Next Month, You Can Sail the Galápagos Islands on This Gorgeous New Cruise Ship

A new eco-friendly ship is soon to make the Galápagos Islands even more opulent. The newly constructed Silver Origin is set to go on passenger sailings on September 19th, offering a range of exciting routes that provide ample opportunities to observe wildlife.. 

Silversea, which was recently voted one of the top small-ship cruise lines in the world by readers of Travel & Leisure, operates the 100-passenger yacht. Every one of the ship's 51 suites will have its own balcony. In addition, many of them will feature gorgeous bathrooms, complete with tubs that look out over the water. Elevating the level of luxury even further: butler service is provided to each cabin, ensuring that your Champagne is always refilled. 

The ship's dining options include two restaurants, appropriately named "The Grill" and "The Restaurant," as well as multiple lounges and the Basecamp, where guests can board Zodiac wildlife-watching trips or use the ship's kayaks for a paddle. An onboard salon, spa, and mini-gym are also available. 

Itineraries cover the most popular stops in the Galápagos, such as Santa Cruz (where the Charles Darwin Research Station is located) and Bartolomé Island (where snorkeling and penguins are popular). According to Silversea, the ship will be making maiden calls to other less-visited destinations in the archipelago, including Santa Fe Island, in the near future. The all-inclusive weeklong trips start at about $10,700 per person. 

Although the ship is operating only in Ecuador, it is permitted to cruise despite the No Sail Order issued by the CDC. The CDC "has issued a Level 3 travel health notice for Ecuador due to COVID-19," as stated in the most recent advisory from the U.S. Department of State, even though international flights into Ecuador have recently resumed. According to the U.S. Embassy in Quito, U.S. citizens must undergo a 14-day quarantine period upon arrival in Ecuador, regardless of whether they show negative findings from a COVID-19 test.