Max Passengers:
90
Ship Type:
Expedition Cruise Ship
Operated By:
HX
The Santa Cruz II is a newly refurbished expedition vessel exclusively designed for cruising the Galapagos Islands. Operated by Metropolitan Touring, a company with decades of experience in managing Galapagos cruises, the Santa Cruz II continues its legacy as the successor to the legendary MV Santa Cruz. This modern vessel provides guests with world-class comfort and educational experiences, blending luxury with sustainability through innovative eco-friendly technologies that protect the islands’ fragile ecosystem.
Cabin Specifications
The Santa Cruz II offers comfortable and stylish accommodations designed to enhance every traveler’s Galapagos experience. Each cabin is fully air-conditioned and equipped with a private bathroom, hair dryer, safe deposit box, and iPod/MP3 docking station. The ship also provides free 24-hour access to coffee, tea, and water, along with Wi-Fi hotspots (intermittent, due to the remote location). Guests can expect elegant simplicity paired with modern functionality, ensuring a relaxing stay between excursions.
Features Onboard
Guests can unwind in the ship’s numerous social areas and lounges, each designed for comfort and learning. The Sky Deck invites passengers to bask in the sun, exercise in the fitness room, or simply take in the panoramic island views. The Panorama Bar & Lounge serves as the social heart of the vessel, hosting lectures, welcome events, and casual gatherings, while the Expedition Lounge offers a library, refreshment station, and a Science Corner complete with a microscope and educational displays.
For dining, the Beagle Restaurant offers an exceptional culinary experience led by a Le Cordon Bleu–trained Gastronomy Director, serving organic, locally sourced meals that accommodate all dietary preferences. Two Jacuzzis on the Expedition Deck provide relaxation after days of adventure, while the fitness center offers yoga mats, treadmills, bikes, and weights for those maintaining their workout routines.
The Santa Cruz II is also dedicated to exploration and discovery. With specialized underwater cameras, hydrophones to hear marine life, and spotting scopes for wildlife observation, guests are fully immersed in both the terrestrial and aquatic wonders of the Galapagos. A Specialist Underwater Naturalist joins all snorkeling and swimming excursions, ensuring safe and educational encounters.
Families are warmly welcomed aboard, with customized activities, trivia games, a kids’ exploration kit, and special children’s meals. Every element of the Santa Cruz II—from its luxurious amenities to its expert guiding—has been designed to provide a memorable, enriching, and sustainable Galapagos adventure for travelers of all ages.
Ship specifications
- Gross Tonnage: 2664 T
- Length: 71.8 m / 235.6 ft
- Beam: 13.4 m / 44 ft
- Speed: 10.5 knots
- Year Built: 2002
- Year Refurbished: 2021
- Shipyard: ASENAV Shipyard (CHL)
- Guest Capacity: 90
- Crew: 40
- Decks: 4
