Galápagos cruise guide

Galápagos Expedition Ships: Silver Origin, Celebrity Flora & National Geographic

Four larger expedition ships sail the Galápagos for international cruise lines: Silversea’s Silver Origin, Celebrity Flora and Lindblad–National Geographic’s Endeavour II and Islander II. Here is what each one offers, who it suits, how it is booked, and the smaller yachts and ships we arrange with our own team, our complimentary nights in Mindo Cloud Forest and live dates and fares.

The four ships at a glance

Ship	Cruise line	Guests	Style	Typical cruise	Indicative fare
Silver Origin	Silversea	100	All-suite ship with butler service, launched in 2020	7 nights from San Cristóbal	From about US$13,000 per person
Celebrity Flora	Celebrity Cruises	100	All-suite ship (50 suites), launched in 2019	7 nights from Baltra: Inner or Outer Loop	From about US$8,000 per person
National Geographic Endeavour II	Lindblad Expeditions	96	Expedition ship with naturalists and photo instructors	7-night cruise within a 10-day program	Varies by date and cabin
National Geographic Islander II	Lindblad Expeditions	Smaller ship	Expedition yacht with suites	6 to 7-night cruises within a package	Varies by date and cabin

Fares are indicative “from” prices per person for a 7-night cruise, as advertised in 2026–2027, and change by date and cabin. These ships are sold by their cruise lines and by their partner agencies. Dana Tours does not book them; please check current fares and dates with each cruise line. Ship names belong to their owners and are used here only to describe them.

Silver Origin (Silversea)

Built for the Galápagos and launched in 2020, Silver Origin carries 100 guests in suites with butler service. Several suites have a “horizon balcony” that opens the room to the sea. Cruises usually start and end in San Cristóbal and alternate northern and western routes: Genovesa, North Seymour and Santiago, or Bartolomé, Isabela and Fernandina.

Celebrity Flora (Celebrity Cruises)

Celebrity Flora, launched in 2019, has 50 suites for 100 guests, with balconies or “infinite verandas”. Its 7-night Inner and Outer Loop cruises start in Baltra: the outer loop reaches Española, Floreana, Isabela and Fernandina; the inner loop, Santiago, Rábida, Bartolomé and western Isabela.

National Geographic Endeavour II and Islander II (Lindblad Expeditions)

Lindblad Expeditions, in partnership with National Geographic, sells its Galápagos cruises as complete programs with flights from mainland Ecuador, a strong naturalist and photography team, kayaks and a glass-bottom boat. Lindblad has announced that its Galápagos expedition will sail aboard the National Geographic Islander II from 2027, so confirm the ship for your dates with Lindblad.

Larger ship or small yacht?

A ship of around 100 guests suits you if…

you want resort-style comfort: more decks, restaurants and lounges;
you get seasick easily: a larger hull moves less;
you travel with family across several generations.

A small yacht of 16 to 48 guests suits you if…

you prefer small groups ashore and more time with your naturalist guide;
you like a relaxed, personal atmosphere on board;
you want more routes and departure days to choose from.

Every ship, large or small, follows the same Galápagos National Park rules: groups of up to 16 guests per guide on each visit, and itineraries set by the park.

Similar journeys we arrange

If you are comparing these ships, these are the expedition ships and luxury yachts we book directly with their operators, with live dates and fares and complimentary nights in Mindo Cloud Forest.