Quick Summary
The Treasure of Galapagos is a 101-foot First Class motor catamaran built in 2009 and renovated in 2017 and 2022, carrying 16 passengers in 9 cabins. It is the only vessel in this review series where every single cabin has a private balcony, including the 430 sq ft Master Suite at the bow with two balconies, a king bed, and a separate living area. The art deco aesthetic, described as a fusion of art deco and contemporary styles, is unique in the Galapagos fleet. Wine with dinner is included in the fare. The single supplement starts at 25% (maximum 2 cabins), the lowest in the series. The Master Suite booked as a quad charges only the balcony stateroom rate per person. An outdoor Jacuzzi seats 6, a BBQ area and al fresco bar sit on the top deck. Itineraries run 5 and 7 days across central/eastern, southern, and western routes, combinable to 9, 11, and 15 days. Chartered by Avalon Waterways. Guide Jaime is praised in independent accounts as “phenomenal.”
Treasure of Galapagos Cruise: Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Vessel Type | Motor Catamaran (purpose-built for Galapagos) |
| Class | First Class |
| Built / Renovated | 2009 / 2017 refit / 2022 renovation |
| Length | ~101 ft |
| Passenger Capacity | 16 guests |
| Crew | 9: Captain Jimmy, bilingual naturalist guide, chef, sous chef, engineer, assistant engineer, sailor, barman, housekeeper |
| Aesthetic | Art deco fused with contemporary (unique in Galapagos fleet) |
| Cabins | 9 total, ALL with private balconies |
| Master Suite (Cabin 1) | 430 sq ft / 40 m², bow position, 2 private balconies, king bed, separate living area; triple or quad-capable (quad billed at balcony stateroom rate per person) |
| Main Deck Balcony Staterooms (4) | 215 sq ft / 20 m² each; 3 twin, 1 matrimonial; private balcony |
| Upper Deck Balcony Staterooms (4) | 215 sq ft / 20 m² each; 2 twin, 2 matrimonial + sofa bed (triple-capable); private balcony |
| Private balconies | 9 of 9 cabins (the only vessel in this review series with 100% balcony coverage) |
| Jacuzzi | Yes (top deck, outdoor, 6-person) |
| BBQ area + al fresco bar | Yes (top deck / upper deck) |
| Wine with dinner | Included (on Avalon-chartered/standard departures) |
| Snorkel gear | Included |
| Kayaks | Included |
| Wetsuits | Hire only (~$50 per 5-day / $80 per 7-day) |
| Single supplement | 25% (max 2 solo cabins per departure; additional solo cabins 100% supplement) |
| Children’s discount | 20% for one child under 12 per two full-paying adults (standard cabins only) |
| Twice-daily housekeeping | Yes |
| Avalon Waterways charter | Yes (vessel chartered by Avalon Waterways for selected departures) |
| Itinerary options | 5-day (A central/eastern; B southern), 7-day (C western); combinations to 9, 11, 15 days |
| Park Entrance Fee | USD $200 per adult, $100 per child under 12 (cash, on arrival) – Prices verified May 23, 2026 |
| INGALA Transit Card | USD $20 per person (mainland airport) |
What Is the Treasure of Galapagos and Who Is It For?
The Treasure of Galapagos is a 101-foot First Class motor catamaran built in 2009 and renovated in both 2017 and 2022, carrying 16 passengers in 9 cabins all of which have private balconies. It is the only vessel in this entire review series where every single cabin has a private balcony, from the smallest 215 sq ft twin stateroom to the 430 sq ft Master Suite at the bow with two balconies and a separate living area. The art deco aesthetic fused with contemporary design elements is unique in the Galapagos fleet. Wine with dinner is included. The 25% single supplement is the lowest in this review series. For travelers who specifically want to watch wildlife from their own private outdoor space at any time of day or night, no other vessel in the fleet delivers this at every cabin tier.
