Galápagos Cruise Fleet: All 72 Licensed Ships Compared

By Juan Magallanes, Naturalist Expert Contributor

This index tracks every licensed Galápagos cruise vessel we monitor — 72 ships in total — compared by class, passenger capacity, hull type, year built, refurbishment year, and onboard amenities. Sizes range from an 8-guest yacht to a 100-guest expedition ship. Specification and rating data is drawn from the GNPS-licensed vessel registry and operator-published specs.

72 licensed Galápagos cruise vessels — from 8-passenger private yachts to 100-passenger expedition ships. 64 vessels carry 20 or fewer passengers.

Complete Fleet — All 72 Ships

All 72 licensed vessels this index tracks, listed alphabetically by ship name.

Ship Name Class Capacity Hull Built Refurb # Itins Best Rating Avg Rating
AIDA MARIA Tourist Superior 16 Monohull 1997 2014 6 71 65.8
ALYA Luxury 16 Catamaran 2017 4 70 68.0
ANAHI First Class 16 Catamaran 2006 2016 9 70 67.0
Angel First Class 16 Monohull
ANGELITO Tourist Superior 16 Monohull 1992 2013 4 76 69.2
Aqua Tourist Superior 16 Monohull 1998 2019 4 75 68.0
ARCHIPELL I Tourist Superior 16 Catamaran 2002 2013 6 71 66.0
ARCHIPELL II First Class 16 Catamaran 2002 2013 8 69 66.4
BELUGA First Class 16 Monohull 1968 2014 6 73 68.8
Blue Spirit First Class 16 Monohull 2001 2019
Bonita Tourist Superior 16 Monohull 2019
Cachalote Explorer First Class 16 Monohull 2002 2013 2 68 67.0
Calipso First Class 16 Monohull 1991 2019
Camila Luxury 16 Monohull 2018 4 71 68.2
Carina Tourist Superior 16 Monohull 2002 2014 2 65 63.0
Coral I First Class 20 Monohull 2004 2014 6 68 64.3
Coral II First Class 36 Monohull 2006 2014 6 68 64.3
Cormorant Luxury 16 Catamaran 2011 2014 4 69 65.2
Cormorant II Luxury 16 Catamaran 2023
Daphne Tourist Superior 16 Monohull 1997 2015 4 69 66.0
Darwin Tourist Superior 16 Monohull 1995 2014 6 65 63.3
Ecogalaxy First Class 16 Catamaran 5 72 65.4
Eden First Class 16 Monohull 2014 2016 6 69 66.5
Elite Luxury 16 Catamaran 2019 4 65 63.5
Endemic Luxury 16 Catamaran 2001 6 70 64.8
Equinox Tourist Superior 20 Monohull 2000 2019 4 69 64.8
Estrella de Mar Tourist 16 Monohull 1990 2014 4 75 68.5
Evolution Luxury 32 Monohull 1970 2014 2 68 67.0
Flamingo Tourist 10 Monohull 2004 2013 6 63 62.2
Flora Luxury Monohull 2019
Floreana Tourist Superior 16 Monohull 1998 2013 2 68 65.0
Fragata Tourist Superior 16 Monohull 1994 2013 4 70 66.0
GALAPAGOS SEA STAR Luxury 16 Monohull 2011 2013 3 66 65.3
Galaxy First Class 16 Monohull 2006 2014 5 67 66.0
Galaxy Diver Tourist Superior 12 Monohull 2022
Golondrina Tourist 16 Monohull 1970 2012 5 70 64.8
Grace Luxury 16 Monohull 1928 2014 2 69 66.5
Grand Majestic First Class 16 Monohull 2018 4 66 64.5
Hermes Luxury 20 Catamaran
Horizon Luxury 16 Monohull 2018
Infinity Luxury 20 Monohull 2018 4 72 65.5
Integrity Luxury 16 Monohull 2005 2016 2 70 67.0
ISABELA II First Class 40 Monohull 1979 2016 3 70 67.0
King of the Sea Tourist 12 Monohull 1981 2012 6 66 63.0
LA PINTA Luxury 48 Monohull 2007 2016 3 69 66.7
LEGEND Luxury 100 Monohull 2002 2013 6 69 66.0
Lonesome George Tourist Superior 16 Catamaran 2014 2016 1 62 62.0
MARY ANNE First Class 16 Monohull 1997 2014 2 70 63.5
MERAK Tourist 8 Monohull 1985 2016 3 67 66.0
MONSERRAT First Class 20 Monohull 2005 2011 8 66 63.0
NATURAL PARADISE Luxury 16 Monohull 2015 2015 4 66 65.0
NEMO I Tourist Superior 14 Catamaran 1996 2014 8 73 66.9
NEMO II First Class 14 Catamaran 2014 4 70 65.2
NEMO III First Class 16 Catamaran 1990 2014 6 67 65.7
OCEAN SPRAY Luxury 16 Catamaran 2011 2014 6 70 66.0
ODYSSEY First Class 16 Monohull 2008 2014 3 67 65.3
Origin Theory & Evolve Luxury 20 Monohull 2016 2 67 66.0
PASSION Luxury 12 Monohull 1973 2014 2 70 63.5
PETREL Luxury 16 Catamaran 6 70 65.2
QUEEN OF GALAPAGOS Tourist Superior 16 Monohull 2007 2014
REINA SILVIA First Class 12 Monohull 1983 2013 2 71 67.0
SAMBA Tourist Superior 14 Monohull 1966 2014 2 68 66.0
SANTA CRUZ II First Class 90 Monohull 2002 2015 3 68 65.0
SEA MAN JOURNEY First Class 16 Catamaran 2007 2014 4 76 67.8
Solaris First Class 16 Monohull 4 73 67.5
TIP TOP II First Class 16 Monohull 2001 2015 4 72 65.5
TIP TOP IV First Class 16 Monohull 2006 2006 4 68 67.0
TIP TOP V First Class 16 Catamaran 2019
TREASURE OF GALAPAGOS First Class 16 Catamaran 2009 2013 3 66 63.3
XPERIENCE Luxury 48 Monohull 1982 2014 2 69 67.5
XPLORATION Luxury 16 Catamaran 2007 2014 2 69 67.5
YOLITA II Tourist Superior 16 Monohull 2007 2014 4 74 65.5

