A seven-day Galapagos Islands cruise with National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions offers close encounters with wildlife, including penguins and sea lions. These cruises, which start from £4,931 per person, include all meals, tours, and internal flights from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Island.
The experience on board vessels like the National Geographic Islander II, which accommodates 48 guests, differs from contemporary cruises. There are no waterslides or traditional entertainment, with an emphasis on nature and wildlife activities such as kayaking and snorkelling.
Strict rules are in place for visitors to the Galapagos Islands. Guests must be accompanied by a guide, with a maximum of 16 people per naturalist. Visitors are also required to maintain a distance of six feet or two metres from wildlife and are prohibited from taking anything from the islands. Cruise ship capacity is capped at 100 passengers.