The Santa Cruz may be the largest boat sailing the Galapagos, but she is so conscientiously run that the direct personal experience of discovering the islands is largely preserved.

Santa Cruz is fitted out to a good standard throughout and offers a sensible selection of cabin configurations and prices.

Standards of service are high and facilities include a comfortable spacious restaurant, a lounge bar (also used for briefings and lectures), a small well-stocked library, gift shop, and a large sun deck with Jacuzzi.  Dinners are 5-courses with a choice of entrées; breakfast and lunch is from a buffet - all well-prepared and presented.  Vegetarian options are always available.

The Santa Cruz carries 6 personable and experienced multilingual naturalist guides, including a very knowledgeable Chief Naturalist.  There are daily briefings and occasional lectures.  Laser-assisted star-gazing events are very popular.

We found the service staff to be very attentive and the whole ship to be very smoothly and efficiently managed.
Landings are by Zodiac, with considerable care and attention to assisting passengers in and out of the boats.
Snorkeling equipment is provided.  A glass bottomed boat is available.

CATHEGORY: Luxury Cruise

ITINERARY

FEATURES
Technical 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

Other services

• 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
• Safety boxes
• Hair dryers