Fleet by Class

Class reflects onboard comfort and price band, not which islands a ship visits. The four classes in this index, each shown with its own comparison table below: Tourist, Tourist Superior, First Class, and Luxury.

Tourist (5 ships)

Ship Name Capacity Hull Built Best Rating Avg Rating
Estrella de Mar 16 Monohull 1990 75 68.5
Flamingo 10 Monohull 2004 63 62.2
Golondrina 16 Monohull 1970 70 64.8
King of the Sea 12 Monohull 1981 66 63.0
MERAK 8 Monohull 1985 67 66.0

Tourist Superior (17 ships)

Ship Name Capacity Hull Built Best Rating Avg Rating
AIDA MARIA 16 Monohull 1997 71 65.8
ANGELITO 16 Monohull 1992 76 69.2
Aqua 16 Monohull 1998 75 68.0
ARCHIPELL I 16 Catamaran 2002 71 66.0
Bonita 16 Monohull
Carina 16 Monohull 2002 65 63.0
Daphne 16 Monohull 1997 69 66.0
Darwin 16 Monohull 1995 65 63.3
Equinox 20 Monohull 2000 69 64.8
Floreana 16 Monohull 1998 68 65.0
Fragata 16 Monohull 1994 70 66.0
Galaxy Diver 12 Monohull
Lonesome George 16 Catamaran 2014 62 62.0
NEMO I 14 Catamaran 1996 73 66.9
QUEEN OF GALAPAGOS 16 Monohull 2007
SAMBA 14 Monohull 1966 68 66.0
YOLITA II 16 Monohull 2007 74 65.5

First Class (27 ships)

Ship Name Capacity Hull Built Best Rating Avg Rating
ANAHI 16 Catamaran 2006 70 67.0
Angel 16 Monohull
ARCHIPELL II 16 Catamaran 2002 69 66.4
BELUGA 16 Monohull 1968 73 68.8
Blue Spirit 16 Monohull 2001
Cachalote Explorer 16 Monohull 2002 68 67.0
Calipso 16 Monohull 1991
Coral I 20 Monohull 2004 68 64.3
Coral II 36 Monohull 2006 68 64.3
Ecogalaxy 16 Catamaran 72 65.4
Eden 16 Monohull 2014 69 66.5
Galaxy 16 Monohull 2006 67 66.0
Grand Majestic 16 Monohull 2018 66 64.5
ISABELA II 40 Monohull 1979 70 67.0
MARY ANNE 16 Monohull 1997 70 63.5
MONSERRAT 20 Monohull 2005 66 63.0
NEMO II 14 Catamaran 70 65.2
NEMO III 16 Catamaran 1990 67 65.7
ODYSSEY 16 Monohull 2008 67 65.3
REINA SILVIA 12 Monohull 1983 71 67.0
SANTA CRUZ II 90 Monohull 2002 68 65.0
SEA MAN JOURNEY 16 Catamaran 2007 76 67.8
Solaris 16 Monohull 73 67.5
TIP TOP II 16 Monohull 2001 72 65.5
TIP TOP IV 16 Monohull 2006 68 67.0
TIP TOP V 16 Catamaran 2019
TREASURE OF GALAPAGOS 16 Catamaran 2009 66 63.3

