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What to expect on a luxury Galapagos cruise?


The Galapagos Islands are the best place to visit for iconic untouched wildlife. The protected archipelago is a paradise for bird lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, as well as being rich in marine life. It is especially perfect for an active holiday. We are often asked what to expect on a luxury Galapagos Cruise. Can you combine luxury with this type of nature based holiday?

Can luxury travel still tread lightly and be mindful of sustainability? Particularly in a fragile and protected eco- system like the Galapagos Islands. We’ve just returned from a stay on The Galaxy Sirius, a luxury Catamaran offering several Galapagos routes. We were able to experience everything these amazing islands have to offer. And in style.

Galaxy Sirius

We were lucky enough to stay on board the newest of the Galagent fleet…the Galaxy Sirius luxury catamaran. We boarded the 5 night/ 6 day cruise from Santa Cruz then back to San Cristobal. While en route visiting Rabida, Seymour, Mosquera, Santiago, Bartolome and Genovesa.

The first thing you notice about the boat, is the colour. Most cruises in the Galapagos are white and look fairly similar, but vary in size. The Galaxy Sirius is seriously stylish. Painted a shimmering black which almost sparkles against the sun, its a stunning sight.

The Catamaran

The luxury catamaran has 11 staff, and can sleep 16 guests. All dining is communal in either the beautifully designed dining area or outside on deck listening to the sounds of the ocean. There is a large comfy lounge area where fellow passengers and crew meet. Here you have your daily briefings, grab a drink from the bar and just relax. The finish of the boat in undeniably luxurious and high quality throughout.

Your Cabin

Cabins are spacious and light, with a luxury shower/bathroom to rival any 5* hotel. The Galaxy Sirius is unique in that every cabin has a private balcony with space for two. I saw Pelicans flying by and turtles swimming along, from the peace and comfort of my own cabin.  Each cabin has ample space for luggage, hanging up clothes, a reading desk and lots of mirrors which add to the feel of light and space. And obviously made getting ready much easier. Finally, the upper deck is the real show stopper. It boasts a hot tub surrounded by lounging chairs and sunbathing daybeds. The upper deck is particularly perfect for relaxing in between activities. I read a book in peace, and relaxed with a cold beer in the Jacuzzi as the sun set. (The sunsets in the Galapagos are especially stunning!)

The experience and activities

Each evening our guide talked us through the next day plans. A typical day will be breakfast at 7, onward to an island based walk/wildlife exploration followed by a water activity. You then have break to get changed, relax then enjoy lunch. The afternoon follows a similar pattern, but no two days are the same and a great deal of thought is put into making each activity unique and special. Even down to where the boat docks for al fresco dinner with the best sunsets. Also not setting sail until meals were served so you can enjoy dinner and drinks on a still ship. The team has thought of it all. The two zodiac boats on board zipped us around from the catamaran, to snorkel spots to jump off, to island jetties, paradise beaches, and back again. The itinerary is fairly busy, but I was always given the option of sitting out an activity to instead spend time on deck. This gave you time to relax and take it all in.  Equally, there are always choices offered. Kayak or SUP (or both) snorkel or swim, a short or long walk, spend longer in one spot, take photos of a nest of blue footed boobies, jump in a lava tube. Basically within reason most activities can be tweaked for guests.

Service and food

Like many wildlife holidays, the most memorable part is often your guides. Our guide Christopher had worked in and around the archipelago for around 15 years and there was nothing he didn’t know. His knowledge was incredible and he was full of interesting unique facts. No question was too much, and his passion for the Galapagos undoubtedly shone through. The team on board were just as dedicated; from knowing your favourite beer, to adjusting the lighting over dinner to suit the mood, to accommodating any fussy eaters. The crew became family during our adventure, and on the last day we enjoyed a cocktail with the captain and raised a toast to the fabulous team.

This is the type of 5* service you hope to expect on a luxury Galapagos Cruise. What the Chefs magic together (with what is generally limited resources) was remarkable. Typically The Galapagos is not a destination you associate with great food, but on board the Galaxy Sirius, good food is key! Each evening was a different theme; from fresh pasta night, to sushi night, to Ecuadoran food, to seafood BBQ on deck. Each meal was beautifully crafted and would not be out of place in a top restaurant. We never went hungry and as the week went on it was increasingly difficult to get into our wet suits! Top marks to both the head chef and sous chef…if you are a foodie, this is THE Galapagos boat to choose.

