Grace, Galapagos yachts and cruises

Location

ex San Cristóbal and Baltra (Galapagos yachts and cruises, Galapagos)

Description

Quick facts - Level: Luxury | Passengers: 16 | Duration: 7 nights | Length: 145 feet | Cruising speed: 12 knots | Operator: Quasar Expeditions

A classic motor yacht built in Southampton in 1928. She has a colourful history, previously owned by Aristotle Onassis and given to Princess Grace of Monaco as a wedding gift, and also used during WWII at Dunkirk (she even captured a German torpedo E-boat!). The yacht has an al fresco dining area, sun deck, library, bar-salon and outdoor Jacuzzi.

Departures

Tuesdays

Capacity

16 passengers

Activities

Experienced naturalist guides lead daily island, panga and snorkelling excursions and presentations are given on board. Grace carries kayaks that can be used at certain sites permitted by the National Park. The use of snorkelling gear and wetsuits is included. Scuba diving is offered as an additional activity on the day the yacht visits Puerto Ayora (extra cost).

Accommodation

9 spacious double cabins (twin and double beds), with air-conditioning and private bathrooms. 4 lower (Carolina) deck Deluxe and Premium Staterooms have portholes, and 4 upper (Albert) deck Suites and Master Suites have picture windows. They are all very comfortable, but the Master Suites, cabins A1 and A4, are slightly larger with a small sitting area. There is also 1 double cabin, the Grace Kelly Suite, on the main (Monaco) deck, which is the largest cabin on the yacht.

Grace operates a 14 night programme which is a combination of two 7 night cruises.

Itinerary A - Beyond Darwin's Footsteps

Day 1 (Tuesday): Baltra, Santa Cruz (Puerto Ayora and Darwin Station)
Day 2: Floreana (Highlands, Cormorant Point and Devil's Crown)
Day 3: Española (Punta Suárez, Gardner Bay and Gardner Islet)
Day 4: San Cristobal (Punta Pitt, Lobos Island and Kicker Rock)
Day 5: Santa Fe and South Plazas
Day 6: North Seymour and Bartolomé
Day 7: Chinese Hat, Santa Cruz (James Bay)
Day 8: Black Turtle Cove, Baltra

Itinerary B - Following Darwin's Trail

Day 1 (Tuesday): Baltra, Santa Cruz (Bachas Beach)
Day 2: Genovesa (Prince Philip's Steps, Darwin Bay)
Day 3: Santiago (James Bay, Espumilla Beach)
Day 4: Isabela (Punta Vicente Roca, Tagus Cove)
Day 5: Fernandina (Punta Espinosa), Isabela (Urvina Bay)
Day 6: Isabela (Elizabeth Bay, Punta Moreno)
Day 7: Santa Cruz (Charles Darwin Research Centre, Highlands)
Day 8: Santa Cruz (Los Gemelos)

Premium Stateroom

Lower (Carolina) deck cabins C1, C2, C3 and C5 with a double bed and port holes.

Grace Kelly Suite

The only, and largest, cabin on the main (Monaco) deck with picture windows and a double bed.

Master Suite

Upper (Albert) deck cabins A1 and A4 with a double bed and picture windows.

Suite

Upper (Albert) deck cabins A2 and A3 with twin beds and picture windows.