Two New Galapagos Yachts Expand Small-Group Cruise And Day-Tour Options

Galaxy Cruises adds 12-guest Galaxy Stella for multiday expeditions and 16-guest Galaxy Skape for day trips catering to land-based travelers.

NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, October 29, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Galaxy Cruises, an Ecuadorian-owned company operating expedition cruises in the Galapagos Islands, has added two yachts to its fleet. Galaxy Stella, a luxury expedition yacht for 12 guests, and Galaxy Skape, a day-tour yacht for up to 16 guests, give travel advisors and tour operators new options for booking small-group travel in the archipelago.

In an archipelago where tourism is regulated to protect biodiversity, the two yachts serve distinct client needs. Galaxy Stella offers multiday expeditions for travelers seeking a yacht-based Galapagos experience, while Galaxy Skape provides island day trips for those staying on land. Both are available for full-yacht charters, giving travel advisors and tour operators options for families and private groups.

“Small-group trips, attentive service and an intimate atmosphere make a bucket-list journey to the Galapagos deeply personal. That sense of connection turns a trip of a lifetime into a transformative experience, with memories that stay with our guests for years,” said Alexis Gordillo, founder and CEO of Galaxy Cruises.

Galaxy Stella is a U.S.-built Broward yacht with six cabins, including a master suite with a study. On deck, there is a hot tub, barbecue area, and fire pit. It sails a four-day southern itinerary, a five-day eastern itinerary and an eight-day western itinerary. The southern and eastern routes can be combined into an eight-day voyage. Kayaks and paddleboards are kept on board for the enjoyment of guests. Rates include meals, a bilingual naturalist guide and snorkeling gear. Flights, national park fees, gratuities and insurance are extra.

Galaxy Skape is a Ferretti 731, built in Italy and the fastest vessel in the Galaxy fleet. It offers day trips to North Seymour, South Plaza and Bartolomé, one island per outing. North Seymour is known for its frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies, South Plaza for its land iguanas and sea lions, and Bartolomé for Pinnacle Rock and the chance to see Galapagos penguins. The format complements land-based stays, a visit category that accounted for 79% of all Galapagos visitors in 2025, according to the Galapagos government’s annual visitor report. The same report identifies the United States as the islands’ second-largest source market, accounting for 29% of total visitors.

On Galaxy’s multiday cruises, vessels move between islands at night, so daylight hours are spent ashore or in the water, and groups reach landing sites early, when wildlife is easier to spot. Every vessel has a cruise director dedicated to guests and their comfort. Meals are prepared on board by the chef with Ecuadorian ingredients, and vegetarian, vegan and allergy-friendly options are provided. Satellite Wi-Fi is available on most of the routes.

Galapagos itineraries offer soft-adventure experiences with easy to moderate activity levels, including some wet landings and walks over uneven terrain. Solo travelers can share a cabin with another guest of the same gender at no additional cost or pay a supplement for a private cabin. Travelers reach the islands on domestic flights, taking approximately two hours depending on the route and any stopover.

“We believe every journey to the Galapagos should be experienced through all five senses. These two new vessels offer exclusive experiences for travelers while contributing to a tourism model that creates opportunities for local communities and supports Ecuador’s development,” said Nelson Risueno, U.S. commercial representative for Galaxy Cruises.

According to the company, the two yachts represent more than 22 new onboard jobs and add demand for local provisioning, transportation, naturalist guiding and other tourism services.

Galaxy Cruises, a member of the Expedition Cruise Network since 2025, is offering promotional rates for travel through November 2026 and on select departure dates in 2027. Travel advisors and tour operators can contact the company’s U.S. commercial representative for pricing, availability and booking terms.

Gerardo García Cea
COMUNICANDES
+593 95 892 0072
pr@comunicandes.com
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Experience the Galapagos: Small-Group Journeys with Galaxy Cruises