Galapagos luxury wildlife cruise

Planet

We work with local operators and suppliers in Ecuador and the Galapagos, and with local communities throughout the trip.

Island visits are controlled by the Galapagos National Park Authority. Everyone who visits pays a park fee, which helps fund the running of the park, and must follow the park's visitor rules. The Seaman Journey is a small catamaran carrying a maximum of 16 guests, so landings are small and unhurried. Itineraries follow the routes and visitor sites approved by the Galapagos National Park Authority.

Naturalist guides go ashore with every group, explaining the wildlife and the park's rules. In practice, that means staying on marked trails, keeping a respectful distance from animals and taking nothing off the islands. On every departure, guests are invited to join onboard programmes run with the Galapagos Conservation Trust. Through Happy Whale, you can help photograph and identify marine mammals for research, and the Garbology programme explains where ocean plastic comes from and what can be done about it.

The Seaman Journey sources produce locally, including from its own hydroponic farm on San Cristobal Island, which supplies fresh food for the onboard kitchen.

People

In Quito, we work with local guides and transfer drivers and stay in boutique accommodation in the historic centre. Most staff come from the surrounding area, and we encourage guests to get out and explore, spending money in local restaurants, shops and on experiences.

In the Galapagos, supplies are bought locally on the islands, which keeps revenue within the archipelago. The cruise operator supports around 40 families in Ecuador through income and skills training linked to cultural experiences and local partnerships. They also look after their own team, working to provide a safe, fair and inclusive workplace where staff can progress.