Cruise

Peregrine New-Build Now Cruising The Galapagos

Peregrine Adventures’ first custom-built expedition vessel has begun cruising the Galapagos as part of the company’s small-ship Adventure Cruising program, which has grown 35% year to date.

One of the newest and most sustainable ships operating in the Galapagos, Grand Queen Beatriz departed on its maiden voyage from Puerto Baquerizo Morena in San Cristobal on July 1. The first voyage was a combination of Peregrine’s 10-day Classic Galapagos and six-day Galapagos Encounter, offering guests the chance to follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin with a hike on Bartolome, go iguana- and sea lion-spotting at Plaza Sur and Santa Fe, and have encounters with ancient giant tortoises at San Cristobal.

The 98-foot vessel has nine cabins featuring outward-facing windows and ensuite bathrooms. Cabins are spread over three decks with separate communal areas, offering extra privacy and space. The boat also offers a dining room, two bars, lounge and TV area and a sun deck with Jacuzzi. The upper deck has private balcony rooms.

With a maximum of 16 guests and eight crew, the ship has one crew member to every two guests. As a carbon-neutral travel company which prides itself on a low-impact travel model, the dedicated Peregrine vessel has solar panels to assist with power generation and the latest technology ensuring the best fuel efficiency possible. Peregrine banned single-use plastics onboard its adventure cruises this year, with passengers given reusable water bottles to fill using drinking water available on the ship.

Grand Queen Beatriz has six-, 10-, 13- and 17-day Galapagos itineraries departing from Quito with the six-day Galapagos Encounter Central Islands priced from US$3,514 per person, twin share.

All trips are accompanied by Peregrine Adventures’ local leaders and include onboard kayaks, all transfers and excursions and most meals.

(https://www.peregrineadventures.com/adventure-cruising)