something I'd love to do:
Cruise Ship - MV Santa Cruz - Holidays to South and Central America - Journey Latin America

Special Offer
25% off all new bookings for 2010 departures. Save up to £932 per person on a Boat Deck Master Suite cabin, or £616 per person on a Main Deck standard cabin for a 7-night cruise. Prices from £2,014 per person (cruise only). Also available for 3- and 4-night cruises.


The M/V Santa Cruz

A popular choice for those who prefer to cruise on a larger ship offering more space, stability and a larger range of facilities than the smaller craft, the imposing Santa Cruz can accommodate 90 passengers. The 46 cabins range from single to quadruple (a good choice for families or lone travellers). Facilities are first class: there is a cosy restaurant, lounge, library and sun-deck with bar, Jacuzzi and comfy loungers. The décor is contemporary, featuring generous use of polished wood, and combinations of striking colours: forest green, burnt orange and russet, or sky blue and lilac. The ship is equipped with a glass bottomed boat offering an alternative to snorkelling to view the undersea world. There are 52 crew and naturalist guides.
7-night cruise itinerary
FRIDAY: Arrive at San Cristobal Island by plane, transfer to the MV Santa Cruz. San Cristóbal is one of the oldest islands in the archipelago, characterised by eroded volcanic peaks and densely vegetated slopes. A dinghy ride takes you to Cerro Brujo’s white coral beach.
SATURDAY: Española Island: home to one of the largest wildlife populations in the archipelago, with species such as waved albatross settling on the cliffs. At Punta Suarez you will see a spectacular blow-hole with spray shooting 30m into the air. Visit Floreana Island in the afternoon, best known for its colourful history involving buccaneers, pirates, whalers and convicts.

SUNDAY: Fernandina, the youngest island with the most active volcano in the archipelago. Sea-lions cavort and sunbathe on the stark lava flow at Punta Espinosa, a nesting site for flightless cormorants and large colonies of marine iguanas. Visit Isabela Island, the largest in the archipelago and made up of a chain of five active volcanoes, each with its own species of giant tortoise.

MONDAY: Arrive Baltra Island and transfer to the dock. Cruise to Dragon Hill on the north shore of nearby Santa Cruz Island: a dinghy-ride along mangrove-fringed islets and a walk up the hill for inspiring views of the volcanic scenery.

TUESDAY: Visit Bartolomé Island with beautiful white-sand beaches where you can swim and spot penguins. The dark sands at Puerto Egas on James Bay are inhabited by sally lightfoot crabs.

WEDNESDAY: Rábida Island (Jervis) and Santa Cruz Island: Stroll along the rust red beach and observe a large colony of sea-lions, marine iguanas, and finches. There is a salt water lagoon where flamingoes and pelicans feed and nest. Afternoon visit to Puerto Ayora and the Charles Darwin Research Centre.

THURSDAY: Santa Cruz Island and North Seymour Island: A morning bus ride to the highlands to view giant tortoises. Sail to North Seymour, home to large colonies of seabirds, sea-lions, marine iguanas, and occasionally fur seals, lava lizards and Galápagos snakes.

FRIDAY: San Cristóbal Island: Visit the Interpretation Centre where the natural history of the archipelago is exhibited. Afterwards stroll through the attractive town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno before returning to the airport for your flight back to the mainland