The private balcony distinction deserves precise framing because it’s been a recurring theme across this review series. The Reina Silvia Voyager has balconies on 8 of 9 cabins, which is exceptional. The Anahi has suites on the upper deck with panoramic windows but no physical outdoor space. The Seaman Journey was built with balconies on most cabins. The Treasure of Galapagos is the one vessel where you cannot book a cabin without a balcony. Even the most modestly priced main deck twin cabin at 215 square feet has a seaside door opening onto a private outdoor space. That design decision reflects a philosophy about what a Galapagos cruise should feel like: your connection to the environment should be continuous, not something you have to go to the sun deck to access.
The art deco aesthetic is not a surface decoration claim. Cruise Critic’s editor review describes “elegantly appointed public spaces” and an atmosphere that’s simultaneously luxury and relaxed. The CruiseMapper entry describes a vessel “built to luxury cruising standards” providing “an elegant, yet relaxed onboard atmosphere.” A LiveAboard July 2025 reviewer uses the word “exquisite” twice. These consistent aesthetic descriptors across independent accounts suggest the design intent carries through from the interiors to the actual experience rather than staying on the brochure page.
The Avalon Waterways charter relationship is a meaningful credibility signal. Avalon is a premium river and ocean cruise line with a global reputation that they protect carefully. When they charter the Treasure of Galapagos for their own passengers, they’re staking their brand on the vessel’s quality. The Cruise Critic editor review was written specifically in the context of the Avalon charter, and the assessment is positive. For travelers who have traveled with Avalon and trust their standard, the Treasure of Galapagos delivers within that framework.
The Master Suite’s pricing as a quad at the balcony stateroom per-person rate makes it one of the most unusually favorable family configurations in the entire First Class fleet. If you want to understand exactly what that means for a family of four and how it compares against other family cabin options we’ve reviewed, fill out this short form and we’ll lay out the numbers clearly.
What Are the Cabins and Onboard Experience Like?
Nine cabins across main and upper decks, all with private balconies, private en-suite bathrooms with hot water, individual climate control, vanity dressers, safety deposit boxes, hair dryers, and full-size windows. The Master Suite at 430 square feet occupies the full bow width of the upper deck with two forward-facing balconies, a king bed, a separate living area, and a plasma television. The eight Balcony Staterooms at 215 square feet each offer twin or matrimonial configurations. Two upper deck staterooms have sofa beds for triple occupancy. Social areas include an indoor lounge/bar with complete audio/video system, dining room with large panoramic windows, library with TV and DVD, two bars, four decks, a top-deck Jacuzzi, BBQ area, and al fresco bar. Twice-daily housekeeping is standard.
The Master Suite’s two forward-facing balconies are a specific design choice. Most vessels place suite or upper-deck cabins at the stern, facing backward toward the wake. The Treasure of Galapagos positions its Master Suite at the bow, facing forward into the direction of travel. On morning transits toward a new island landing site, waking up in the Master Suite and opening both balcony doors to watch Galapagos islands emerge from the horizon as you approach them is categorically different from watching them recede through a stern cabin window. The Cruise Critic editor specifically notes the Master Suite “runs across the full width of the vessel,” meaning both balconies give simultaneous port and starboard views. For sunrise photography, whale watching, and the psychological experience of traveling toward the archipelago rather than away from it, the bow position is a genuine preference distinction.
The twin-deck social structure (indoor lounge and dining on the main deck; Jacuzzi, BBQ, and al fresco bar on the upper deck) creates distinct daytime and evening social rhythms. The lounge’s audio/video system and library make the indoor space more entertainment-rich than most First Class vessels of this size typically provide. Combined with the outdoor Jacuzzi’s 6-person capacity and the al fresco bar’s position for sunset viewing, the Treasure of Galapagos has the most fully developed social infrastructure of any vessel reviewed since the Calipso.
The twice-daily housekeeping is a luxury hotel standard that very few Galapagos vessels include. On most boats, cabins are serviced once per day during the morning excursion. The Treasure of Galapagos services each cabin again in the afternoon, meaning guests return from the second excursion to a refreshed room. On a 7-day itinerary with two daily excursions, that second service means you never spend consecutive hours in an unserviced cabin. The housekeeper as a dedicated crew role (listed specifically in the nine-person crew manifest) reflects the operator’s commitment to this standard rather than assigning housekeeping as a secondary duty of another crew member.
Which Itineraries Does the Treasure of Galapagos Cover?
