Small ship Safari Voyager with dark bue hull & white upper decks on anchor in tropical warters offshore from lush rainforest.
bar with barstools and windows in the background aboard the Safari Voyager Costa Rica small ship
Safari Voyager Costa Rica small ship dining room with tables and chairs throughout and a bar in the background
Safari Voyager Panama small ship Commodore suite with a large bed, opening to an adjoining room and large windows
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Safari Voyager

capacity
66 guests
year built
1982
remodeled
2016
crew members
29-31 crew members
length
174 feet
beam
36 feet
cruising speed
9 knots
flag
Saint Kitts

The 66-guest M/V Safari Voyager (formerly the Sea Voyager) is a 174-foot vessel offering a comfortable basecamp for travelers wishing to experience a Central America small ship cruise. She is a leader in expedition functionality and features the most advanced skiff launching platform among her sister ships Safari Explorer and Safari Endeavour. She is also specifically built to handle the humidity and heat that can challenge lesser-designed vessels.

Safari Voyager Review

AdventureSmith Explorations’ Safari Voyager review includes a detailed description of the small ship, including deck plans and a photo gallery. Our expedition cruise experts have been aboard the Safari Voyager firsthand. Please read our Safari Voyager ship review below then contact us to compare the Safari Voyager with other small cruise ships and yachts offering Baja cruises.

The Safari Voyager was built in 1982 by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Maryland, with specifications that enable her to handle the humidity and heat of Central America, which can challenge lesser-designed vessels. A seamless extension of her cruise destinations, the ship and her mostly Costa Rican or Panamanian crew exude pura vida (pure life). Her most recent renovation, a $15 million upgrade in 2016, included structural changes to accommodate the kayak launch platform, a new galley, new electrical and air conditioning systems, new carpet, soft goods and local art throughout the ship.

Common Areas Aboard Safari Voyager

Three public decks offer breathtaking views, and during the heat of the day, a window-lined, air-conditioned lounge provides refuge and offers an uncompromised 270-degree view with seating for all 66 guests. The lounge’s full-service bar offers complimentary refreshment including liquors, wine and microbrews. Other features include an elegant dining room and a DVD/book library on the Cabin Deck featuring 8 floor-to-ceiling windows, plush furniture and handcrafted decor. The Observation Deck’s Sun Deck area offers an al fresco public space with fitness equipment and lounge chairs.

Dining Aboard Safari Voyager

The dining room, located on the Main Deck seats all 66 guests in a casual open seating atmosphere. The skilled chef offers unique and delicious creations for every meal, and mixed-meal plates are an option for the indecisive eater. Weather-permitting, meals will be served outside on the Sun Deck. Breakfast is served buffet-style while lunch and dinners are plated, three-course affairs. Early risers are treated to coffee and muffins. Self-serve coffee and tea is available early in the morning, through the day and into the night. Buffet breakfasts give guests the flexibility to enjoy healthy and delicious options on a flexible schedule between activities and wildlife sightings.

Activities Aboard Safari Voyager

Every day provides new opportunities to go off-vessel. An aft EZ Dock launch platform provides convenient access into and out of adventure activity vessels. The small ship is outfitted with a fleet of double kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and inflatable skiffs, in addition to snorkel gear and hiking poles. Hydrophones for listening and an underwater camera for viewing allow guests to connect with the underwater environment from the comfort of the ship. The onboard wellness program with fitness equipment and yoga mats (including daily sunrise yoga classes) allows guests to rejuvenate and relax between activities. The open bridge policy encourages interaction with the captain and crew as they discuss navigation, itinerary and logistics. 

Crew & Guides Aboard Safari Voyager

Safari Voyager’s professional and service-oriented crew creates a casual-yet-attentive atmosphere. Local guides teach about the wildlife, history and culture of each visitor stop. During the daily sunset cocktail hour, guides brief guests on the next day’s activities, offering various options, including casual walks to strenuous hikes, that suit a variety of activity levels as well as nightly presentations after dinner. On select departures, onboard expert naturalists and guides are complemented by guest hosts in the fields of ornithology, photography, marine biology, wine and wellness, among others.

Cabins & Deck Plan Aboard Safari Voyager

Generously-sized stateroom categories include 8 Navigator, 14 Trailblazer, 3 Pathfinder, 2 Admiral, 4 Jr Commodore Suites and 1 Commodore Suite. In some categories, single and triples can be accommodated. All Safari Voyager cabins feature turndown service, wide panoramic view windows above the waterline, individually controlled air conditioning, generous storage and closet space, handcrafted artwork representative of the Central American communities she visits, desk and chair, iPod/MP3/4 docking station, TV/DVD player, binoculars, reusable water bottles. speaker from which to privately take-in nightly presentations if desired, private bath with shower, hair dryer, bathrobes, and conditioning shampoo and body wash.

Safari Voyager Panama small ship Navigator cabin with twin beds, a desk and large window
Navigator

103-110 (Main Deck). Queen or twin beds (103-104 & 106-110) or fixed twin beds (105); view window; private bath with shower. Cabins open to an interior hallway.

Trailblazer stateroom cabin aboard the Safari Voyager Panama small ship with a large bed, chair and window above the bed
Trailblazer

205-206, 209-212 & 215-222 (Cabin Deck). Queen or twin beds; view window; private bath with shower. Cabins open to an interior hallway.

cabin with single bed, dresser, table and window aboard the Safari Voyager Costa Rica small ship
Pathfinder

308, 310 & 312 (Bridge Deck). Fixed twin beds; view windows; private bath with shower. Cabins open to an exterior deck.

Safari Voyager Costa Rica small ship admiral cabin with a queen bed, pictures and lights on the walls and a desk next to the bed
Admiral

307 & 309 (Bridge Deck). Queen or twin beds; view windows; private bath with shower; youth-sized sofa bed for triple accommodation. Cabins open to an exterior deck.

Safari Voyager Panama small ship jr commodore suite with large bed, comfortable chair and couch and large window
Jr Commodore Suite

201-204 (Cabin Deck). Queen or twin beds; refrigerator; view window; private bath with large shower; sofa bed for triple accommodation. Cabins open to an interior hallway.

Safari Voyager Panama small ship Commodore suite with a large bed, opening to an adjoining room and large windows
Commodore Suite

200 (Cabin Deck). Fixed queen bed; sitting area with wet bar; refrigerator; media center; large bow-facing view windows; private bath with jetted whirlpool tub and shower; sofa bed for triple accommodation (suitable for child/teen). Cabin opens to an interior hallway.

Safari Voyager panama small ship single cabin with bed, picture above the bed and 2 windows
Compass

207-208 (Cabin Deck). One twin bed only; view window; private bath with shower. Single occupancy only. Cabins open to an interior hallway.

Deck plan of Safari Voyager small ship with 4 guest decks, 6 cabin categories shown in different colors & bed configuration notes.
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