Danubio Azul Galápagos Cruise

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Aida Maria

What better way to experience the Galápagos Islands than on board a yacht that was designed and built right here in the islands from local materials and using local craftsmen? The Aida Maria was launched in 1997, and her owner's family have been a part of Galápagos life since the 1930s. A Galápagos cruise aboard Aida Maria gives you a unique perspective on these unique islands. We think Aida Maria gets the balance just right between affordable Galápagos cruising and having an enjoyable, comfortable and stylish experience. When you step on board, it's remarkable to think that the entire ship was made using local Galápagos timbers and that beautifully polished wood takes pride of place in Aida Maria's decor. She boasts 8 double cabins with traditional-style bunks. The cabins are decorated in lovely light and airy style, and they all have a private bathroom with shower, air conditioning, and classic porthole windows. The communal areas on board have simply stunning polished wood floors and ceilings, but the ship doesn't feel dark because of this. In fact, her saloon boasts large panoramic windows that span the entire length of this deck, flooding her with equatorial light, and providing you with first-class views of the islands as you dine or relax with fellow guests. Unusually for a ship of this class, Aida Maria has 2 sundecks where you can soak up the Galápagos rays. The upper sundeck gives delightful views and has a canopy for shade, but you can also choose to relax on the bow of the main deck - but don't forget your sunblock! As befits a boat with so much local provenance, the dining experience sees your chef use the freshest ingredients to prepare a wide range of delicious local and regional specialties in addition to a great variety of international favorites. Wonderful wildlife Aida Maria's owners have used their intimate knowledge of their home to design a range of superb itineraries for you to choose from. The Aida Maria's itineraries are among the most flexible in her class in terms of sites visited and length of Galápagos cruise - there are currently 6 different options you can take! You can even choose the combine her two best itineraries into one 15-day Galápagos cruise of a lifetime. Whichever you choose, you can be assured of seeing a wide range of stunning [Galápagos wildlife](https://www.galapatours.com/animals) and remarkable [Galápagos islands](https://www.galapatours.com/en/island/). Her onboard naturalist guides are all highly experienced National Park approved locals, and they speak English and Spanish. They will go out of their way to bring you closer to the wildlife and habitats of the islands, and they will be a fascinating source of information for you throughout your trip. Our comments This is a genuinely local ship, and her crew are one of the most dedicated in the fleet. With 8 members to serve a maximum of 16 guests, you are ensured of levels of service beyond your expectation for a Galápagos cruise of this class. We love to sit on her bow sundeck as we cruise along, and we can't help but have a soft spot for her as a true Galápagos "local". However, her crowning glory is the wonderful range of itineraries. If you need help to choose the perfect one for you, contact one of our expert Galápagos travel advisors today.

Golondrina

Golondrina is a tourist class motor yacht that offers some of the best cruise itineraries for those who really want to discover the true Galápagos. This makes her exceptional value and she is a popular choice for those who want a comfortable and relaxed way to see the best of the islands. Golondrina is a motor yacht with classic lines that oozes friendly charm. There is always a great relaxed atmosphere on board and the main lounge and dining area with bar is the perfect place to get to know your fellow guests and relax after your day’s excursions. There is also a TV with DVD player and a music system for entertainment. There are plenty of outdoor areas both under cover and with full sun for socializing and watching the ocean life. For the most adventurous a leap from the top sundeck into the Pacific ocean is recommended! There are 8 cabins on board, and each has traditional wooden twin bunks. The cabins are individually air conditioned, and each has its own private bathroom with full size hot water shower, sink and vanity. Welcome additional service includes fresh towels each day and plentiful food served in a buffet style to refuel after your adventures. Her crew of 5 includes a bilingual naturalist guide who will brief you on the islands and their wonderful wildlife and lead you on various excursions. The Golondrina has some of the most interesting itineraries of any of the tourist class fleet, and many people choose her for this very reason. Excursions include island visits, exploring by panga, swimming and snorkeling - with masks, fins and snorkels available for guests. Golondrina is always a fun boat. Her crew look after everyone really well and they encourage you to relax and enjoy yourself - this is not a formal boat, and if you enjoy having fun in relaxed surroundings whilst seeing the very best of the older Galápagos islands then a Golondrina cruise will suit you perfectly.