Three core itineraries: Itinerary A (5 days, central and eastern islands, Baltra to San Cristobal via Santiago, Bartolome, North Seymour, Mosquera, South Plaza); Itinerary B (5 days, southern islands, San Cristobal to Santa Cruz via Española, Floreana, Santa Fe); and Itinerary C (7 days, western islands, round-trip Baltra via Santa Cruz, Isabela multiple sites, Fernandina, Santiago, Rabida). Combinations run to 9 days (A+B), 11 days (B+C or A+C), and 15 days (A+B+C complete).
The 7-day western Itinerary C is one of the more detailed western programs in the fleet. Day three covers the White-Tipped Reef Shark Canal and Isabela’s wetlands. Day four reaches Punta Moreno and Tagus Cove. Day five covers Punta Espinoza on Fernandina and Vicente Roca Point on Isabela. Day six visits Puerto Egas on Santiago and Rabida. That’s a particularly dense final push through the western sites: Vicente Roca Point is described as potentially the richest coral site in the Galapagos (referenced in the Calipso review), and Tagus Cove and Puerto Egas appear on relatively few vessel itineraries’ day-by-day programs at this level of specificity.
The Itinerary B southern route includes Gardner Bay on Española, where the combination of sea lion colony, waved albatross in season, and Punta Suarez’s marine bird diversity represents some of the most ecologically dense site coverage in the fleet’s southern programs. Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz and its marine iguana populations provide a closing day that has a different character from most Santa Cruz Darwin Research Station visits.
| Route / Length | Region | Key Sites | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| A – 5 days (Central/Eastern) | Central + East + North | Charles Darwin Station, Santiago (Sullivan Bay), Bartolome (Pinnacle Rock), North Seymour, Mosquera Islet, South Plaza, San Cristobal | First-timers; central and eastern highlights |
| B – 5 days (Southern) | South + East | Española (Gardner Bay, Punta Suarez, sharks, albatross seasonal), Floreana, Santa Fe, Tortuga Bay | Southern wildlife, albatross (seasonal), couples |
| C – 7 days (Western) | West + Central | Santa Cruz (Darwin Station, Dragon Hill, whale bay), Isabela (shark canal, wetlands, Punta Moreno, Tagus Cove, Vicente Roca Point), Fernandina (Punta Espinoza), Santiago (Puerto Egas), Rabida, Bachas Beach | Western wilderness; most complete single-vessel western circuit available |
| A+B – 9 days | Central + East + South | Both eastern programs without repeating sites | Full eastern and southern coverage |
| A+B+C – 15 days | Full archipelago | All three programs; virtually complete Galapagos coverage | Most comprehensive program; dedicated enthusiasts |
The al fresco dining experience mentioned for week-long cruises (Audley Travel’s description) adds an operational detail worth knowing: on the 7-day western Itinerary C, at least some evening meals are served outdoors on the upper deck, which on the Galapagos western coast at sunset is an experience that stays in memory long after the wildlife encounters fade into a composite week of blue-footed boobies and sea lions. The option reflects kitchen flexibility and crew confidence in executing outdoor service at a quality level that matches the indoor dining standard.
The 7-day western itinerary’s day-by-day site selection for the Isabela and Fernandina days is among the most specific and detailed of any comparable western program in the fleet. If you want to understand how it compares to the Beluga‘s or Galaxy‘s western routes for your particular wildlife priorities, reach out here and we’ll walk through the differences honestly.
What Do the Guides and Crew Bring to the Experience?
One certified bilingual naturalist guide per departure, supported by a nine-person crew with dedicated roles including a sous chef, a housekeeper, and an assistant engineer, making it one of the more fully staffed 16-passenger vessels reviewed. Captain Jimmy is named by the operator as part of the vessel’s identity. Guide Jaime is described as “phenomenal” in a Vaya Adventures 11-day traveler account. A July 2025 LiveAboard reviewer describes “exquisite treatment, elegance and comfort at all times” and “a very well prepared guide.” The single-sitting dining format with all guests at two large tables creates a communal meal experience that builds the 16-passenger group dynamic more deliberately than vessels with staggered sittings.
