Wildlife of Galapagos Islands
HURTIGRUTEN
Unleashing the Wild Side: The Adventure of a Hurtigruten Cruise to the Galapagos Islands
Discover the wildlife and ecosystem of this untamed paradise.
A unique and distinctive cruise company, Hurtigruten is long famous for offering expedition cruising to some of the world’s most remote and bucket-list worthy destinations, such as Greenland, Norway, the Northwest Passage and Antarctica. Hurtigruten offers cruise itineraries to the almost-mythical Galapagos Islands, combining the exploration of history, science and wildlife with the premium experience that the cruise line is known for.
Giant Galapagos Tortoise
ASHTON RAY HANSEN/hurtigruten
Walking in Darwin’s Footsteps
Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands—a collection of 19 islands and more than 100 hundred islets—were introduced to the world by Charles Darwin in his famous On the Origin of Species. Due to their isolation, the Galapagos Islands are home to an array of plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth, its ecosystems fragile living laboratories for the study of evolution and ecology.
Hurtigruten’s Galapagos cruises are designed to limit their impact on the islands and reflect their commitment to preserving the delicate balance of those ecosystems while also providing passengers with an immersive and educational experience.
Since 97% of the Galapagos Islands are protected as a national park, tourists aren’t allowed to set foot on the islands or take to the surrounding waters without a national park-certified guide, at a ratio of one guide to 16 guests.
Hurtigruten works in partnership with Ecuadorian company Metropolitan Touring, integrating local expertise and knowledge to offer their guests special benefits and island access.
Lectures with the Expedition Team during a journey to the Galapagos Islands
TOMMY SIMONSEN/hurtigruten
Galapagos Exploration Meets Education
Hurtigruten cruises extol their onboard Expedition Teams. Consisting of handpicked scientists, naturalists and skilled destination specialists, the Expedition Team on each cruise serves as guests’ guides throughout their Galapagos Islands journey. The team delivers fascinating lectures and shares spellbinding stories as well as leads excursions, such as snorkeling, kayaking, hiking to volcanic craters and lava fields, and observing unique bird species like the blue-footed booby and the Galapagos penguin.
To further guests’ study of the wildlife, flora and fauna they are interacting with, the Science Corner offers an educational experience. With a focus on environmental sustainability and scientific inquiry, it is an essential component of the Hurtigruten experience, enriching the understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Hurtigruten also offers a variety of activities and amenities tailored to children, making the expedition cruises a fun, engaging experience for families.
Admiring the view of Eden Islet from the MS Santa Cruz II
Ashton Ray Hansen/huRTIGRUTEN
Hurtigruten—Cruising Without the Crowds
A Hurtigruten expedition cruise isn’t your typical cruise experience. You won’t find water slides, casinos or dress codes. What you will find are like-minded, active adventurers of all ages who value personal growth, exploration and education, and are seeking a different way to immerse themselves in a destination. Guests tend to prefer traveling by panga boat to search for a sea lion colony or snorkeling a coral reef instead of riding an onboard rollercoaster.
Expedition cruising does not mean going without the luxuries of a cruise liner. Quite the opposite. Hurtigruten’s MS Santa Cruz II is the adventurers’ home away from home for the length of their trip. Boasting spacious and elegantly appointed cabins, a fitness center and outdoor hot tubs, the ship offers a boutique hotel feel, where guests can relax and unwind between activities in comfort and style. With a guest capacity of just 90, the ship offers the perfect opportunity for an intimate cruise experience.
Hurtigruten guests photographing an albatross in the Galapagos Islands
Andres Mesias/hurtigruten
Hurtigruten’s Commitment to Sustainability
For years, a priority of the Hurtigruten Group (the parent company of Hurtigruten cruises) has been ensuring sustainability and advancing responsible tourism. Hurtigruten has been an industry leader in finding ways to reduce its environmental impact, such as using low-emission engines, utilizing advanced wastewater treatment systems and banning non-essential single-use plastics. In fact, every cruise to the Galapagos Islands is carbon neutral.
Hurtigruten’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its operations and includes actively working with local communities to support their economies and preserve cultural heritage. In addition, the company aims to inspire its passengers to become environmental ambassadors themselves by offering educational opportunities and encouraging sustainable behaviors. Hurtigruten’s efforts are helping to preserve not just the Galapagos Islands, but also some of the world’s most beautiful and pristine regions for future generations.
Exclusive AAA Member Benefit*
Talk to your AAA Travel Agent or visit AAA.com/Hurtigruten.
*AAA Member Benefit is subject to change and may be updated or removed without notice. AAA Members will receive 90 euro onboard credit per person for Hurtigruten Expeditions cruises, except on the MS Santa Cruz II where guests will receive a $100 USD onboard credit per person and Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express with 300/600 NOK. For Hurtigruten Expeditions cruises where the onboard credit is given in euro (EUR), the USD equivalent will fluctuate due to the exchange rate at the time of usage. The offer is valid for new bookings, and North American residents 18 years or older only. The offer is limited to two persons per cabin. The onboard credit is not transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. Guests who do not use the full amount of the onboard credit during their purchased sailing will not be refunded the remaining credit. Contact your AAA Travel Agent for complete terms and conditions.