Luxury (23 ships)

Ship Name Capacity Hull Built Best Rating Avg Rating
ALYA 16 Catamaran 2017 70 68.0
Camila 16 Monohull 2018 71 68.2
Cormorant 16 Catamaran 2011 69 65.2
Cormorant II 16 Catamaran 2023
Elite 16 Catamaran 2019 65 63.5
Endemic 16 Catamaran 2001 70 64.8
Evolution 32 Monohull 1970 68 67.0
Flora Monohull 2019
GALAPAGOS SEA STAR 16 Monohull 2011 66 65.3
Grace 16 Monohull 1928 69 66.5
Hermes 20 Catamaran
Horizon 16 Monohull 2018
Infinity 20 Monohull 2018 72 65.5
Integrity 16 Monohull 2005 70 67.0
LA PINTA 48 Monohull 2007 69 66.7
LEGEND 100 Monohull 2002 69 66.0
NATURAL PARADISE 16 Monohull 2015 66 65.0
OCEAN SPRAY 16 Catamaran 2011 70 66.0
Origin Theory & Evolve 20 Monohull 2016 67 66.0
PASSION 12 Monohull 1973 70 63.5
PETREL 16 Catamaran 70 65.2
XPERIENCE 48 Monohull 1982 69 67.5
XPLORATION 16 Catamaran 2007 69 67.5

Amenities Comparison

Onboard amenities across all 72 licensed vessels. ✓ indicates the amenity is available; — indicates it is not offered or not recorded.

Ship Name Scuba Kayaks Jacuzzi Exercise Room Glass-Bottom Boat Medical Professional
AIDA MARIA
ALYA
ANAHI
Angel
ANGELITO
Aqua
ARCHIPELL I
ARCHIPELL II
BELUGA
Blue Spirit
Bonita
Cachalote Explorer
Calipso
Camila
Carina
Coral I
Coral II
Cormorant
Cormorant II
Daphne
Darwin
Ecogalaxy
Eden
Elite
Endemic
Equinox
Estrella de Mar
Evolution
Flamingo
Flora
Floreana
Fragata
GALAPAGOS SEA STAR
Galaxy
Galaxy Diver
Golondrina
Grace
Grand Majestic
Hermes
Horizon
Infinity
Integrity
ISABELA II
King of the Sea
LA PINTA
LEGEND
Lonesome George
MARY ANNE
MERAK
MONSERRAT
NATURAL PARADISE
NEMO I
NEMO II
NEMO III
OCEAN SPRAY
ODYSSEY
Origin Theory & Evolve
PASSION
PETREL
QUEEN OF GALAPAGOS
REINA SILVIA
SAMBA
SANTA CRUZ II
SEA MAN JOURNEY
Solaris
TIP TOP II
TIP TOP IV
TIP TOP V
TREASURE OF GALAPAGOS
XPERIENCE
XPLORATION
YOLITA II

Family-Friendly Vessels

Ships with recorded family-travel data in the fleet registry (68 of 72).

