Five Things to Know About Silversea Cruises' Silver Galapagos Cruise Ship

On many expedition ships, cabins are, shall we say, cozy. But on the Silver Galapagos, every stateroom is a suite and all of them come with butler service and a mini bar stocked with the beverages of your choice. Cabins start at 210 square feet and seem even larger, thanks to a smart layout and a minimalist, earth-toned design featuring light-beige leather headboards and chairs and marble-topped desks. About half the suites onboard come with a balcony. Good news for coffee addicts: The 361-square-foot Silver Suites, the largest on the ship, come with an Illy Espresso Machine and a huge teak veranda where you can drink your cup each morning.

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Chandeliers, marble, and tufted banquettes: The Restaurant defies expedition-ship stereotypes to serve up the kind of stylish, sophisticated dining experience you’d find on a larger Silversea ship. The multicourse menu is a mix of island-inspired and traditional cruise fare—think local lobster à la Galapaguera and filet mignon with truffles—and many ingredients are locally sourced. When you feel like dinner outdoors, make a reservation at The Grill. At lunch, you’ll find a buffet and typical grill fare. At night, the space is dedicated to Silversea’s signature hot-rocks dining in which guests cook up their own meal on a hot volcanic rock at their table.

If you’ve ever studied Darwin in a science class you may think you know what to expect when you island hop around the Galápagos Islands. But reading about a giant tortoise and watching one lumber by you are two very different things. Blue-footed boobies, waved albatrosses, marina iguanas, native finches, and extremely friendly sea lions are just a few of the sightings you can expect during your underwater and land expeditions. Don’t worry about packing your gear: snorkels, wet suits, and even a backpack and water bottle are all provided.

When guests aren’t out communing with sea lions or giant tortoises, they’re on the ship, resting up for the next excursion. That might mean taking in a lecture or editing photos in the Explorer’s Lounge, sipping martinis at the Piano Bar, reading up on Darwin in the library, getting a mani pedi at the beauty salon, or drinking bubbly in the sun deck’s Jacuzzi. Muscles sore? Sign up for some time in the light-strewn massage room.

No need to agonize over which excursions—or cocktails—to splurge on, since every trip ashore and many wines and liquors are wrapped into the cruise rate. Also complimentary: national park fees, flights between Ecuador and the Galápagos, pre- and post-cruise hotels, unlimited Wifi, and gratuities.