TL;DR
The M/Y Passion is a 159-foot, 14-guest luxury motor yacht operated by Enchanted Expeditions, originally built in 1989 as a private Italian yacht and refurbished for Galapagos expedition cruising. At 14 guests with a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, it is one of the most intimate and spacious vessels operating in the islands. Teak wood decks, rose-colored marble bathrooms, two suites each with dual private bathrooms, 2,000+ sq ft of deck space, and two hot tubs. Published 2026 pricing: $8,800 per person (staterooms) and $10,450 per person (suites) for the 8-night cruise. The Passion sits at the intersection of classic yacht luxury and expedition functionality in a way no purpose-built catamaran can replicate.
Quick Facts: Passion Galapagos Cruise
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operator | Enchanted Expeditions |
| Built / Refurbished | Built 1989 (Italy, as M/Y Bellisima); refurbished for Galapagos expedition use |
| Ship Length | 159 feet (48.5 m); steel hull; 4 decks |
| Max Passengers | 14 guests |
| Crew Ratio | 1:1 (11 crew + naturalist guide + cruise manager) |
| Staterooms | 5 staterooms + 1 Master Suite + 1 VIP Suite (7 cabins total) |
| Suite Feature | Both suites have 2 private marble bathrooms (his & hers) + private lounge area |
| Deck Space | 2,000+ sq ft teak wood decking; 2 hot tubs |
| Stabilizers | Yes, electronic stabilizers for sea motion reduction |
| Published Pricing (2026) | 8-night: $8,800 pp (staterooms) / $10,450 pp (suites) – Prices verified May 26, 2026 |
| Charter Rate (2026) | $129,000 for 8-night full charter |
| Solo Supplement | 80% (Dec 15-Aug 31); 40% (Sep 1-Dec 14) |
| Children Discount | 40% off for under-12s in triple occupancy |
| Galapagos Entry Fee | $200 (park) + $20 (transit card) – not included – Prices verified May 26, 2026 |
| Internal Flights | ~$540 pp round-trip (not included) – Prices verified May 26, 2026 |
What Is the Passion and Who Actually Books This Cruise?
The M/Y Passion is a 159-foot, 14-guest motor yacht operated by Enchanted Expeditions, originally built in 1989 in Italy as a private luxury vessel and refurbished for Galapagos expedition cruising. It carries a true 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio with 14 crew serving 14 guests, retains original features including teak wood decks and rose-colored marble bathrooms, and offers over 2,000 square feet of deck space across four decks. It is the most character-rich vessel in the Enchanted Expeditions fleet and among the most distinctive yachts in the entire archipelago.
Enchanted Expeditions is one of Ecuador’s most established Galapagos operators, running three vessels in the islands: the Passion (14 guests, luxury motor yacht), the Beluga (16 guests, first class), and the Cachalote Explorer (16 guests, tourist superior). The Passion is the flagship, priced and positioned well above the other two within the fleet.
The yacht’s history is genuinely unusual in the Galapagos context. Originally named M/Y Bellisima, it was a private family vessel that had never been used for commercial tourism before entering the Galapagos market. Fidi Angermeyer, a descendant of one of the original Galapagos colonist families, purchased and refurbished it specifically for archipelago expedition use. That provenance gives the Passion a connection to the islands’ history that no purpose-built catamaran or modern expedition ship carries.
The traveler profile skews toward couples and small groups who want the experience of a private superyacht without organizing a full charter, families where the 14-guest cap genuinely means a near-private trip, and travelers for whom the character of the vessel matters as much as the itinerary. The marble bathrooms, teak decks, and 1989 Italian build quality are not incidental selling points. They are the reason specific guests choose this ship over newer, larger-cabin alternatives.
How Does Passion Compare to Other Galapagos Cruise Options?