Ship Name Min Child Age Children Discount Interconnecting Cabins Bunk Beds
AIDA MARIA 6 20 % UP TO 12 YEARS , 0 MORE THAN 2 PER CUISE
ALYA 6 Discount for children 10% (between 6 and 11 years old
ANAHI 20% for less than 12 years
Angel 6 10% per child under 12 years old. One child per one adult
ANGELITO Children less than 12 years have a discount of 20%
Aqua Every 2 confirmed adults, 1 child has a 20% discount
ARCHIPELL I 20% discount per child for every 2 confirmed adults
ARCHIPELL II 4 Depending of the date, a 5% descount could be apply. 1 child less than 11 years.
BELUGA 50% less than 12 years, 1 child with 1 adult
Bonita 6 Children discount (under 12 years old): 10%.
Cachalote Explorer 50% less than 12 years, 1 child with 1 adult
Calipso 6 10% discount for children under 12 years old on the date of travel. 1 child for each adult
Camila 7 25% Discount for children under 12 years old (1 child per 2 adults).
Coral I 6 under 12 years old sharing cabin with full-fare paying guests 25% discount
Coral II 6 under 12 years old sharing cabin with full-fare paying guests 25% discount
Cormorant 7 25% Discount for children under 12 years old (1 child per 2 adults). Discounts for children do not apply during Christmas, New Year’s and Easter dates
Cormorant II 6 10% discount for children under 12 years old. 1 chid per/ adult.
Daphne 15 No children under 15 allowed
Darwin 2 Children under 5 years have a discount of 10 %
Ecogalaxy 6 10% discount
Eden 5 20% discount for children between 1 and 11 years. and a release form must be filled.
Elite 7 25% discount – 1 child under 12 years old for every two adults. Does not apply on Christmas and New Year
Endemic 7 25%. 1 CHILD UNDER 12 YEARS OLD FOR EVERY TWO ADULTS, DOES NOT APPLY ON CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS
Equinox 6 20% for children under 12 years
Estrella de Mar Children under 12 years old have a discount of 30%
Evolution 5 15 % off cruise rates (not applicable to holidays)
Flamingo $100 discount for children under 2-11 years of age.
Floreana 6 25% discount for children between 6 an 12 years
Fragata 10% discount for children from 0 to 5 years old, depending on the season
GALAPAGOS SEA STAR 3 Child discount: 20% of net rate. Only applicable for children under 12 years travelling with two adults
Galaxy 6 Children discount (under 12 years old): 10%
Galaxy Diver 6 10% discount for children under 12 years old
Golondrina 10% descount for less than 5 years
Grace 5 15% off cruise rates. Not applicable to holiday sailings
Grand Majestic 6 10% discount for children under 12 years old, on the date of travel. 1 child for each adult
Hermes 6 Child discount is 15% if travelling with 2 adults and under 12 years of age. Discount does not apply on discounted, promotional rates, or peak season.
Horizon 6 10% discount for children under 12 years old. 1 child per/1 adult adulto
Infinity 6 10% for children under 12 years old on the date of travel. 1 child per adult
Integrity 8 $500 ages 8-17
ISABELA II 6 Children under 12 sharing a cabin with an adult: 10% off. This discount will not be applied in Peak Season departures
King of the Sea 4 10% discount for children under 12 years
LA PINTA 4 Children under 12 sharing a cabin with one adult: 10% off.
LEGEND 6 25% discount sharing cabin with full-fare paying guests. 50% discount sharing cabin with two full-fare paying guests where the triple cabin is possible
Lonesome George 20% off for children under 11 years.
MARY ANNE Children under 12 have a 25% discount
MERAK 25%
MONSERRAT CHILD DISCOUNT: 15% (Child must be under 12 years) One child discount per every 2 adults fare paid.
NATURAL PARADISE 6 10% discount for children under 12 years old on the date of travel. 1 child for each adult
NEMO I 20% discount for children less than 12 years old
NEMO II 3 Child discount: 25%. Only applicable for children under 12 years
NEMO III 3 25% discount, Only applicable for children under 12 years.
OCEAN SPRAY 7 25% Discount for children under 12 years old (1 child per 2 adults). Discounts for children do not apply during Christmas, New Year’s and Easter dates
ODYSSEY 6 Child discount: 20% of net rate. Only applicable for children under 12 years travelling with two adults
Origin Theory & Evolve 11 15% discount for children age 17 and under
PETREL 7 25% Discount for children under 12 years old (1 child per 2 adults). Discounts for children do not apply during Christmas, New Year’s and Easter dates
QUEEN OF GALAPAGOS 2 20%discount for children less than 12 years traveling with two adults
REINA SILVIA 6 20% discount for kids under 12
SAMBA 7 20% for less than 14 years of age, max 1 child / 2 adults.
SANTA CRUZ II 6 Children under 12 sharing a cabin with their parents or guardians: 25% off. (Applies only to one child per adult paying full fare)
SEA MAN JOURNEY 6 Child discount: 10% discount for one child. Only applicable for children under 12 years travelling with two adults.
Solaris Every 2 confirmed adults, 1 child has a 20% discount
TIP TOP II 6 50% over the Gross rate for children between 6 to 11 years and 11 months old.
TIP TOP IV 6 50% over the Gross rate for children between 6 to 11 years and 11 months old.
TIP TOP V 6 50% over Gross Rate for childer between 6 to 11 years and 11 months old
TREASURE OF GALAPAGOS Every 2 confirmed adults, 1 child has a 20% discount
XPERIENCE 4 Children under 12 years sharing the cabin with an adult 25% discount over the gross rates on all departures except Easter (April 8-15), Christmas (Dec 23-30) and New Year (Dec 30-Jan 06) cruises
XPLORATION 7 25% over the gross rate for less than 12 years except Easter (April 8-15) Christmas (Dec 23-30) and New Year (Dec 30-Jan 06) cruises
YOLITA II 2 20%discount for children less than 12 years traveling with two adults

Note: Ships not listed have no recorded family data in the fleet registry.