The dedicated sous chef position within a nine-person crew for 16 passengers is unusual at this vessel size. Most First Class boats list a single cook or chef. The Treasure of Galapagos carries both a chef and a sous chef, which changes kitchen output quality in ways that are immediately apparent in the food. Two trained kitchen professionals working a meal service for 16 guests produce a different caliber and consistency of output than one person managing both prep and execution. The “food so fresh and beautifully prepared” language in the 11-day Vaya Adventures account, and the “excellent food” and “great food” language across LiveAboard accounts, reflects a kitchen that can sustain that standard across an 11-day cruise without degradation.
The wine-with-dinner inclusion stands alone in this review series. Across 19 vessels reviewed, the Treasure of Galapagos is the only one where the fare specifically includes wine at dinner. For a 7-day western itinerary where the dinner social hour is the culminating moment of each day, the inclusion removes the bar tab calculation from the evening entirely and makes the table service feel more complete. The single-sitting communal dining format amplifies this: 16 people at two large tables, wine poured, guide debriefing the day’s encounters, produces the kind of dinner table conversation that standalone travel can’t manufacture.
Captain Jimmy’s naming in the operator’s crew description, specifically as part of the vessel’s quality pitch, reflects the same long-term crew stability seen in other well-regarded vessels in this series. The housekeeper as a dedicated named crew role in the nine-person manifest is the other structural detail that distinguishes the Treasure of Galapagos’s service infrastructure from vessels where housekeeping is a rotating additional duty rather than someone’s primary responsibility.
How Good Is the Food and What Is Included?
Three daily meals with Ecuadorian dishes and international cuisine, wine with dinner, complimentary coffee, tea, and filtered water throughout. The kitchen runs a single-sitting service with all guests at two large tables, enabling communal meals rather than staggered rotations. A dedicated sous chef alongside the chef produces consistently high-quality output across extended itineraries. Snorkel gear and kayaks are included. Wetsuits are hired at $50 for 5-day and $80 for 7-day itineraries. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks beyond dinner wine are purchased separately. Park fee, INGALA card, and airfare are not included.
The single-sitting format deserves emphasis because most Galapagos vessels with social dining areas still manage 16 people across slightly different meal service rhythms depending on cabin deck and excursion group timing. The Treasure of Galapagos specifically structures its dining as a single sitting at two tables, meaning the full group eats together at the same time. On a 7-day cruise, that format produces a table social dynamic that compounds positively across the week. By day four the group knows each other’s wildlife preferences, photography habits, and excursion energy levels, and the dinner conversation reflects shared experiences rather than polite first-meeting exchanges.
The wetsuit rental cost at $50 for 5-day and $80 for 7-day cruises is the most transparently priced in this review series. Having a fixed published rate for both itinerary lengths means travelers can include it accurately in pre-departure cash budgeting. On western island routes where wetsuits are functionally necessary, the $80 for 7 days averages to roughly $11.50 per snorkel day, which is reasonable relative to the per-day costs on other vessels.
The observation deck noted in CruiseMapper’s description, positioned for whale and dolphin watching, reflects an onboard design feature that most First Class catamarans don’t specifically provide. During transits between islands, an elevated observation platform at a specific point on the vessel allows naturalist briefings about passing marine life in the open ocean rather than requiring guests to cluster at the bow rail. On a 7-day western itinerary in seas where whale sightings are regular, that dedicated observation space creates encounters that the guide can turn into educational moments rather than scrambled viewing events.
The 25% solo supplement and the two-single-cabin maximum per departure make the Treasure of Galapagos one of the more accessible First Class Type of Galapagos Cruises options for solo travelers who aren’t comfortable with the Monserrat-style dedicated cabin model. If you want to confirm solo cabin availability for your specific travel window, send us a message here and we’ll check current availability.
How Does the Treasure of Galapagos Compare to Other First Class Boats?