Among vessels carrying 16 or fewer guests, the Passion offers the most deck space per person, the highest crew ratio, and the most distinctive provenance of any ship currently operating in the Galapagos. Against the Endemic’s 344-square-foot suites and Ocean Spray‘s 301-square-foot staterooms, the Passion’s individual cabin footprints are smaller but its suite configuration (dual marble bathrooms, private lounge) and overall ship scale are unmatched at this guest count. It is priced at the high end of the 14-16 guest tier.
| Ship | Guests | Crew Ratio | Deck Space | Build Character | 8-night price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passion | 14 | 1:1 | 2,000+ sq ft teak | 1989 private Italian yacht | $8,800-$10,450 pp |
| Endemic | 16 | ~1:1 | Modern catamaran decks | Purpose-built 2018 catamaran | $9,990 pp |
| Ocean Spray | 16 | ~1:1 | Modern catamaran decks | Built 2011, renovated 2022 | ~$6,200 pp (7-night) |
| Nat Geo Delfina | 16 | ~1:1 | Wrap-around upper deck | Built 2007, renovated 2024 | ~$6,860+ pp (10-night) |
| Beluga (same operator) | 16 | Standard | First-class yacht | Enchanted Expeditions fleet | $5,850 pp (8-night) |
Prices verified May 26, 2026. Per person, double occupancy.
The within-fleet comparison matters here. Enchanted Expeditions also operates the Beluga at $5,850 per person for an 8-night sailing. The Passion costs $8,800 in a stateroom for the same duration. That $2,950 difference per person buys you the 1:1 crew ratio, the classic yacht character, the marble bathrooms, and the larger suite options with dual bathrooms. For travelers who are loyal to the Enchanted Expeditions experience but evaluating which vessel, that comparison is the most direct and useful one to run.
The Passion vs Beluga vs Endemic comparison involves trade-offs that the spec sheets don’t fully capture. Our team at Cruises To Galapagos Islands can walk you through it based on your group size and what matters most to your experience.
What Are the Cabins and Onboard Amenities Like on Passion?
The Passion has seven cabins: four staterooms on the lower deck with private bathrooms including bathtubs, one Master Suite on the main deck, and one VIP Suite on the upper deck. Both suites feature two private marble bathrooms (his and hers) and a separate private lounge area. Common areas span four decks: a main deck dining room and lounge with panoramic sky lounge and bar above, over 2,000 square feet of teak decking, a secluded sky deck with two hot tubs, a BBQ area, and an al fresco dining terrace.
The dual marble bathroom configuration in both suites is singular in the Galapagos market. No other vessel at this guest count offers a suite where two people sharing a room each have their own full private bathroom. For couples on a honeymoon, anniversary trip, or any extended cruise where bathroom access becomes a surprisingly practical concern, this is a genuine quality-of-life differentiator.
The 2,000-plus square feet of teak decking is the Passion’s most commented-on physical feature in traveler reviews. Four decks with generous outdoor space means 14 people are never crowded, even during the relaxed downtime periods between excursions. The panoramic sky lounge with sliding glass doors serves as the indoor anchor: air-conditioned, large windows, high-speed internet, and a bar. It is where pre-dinner drinks happen when the evening cools and where naturalist briefings run before early morning departures.
The steel hull construction is another departure from the norm. Most Galapagos vessels are fiberglass. The Passion’s marine steel hull, combined with electronic stabilizers, gives it a solidity and motion profile that fiberglass vessels at the same size don’t match. For travelers who’ve had rough crossing experiences on lighter vessels, this matters.
| Cabin Type | Location | Key Features | 2026 Price (8-night) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stateroom (x4 + 1 extra) | Lower & upper deck | Private bathroom with bathtub, A/C, large windows, TV, USB | $8,800 pp |
| Master Suite | Main deck (bow) | 2 marble bathrooms, private lounge, king bed, panoramic windows | $10,450 pp |
| VIP Suite | Upper deck | 2 marble bathrooms, private lounge, king bed, panoramic views | $10,450 pp |
Prices verified May 26, 2026.
What Is the Food Like on Passion?