Solo Traveller Options

Vessels flagged as solo-traveller friendly in the fleet registry (45 of 72).

Ship Name Class Capacity Solo Notes
ALYA Luxury 16 Dedicated solo cabins
ANAHI First Class 16 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
Angel First Class 16 Dedicated solo cabins
ANGELITO Tourist Superior 16 Dedicated solo cabins
Aqua Tourist Superior 16 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
ARCHIPELL I Tourist Superior 16 Dedicated solo cabins
Bonita Tourist Superior 16 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
Calipso First Class 16 Dedicated solo cabins
Coral I First Class 20 Dedicated solo cabins
Coral II First Class 36 Dedicated solo cabins
Cormorant II Luxury 16 Dedicated solo cabins
Ecogalaxy First Class 16 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
Elite Luxury 16 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
Endemic Luxury 16 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
Evolution Luxury 32 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
Fragata Tourist Superior 16 Dedicated solo cabins
GALAPAGOS SEA STAR Luxury 16 Triple cabins available
Galaxy First Class 16 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
Galaxy Diver Tourist Superior 12 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
Golondrina Tourist 16 Dedicated solo cabins
Grace Luxury 16 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
Grand Majestic First Class 16 Dedicated solo cabins
Hermes Luxury 20 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
Horizon Luxury 16 Dedicated solo cabins
Infinity Luxury 20 Dedicated solo cabins
Integrity Luxury 16 Dedicated solo cabins
ISABELA II First Class 40 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
LA PINTA Luxury 48 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
LEGEND Luxury 100 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
MARY ANNE First Class 16 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
NATURAL PARADISE Luxury 16 Dedicated solo cabins
NEMO II First Class 14 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
NEMO III First Class 16 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
OCEAN SPRAY Luxury 16 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
ODYSSEY First Class 16 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
Origin Theory & Evolve Luxury 20 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
QUEEN OF GALAPAGOS Tourist Superior 16 Dedicated solo cabins
SANTA CRUZ II First Class 90 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
SEA MAN JOURNEY First Class 16 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
Solaris First Class 16 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
TIP TOP II First Class 16 Dedicated solo cabins
TIP TOP IV First Class 16 Dedicated solo cabins
TREASURE OF GALAPAGOS First Class 16 Dedicated solo cabins; Triple cabins available
XPERIENCE Luxury 48 Solo-traveller friendly per registry
YOLITA II Tourist Superior 16 Dedicated solo cabins

Key Takeaways

  • 72 licensed vessels total (4 classes, 4 hull types tracked — Monohull and Catamaran are the two hull types recorded).
  • 64 vessels carry 20 or fewer passengers — the Galápagos is a small-ship destination.
  • Class breakdown: Tourist 5 | Tourist Superior 17 | First Class 27 | Luxury 23.
  • Built range: 1928 to 2023.
  • ANGELITO holds the highest average itinerary rating at 69.2.
  • Book through a specialist — vessel selection affects which sites you can reach.

Plan Your Visit

Frequently Asked Questions

How many ships operate in the Galápagos?

This index tracks 72 licensed Galápagos cruise vessels, ranging from an 8-guest yacht to a 100-guest expedition ship. Of these, 64 carry 20 or fewer passengers, which reflects the fleet’s overall skew toward small-ship operations. [source: ships.csv]

What is the difference between First Class and Luxury in the Galápagos?

Class labels reflect onboard comfort level and price band rather than the islands a ship visits. In this index there are 27 First Class and 23 Luxury vessels; Luxury vessels generally carry higher-end cabin finishes, dining, and service ratios, but nearly all classes can reach nearly all visitor sites depending on itinerary length.

Which ships are best for families?

68 of the 72 vessels in this index carry recorded family-travel data — minimum child age, children’s discount terms, interconnecting cabins, or bunk-bed configurations. See the Family-Friendly Vessels table above for the full list and specifics per ship.

Can I find a solo-friendly Galápagos cruise?

Yes. 45 vessels in this index are flagged as solo-traveller friendly in the fleet registry, some with dedicated solo cabins or triple-cabin configurations that reduce the single supplement. See the Solo Traveller Options table above.

How do itinerary ratings work?

Each vessel in this index carries a best itinerary rating and an average itinerary rating, compiled across the itineraries that ship offers. These ratings are one input for comparing vessels — they are not a substitute for checking specific departure dates and itinerary length against the sites you want to visit.