Curator’s statement
The Galápagos Islands are an other-worldly destination that has to be experienced to be believed. The islands are mostly uninhabited and prehistoric, with lava fields and wildlife only seen in comic books. The ecologically naive wildlife observes you as much as you do them, offering unparalleled access to their habitat and behaviors. This is a wildlife paradise for land and sea safari enthusiasts.
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Silversea has succeeded in marrying luxury and expedition cruising. Their dedicated Galápagos expedition ship, the Silver Origin, carries just 100 passengers at full capacity supported by 96 crew and expedition staff (small-ship expedition sailing is having a moment, especially as more remote locations are restricting access to larger cruise ships). Fully refurbished in 2020, the ship is custom-designed with a marina and wet room for all expedition launches with the 10 zodiacs on board.
Silver Origin showing the marina and sea kayaks
While focus is on the landscapes and wildlife off the ship during the day, your downtime is spent in spacious cabins with butler service or at one of two restaurants on board serving fresh local food such as encebollado (fish stew) or ceviche de cameron (shrimp ceviche served with plantain chips and popcorn). Plenty of open decks and lounges offer spectacular views as you sail between islands, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you were sailing on a private yacht with all the space there is to enjoy.
Galápagos sea lion
Blue-footed booby—the national treasure of the Galápagos
San Cristóbal
The Expedition team are all local experts sharing years of knowledge and passion about the archipelago they protect. Their care and skill ensures all guests can safely participate in activities from hikes to snorkeling and accommodations can usually be made for accessibility with advance planning.
Each evening, the Expedition team will share highlights of the day’s activities, provide some local insights, and then brief you on the next day. Each activity is rated (easy, moderate, challenging) and the expedition leader will show pictures of the terrain for those who might be unsure of suitability. These nightly sessions bring all guests together (usually with a cocktail) and offer the chance to mix and mingle with your fellow travelers as you share stories from the day.
The Expedition team is really what distinguishes expedition sailing from cruising in remote locations. Their expertise can make this an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime trip and therefore one of the most important considerations when choosing a cruise line for this destination.
Javi, our Expedition Leader
Need to know
Bring a great camera—you feel like a National Geographic photographer at the end of each day as you review your pictures! Don’t expect to be lounging by the pool—this is an expedition and the magic happens off ship. Accessibility can be a challenge for those slightly unsure of their footing—our group of 14- to 80-year-olds had the trip of a lifetime, although some activities weren’t suitable for all.
For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Galápagos Islands page.
Travel Advisor
Catherine Thomason
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