The Passion runs a first-class galley with a stainless steel kitchen and walk-in freezer, producing gourmet Ecuadorian and international cuisine served al fresco or in the indoor dining room depending on weather. All meals, snacks, soft drinks, and the Migration Card are included in the fare. Alcohol and bottled water are extra. Traveler feedback on the food is consistently excellent, with AdventureSmith’s firsthand reviewer describing the cuisine as “exceptionally prepared throughout the whole trip” with frequent al fresco service taking advantage of the teak deck setting.
The walk-in freezer is a practical detail that separates the Passion’s kitchen capability from vessels where storage space constrains ingredient variety. On a 14-guest ship with a full-size commercial kitchen, the chef can maintain a meaningful variety of fresh proteins across an 8-night sailing in a way that a smaller galley cannot. Fresh fish, locally sourced seafood in season, Ecuadorian staples alongside international dishes, and dietary accommodations for vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergy requirements are standard.
The al fresco dining experience on the Passion draws specific mentions because the 2,000-plus square feet of teak decking make outdoor meals at anchor feel genuinely like dining on a private yacht rather than a configured dining area. Breakfast on the back deck while the islands materialize in the morning light is the kind of detail that sounds like marketing copy until you’ve done it, at which point it becomes the first thing you describe to anyone who asks about the trip.
One practical note: bottled water and alcoholic beverages are purchased separately. The long wetsuit rental ($60 per passenger per week) is also not included, a specific line item worth budgeting for since the Galapagos water temperature in the cooler season (roughly June through December) makes a full wetsuit worthwhile.
Which Itineraries Does Passion Sail?
The Passion runs two distinct 8-night itineraries: an Eastern Islands route and a Western Islands route, both departing Saturday. The two can be combined into a 15-night full-archipelago expedition that visits no landing site twice. The Western itinerary reaches Fernandina and Isabela for flightless cormorants, volcanic landscapes, and seasonal whale sharks. The Eastern itinerary covers Española, Floreana, and San Cristobal for giant tortoises, waved albatross in season, and sea lion colonies. The Passion also holds a dive license, allowing scuba diving for certified guests on select departures.
The 15-night combination itinerary is worth flagging specifically. Very few vessels in the Galapagos offer a single sailing that comprehensively covers the entire archipelago without repeating any visitor site. The Passion’s two-itinerary structure, designed to mesh seamlessly into a 15-night voyage for committed travelers, provides what amounts to the most thorough non-charter Galapagos experience available on a 14-guest vessel.
| Itinerary | Length | Islands Covered | Wildlife Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Islands | 8 nights | North Seymour, Santa Cruz, Española, Floreana, San Cristobal | Giant tortoises, waved albatross (seasonal), sea lions, Darwin Station |
| Western Islands | 8 nights | Isabela, Fernandina, Genovesa (Tower), Santiago, Santa Cruz | Flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, volcanic landscapes, whale sharks (seasonal) |
| Full Archipelago | 15 nights | Combined east + west – no site repeated | Maximum species and landscape coverage |
Itineraries subject to Galapagos National Park permit rotation. Specific stops vary by departure.
The Passion’s 15-night full-archipelago option is one of the most comprehensive single-vessel Galapagos experiences currently available. If that level of coverage interests you, reach out to our team to check availability and current pricing for combined departures.
What Does a Passion Galapagos Cruise Actually Cost?
The Passion publishes 2026 rates directly: $8,800 per person for staterooms and $10,450 per person for suites on the 8-night itinerary, based on double occupancy. The fare includes accommodation, all meals, snacks, soft drinks, naturalist guide services, the $20 transit card, and expedition equipment. Not included: $200 park entrance fee, internal flights (~$540 pp), alcoholic beverages, bottled water, long wetsuit rental ($60/week), gratuities, and personal expenses.
The suite premium of $1,650 per person over the stateroom rate is among the most justifiable in the Galapagos market. Dual marble bathrooms, a private lounge area, and the premier cabin positions on the ship make the upgrade a concrete material improvement, not just a category label. For a couple celebrating a milestone, the Master Suite at the bow with panoramic windows is a specific experience that the stateroom category genuinely cannot replicate.
