Galapagos Cruises
Galapagos cruises usually depart from the mainland in Ecuador and range from small charters to 100-passenger luxury yachts. Most people who vacation in the Galapagos Islands opt for one of the many types of Galapagos cruises available. Most will fly in to Quito, Ecuador, where the country's main international airport is located. From Quito your options increase, as you can either fly or go by boat to the Islands. If you're flying, get to Guayaquil, a smaller airport that has flights to the Galapagos Islands. Take a bus or fly to Guayaquil. From Guayaquil there are also Galapagos cruises, which take about three or four days to reach their destination.Galapagos cruises come in all shapes and sizes. Of course you will find that many of the boats heading out have a naturalist theme. After all, you are visiting the amazing islands where Charles Darwin observed living examples of evolution. A living laboratory, the Galapagos Islands are called, and it's no wonder scientists from all over the world make it a point to visit here at least once in a lifetime. Try and book a cruise that comes with an on-board naturalist who gives talks, leads excursions, and is available to answer questions and engage in discussions about Nature's Laboratory of Evolution, as these islands are also called.
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Options for a Galapagos Cruise are endless, thanks to the many land-based activities that can be arranged. The volcanic islands have lava fields to explore, exotic, rare wildlife to observe, and of course let's not forget the famous Charles Darwin Research Station, which is open to visitors who want to take a tour.
Land activities and side trips also include hiking, mountain biking, and snorkeling and diving trips. In fact, you can book passage on a live-aboard dive boat that specializes in Galapagos cruises. Passengers live on board, and the captain transports them to seveal dive spots during the cruise, with meals included.
You can go island-hopping with a Galapagos cruise that transports passengers from island to island. The boats are usually a bit smaller than the full-size luxury yachts that accommodate 50-plus passengers. With some cruises you sleep on the boat, and others will leave you off on an island where all passengers are booked into a local inn. This is a good choice if you want to get to know the islands a bit, and especially if you are prone to sea-sickness. Sleeping on a small boat night after night isn't for everyone!
If you are a very independent type traveller, you can put together your own package using public transportation. There are public boats that zip from island to island. Prices are mostly dependent on how far out the island is, and how popular it is. The more remote and less-traveled, probably the more expensive it is to get there. You get to stay on each island as long as you like, and move on to the next when you are ready. There are also day trips that tour various islands, which is another way to see the islands.
Types of Galapagos Cruises
The cruising industry in the Galapagos Islands has developed a system of categorizing the types of passenger boats.- Economy Boats tend to be smaller in size, so usually only about 10 or twelve people on board. Accommodations are dormitory style with shared bathrooms. Hot water may or may not be found, but probably not. The on-board naturalist will be a Naturalist 1 category.
- Tourist Boats are a bit larger, with more than a dozen, perhaps 15 or so. Showers are private but still no hot water. Your dining will be more varied than the Economy boats. Your naturalist will be a Naturalist 2 type.
- Tourist Superior are an upgrade to air conditioning and hot water showers. Food will be even better and your Naturalist will be 2 or 3 type. This class of boat may also include diving excursions/
- First Class cruise boats upgrade to better boats and Naturalist 3 on board.
- Luxury Boats have it all: luxury, style, spaciousness, gourmet meals, excursions, and first class service.