Our 40-guest vessel, with 20 outside cabins plus an owner's suite, is the most luxurious yacht cruising the Galapagos, and offers an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere for experiencing the full adventure of the Islands. The yacht is fully air-conditioned; all cabins are spacious and have private bathrooms. Its three public decks offer the amenities of a larger vessel, including bar-salon, dining room and sun deck. The library contains a large selection of reference books on Galapagos and Ecuador, as well as excellent nature and conservation videos, making this reference library the most complete source of information of any Galapagos vessel.
From dining room to stateroom, one senses the superior quality at all levels of service. Isabela's trained chefs prepare a superb a-la-carte selection of meals. Our helpful, warm staff attends to your every need. Hotel Managers have a great taste for details.
The sun deck is comprised of a bar with ample outdoor seating, an observation area for whale and dolphin watching, a Jacuzzi and solarium. As an alternative to snorkeling, the glass-bottom boat offers another opportunity to observe the Galapagos rich marine life.
Our Expedition Team consists of three SC 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 SC Naturalist 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.
NEW: Expedition Travel - Seven Nights of Galapagos Enchantment
In our constant search for enhancement opportunities for all our products, the Isabela II migrates into exclusive week voyages. With this variation, we want to provide a complete Galapagos Expedition Experience. Why? Well, we have reviewed the itineraries, queried our visitors, listened to our SC Naturalists and reached the conclusion that the Isabela II will best satisfy our guests by operating 7-night voyages only. This will start with the December 31 to January 7, 2003 cruise. Since the majority of our Isabela II guests do come for a week, this will optimize their overall experience.
This decision will provide greater value for the Galapagos Expedition Experience, and will allow guests on the full week voyage to fully understand the diversity and uniqueness that Galapagos is famous for. The significant variety of species between the easterly islands and the westerly islands - with different life forms, sea currents and geological characteristics can be more fully appreciated on a week voyage; all three species of boobies, older and younger volcanoes, lowlands and highlands, warmer and colder water, six snorkeling outings, more chances for encountering whales and dolphins, and more.
This comprehensive discovery trip will give guests a chance to see the giant tortoises, land iguanas, flamingos, albatrosses, boobies, Galapagos penguins, and more in one expedition alone, as the wildlife seen on the week program will be its prime highlight. Of course, for guests who prefer a shorter Galapagos Expedition, the M/V Santa Cruz will continue offering its regular three and four night voyages.
With this change we will further innovate our current concept, and will adopt the full expedition approach -- guests will set their own pace by indulging more in all aspects of the Galapagos: discovery, adventure, environmental interpretation, aquatic activities, relaxation, life-lasting memories, superb service and much more. Plus, our SC Naturalists will enhance their interpretative skills with the use of state-of-the-art-expedition equipment and lead guests to become participants, and not mere observers. The simple, but meaningful, intention of an expedition approach relies in understanding more of the visited place, and that is exactly what Galapagos deserves.
The Santa Cruz also offers 4-day cruises from Tuesday to Friday, which have the same itinerary as the 8-days cruise an will end with a transfer from Santa Cruz to Baltra from where you will fly back to the mainland.
A 5-day cruise is also available from Friday to Tuesday, with the same itinerary as the 8-day cruise. The fifth day you will depart from Baltra Airport and fly back to Quito or Guayaquil.
