Charles Darwin once sailed the waters of the Galapagos Islands aboard his trusty ship the HMS Beagle, and his findings revolutionized the way we understand the theory of evolution. Today, ships cruise around the volcanic islands, bringing visitors into their weird, wonderful and oftentimes downright bizarre realm.
The Galapagos isn’t simply a bucket list destination for many – it’s a calling. To see animals which don’t exist anywhere else on the planet – the giant tortoise, marine iguana and friendly Galapagos fur seals among them – is a once-in-a-lifetime dream. Located in the heart of the navy blue Pacific Ocean, 600 miles from the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos evolved in its own bubble. Today this living laboratory is a maze of beautiful beaches, lunar-like geology, and an underwater world thriving with life.
Whether you want to hike the hills, dive with vast schools of hammerhead sharks, or lounge on the beach alongside baby seal pups, environmental preservation is at the heart of the Galapagos’ eco-activities. To leave a minimal footprint on this delicate ecosystem is vital to its future, and a whole new breed of ship is rising to the challenge. Here we take a look at two new ships cruising the waters of the Galapagos which would have impressed Darwin himself.
Celebrity Flora
Celebrity’s mission was ambitious: to build a ship designed to both harness the unique beauty of the Galapagos, and help protect its delicate ecosystem. The result is staggering. The 333-foot Flora blurs the lines between vessel and destination, and has sustainability at its heart. Everything faces outwards, with 360-degree views allowing guests to feel at one with the landscape. It is intimately luxurious, with ocean-view suites incorporating sustainable, natural materials and an open-air stargazing platform to make the most of the inky nights in this far-flung land.
Protecting the Galapagos’ fragile ecosystem was the ethos of this newly launched ship from the very beginning, and the results are evident at every turn. A Global Positioning System allows the ship to stay in one place without having to drop damaging anchors onto the delicate sea floor. She has a 15 percent reduced fuel consumption, meaning less polluting air emissions, and provides ecological seminars led by conservation experts, in-room water filtration stations, and much more besides. Add to that impressive list, state-of-the-art oceanographic research equipment – the first ship in the Galapagos equipped with it – and you have a vessel which is contributing vital information on ocean circulation dynamics to scientists.
Silver Origin
The very first destination specific ship built by Silversea is a real head-turner. Sleek and elegant throughout, she promises guests a Galapagos experience of immeasurable luxury and scientific discovery when she launches in 2020. Silversea know their audience, and know that creating as little impact on this incredible destination is at the forefront of their experience. Which is why Silver Origin is the most environmentally conscious ship the company has ever built. She too is anchor-less, and consideration has been taken at every level to ensure she minimizes her environmental impact. There is even a Silversea Fund for the Galápagos, dedicated to protecting the islands for future generations.
So what can guests expect on board the Silver Origin? Grand panoramas are provided by the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the all-suite accommodation features Horizon Balconies and butler service to further enhance the experience. The small guest-to-zodiac ratios ensure shore excursions accompanied by expert guides are uncrowded. In short, nothing has been left to chance on board the Silver Origin, and her perfect balance between luxury and the environment is the pinnacle of cruising evolution.