OUR EXPERTS WERE HERE
You have questions.
We have answers.
Receive a complimentary roundtrip Galapagos flights (ticket valued at $525) when you book the below-linked Hermes Galapagos Cruise departing between April 20, 2025 and December 31, 2026 (except peak dates). Ask an Adventure Specialist for details.
Offer valid on new bookings only, subject to availability, and may not be combined with any other offer. See all Galapagos cruise deals for a comprehensive list of current savings on this and other adventures.
The 20-guest Monserrat yacht offers an affordable Galapagos experience, with clean and comfortable spaces and an uncommon 10:1 guest-to-guide ratio. The no-frills Monserrat Galapagos cruise is an engaging experience with daily off-ship experiences and inviting indoor and outdoor spaces to relax in between activities.
Monserrat offers a large selection of itinerary combinations, from 4-day options up to 15-day options. AdventureSmith recommends the two 8-day options listed here, for a Monserrat cruise in Galapagos that accesses a variety of islands and wildlife. Also listed here are the two 5-day itineraries, for travelers seeking a shorter Monserrat Galapagos cruise.
The 5-day Monserrat Eastern Galapagos Islands Cruise operates from Baltra to San Cristobal, with visits to the eastern and central islands. This itinerary comprises the first 5 days of the 8-day East route and highlights the red-sand Rabida Island; Bartolomé’s dramatic volcanic features, including the iconic Pinnacle Rock; South Plaza’s red-billed tropicbirds, indigenous swallow-tailed gulls and large population of endemic land iguanas; and Santa Fe’s forest of giant prickly pear cacti (Opuntia).
The 5-day Monserrat Western Galapagos Islands Cruise operates round-trip from Baltra, with visits to the western and central islands. This itinerary comprises the final 5 days of the 8-day West route and visits the popular western islands of Isabela and Fernandina. On Isabela, encounter flightless cormorants and Galapagos penguins, with possible opportunities to spy woodpecker finches, the Galapagos hawk, the yellow warbler or a large-billed flycatcher. Snorkeling here reveals marine iguanas feeding underwater, and cruising the western Galapagos features the Bolívar Channel, which boasts some of the highest diversity of endemic sea fauna in the Galapagos.
The 8-day Monserrat Eastern Galapagos Islands Cruise operates round-trip from Baltra, with visits to the eastern, central and southern islands. Unique to this itinerary are the southern islands of Espanola and Floreana. Espanola’s Punta Suárez is one of most rich wildlife landing sites in the Galápagos, and is known for its amazing bird colonies including the waved albatross (April and December). Floreana offers both green- and white-sand beaches, plus the infamous postcard barrel at Post Office Bay, where you may leave a postcard and take any that may reasonably be hand delivered to someone in your hometown.
The 8-day Monserrat Western Galapagos Islands Cruise operates round-trip from Baltra, with visits to the western, central and northern islands. Unique to this itinerary is the birders’ paradise of Genovesa. Experience some of the estimated 200,000 red-footed booby birds that live on Genovesa, and spot for Nazca boobies, mockingbirds, finches, wedge-rumped storm petrels, short-eared owls, swallow-tailed and lava gulls, yellow-crowned night and lava herons, Galapagos doves, yellow warblers and great frigatebirds.
Read on for details about our recommended Monserrat Galapagos cruise routes, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Galapagos cruises and Galapagos trips.
Please note that starting in April 2025 Monserrat becomes a 16-guest ship with two dedicated solo cabins (both Lower Deck Cabins with matrimonial bedding). Her 2 naturalist guides will remain, creating a generous 8:1 guest-to-guide ratio.
Purpose-built for cruising the Enchanted Isles, Monserrat is a first-class vessel ready to make your Galapagos vacation unforgettable. Her namesake is the Virgin of Montserrat, patroness of Spain’s Catalonia and protector through sea journeys. And her attentive crew and 2 naturalist guides are focused on safety, exploration, comfort and fun.
AdventureSmith Explorations’ Monserrat review includes a detailed description of the small ship including deck plans and a photo gallery. Our small ship cruise experts have been aboard nearly every first-class Galapagos cruise ship. Please read on to learn more about the Monserrat then contact our small ship cruise experts to compare this yacht with other small cruise ships and yachts offering private Galapagos yacht charters.
OUR EXPERTS WERE HERE
You have questions.
We have answers.
Choose the Monserrat for her uncommon 10:1 guest-to-guide ratio. Couple that with her no-frills atmosphere and intimate size, and she offers an affordable, group- & charter-friendly option to explore the archipelago.
The Monserrat in Galapagos is built around comfort, safety and concern for the environment. Various outdoor and indoor social spaces invite guests to relax and share stories between active off-ship explorations. Without internet connectivity, guests are encouraged to unplug and truly unwind.
