Cruising the Galapagos on a Luxury Silversea Ship
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There’s a reason the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador are called the Islas Encantadas (Enchanted Islands). First known as a hideout for pirates and whalers, these remote and inhospitable islands were almost unknown before Charles Darwin visited in 1835. The now-famous English naturalist was bewildered by the peculiar variations in the bird and tortoise species and suggested it was due to the process of evolution. His scientific observations went on to become the foundation for his seminal work, The Origin of Species.
In modern times, the great BBC broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, as well as other documentary makers, brought the wonders of the Galapagos to the world via mass media, ensuring these fascinating islands are firmly etched in the minds of all true adventure travellers and nature lovers.
It’s only possible to travel among the islands by small ship or yacht and for many years, these vessels failed to meet standards. Visitors to the Galapagos can now experience the features of these otherworldly lands from the comfort of luxury vessels like Silversea Cruises’ Silver Galapagos – arguably the leading ship in these waters.
Acquired and relaunched in 2013 by the luxury cruise line for their expanding expedition fleet, Silversea comprehensively refurbished the existing Galapagos Explorer II to create an exceptional all-suite vessel.
During this massive overhaul, all public spaces and butler-serviced guest suites were refreshed with new upholstery, carpeting, curtains and wall treatments. Additionally, the bathrooms were renovated and enhanced with marble detailing. Apart from the new walk-in rainforest shower, each bathroom received a new vanity, shelving, mirrors, lighting fixtures and wood flooring. Also added were new flat-screen TVs, mattresses (custom-made exclusively for Silversea) and luxurious Pratesi bed linens.
If that weren’t enough, other enhancements include wi-fi throughout the ship (including all suites) and a complimentary streaming service with movies and live television news available on guest’s portable devices.
Now add a new fitness centre, massage room, beauty salon, outdoor jacuzzi, outdoor furniture as well as Silversea’s signature outdoor dining venue, The Grill.
Silversea delivers this experience by way of a finely tuned, seven-day round trip from the island of Baltra, where the first airport was built by the US during WWII. The cruise is in true expedition-style, comprehensive and enriching, while maintaining the key elements of spontaneity and flexibility.
Going ashore at any of the uninhabited islands of the Galapagos is like landing on another planet. Walking carefully ashore on well-defined paths, you find yourself in the domain of strange animals, cast ashore by a fluke of nature on volcanic shores, forgotten by time and shaped by millions of years of evolution.
Here you can see the Galapagos penguin, the only penguin that lives north of the equator, massive tortoises who lumber around as if wound by a slow clock-spring and the fantastic marine iguanas, the only such species to live and feed in the ocean. Dubbed by Darwin as “imps of darkness”, these live gargoyles mingle in clusters, nibbling on algae above and below the waterline and occasionally, snort salt spray from their nostrils with a seeming expression of disdain.
Bird-lovers will be transfixed by the comical antics of the blue-footed boobies who dance, waddle and squawk as part of their vaudevillian mating ritual. The scary-looking frigate birds have their own routine, too, with the males inflating their massive, red throat pouches like party balloons. Or witness the majestic and endangered waved albatross, which only nest on the island of Española. These exquisite birds sail above, soaring on the updrafts from the cliffs returning to their nests to dutifully feed their anxious offspring.
Enjoying these fascinating islands has never been easier or more luxurious. The sophisticated splendour of Silversea enables true adventurers to come face-to-face with prehistoric “monsters” during the day and relax with a spa and champagne in the evening.
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