Quasar Evolution| Galapagos Cruise

The Quasar Evolution is a 32-guest luxury motor yacht operated by Quasar Expeditions in the Galápagos Islands. It offers 8- and 15-day all-inclusive itineraries, with 16 air-conditioned staterooms, an onboard doctor, and a 10:1 guest-to-guide ratio. These features make it a capable expedition yacht for cruising in the archipelago

At Glance

Technical Specifications

  • Type: Cruise ship Expedition Vessel
  • Communication: UHF,VHF radio
  • Electricity: 110 volts AC/ 60 Hz
  • L.O.A: 192 feet / 58.5 meters
  • Beam: 29 feet / 8.9 meters
  • Engines: Caterpillar: 3512 TITA 1300hp
  • Generators: Norhern Lights 150 KVA
  • Builder: Kanasashi Shipyard, Japan
  • Speed: 10 / 12 Knots
  • Accommodation: 3 Jr. Suites on Bridge – A deck, 9 Cabins on main – C deck, 4 Cabins on Lower – D deck
  • Crew: 18 plus up to 2 Naturalist guides & 1 Cruise Director
  • Navigation Equipment: 72 mile Furuno Radar 19-53 CBB Navnet, Furuno GPS satellite navigator system, FurunoDepth Sounder, Simrad HS50, Electronic Girocompass, speed and distance log, compasses, barometers, forward looking echo sounder
  • Safety Equipment: EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon), 4 x 25 person open sea life rafts, life jackets, flares and signals, fire extinguishing system, and sprinkler system throughout the vesse. Safety equipment on board either meets or exceeds USA Coast Guard regulations
  • Comfort Equipment: Air Renewal System, Air conditioning throughout, TV / CD /VHS/DVD/Playstation 2, boutique, infirmary with MD on board, small soaking tub

Onboard Experience

The Quasar Evolution carries up to 32 guests on a 192-foot yacht, giving it a more intimate feel than the larger ships operating in the Galápagos. With fewer passengers, there is less crowding around shared spaces and excursions. The 10:1 guest-to-guide ratio allows for more personal attention from the naturalist guides.

Cabins and Accommodation

The Evolution has 16 staterooms and suites across four cabin categories, labeled A through D. A-class cabins are normally the quietest and receive the most positive passenger feedback for noise levels. C-class cabins are located near the anchor windlass and may experience some mechanical noise during anchoring. D-class cabins have also received some reports of generator noise. The cabin’s location is worth discussing with your booking agent if this is important to you.

All cabins have private bathrooms with walk-in showers, air conditioning, safes, USB charging sockets, 110V outlets, hair dryers, and biodegradable toiletries. Bed configurations vary by cabin, with some offering king or queen beds and others having twin beds that can be converted. Confirm your preferred configuration when booking.

Dining

Meals are prepared onboard using Ecuadorian produce, local coffee, and fresh ingredients sourced from the mainland when available. The all-inclusive rate covers three meals a day, along with snacks, appetizers, and a selection of wines. Dining is a social part of the trip, with communal tables where guests eat together. When the weather allows, meals can also be served outside on deck.

Deck Life

The Evolution has open deck space with 360-degree views, giving guests plenty of room for wildlife watching and photography. The sun deck is also a popular spot for stargazing after the evening briefings, while the open social areas make it easy to spend time with other guests. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and passengers often describe it as warm and family-like rather than formally upscale. It feels more casual than the traditional ultra-luxury cruise setting.

Water Activities

The Evolution is equipped for active exploration, with snorkeling gear and wetsuits included in the all-inclusive rate. Kayaks are also available during visitor-site stops where conditions allow. Three Zodiacs can carry all 32 guests at once, so the group does not need to board in separate waves. This can help make the most of the time available at each National Park site.

Safety and Medical

The Evolution is one of the smaller Galápagos vessels to have a dedicated onboard physician and infirmary. A doctor is present on every departure, which can be reassuring for families travelling with children, older guests, or anyone who may need medical assistance during the voyage.

Itineraries and Archipelago Access

The Galápagos National Park uses a two-week rotation cycle introduced in 2012, which means that vessels must wait at least 14 days before returning to the same visitor site. The Evolution’s two 8-day itineraries are designed to work together, each covering a different set of islands and visitor sites.

8-Day Itineraries (7 Nights)

The Evolution operates two 8-day itineraries. “In the Steps of Pirates & Darwin” visits both younger and older islands, including Fernandina and Española, offering dramatic contrasts in geology, vegetation, and wildlife. “Footsteps Back in Time” follows the other rotation and visits a different set of islands and visitor sites. Both itineraries depart from Baltra Island or San Cristóbal.

Quasar describes the two routes as offering similar levels of wildlife viewing, landing sites, and activity. Guests with 15 days to spare can take both itineraries back-to-back, covering the visitor sites included in the two rotations.

15-Day Itinerary (14 Nights)

The 15-day Darwin’s Legacy itinerary combines both 8-day rotations into one trip. Guests stay aboard for the full 14 nights, visiting a wider range of islands and visitor sites than either 8-day itinerary alone. When both rotations are booked together, Quasar offers a 10% discount on the second week. From US$18,905 per person. 