The Sun Deck of the Monserrat boat in Galapagos features sun-soaked chaise loungers and side tables, as well as a shaded area for al fresco dining and sun-sheltered unwinding. The Upper Deck features an open bridge, ripe for interactions with your friendly captain and first mate. Forward of the bridge is a teak deck with plush chairs featuring a commanding view of where Monserrat in Galapagos is headed—ideal for a quiet moment.
The Main Deck Lounge on Monserrat in Galapagos features wall-to-wall seating on inviting couches, wraparound view windows and a flat-screen TV for entertainment, educational lectures and daily guide briefings.
A cozy dining room blends seamlessly with the welcoming bar and coffee/tea station. Four large booths seat all guests at once in an unassigned fashion, encouraging guests to learn more about their fellow travelers on board. Chiseled wood benches contrast with light wood accents and modern recessed lighting for an intimate and elegant setting.
The menu on board Monserrat in Galapagos features Ecuadorian and international dishes created by the chef and his assistant. Hot and cold snacks await upon returning to the ship after the morning and afternoon excursions. The barman/waiter keeps fruit juice, cold beer, and a selection of wines and spirits stocked.
Breakfast is buffet-style with various options to start the day, including fruit, cereal, milk, yogurt, meats, sausages, eggs, and a selection of breads and cheeses. Lunch is also served buffet-style. Dinner is plated with two options of salads, meat, fish or chicken. Vegetarian and other special diets can often be accommodated with advance notice.
On board the Monserrat boat in Galapagos, guests can enjoy select movies and Galapagos films on the Lounge’s TV with DVD player. Reference books and family board games are also available. The off-ship excursions are the highlight of any cruise aboard Monserrat, with daily opportunities to hike, swim, snorkel and explore with a naturalist guide. The ship carries four double kayaks, one single kayak and two stand-up paddleboards.
Each of the 10 comfortable cabins aboard Monserrat in Galapagos comes equipped with a private bathroom with shower, hairdryer, toiletries and three towels per guest (bath towel, hand towel and wash cloth); air conditioning; bedside table; under-bed drawers and closet measuring roughly 31x23x70 inches (80x60x180cm). Electrical outlets offer 110-watt voltage for dual, flat-pronged plugs; three-pronged, grounded plugs will require an adapter. None of the cabins interconnect, but Lower Deck twin cabins can be booked for triple occupancy via an available third twin (bunk) bed.
Cruise aboard the 20-guest, ultra-luxurious Hermes mega-catamaran for an unparalleled Galapagos island-hopping experience. Discerning travelers will appreciate upscale amenities including 24/7 butler service, a spa with Hammam, complimentary beverages, private Jacuzzi tubs, walk-in closets and a wide variety of social areas typically only found on larger ships. Add a nearly 1:1 guest-to-crew ratio and an uncommon 10:1 guest-to-guide ratio and it’s easy to see why Hermes makes our list of Galapagos luxury cruises.
Hermes operates an assortment of itineraries, from 4- and 5-day options to full 15-day options, but AdventureSmith recommends the main 7- and 8-day itineraries listed here for an optimal exploration of the varied islands and their infamous wildlife. Contact us for details of other itineraries, including routes sailing 9, 11 and 12 days.
The 7-day Hermes Eastern Galapagos Islands Cruise operates from San Cristobal to Baltra, with visits to the eastern, central and northern islands. A highlight of this itinerary is the birders’ paradise of Genovesa. Experience some of the estimated 200,000 red-footed booby birds that live on Genovesa, and spot for Nazca boobies, mockingbirds, finches, wedge-rumped storm petrels, short-eared owls, swallow-tailed and lava gulls, yellow-crowned night and lava herons, Galapagos doves, yellow warblers and great frigatebirds.
The 8-day Hermes Eastern Galapagos Islands Cruise operates round-trip from Baltra, with visits to the eastern and central islands. This itinerary highlights the red-sand Rabida Island; Bartolomé’s dramatic volcanic features, including the iconic Pinnacle Rock; South Plaza’s red-billed tropicbirds, indigenous swallow-tailed gulls and large population of endemic land iguanas; and Santa Fe’s forest of giant prickly pear cacti (Opuntia).
The 8-day Hermes Western Galapagos Islands Cruise operates round-trip from Baltra, with visits to the central, northern and western islands. This itinerary visits the popular western islands of Isabela and Fernandina, as well as the sought-after Genovesa. On Isabela, encounter flightless cormorants and Galapagos penguins, with possible opportunities to spy woodpecker finches, the Galapagos hawk, the yellow warbler or a large-billed flycatcher. Snorkeling here reveals marine iguanas feeding underwater, and cruising the western Galapagos features the Bolívar Channel, which boasts some of the highest diversity of endemic sea fauna in the Galapagos.
While Hermes offers an upscale, show-stopping Galapagos cruise on every departure, booking this expansive catamaran as one of our private Galapagos yacht charters for your group of 20 or fewer provides an opportunity for an even more personalized experience.
Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Galapagos cruises and Galapagos trips.