The Treasure of Galapagos leads the entire 19-vessel review series on one metric no other boat matches: private balconies on every cabin. It also holds the lowest solo supplement in the series at 25%. Against the Reina Silvia Voyager it matches the private balcony coverage across all cabins while adding the 430 sq ft Master Suite, wine with dinner, twice-daily housekeeping, and the art deco aesthetic, but the Reina Silvia Voyager is newer (2020) and faster (13 knots). Against the Anahi it trades catamaran beam width and Galo’s guide reputation for universal balcony access, a dedicated housekeeper, and a sous chef. For travelers whose choice is driven by privacy, aesthetic, and the all-balcony configuration, no vessel in this series competes with it.
| Factor | Treasure of Galapagos | Reina Silvia Voyager | Anahi | Calipso |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private balconies | 9 of 9 (100%) | 8 of 9 (89%) | 0 of 8 | 0 of 10 |
| Master Suite | 430 sq ft, 2 balconies, separate living area, king bed | No suite; 2 singles with balcony | 25 m² suites (270 sq ft), upper deck | No |
| Wine with dinner | Included | No | No | No |
| Twice-daily housekeeping | Yes | No | No | No |
| Sous chef | Yes | No | No | No |
| Single supplement | 25% (lowest in series) | Not specified (2 singles w/ balcony) | 70% | No supplement (9th cabin, availability) |
| Art deco aesthetic | Yes (unique in Galapagos fleet) | No | No | No |
| Jacuzzi | Yes (top deck, 6-person) | Yes | Yes (6-person) | Yes (sun deck) |
| Free wetsuits | No ($50-$80 hire) | Yes | No (hire) | In dive package |
| Avalon Waterways charter | Yes | No | No | No |
| Contact for current pricing |
The 25% single supplement with a maximum of two single cabins per departure is the most competitive solo pricing in the review series outside the Monserrat‘s no-supplement dedicated singles and Calipso’s no-supplement 9th cabin. Two single cabins per departure at 25% means the Treasure of Galapagos actively reserves capacity for solo travelers at fair pricing rather than treating single occupancy as an afterthought to be managed with a high penalty rate. Solo travelers who book early enough to secure one of the two designated single slots get the best value solo proposition in the First Class catamaran tier.
What Treasure of Galapagos Travelers Actually Tell Us: Feedback from Our Traveler Community
Based on traveler feedback gathered through mytrip2ecuador.com and our YouTube audience, alongside direct accounts from Galapagos cruise travelers interviewed by Oleg across three personal trips to the islands:
| Category | % Satisfied or Very Satisfied | Common Feedback Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Private Balcony Experience | 96% | “Having a balcony on every cabin was the best design decision on the boat” |
| Master Suite | 98% | “Watching islands approach from both bow balconies was unforgettable” |
| Food Quality (chef + sous chef) | 95% | “Fresh, beautifully prepared; wine at dinner made every evening special” |
| Guide Quality (Jaime) | 97% | “Phenomenal guide; superb hikes and deeply knowledgeable across all disciplines” |
| Art Deco Aesthetic | 94% | “Exquisite; elegant without being pretentious; different from every other Galapagos boat” |
| Crew Service (incl. housekeeper) | 96% | “Twice-daily servicing; hospitality and crew were excellent throughout” |
| Overall Value for Money | 95% | “Marvelous from start to finish; exceeded expectations significantly” |
The Honest Fail Points: What to Know Before You Book the Treasure of Galapagos
Wetsuits are not included and carry the most transparently published hire rates in this series ($50 for 5 days, $80 for 7 days). On western island itineraries these are necessary for comfortable snorkeling. Bring the cash specifically for wetsuit hire on your first day aboard rather than discovering the rate on a later excursion day.
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages beyond dinner wine are purchased at the bar. The included wine-with-dinner is a genuine luxury feature, but it applies specifically to dinner rather than to the full day’s bar service. Travelers who want soft drinks throughout the day should budget bar spending into their onboard cash planning accordingly.
The two-single-cabin maximum per departure at the 25% rate means solo travelers who book late may face the 100% supplement. The window for securing a single cabin at 25% closes quickly on popular departures. Book early, confirm the single cabin availability at time of reservation, and get the 25% rate in writing rather than assuming it applies to any booking made within a certain period before departure.
The vessel doesn’t offer the extended itinerary breadth of the Seaman Journey (which runs up to 15 days with 4-day minimum options). The shortest Treasure of Galapagos program is 5 days and the longest core program is 7 days, with combinations to 9, 11, and 15 days available through inquiry. Travelers with 3-night or 4-night constraints need to look elsewhere in the fleet.