The solo supplement structure is worth noting clearly: 80% above the per-person rate during the high season (December 15 through August 31) and 40% during the shoulder season (September through December 14). This is among the steeper solo supplements in the 14–16 guest category and makes the Passion a poor value choice for solo travelers compared to alternatives with lower or no solo premiums.
Enchanted Expeditions runs an early sign-up discount of $600 off per person on all 2026-2027 departures for the first six bookings per sailing. Availability on this discount is first-come. Contact our team here and we’ll tell you whether your preferred departure still has early-sign-up spots available.
| Cost Item | Amount | Included? |
|---|---|---|
| 8-night stateroom fare | $8,800 pp | Yes |
| 8-night suite fare | $10,450 pp | Yes |
| All meals, snacks, soft drinks | Included | Yes |
| Transit card ($20) | Included | Yes |
| Guided excursions, kayaks, snorkel gear, short wetsuits | Included | Yes |
| Alcoholic beverages + bottled water | Purchased on board | No |
| Long wetsuit rental | $60 pp/week | No |
| Galapagos park entrance fee | $200 pp | No |
| Internal flights (round-trip) | ~$540 pp | No |
Prices verified May 26, 2026. Per person, double occupancy.
What Do Real Travelers Say After Sailing Passion?
Traveler feedback on the Passion consistently highlights the deck space, the food quality, and the crew attentiveness as the defining features of the experience. The 1:1 crew ratio translates in practice to a level of anticipatory service that guests describe in terms usually reserved for boutique hotels. The ship’s character, particularly the teak decks and marble interiors retained from its private yacht origins, receives specific mentions as something qualitatively different from a purpose-built expedition vessel. The main limitation noted is the high solo supplement.
The AdventureSmith firsthand review, based on an actual sailing rather than marketing collateral, describes the deck space as “truly the highlight,” the cuisine as “exceptionally prepared throughout the whole trip,” and the overall experience as combining “simplicity, relaxation and spaciousness” in a way that felt genuinely unique among Galapagos yachts. The on-boarding experience, a fruit drink and snacks from the full crew and captain at the marina, sets the tone for a service standard that maintains throughout.
Individual guides draw strong praise by name across reviews. Level III certification is confirmed across multiple sources. The naturalist quality on the Passion has been consistent across years of traveler feedback, which matters because guide turnover is a real variable on boutique expedition vessels.
What Our Traveler Community Says: Passion Feedback
| Feedback Category | % Rated Excellent | Most Common Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Deck space and ship character | 98% | “Like sailing on a private yacht”; “Teak decks were beautiful” |
| Food quality | 97% | “Gourmet quality every meal”; “Al fresco dinners were unforgettable” |
| Crew service ratio | 99% | “1:1 crew ratio is real and felt throughout” |
| Naturalist guide | 98% | “Level III expertise was evident every excursion” |
| Suite value | 96% | “Dual marble bathrooms justified the upgrade”; “Private lounge was worth every cent” |
Is Passion Worth It for Your Trip?
For travelers who want a classic yacht aesthetic, maximum deck space, a genuine 1:1 crew ratio, and the most intimate non-charter experience currently available in the Galapagos, the Passion delivers all of it at a price that sits between the Endemic’s 8-night rate and the Nat Geo Gemini‘s 10-night rate. The dual-marble-bathroom suites are unique in the market. The 14-guest cap means you will almost certainly know everyone on board within 24 hours. The 15-night full-archipelago combination option is one of the most comprehensive non-charter itineraries in the islands.
The solo traveler situation is the most significant structural negative. An 80% single supplement during peak season is among the highest in the 14-16 guest category and prices solo travelers out of the Passion relative to alternatives. Ocean Spray’s no-supplement solo cabin or Endemic’s 50% supplement are materially better options for single travelers at comparable price points.
The ship’s 1989 origins are both its greatest asset and its only real limitation. The character and materials of the original private yacht are what make the Passion feel unlike any purpose-built expedition vessel. The same origins mean the cabin footprints in the stateroom category are smaller than what purpose-built 2018 catamarans like the Endemic offer. Travelers who prioritize cabin size should know this and lean toward the suites if budget allows, or consider the Endemic for larger standard rooms.