Launching in 2025, the mega-catamaran Hermes offers her 20 guests an ultra-luxurious sail among the enchanted isles. Designed with over 30 years of experience in mind, Hermes’ unique amenities and high crew/guide-to-guest ratio create an upscale experience rivalled only by the awe-inspiring Galapagos Islands themselves.
AdventureSmith Explorations’ Hermes review includes a detailed description of the small ship including a deck plan and photo gallery. Our small ship cruise experts have been aboard nearly every first-class vessel in the Galapagos Islands. Please read our Hermes review below then contact us to compare the Hermes with other Galapagos cruise ships offering Galapagos cruises, Galapagos luxury cruises and private Galapagos yacht charters.
OUR EXPERTS WERE HERE
You have questions.
We have answers.
Choose the Hermes for unique amenities: private balconies, private bathrooms with their own Jacuzzi tub, walk-in closets, complimentary premium beverages, 24/7 butler service, a spa and Hammam. The Hermes mega-catamaran also features a rare 10:1 guest-to-guide ratio, and a crew that’s almost as large as the guest count. Finally, this ship offers the wide variety of common areas typically only found on larger vessels.
Hermes in Galapagos features a broad range of elegant social spaces across four guest decks—ideal for both fostering camaraderie and finding quiet spaces. An elegant central, interior staircase accesses all areas and WiFi is available throughout the ship. Limited laundry service is included, with added-cost options.
The Main Deck aft boarding area makes a first impression with wraparound, plush bench seating in cool tones and a large open deck area, ideal for starting and ending excursions or a quiet rest protected from the breeze.
Hermes’ Upper Deck offers the aft Aperitif Lounge, adjacent to the dining room. After a delicious meal, guests can enjoy the sea breeze and a complimentary palette cleanser on inviting couches outside a wall of windows. The Aperitif Lounge also features an outdoor dining area reserved for special celebrations.
The Panoramic Deck sits between the Upper Deck and the Sun Deck, and offers wraparound teak decking and yet another quiet aft space, sheltered from the wind. This deck also offers chic al fresco dining when the weather is ideal.
The Sun Deck rounds out Hermes’ plentiful indoor/outdoor spaces, with both sun-soaked and covered areas. A large Jacuzzi, outdoor bar, chaise loungers, an open bridge, convenient restrooms and a forward observation area with padded bench seating fill up the large teak deck.
From the boarding area, the salon on the Main Deck invites guests to relax over a beverage from the bar or coffee/tea/purified water station. Panoramic windows keep the unique geology and wildlife of the Galapagos always in sight, and two large-screen TVs are on hand for screenings or daily recaps with the naturalist guides. A check-in area with reception desk ensures any need is attended to.
Finally, a well-stocked library provides quiet refuge and a source of Galapagos references beyond the onboard naturalist guides. Hermes travelers can sit back and read while a large window provides a view to the outdoors.
The Evolution Spa offers wellness and self-care while traveling in the Galapagos, including added-cost massage treatments. A unique feature is the included Hammam, a steam-room-like space with large windows overlooking the sea. Guests can be pampered and feel rejuvenated between active excursions.
Food on board Hermes features a tantalizing fusion of Ecuadorian and international flavors, with a signature menu developed by a renowned Ecuadorian chef. The Upper Deck Dining Hall and Panoramic Deck al fresco dining area provide options for indoor and outdoor meals, and in-suite breakfast is available.
Round tables and comfortable chairs encourage guests to linger and share stories from busy days of exploration. And complimentary beverages from the indoor and outdoor bars include a menu of selected premium wines, beer and cocktails; purified water; tea, coffee and various other non-alcoholic options.
Hermes carries equipment to get all guests out actively exploring both above and beneath the water, including pangas, snorkel gear (including mask, snorkel, fins and a wetsuit), kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Daily excursions with naturalist guides feature varied walks, hikes to view points and time on beaches. While cruising or in between off-ship activities, guests are treated to onboard programming such as cooking and cocktail lessons.
The 17 crew members (including a butler for each cabin deck and a cruise director) aboard the Hermes Galapagos catamaran are poised to make every departure unforgettable. Discerning travelers will appreciate the 24/7 butler service, which offers optional unpacking, drink service to suites and their Jacuzzis, shoe polishing and laundry. And a dedicated cruise director helps ensure all guests are informed throughout each cruise.
Each of Hermes’ 12 suites pampers guests with upscale amenities and attention to detail. The 10 Double Suites and 2 Single Suites are all convertible between one king or two twin beds. And select suites interconnect—a great feature for families or friends traveling together.
Common amenities include a walk-in closet (except in Single Suites), mini bar (stocked according to guests’ preferences), private balcony, desk, sitting area, floor-to-ceiling windows, air conditioning, pillow selection menu, and bathroom with side-by-side, water-view Jacuzzi bathtub and shower, large vanity and dual sinks. Modern, minimalistic furniture and soothing stone and wood tones create a relaxing atmosphere.
