What is the Difference Between the Classes of Boats in the Galapagos Islands?

There are four classes of boats in the Galapagos Islands:

• Luxury Class
• First Class
• Tourist Superior Class
• Tourist or Economy Class

These classes vary by price, amenities on board, level of comfort, size of the cabins, and sometimes even by the quality of naturalist guide and itinerary.

On Luxury Class, First Class, and Tourist Superior Class boats, you will find excellent naturalist guides who speak English very well. These boats have very good itineraries where you will a huge diversity of wildlife on different islands. All of itineraries on these boats will have opportunities to go for naturalist walks on the islands (usually 2 walks per day, for 2 to 3 hours each), and to go snorkeling (at least once each day for about an hour). All cabins on these classes of boats will have private bathrooms, air conditioning, and a window of some sort (either a larger picture window or a small porthole). The differences are listed out further down in this post.

When you get into Tourist or Economy Class boats, the quality of itinerary and guides becomes much more variable.  Some Tourist Class boats are fine, but others you want to avoid at all costs! While Tourist Class boats offer the cheapest trips, they are often a bad value as many guides don’t speak English well, food is poor quality, and accommodations are uncomfortable with diesel fumes in the cabins. Cabins may not have air conditioning or windows, and some boats have shared bathrooms instead of private.

All of the boats, regardless of class, can be single hull yachts, two-hulled catamarans, or motor sailboats. Although, there aren’t any luxury sailboats, as they are generally too small for that level. Sailboats don’t travel by sail much, if at all, as motoring is more reliable and helps keep the boat on its assigned itinerary. They are usually long and narrow, with smaller cabins, and they can be a bit less stable than single hull or catamaran boats. Catamarans are generally wider, thus offering more space for their length, and also more stable. These boats are great for all year, but they are especially nice June through November when the waves are a little bigger, as they offer more stability. Single hull yachts are the most common. As a general rule, the longer and wider the boat, the more stable it is in the ocean, and the more spacious the cabins and common areas will be.

Boats range in size from 10 – 100 passengers, although a majority hold 16 passengers as this is the maximum number of visitors who can tour anywhere within the Park with 1 naturalist. Boats of difference classes can be any size.

Please keep in mind that cruise prices usually don’t include all of the costs of getting to the islands and the entrance fees. For more information on this, see our post on Extra Costs for a Galapagos Trip.

LUXURY CLASS

Luxury boats are very high end. They have spacious cabins with larger king or queen beds, and often have private balconies attached to the rooms. On these boats, you’ll find jacuzzis, spas, masseuses, gourmet meals, some types of alcoholic beverages included, the use VIP lounges at the airport, and some include airport transfers in Quito and Guayaquil in mainland Ecuador.

Luxury cruise price range (approximate): $4,000 to $6,000 per person for 5 days; $6,000 to $9,000 per person for 8 days

Recommended Luxury Class Cruises:

FIRST CLASS

First Class boats will have smaller cabins than Luxury boats, but they will still be very comfortable. The beds will be smaller double or twin sized beds, but there will not be bunk beds (with only a few of exceptions). The facilities on board will be very nice, with spacious common areas, and sometimes these boats will have jacuzzis and spas. Meals will be delicious but not quite as gourmet.

First Class cruise price range (approximate): $3,500 to $5,000 per person for 5 days; $5,000 to $6,000 per person for 8 days

Recommended First Class Cruises:

TOURIST SUPERIOR CLASS

These cruises are the best way to go if you want a great trip in the Galapagos but don’t need any frills. The cabins are smaller, and usually only have bunk beds. You’ll most likely be spending your time out on the deck anyway! The common areas won’t be as spacious, but you won’t feel overcrowded. The food will be good and plentiful.

Tourist Superior cruise price range (approximate): $2,000 to $3,000 per person for 5 days; $3,500 to $4,500 per person for 8 days

Recommended Tourist Superior Class Cruises:

TOURIST CLASS

In general, we don’t think that Tourist Class boats are a good value for your money. But there a few cruises out there that are great value, with cabins that have private bathrooms, small windows, air conditioning, as well as good guides and good itineraries. If you’re looking for a cruise in this class, please contact the travel experts at Detour and we will let you know what’s available.

Recommended Tourist Class Cruise: