Why should you choose Galapagos First Class Cruises?

If you ever get to compare almost all Galápagos cruises, you will notice that the whole fleet can be divided into four categories: Luxury, first class, tourist superior, and economy.

Generally, most of the travelers tend to go for first class, and there is a good reason for that: the perfect combination of a comfortable vessel, a good guide, and the satisfaction of paying for real comfort rather than for the cost of a hot tub that you may use once.

This is the truth: what can “first class” actually give you, the difference between a higher and lower category, and how to choose the perfect vessel without drowning in the process.

Discover all of our first-class Galapagos cruises below - all of them sorted by length, price, and cruise type (whether it is a yacht, catamaran, sailboat, or trip ship) and their itinerary region.

And then, you can talk to an advisor who has actually been aboard and lived the experience  

What actually is “First-class” in the Galapagos Islands?

You won’t really find a “first-class” certified vessel. All of the categories are a standard practice of the industry, and each agency tends to set its “categorization criteria” slightly differently. What matters most is what changes as you are moving through the categories.

Tourist superior: It gives you

• Solid boat
• National Park certified naturalist guide
• Same places visited by pricier vessels.
• Smaller cabins
• Simpler common areas
• Older finishes

First class: a comfort step up

• Double occupancy cabins with private bathroom and ocean views
• More relaxing space out on deck and in the lounge
• Better food
• And the most important part: Well reviewed and experienced guides.

Don’t forget that almost all firs-class vessels are small yachts and catamarans, hence you will be traveling with a small-sized group, giving you a more personal experience, guide and quiet landings.

Luxury class: It just adds that “wow” factor

• Newer or larger vessels
• Suite-type cabins (sometimes with a jacuzzi)
• More crew per guests
• High-end wines.

You just paid a really high price for all of it.

The ultimate game-changers when it comes to a great Galapagos cruise experience are its guide and its crew. Not the balconies, jacuzzis, or high-end wines. For that same reason, a first-class boat with a great naturalist guide can beat a luxury boat with an average one every single day. 

Don’t overpay for facilities that (most of the time) won’t be utilized at all! Book your preferred itinerary and vessel at a price you can live with, then cease searching. 

First class vs Luxury: which one is actually you?

A quick way to decide.

• First class could be your choice if you want top-notch guiding, a comfortable cabin, and small-group landings, and you'd prefer a longer itinerary or a mainland extension. Couples and families who have visited many places throughout the world tend to select this option as their final choice.
• Luxury could be your choice if the onboard part is the point for you: suites, a chef-driven menu, more crew per guest, and the budget is there for it.

Either way, you're seeing the same islands and the same wildlife because the park fixes the visitor sites. Your category changes the boat you sleep on, not the sea lions you'll practically trip over.

How to compare the boats below

When you open the fleet list, you should sort the following four things in this order:

1. Itinerary and route, first. North, central, south, east, west. The different regions offer visitors the opportunity to explore various islands which host distinct animal species. You need to pick your desired location before you develop an attraction to any ship hull. The Waved albatross produces a call that appears only during specific seasons and in particular geographical areas.
    
2. Length, and do the math honestly. A 4-day/3-night cruise is really just two full days on the water, because day one and day four are largely travel. Five- and eight-day itineraries reach far more islands per dollar. If you have the time, then a longer trip will provide you with better value for your money.
    
3. Boat size and format. Yachts and catamarans are small and intimate. Larger trip ships ride steadier and feel more social. People who experience motion sickness will experience stronger effects from smaller boats, which move more with the waves, while larger vessels provide better stability. Be honest with yourself on this one.
    
4. Guide and reviews. Ask who's guiding the departure you're eyeing, and what recent travelers said about them. Your trip prediction depends on this single factor, which the price sheet fails to provide, but we will.

Why book a first-class vessel through us

We manage our own Galapagos operation and periodically inspect the boats in our portfolio rather than relying solely on what the brochure claims. Part of our ranking system for the small yachts that operate in the area is an ownership-based eco score. The yachts that are rated higher are locally owned, locally crewed, and run by the families that own the businesses, because this is the money that contributes to the islands. Furthermore, these are the types of yachts that we are passionate about sending our customers on vacation. The ownership of a yacht is a filter that helps us to trust the rating system for the vessels. Since the rating of “first class” can be given to any yacht, the ownership and reputation of a yacht can provide the customer with a better indication of the quality of the yacht than any rating could provide.

Ask, and you'll be connected with an advisor who can identify the guide, highlight the boat needing maintenance, and inform you which departure is less crowded. No call center.
 

Our First-class Galapagos Cruises

Browse the full first-class fleet below: yachts, catamarans, sailboats, and excursion vessels. Narrow down options by filtering on: cost, cruise type, cruise, and duration (4, 5, or 8 days), or arrange by price to view the range quickly. The prices shown are starting rates and are per individual. Prices differ based on season, cabin, and departure, so use them as a benchmark and check with an advisor for real-time availability before finalizing a reservation.

Filter by price, type of cruise, cruise and length (4, 5 or 8 days), or sort by price to see the range at a glance. Prices listed are per person and starting rates. They vary according to season, cabin and departure, so use the prices as a comparison guide and consult an advisor for live availability before committing to a booking.