A Galapagos Luxury Cruise Ship In This Natural Paradise

The M/V Galapagos Explorer II has been design to offer comfort and scientific information to the 100 passengers that visit the Galapagos National Park.
The vessel is design to provide interesting itineraries in this pristine paradise.
Experts naturalists guides offer a educational environment focused on the Galapagos Natural History.

The Galapagos Explorer II is a luxury ship that offers only suites.
Our suites have an average of 250sqft/ 20m2 and they are comfortable while they keep harmony with the surroundings.
We offer four categories of suites:

During our Galapagos cruise tours, The islands are visited twice a day in groups guided by learned bilingual naturalists whose hands on attitude and passion for teaching ensure a most astonishing holistic experience.

As you arrive, you and your fellow passengers are divided into groups that never exceed 16 persons, and each group is guided by a naturalist who has been certified by the Galapagos National Park.

Each visit explores a different terrain, and is around an hour and a half in duration.
In order to enjoy the planned activities, it is recommended that our passengers are in an appropriate physical condition, and desire to discover this paradise in a respectful manner, keeping the environment as natural as possible. Our Galapagos cruise tours are going to blow your mind!

You can participate in the following activities:

• Elevations and hikes: Each day, you will be able to explore the islands following the authorized paths led by you naturalist guide. We recommend good physical condition and a pair walking shoes. We also have walking sticks onboard, just in case you need something to help with balance.

• Snorkeling: Snorkeling is one of the best opportunities to appreciate the pristine marine reserve of Galapagos, and requires minimal training. Snorkeling gear and wetsuits are available for rent upon request.

• Photography: The visual elements of the pictures you take, of the islands and its unmatched diversity will prove to be the most exceptional things you’ll ever see.

• Interpretation or theme talks: Your program includes the assistance to theme talks that are imparted by our naturalists guides like “The Niño phenomenon” “Whales” among others and you can participate during the cruise.

• Glass bottom boat: All our passengers have the opportunity to see the marine reserve of Galapagos. We have a glass bottom Galapagos cruise ship that provides an experience that you cannot miss (subject to availability on the 4 nights cruise, not available on the 3 night cruise).

• Diving: activity managed by Sub-Aqua: Adventurous passengers interested in a marine world underneath the surface can take partake in diving activities managed by Sub-Aqua. Experience, diving insurance, and a paid diving license are required for this activity and cannot be performed with out it. For more information about the diving center, the program, or the itinerary, please click here.

During the day:
• Cocktails Lessons:
In the luxurious bar of the Galapagos Explorer II our creative bartenders will teach you step by step to prepare delicious cocktails during the cruise.

• Conferences about the islands:
Our naturalists’ guides certified by the Galapagos National Park will share with you all their knowledge about natural history, wild life, vegetation and geology that will increase your information about the islands.

• Naturalist program:
On board the Galapagos Explorer II you will find a “Research Record” a book where the naturalists’ guides register unique events of the marine and land life of the islands. Also you can find books of natural history of the Galapagos.

• Spanish lessons:
A very entertained activity in which you can learn about the basic words that will allow you to communicate with our crew on board and with the Galapagos inhabitants.

• Towel Folding:
A very fun and creative activity is the learning of this towels folding technique. Our personnel will teach you to create a beautiful puppets made of towel that you will find every day in your room.

• Ecuadorian Chocolate:
Cocoa is known in Ecuador as The Gold Seed and is a very prestigious product for exportation due to the exquisite flavor and quality. This is a part of a joint program with the Corpei (Corporación de Promoción de la Exportación e Inversión). An exposition is made with the cocoa history in Ecuador and you can taste different and unique varieties of cocoa that exists in our country.

• Whale watch:It is always worth it to be alert for whales in case of watching a whale while you are traveling in the surroundings of the islands. However there is a place with high possibilities for whale watching and is at northeast coast of Isabela where we navigate every Monday. Available from June to September.

At night:
• Karaoke:
During night time you ca relax in our bar and enjoy the repertoire of more then 1500 songs in different languages that we have in our program.

• Theme Parties:
During your stay you will participate and discover a wonderful celebration of crossing the equator line and the Pirate Attack party performed once a cruise. These parties are exclusively of the Galapagos Explorer II.

• Star gazing:
Since Galapagos offers cloudless skies most part of the year, and making this an unforgettable experience. The crew offers at night an interpretation conference with the support of audiovisual media that increases the possibilities of star gazing (available from December to April).

• Briefing for next days activities:
Previous to dinner our coordinator guide we give you information regarding the next days activities, for example, what species could be seen, what to wear, type of terrain, the time etc

All inclusive program

06:30 Wake up.
07:00 Breakfast Buffet.
08:00 Disembarkation, morning visit.

Back on board

11:30 Optional talk or presentation of visit video.
12:30 Lunch Buffet in the main restaurant or in the area of the Jacuzzi if the weather allows it.
15:00 Disembarkation, the passengers leave to the second visit of the day, returning to 18h00.

Back on board

19:45 Briefing regarding next day visit.
20:00 Dinner is served.
21:30 Lectures and activities.

* (Information subject to change)

Technical Features
• Vessel built in La Spezzia (Italy).
• GRT: 4077 Tons,
• length 88.16 m,
• Beam 15.3 m, Draft 4. 2 m
• Design speed 15.5 Knots
• Service speed 15 Knots
• Main engine MAN – B & W
• Bow Thruster: Brunvoll

Vessel Certificates of Safety and Navigation
• ISM Certificate
• ISPS Certificate
• SOLAS Passenger Safety Certificate
• International Load Line Certificate (ILLO)
• Marpol (Prevention of pollution) (IOPP)
• Classification: RINA  (Registro Italiano Navale) * 100 A 1.1

Electronic Equipment
• Radar: Furuno FR-1510 Mark III
• Radar Arpa : Furuno FR-2125
• GPS: Furuno
• Sat. Navegador: Shipmate
• Gyro Compass: Anschutz
• Fire Alarm: Salwico
• Radio: GMDSS Raytheon
• SATCOM C.: Fax
• Sat Phone: Trane & Trane
• Phone: 874-762014651
• Fax: 874-762014652

Crew
Average size of the cruise; 70
Crew’s nationality; Ecuadorians
Renaissance
Officers: Ecuadorians
Hotel personnel and guides: Ecuadorians