Islands and Sites Reached

Across the 15-day trip, the Evolution typically visits Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Española, Genovesa, Santiago, North Seymour, Floreana, Santa Fe, South Plaza, Fernandina, and Isabela. The western islands of Isabela and Fernandina are home to flightless cormorants, Galápagos penguins, and marine iguanas, and include some of the park’s less-visited areas.

Quasar Evolution vs Grace: Choosing Between Them

Both the Evolution and Grace are operated by Quasar Expeditions and are consistently cited as among the best vessels in the Galápagos fleet. These two are luxury, all-inclusive yachts, but they offer quite different experiences. The Evolution carries up to 32 guests, while the Grace has space for just 16. Their cabin layouts, onboard spaces, and itineraries also differ.

Factor Evolution Grace
Capacity 32 guests 16 guests
Cabins 16 staterooms & suites 9 staterooms & suites
Length 58.5 m / 192 ft 44 m / 145 ft
Last renovated 2017 2023
Price from US$9,950 / person (8-day) US$10,950 / person (8-day)
Historic provenance Purpose-built modern expedition yacht Historic yacht; Grace Kelly’s honeymoon yacht; WWII service history
Atmosphere Social, open, family-adventure feel; 360° decks Intimate, historically resonant; classically elegant
Guide ratio 10:1 guest-to-guide 8:1 guest-to-guide
Best for Families, groups wanting social dynamic, travelers who value safety infrastructure Couples, honeymooners, travelers drawn to history and intimacy

The Honest Verdict

If the yacht’s history is part of the appeal, Grace offers something the Evolution does not. Grace Kelly and Aristotle Onassis both sailed aboard the vessel. The 2023 renovation updated the yacht while retaining its older character. With 16 guests, Grace also has a smaller and quieter setting.

The Evolution has a more modern feel and carries up to 32 guests. It also has an onboard physician and infirmary, which may be important to families or travellers who want medical support available during the voyage. Its larger capacity also creates a more social atmosphere. Grace, meanwhile, has a lower guest-to-guide ratio, with 8 guests per guide compared with 10 guests per guide on the Evolution.

On an 8-day itinerary, the price difference is approximately US$1,000 per person. The two yachts differ mainly in size, design, history, and onboard setup rather than in their overall luxury and all-inclusive offering. There is no wide gap in terms of quality.

Who the Quasar Evolution Suits

The Evolution is a luxury-class expedition yacht with 32 guests and modern expedition facilities. It sits below the ultra-luxury level of vessels such as Silver Origin and Aqua Mare, but offers many of the features travellers look for in a comfortable expedition cruise.

The Evolution may suit:

  • Families with children or teenagers who want an onboard physician and infirmary
  • Groups of friends who want to travel together and have a social atmosphere on board
  • Solo travellers and couples who enjoy meeting other guests
  • Wildlife-focused travellers who want to cover a wide range of visitor sites on a 15-day trip
  • Travellers looking for luxury accommodation without the price of a superyacht
  • Honeymooners or romance-focused travellers may prefer Grace, which offers a smaller, more intimate setting and historic identity, while Evolution has a more active and social atmosphere.
How to Book the Quasar Evolution

Book Direct — Voyagers Travel Company (Recommended for Independent Travelers)

Voyagers Travel Company is the publisher of GalapagosIslands.travel and a licensed Ecuador-based operator with offices in Quito and the United States. To reserve the Quasar Evolution or request availability across the 2025–2027 schedule, contact Voyagers directly

Contact Voyagers Travel Company →

For Travel Trade Partners — Latin Trails (DMC)

Travel agents, tour operators, and wholesalers working through a Latin American DMC channel can access the Quasar Evolution through Latin Trails, a licensed Galápagos DMC partner. Latin Trails handles trade allocations, group contracts, and FIT bookings for qualified travel-trade accounts. Direct consumer inquiries should be directed to Voyagers Travel Company above.

Contact Latin Trails →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many passengers does the Quasar Evolution carry?

The Evolution accommodates 32 guests in 16 staterooms and suites. This group size also means the full group can disembark together at visitor sites that allow up to 32 people at a time, rather than splitting into smaller groups.

What is included in the Quasar Evolution price?

The all-inclusive rate covers three meals a day, appetizers and snacks, a selection of wines, snorkeling equipment, wetsuits, Zodiac excursions, guided shore excursions with certified naturalist guides, and kayaks. Galápagos National Park entry fees should be confirmed with your booking agent, as they may be charged separately depending on the booking channel.

What is the difference between the 8-day and 15-day Quasar Evolution itineraries?

The Evolution has two 8-day itineraries, each visiting a different set of islands and visitor sites. The 15-day itinerary combines both routes back-to-back. Quasar offers a 10% discount on the second week when both are booked together.

How does the Quasar Evolution compare to Silver Origin and Aqua Mare?

Silver Origin, operated by Silversea, carries 100 guests in all-suite accommodation with butler service. Aqua Mare, operated by Aqua Expeditions, carries 16 guests in a superyacht setting with bespoke Italian interiors. The Evolution is positioned as a more social, expedition-focused luxury option with a lower per-person price point than these ultra-luxury alternatives.

Is the Quasar Evolution suitable for families with children?

Quasar markets the Evolution as a family adventure yacht. The onboard doctor and infirmary provide medical support during the voyage. Activities include snorkeling, kayaking, and wildlife walks. The 10:1 guest-to-guide ratio also keeps groups relatively small, and the itineraries are described as light to moderate in activity level.

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