The Santa Cruz II is one of the newer large cruise ships to operate in the Galapagos, embarking on cruises through this fantastic archipelago since 2015.
The Santa Cruz II provides a fabulous blend of modern comfort and great services. Recently refurbished the ship offers a range of entertainment options and amenities including a large top deck area with hot tubs and an outdoor BBQ area, a natural history library and a selection of features typically found in the larger cruise ships including two bars, a restaurant, fitness room and medical room. The ships 8 naturalist guides provide a range of daily excursions for the 90 passengers, as well as lectures and talks.
With the Santa Cruz II you have a choice of two excellent 5 day cruises which cover a range of islands and habitats and provide a variety of excursions to experience the best of the Galapagos, or if you are looking for something a little longer you have the choice of a 7 day cruise. See below for full details on each itinerary, or contact us for further information.
5 Day Cruise (Western Islands) (2019 Departures) - from £2750pp
Departs every 14 days.
Day 1 (Thu) AM: Arrive in the Galapagos Islands / PM: Follow a trail up Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz Island to spot wildlife
Day 2 (Fri) AM: Explore the coastal cliffs and rocks at Punta Vicente Roca on Isabela Island / PM: Admire the nature and wildlife of Fernandina Island at Punta Espinoza
Day 3 (Sat) AM: Santa Cruz Island overland excursion to visit Charles Darwin Research Station / PM: Choice of afternoon excursions on Santa Cruz Island including kayaking and nature walks
Day 4 (Sun) AM: Visit the historic Post Office Bay and explore the coastal wildlife by dinghy boat / PM: Swimming and snorkelling at Champion Islet and observe flamingos at Punta Cormorant
Day 5 (Mon) AM: Transfer from your cruise ship to the Galapagos airport / PM: Return to Ecuador mainland
5 Day Cruise (Northern Islands) (2019 Departures) - from £2750pp
Departs every 14 days
Day 1 (Mon) AM: Arrive in the Galapagos and transfer to your cruise ship / PM: Explore the stunning beauty of the beach and wildlife at Las Bachas on Santa Cruz Island
Day 2 (Tue) AM: Visit Buccaneer Cove to snorkel or explore by glass-bottomed boat to admire the abundant sealife / PM: Follow a trail at Puerto Egas on Santiago Island
Day 3 (Wed) AM: Panga boat tour along the coast or walk overland at Rabida Island to spot flamingos and iguanas / PM: Trek up Bartolome Island for iconic landscape views of the Galapagos and Pinnacle Rock
Day 4 (Thu) AM: Climb up the famous Prince Philip's Steps at Genovesa Island to observe birdlife including red-footed boobies / PM: Enjoy the marine coast of Darwin Bay with fabulous birdlife including Frigate birds
Day 5 (Fri) AM: Visit the Giant Tortoise Reserve on Santa Cruz Island / PM: Return to Ecuador mainland
7 Day Cruise (Eastern Islands) (2019 Departures) - from £4135pp
Departs every 14 days
Day 1 (Fri) AM: Arrive in the Galapagos at the start of your Santa Cruz II cruise / PM: Observe sea lions and wildlife on a walk at Mosquera Islet
Day 2 (Sat) AM: Overland excursion on San Cristobal Island to Cerro Colorado breeding centre / PM: Spot boobies and other birdlife at Punta Pitt
Day 3 (Sun) AM: Snorkelling and sea lions on the white beaches of Santa Fe Island / PM: Visit South Plaza Island
Day 4 (Mon) AM: Visit the famous Charles Darwin Research Station in the Santa Cruz Island highlands / PM: Santa Cruz Island
Day 5 (Tue) AM: At Espanola Island follow a trial at Punta Suarez to observe incredible birdlife including Blue-footed boobies / PM: The paradise white-sand beach at Gardner Bay
Day 6 (Wed) AM: Observe the sealife and birdlife along the coast of Santa Cruz Island at Eden Islet / PM: Frigate birds, boobies, iguanas and sea lions at North Seymour Island
Day 7 (Thu) AM: Disembark from your cruise and return to Galapagos airport / PM: Return to Ecuador mainland
Detailed Itineraries: Please contact us for detailed itineraries of these or any of our other Galapagos cruises.
Options: These cruises can be booked by themselves, can include flights and services on the Ecuador mainland, or can be combined with any of our other holidays in South America.
Prices Include: The Galapagos cruise, all excursions with a naturalist guide, all food during the cruise including water, tea and coffee, the INGALA Galapagos Transit Control Card, transfers to/from the airport in the Galapagos, and 100% financial protection. Prices are per person based on two people travelling together in a shared standard cabin. The Santa Cruz II has family cabins available, please contact us for further details. A single person supplement may apply.
Prices Do Not Include: The Galapagos National Park Entry Fee (payable on arrival in the Galapagos airport, currently US$100 although subject to change), flights to / from the Galapagos (see below), alcoholic drinks, tips and additional personal expenses during the cruise.
Flights to the Galapagos Islands - £500pp: Flights between the Galapagos Islands and the Ecuador mainland (either Guayaquil or Quito) when booked with us cost £500 (economy-class) per person and we can include these flights for you if required - just let us know. Any flight-inclusive package holiday booked through us would be ATOL-protected through our ATOL license. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/atolcertificate
- Class: Luxury
- Vessel Name: MV Santa Cruz II
- Type: Cruise Ship
- Speed: 10.5 knots
- Year of Construction: 2002, renovated and refurbished in 2015 which was when this vessel first started operating in the Galapagos islands.
- Capacity: 90 passengers
- Crew: 60 crew members in total (captain, sailors, engineers, chefs, barman / waiters) with a permanent medical officer and including 8 naturalist guides
- Cabins: 50 cabins for the 90 passengers (a mixture of single, twin, double and triple) all fitted with air-conditioning, en suite bathrooms with hot water. There is a selection of 4 classes of cabin: Explorer Cabin (standard twin or double cabin), Explorer Family Cabin (larger standard cabin with sofa bed), Voyager Cabin (single cabins) and Darwin Suite (large suite rooms with larger beds, sofa and table area).
- Social Areas / Services: Like all large cruise ships operating in the Galapagos the Santa Cruz II is equipped with a wide selection of social areas and additional services including a panorama lounge and bar, restaurant, outdoor BBQ area, natural history library, large deck with dining area and loungers, two hot tubs, gift shop, reception area for guest services, fitness room (with treadmills) and medical room. Snorkelling equipment and kayaks are included.
- More information: www.cruises.ec/santacruzii
The Santa Cruz II is one of the larger cruise ships operating in the Galapagos and as such on this vessel you will find large and spacious decks over a number of levels. The extra space ensures you have all the additional features and services you may need during your Galapagos cruise.
Cruise Ship Layout
The ship has 5 main decks in total:
Deck Plans
The Ocean Deck is home to the ships restaurant, cabins are spread out over 3 levels (Horizon Deck, Expedition Deck and Panorama Deck - depending on your choice of cabin), and the Panorama Deck and Sky Deck are home to the stunning sun deck, bar and main social and communcal areas including the fitness room.
