprecedented 279 square feet of stunning accommodation, with large windows overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Galápagos islands themselves. If you're travelling as a family, Solaris could be a fantastic cost-saving option. With no single supplement, you could have an older child in a single cabin while a younger on shares with you without paying any premium as would happen on other ships. To discover if this could be the right option for you, contact one of our Galápagos travel advisors today.

The great outdoors As well as beautifully-appointed indoor spaces, Solaris enjoys a fantastic sun deck - the perfect place to relax under the hot equatorial sun. And to make sure you don't have to wait more than a moment for a thirst-quenching beverage there's an outside bar, too.

The sundeck is a great place to admire the star of the show - the Galápagos Islands. One of the most exciting aspects of Solaris is her wildlife itineraries. Because she is taking over form a retired boat, her itineraries have been honed over the years to give you the very best Galápagos experience. Her National Park qualified naturalist guide will not only take you ashore and into the water to enjoy some stunning wildlife encounters, but they will also brief you on the flora, fauna and habitats of the Galápagos and their conservation. With a maximum of 16 guests onboard at any time you are assured of an intimate and unforgettable Galápagos wildlife experience.

Our comments We're incredibly excited about Solaris. When San Jose retired we were a little sad that her amazing itineraries would retire with her - you can imagine our joy when the owners confirmed to us that they wouldn't be trying to reinvent the wheel, and would take them over completely with Solaris. Looking at her accommodation you can tell that no expense has been spared on fitting her out to a stunning standard - we absolutely love the look and feel of the main saloon, it's wonderful. And what about those FIVE single cabins? Unbelievable, completely unprecedented in Galápagos. If you are planning a solo Galápagos adventure then call one of our cruise experts now - we don't think the single cabins will last long before they are sold out for most of 2019.

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.

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. 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.

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.