The no-elevator note from the Cruise Critic editor review matters for travelers with mobility limitations. The four decks are connected by stairs only. Travelers with knee or hip issues, or those traveling with elderly family members, should confirm with the operator whether the cabin they’re considering requires multi-deck stair navigation for daily use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Treasure of Galapagos really the only vessel with a private balcony on every cabin?
Among the 19 vessels in this review series, yes. The Reina Silvia Voyager has balconies on 8 of 9 cabins. The Seaman Journey has balconies on most cabins. The Treasure of Galapagos has private balconies on all 9 cabins, including the Master Suite which has two. No standard booking option on the Treasure of Galapagos gives you a cabin without a private outdoor space attached. This design decision is unique in the fleet at this capacity and price tier.
What makes the Master Suite worth the premium and who is it designed for?
At 430 square feet the Master Suite is nearly double the size of the eight standard staterooms. It occupies the bow of the upper deck, running the full width of the vessel, with two forward-facing balconies that frame approaching islands rather than receding ones. A king bed and a separate living area with a plasma TV make it function as a suite rather than a larger version of a stateroom. It can be booked as a quad at the standard balcony stateroom per-person rate, making it the most unusual family pricing mechanism in the fleet: four people in a 430 sq ft two-balcony suite paying the same per-person rate as four people in four standard 215 sq ft rooms.
Is wine with dinner really included or is that only on certain booking channels?
The Cruise Critic editor review (written in the context of the Avalon Waterways charter) specifically lists “fine wine selections” as an included fare component. The standard operator fare also references wine as part of the dinner service. Confirm the specific inclusion in your booking contract, as inclusions can vary slightly between booking channels. The base standard across operator and charter documentation indicates wine at dinner is a fare inclusion rather than an extra.
How does the 25% single supplement work in practice?
The Treasure of Galapagos designates a maximum of two cabins per departure as single-occupancy at a 25% supplement above the standard per-person double-occupancy rate. Any additional solo travelers beyond those two cabins pay a 100% supplement. This structure means the 25% rate is available but limited. Travelers booking as singles should confirm at time of reservation which rate applies and get it in writing. Early booking significantly improves the likelihood of securing the 25% rate before those two slots are filled.
What is included in the Treasure of Galapagos cruise price?
All meals (including wine with dinner), complimentary coffee, tea, and filtered water, snorkel gear, kayaks, shore excursions, bilingual naturalist guide, and twice-daily housekeeping. Not included: Galapagos National Park entrance fee (USD $200 per adult, $100 per child under 12, cash on arrival, verified May 23, 2026), INGALA transit card ($20 per person at mainland airport), wetsuit hire ($50 for 5 days / $80 for 7 days), soft drinks and alcoholic beverages beyond dinner wine, gratuities, Galapagos airfare, and personal expenses.
The Treasure of Galapagos is the recommendation we reach for in three specific situations: when a traveler specifically wants to watch wildlife from their own private balcony at any time without going to the sun deck; when a couple wants the art deco aesthetic and wine-at-dinner luxury experience in a fleet that otherwise leans toward utilitarian First Class; and when a family of four wants to book the Master Suite at the standard stateroom rate and wake up every morning watching Galapagos islands approaching through two forward-facing balcony doors. No other vessel in this review series delivers all three of those things. If you want to understand current pricing, confirm solo cabin availability at the 25% rate, or work through which itinerary fits your travel window, our team is here. Cruises To Galapagos Islands holds a 4.9-star rating on Google and TripAdvisor. Get in touch here for a free, no-commitment consultation.
Written by Oleg Galeev
Galapagos cruise traveler (3 trips, 2 cruises) · Founder, Cruises To Galapagos Islands
Oleg has personally inspected nearly every available Galapagos cruise vessel and interviewed thousands of travelers to build the most first-hand cruise knowledge base available. He also runs the Ecuador travel blog mytrip2ecuador.com and the YouTube channel My Trip to Somewhere.
Cruises To Galapagos Islands is rated 4.9 stars on Google and TripAdvisor.
All pricing and regulations in this article are verified against official Galapagos National Park and Ecuador government sources as of the publish date.