The
Santa Cruz is a four-deck, 230-ft Ecuadorean-registered ship, that carries 90 passengers and a crew of 52 on 3-, 4- and 7-day cruises to the Galapagos. Built in Spain in 1979 and remodeled in Chile in 1998, she is one of the largest and most comfortable ships in the region.
Metropolitan Touring got its start in the travel business in 1953, and besides Galapagos cruises, the firm operates land tours throughout Ecuador, Amazonia and more recently Peru. Cruise passengers often add on a land extension or vice versa.
The ship attracts an adventurous breed eager to follow in the wake of Charles Darwin in comfort while gaining a truly educational ecotourism experience. The clientele hails from Europe, South and North America.
Passengers fly from Quito to Baltra Island via Guayaquil to begin their voyage. The staff plans the itineraries in conjunction with the Galapagos National Park Service. Six multilingual naturalist-guides conduct nightly briefings and accompany passengers onto the islands.
They go ashore in small groups by Zodiac, with knee-deep wading required on some wet landings. The ship also carries snorkeling equipment and a glass-bottom boat for underwater observation for those who do not want to take to the water.
Cruises begin on Friday and Monday, so there are combinations of 3- 4- and 7-day cruises that can begin on three days of the week. For those who have the time and money, the 7-day circuit is highly recommended.
Cruisers can count on exposure to blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, sea lions, marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, and other wildlife unafraid of humans, allowing them to see and photograph these wonders at close range and making for unforgettable memories.
The vessel is centrally air-conditioned and fully carpeted. Her sun deck has an awning-covered bar and a whirlpool. Other public space includes an observation platform for dolphin- and whale-watching, a bar and several spacious lounges.
The large dining room provides all meals, including breakfast and luncheon buffets. Service is good, and the menu features international and Ecuadoran specialties. The reading room and library, boutique, and 24-hour coffee station in the lounge are all cozy.
The 45 cabins supply shower-only baths and ample stowage. Twin cabins have two lower berths, two superior cabins provide double beds, four superiors have twins, the two minisuites have twins, and the two master suites have kings and small private verandas. Four cabins are outside quads, six standards can accommodate three passengers each, and the ship has one single cabin. None is wheelchair-accessible.
The Santa Cruz was purpose built for the Galapagos, and with Metropolitan Touring’s long association with Ecuador she is a sure bet for a meaningful experience. Some other lines operate smaller vessels, but with all the firms, the individual groups that go ashore and into the Zodiacs are roughly the same size. A larger vessel has the advantage of more amenities and better stability in rough sea conditions that can occur in the exposed anchorages.