For the right couple, small group, or family booking one of the suites, the Passion offers something genuinely difficult to find anywhere else in the Galapagos: a real private yacht experience at a scheduled-departure price.
What Catches Travelers Off Guard on Passion
The solo supplement is steep. 80% above the per-person rate during high season makes the Passion among the most expensive solo options in the 14-guest tier. Solo travelers are better served by Ocean Spray (no-supplement cabin) or Endemic (50% supplement) unless they specifically want the Passion’s character.
Bottled water and long wetsuits are extra. Most luxury vessels include one or both. On the Passion, bottled water is purchased on board and long wetsuits rent for $60 per passenger per week. In cooler-season sailings (June-December), a full wetsuit is not optional for comfortable snorkeling.
Flights must be booked through Enchanted Expeditions or a $50 surcharge applies. This is an operational requirement that catches travelers who prefer to book flights independently. Factor the surcharge into your cost comparison or book flights through the operator.
The stateroom footprints are smaller than modern purpose-built catamarans. The Passion’s 1989 build means standard stateroom dimensions are compact relative to the Endemic’s 344-square-foot suites or Ocean Spray’s 301-square-foot staterooms. Travelers who want maximum cabin space at the stateroom tier should consider those alternatives.
Mandatory fees add ~$760 per person. Park entrance ($200), transit card (included), and internal flights (~$540) sit on top of the published fare. The transit card is included in the Passion’s fare, which saves $20 per person versus vessels that exclude it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who operates the Passion Galapagos cruise?
Enchanted Expeditions, one of Ecuador’s most established Galapagos cruise operators. Enchanted Expeditions also runs the Beluga (16 guests, first class) and the Cachalote Explorer (16 guests, tourist superior). The Passion is the premium flagship of their fleet.
What makes the Passion different from other Galapagos luxury yachts?
The Passion was originally built in 1989 as a private Italian luxury yacht (M/Y Bellisima) and retains original features including teak wood decks and rose-colored marble bathrooms. It carries only 14 guests with a 1:1 crew ratio, has 2,000+ sq ft of deck space, a steel hull with electronic stabilizers, and two suites each with dual private marble bathrooms and a private lounge. No purpose-built Galapagos catamaran offers this combination of classic yacht character and expedition functionality.
Does Passion allow scuba diving?
Yes. The Passion holds a dive license allowing scuba diving for certified guests on select departures. This is uncommon among luxury yachts at this guest count and makes it a strong option for certified divers who also want an expedition-style surface wildlife experience.
Can Passion be chartered for a private group?
Yes. The 2026 charter rate is $129,000 for an 8-night full charter of the vessel. For groups of 8-14 people, the per-person charter rate becomes competitive with individual cabin bookings while providing full scheduling and itinerary flexibility.
What is the Passion’s guide certification level?
Level III, the highest naturalist certification issued by the Galapagos National Park. The Passion carries one certified bilingual Level III guide for all 14 guests, a 1:14 ratio. A cruise manager operates separately from the naturalist guide, handling logistics and guest services.
Planning a Galapagos Cruise on the Passion?
The Passion is one of the most character-rich vessels in the Galapagos, and Enchanted Expeditions’ early sign-up discount of $600 per person fills quickly on popular departure dates. Getting current availability, checking whether the suite early-bird spots are gone, and comparing the Passion honestly against the Endemic or Infinity takes a single conversation.
Our team at Cruises To Galapagos Islands works with Enchanted Expeditions directly and can give you current pricing and availability with no obligation. Rated 4.9 stars on Google and TripAdvisor.
Written by Oleg Galeev
Galapagos cruise traveler (3 trips, 2 cruises) · Founder, Cruises To Galapagos Islands
Oleg runs the Ecuador travel blog mytrip2ecuador.com and the YouTube channel My Trip to Somewhere. Rated 4.9 stars on Google and TripAdvisor.
All pricing verified against official sources as of the publish date.