The little touches

Often what separates a luxury hotel from a truly memorable experience are the small, thoughtful touches. The crew were always one step ahead of what you could want next. The daily schedule was always crafted to maximize things we wouldn’t even have considered. Putting on wet suits and snorkeling gear two times a day could have been a challenge with limited space in cabins to store and dry things. However, once we stepped back on the Galaxy after an amazing morning of snorkeling with Hammerhead sharks, the staff were waiting to rinse the sand off us with fresh water. They helped with our gear, dried it, made it ready and packed up with my cabin number good to go for my next adventure.

No need to worry about feeling thirsty or peckish from kayaking; the bartender would be waiting with cups of hot cinnamon tea, snacks, dips and fresh juice. A perfect touch. We didn’t need to think about hiking with sandy feet after a wet landing from the zodiac boats. Our guide bought along clean dry towels to the landings so you can really enjoy the walks in comfort and without sandy feet. The Jacuzzi was filled up and ready for your sun downers following an action packed day, just at the time you are ready to chill out. And on the last day when thoughts turn to your homeward journey, each individual cabin is spoken to about their logistics and timings. Departure is therefore smooth. No time is wasted, every moment enjoyed and every step taken to have the absolute best experience possible.

Sustainability and treading lightly

Single use water bottles are not permitted on board. Instead you bring your own reusable bottle (or purchase one on board). Then you use a filtered fresh water tap in the main dining area. You need to close off all lights and air conditioning accordingly in your cabin every time you leave and likewise asked to use the same towels throughout. No laundry service is offered, and you are expected to be mindful of not taking long showers nor leaving the tap on when brushing teeth. The ship has a state of the art water purification system. Meaning all water used on board is treated, cleaned and put back into the ocean good as new. Significantly, no water from the showers, taps and cooking is wasted. Food on board is delicious and plentiful, prepared from locally sourced farmers and fisherman. Any food waste is stored, treated, and then send back to the mainland for recycling.

Respecting the Galapagos Archipelago

The Galapagos National Park has a strict arrangement with all boats in the archipelago. Meaning all routes are pre assigned and all boats are tracked at all times. Therefore there are never too many boats in one region or one island at any given time. Specifically meaning less groups of tourists will be on one particular excursion or one island simultaneously. Overall this reduces football and treads lightly on the local environment. The wildlife therefore wont ever get used to too many humans at one time, and you have a better, quieter experience as such. Furthermore there were a couple of days on our trip that we barely saw another boat; swimming and hiking completely away from others. There aren’t many places in the world that you can say this about nowadays! No food or drink aside water is allowed on the islands, nor littering or smoking of course. If you do spot any litter, you alert the guides to take it back on the zodiac boats so the team can send it back to the mainland for recycling. A holiday to the Galapagos means respecting the environment and nature at all times. You are there to quietly observe and enjoy by treading lightly. We are just visitors; for the sealions and turtles, its home.

The National Park fees

The recent rise in the National Park fee to $200 is a positive step towards ensuring the Islands don’t attract too many numbers. This money goes towards particularly vital conservation schemes and research. The Galapagos Islands need tourism, but it needs to be implemented in a careful conscious way.

Summary

Our time on the Galaxy Sirius shows what to expect on a luxury Galapagos Cruise. By choosing a boat wisely and ensuring your stay respects the delicate eco system, it is absolutely possible to enjoy a luxury holiday not at the expense of the environment. The Galaxy Sirius achieves this superbly, and is truly a once in a lifetime holiday. The service and food on board meant we didn’t have to compromise on anything. The quality of guides show you the most iconic Galapagos wildlife, the best swim spots, and the most incredible views.

The Galaxy Sirius is at the higher end of price points. Nevertheless we believe this is money well spent and affords the boat the ability to recycle all water and waste. Finally we would recommend combining your cruise with time in Ecuador. Discover this amazing country, and later add some beach days on the mainland to see what Island life in the Galapagos is like. Speak to our experts about including the world class Galaxy Sirius boat into your bespoke holiday plans.

Finally, get in touch today about planning your luxury holiday to The Galapagos.

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