Santa Cruz Cruise Ship

Category: Luxury Class
Departures: Every Monday and Friday
Capacity: 90 passenger

Facilities and Accommodation

The 46-cabin M/V SANTA CRUZ, the only ship built exclusively for Galapagos Islands cruising, was completely renovated in 1998, having been redesigned and refurbished inside and out.

The SANTA CRUZ has gained worldwide recognition for its excellent standards, including superb service, expert crew, the most knowledgeable multilingual naturalist / guides and menus that feature the very best international cuisine and celebrated Ecuadorian dishes. Its capacity is for ninety guests. Our Expedition Team consists of a Chief Naturalist and five Naturalists. All will delight guests with diverse natural history explanations, superb on-deck talks, and eye-catching lectures regarding natural history issues. Their multimedia presentations and recaps will complement the day's activities. Together with the Captain, they will plan the day's program. They are masters of Galapagos' knowledge.

Soon enough, our Naturalists will become the highlight of your voyage. At night, when pitch-dark starry skies are seen, stargazing is an amazing nocturnal activity. The southern skies are beautifully arranged with exuberant constellations.

On the Boat Deck, there are two master suites with double beds and a private balcony, and two junior suites with twin beds. Four Superior-Class cabins have twin or double beds, that together with the remaining Standard Cabins on the Upper and Main decks offer a variety of accommodations, all meeting the same high standard for comfort and style. Family passengers have ample choice among single, double, triple and quad accommodations.

The Sun Deck features a bar and Jacuzzi, along with the observation platform for dolphin and whale watching. The dining room, lounge and bar are elegantly appointed, as is the well-stocked library/reading room. As an alternative to snorkeling, the glass-bottom boat offers another opportunity to observe the marine life. The entire ship is air-conditioned. A carefully planned itinerary includes the Galapagos' main highlights plus a flexible program allowing guests to enjoy several alternatives for their daily activities. In essence, an almost custom-planned voyage for each guest.

Specifications

Construction: Bilbao, Spain, 1979
Reconstruction: Talcahuano, Chile, 1998
Category: First Class
Gross Tonnage: 1675 Capacity: 90 guests
Length: 72.35 meters (237.3 feet)
Beam: 11.85 meters (38.86 feet
) Speed: 13 knots
Electricity: 110 Volts in the cabins with 220 Volt sockets available in Reception and Dining area.
Engines: 2 Sulzer engines, 1620 BHP each
Navigation: Gyrocompass, auto pilot, radar, echo-sounders.
Equipment: GPS and Radio Director Finder
Safety Classification: ABS classification +A1E + AMS #7907 853 SOLAS (safety of life at sea) ISM certificate Complying with the IMO resolution A.788(19) Automatic fire controls
Life Jackets: In each cabin
Lifeboats: Two 66-man, two 25-man.
Life Rafts: Two 16-man, two 10-man
Zodiacs: 5 for ship to shore transportation
Boston Whaler: 1 with glass-bottom with for underwater observation
Owner: ETICA / Metropolitan
Touring Decks: 4 (Sun deck, Boat deck, Upper deck, Main deck)
Crew: 52
Naturalist: 6 multilingual (includes Chief Naturalist)
Medical Officer: Permanently on board

Bar - Lounge, Boutique Gift Shop Email, radio, telephone, and Fax communications. PA system. Snorkeling Equipment, Multimedia, natural history lectures, Stargazing Program, Glass bottom boat, Jacuzzi, Reading Room and Natural History, Library, Air conditioned throughout Aromatherapy Center.

Itinerary 4 days

Friday: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal (Chatham) Island Cerro Brujo San Cristobal (Chatham) Island.
Saturday: Gardner Bay (Española (Hood) Island) Punta Cormorant (Floreana Island)
Sunday: Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island) Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)
Monday: Departure

Itinerary 5 days

Itinerary 8 days

Monday: Cerro Dragón (Dragon Hill) (Santa Cruz Island) Baltra Island
Tuesday: Bartolomé Island-Puerto Egas (Santiago (James) Island)
Wednesday: Jervis (Rabida Island) Puerto Ayora ( Santa Cruz Island)
Thursday: Highlands (Santa Cruz Island) North Seymour Island
Friday: Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristóbal (Chatham) Island Cerro Brujo San Cristobal (Chatham) Island
Saturday: Gardner Bay (Española (Hood) Island) Punta Cormorant (Floreana Island)
Sunday: Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island) Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)
Monday: Departure

NB. Itineraries are subject to National Park regulations and can be modified without previous notice.