Darwin

The Motor Yacht Darwin is the perfect example of how you can enjoy an intimate experience of the Galápagos without needing a huge budget. This charming little motor Yacht was built here in Galápagos in 1995 and offers all you need to be comfortable combined with superb wildlife itineraries, making a Galápagos cruise on Darwin the ideal choice for budget-conscious travelers. - Great value Galápagos cruise - Sundeck - Excellent choice of itineraries - Relaxed and cosy ambience Small, but perfectly formed Darwin's reputation as a friendly boat with a family feel is well known in the Galápagos cruise fleet. She even looks friendly, with our guests commenting to us that she has a "cute" design when they arrive on the dockside! Although she's one of the smaller yachts in her class, Darwin offers [Galápagos wildlife](https://www.galapatours.com/animals) lovers a really comfortable yet affordable way to experience the extraordinary animals and birds that call Galápagos home. To maximise use of space, the 8 cabins are arranged across all decks. We would advise that guests who may be prone to [motion sickness](https://www.galapatours.com/faq/i-m-prone-to-motion-sickness-is-there-anything-i-can-do-to-avoid-seasickness-on-a-galapagos-cruise) should opt for cabins on the lower deck. However, if you are after stunning views, the upper deck cabins next to the sundeck are perfect! The 8 double cabins are laid out as traditional bunks, but every cabin enjoys a private bathroom with hot shower, environmentally-friendly toiletries, linens, and air conditioning. Lower deck cabins feature traditional portholes, but their decor is bright and fresh which makes them light and airy. Upper cabins enjoy larger windows and external doors, giving you a fantastic sea view as you wake ready for a hearty breakfast. All the cabins feature traditional wood fittings and ceiling panels, and this warm, natural theme is continued throughout the whole boat. This gives Darwin a really cosy feel, and it makes it easy to share stories with your fellow guests in the lovely lounge area at the end of a day of Galápagos adventure. The lounge also features 110v power for charging your devices and a TV/DVD system. You'll also find the bar here, with it's wonderfully carved wood panels. A taste of the islands Darwin's chef has a passion for local and Ecuadorian cuisine alongside a superb repertoire of international dishes. He's particularly happy to cater to vegetarian guests - just let us know your dietary requirements when you book. Meals are served in the cosy dining room on the main deck, and you can enjoy sharing breakfast, lunch and dinner with your fellow guests around the dining tables. After dinner, why not relax with a drink at the bar? Or perhaps take it up to the large upper sundeck where you can watch the remarkable Galápagos stars? On this relaxed Galápagos cruise, you can make yourself entirely at home. Adventure or Discovery? Choice of itineraries Darwin's owner, Manuel Villacís, came to Galápagos in the 1940s and fell in love with their incredible wildlife and remarkable habitats. It was this passion that led him to enter the responsible tourism industry and led to the design and build of Darwin. His enthusiasm shows in the two styles of cruise you can choose from on Darwin, named the Adventure and Discovery itineraries. Both styles have multiple variants, and each will allow you to get a different flavor of the unique volcanic islands that make up the Galápagos and the stunning wildlife that you can find there. For the ultimate value-for-money Galápagos cruise why not combine Adventure with Discovery for a [2 week Galápagos cruise](https://www.galapatours.com/trips/15-day-galapagos-cruises) of a lifetime? As well as island excursions and landings by “panga” (the inflatable boats used as tenders in Galápagos) you can also go snorkeling with [Galápagos sea lions](https://www.galapatours.com/animals/galapagos-sea-lion) and green turtles. Quality snorkel gear and wetsuits are available to hire on board for a small additional charge. Our comments With attentive staff and great itineraries, Darwin is a really popular choice for those looking for an affordable yacht with an intimate feel. Having 7 crew for a maximum of only 16 guests, you are always well looked after, and the owner Manuel treats his staff very well which is reflected in their attention to detail, friendliness and passion for their jobs. You also have the services of a bilingual Level III Galápagos National Park naturalist to guide you on all your excursions, meaning your understanding and appreciation of Galápagos will be more profound and more enjoyable. We love her cute styling, her warm and cosy interiors and her exceptional value for money.