--- type: cruise schema_type: TouristTrip id: e3c8d423-596d-4956-a7db-45fb1a88e5b8 slug: 2292831 voyage_code: _@SCGALEEU-270210 cruise_line: HX Expeditions ship: MS Santa Cruz II departure_date: return_date: nights: 8 embarkation_port: Quito disembarkation_port: Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island starting_price_usd: bookable: false last_updated: 2026-10-19T12:23:42Z --- # Galápagos Islands - In Darwin’s Footsteps (Eastern Route) > HX Expeditions · MS Santa Cruz II · Feb 10 – 18, 2027   (8 nights) ## Quick Facts | Attribute | Value | |-----------|-------| | **Cruise Line** | HX Expeditions | | **Ship** | MS Santa Cruz II | | **Duration** | 8 nights | | **Departure Date** | N/A | | **Return Date** | N/A | | **Embarkation Port** | Quito | | **Disembarkation Port** | Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island | | **Starting Price** | N/A USD per person | | **Voyage Code** | _@SCGALEEU-270210 | ## Itinerary ### Day 1: Quito **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Quito, Ecuador's capital, sits high in the Andean foothills at an altitude of 2,850m. Constructed on the foundations of an ancient Incan city, it’s known for its well-preserved colonial center, rich with 16th- and 17th-century churches and other structures blending European, Moorish and indigenous styles. These include the cathedral, in the Plaza Grande square, and ultra-ornate Compañia de Jesús Jesuit church. ### Day 2: Quito **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Quito, Ecuador's capital, sits high in the Andean foothills at an altitude of 2,850m. Constructed on the foundations of an ancient Incan city, it’s known for its well-preserved colonial center, rich with 16th- and 17th-century churches and other structures blending European, Moorish and indigenous styles. These include the cathedral, in the Plaza Grande square, and ultra-ornate Compañia de Jesús Jesuit church. ### Day 3: Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Baltra Island, or Isla Baltra, is a small island of the Galápagos Islands. Also known as South Seymour, Baltra is a small flat island located near the center of the Galápagos. It was created by geological uplift. The island is very arid and vegetation consists of salt bushes, prickly pear cactus and palo santo trees. ### Day 4: San Cristobal Island **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM San Cristóbal Island and named previously by the English as Chatham Island, is the easternmost island in the Galápagos archipelago, as well as one of the oldest geologically. It is administratively part of San Cristóbal Canton, Ecuador. ### Day 5: Santa Fe Island **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Santa Fe Island, also called Barrington Island after admiral Samuel Barrington, is a small island of 24 square kilometres which lies in the centre of the Galápagos archipelago, to the south-east of Santa Cruz Island. Visitor access is by a wet landing in Barrington Bay on the north-eastern side of the island. ### Day 6: Santa Cruz Island **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Santa Cruz Island is the largest of the Channel Islands, off the coast of Southern California. Its many sea caves include the vast Painted Cave, on the northwestern side. The island has many trails, including around Scorpion Canyon, with opportunities to see the island scrub jays. Scorpion Beach features kelp forests. Smugglers Cove has tide pools. Cavern Point offers Pacific Ocean views and seasonal whale sightings. ### Day 7: Espanola **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Española is a city primarily in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, United States. A portion of the central and eastern section of the city is in Santa Fe County. ### Day 8: Eden Islet **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM ### Day 9: Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM Baltra Island, or Isla Baltra, is a small island of the Galápagos Islands. Also known as South Seymour, Baltra is a small flat island located near the center of the Galápagos. It was created by geological uplift. The island is very arid and vegetation consists of salt bushes, prickly pear cactus and palo santo trees. ## Pricing Prices shown are per person based on double occupancy in USD. | Cabin Type | Starting Price | |------------|----------------| | Ocean View | $7,420 | | Suite | $9,461 | ## Cabin Options ### Outside Cabins **Explorer Family Cabin** (Code: FH) With comfortable spaces and large picture windows to illuminate the interior spaces and allow guests to take in the views, these cabins offer elegant relaxation areas after a day of active exploring. There are 2 Explorer family cabins located on the Horizon deck. Cabins are equipped with twin beds a... **Explorer Cabin** (Code: EP) With comfortable spaces and large picture windows to illuminate the interior spaces and allow guests to take in the views, these cabins offer elegant relaxation areas after a day of active exploring. There are 3 Explorer cabins located as on the Panorama deck. **Voyager Single Cabin ** (Code: VH) With comfortable spaces and large picture windows to illuminate the interior spaces and allow guests to take in the views, these cabins offer single bed, and plenty of space for solo travelers. There are 2 Voyager cabins located on the Horizon deck. **Explorer Cabin** (Code: EH) With comfortable spaces and large picture windows to illuminate the interior spaces and allow guests to take in the views, these cabins offer elegant relaxation areas after a day of active exploring. There are 23 Explorer cabins located as on the Horizon deck. **Explorer Cabin** (Code: EE) With comfortable spaces and large picture windows to illuminate the interior spaces and allow guests to take in the views, these cabins offer elegant relaxation areas after a day of active exploring. There are 17 Explorer cabins located as on the Expedition deck. ### Suite Cabins **Darwin Suite** (Code: DS) Our three Darwin suites on the Panorama deck, featuring double picture windows, will provide superb comfort and deluxe amenities for more discerning guests. Available in twin or double bed and if more space is desired, they can be interconnected with an Explorer cabin. ## Ship Information ### MS Santa Cruz II With carbon-neutral operations, MS Santa Cruz II is environmentally-sustainable and socially conscious with the local community. This sleek, spacious ship has a layout that allows you to enjoy your cruise from start to finish. Enjoy delicious food in the elegant restaurant, increase your knowledge of the Galápagos Islands with your fellow travellers in the Science Center or maybe mingle out on the multiple decks. While exploring the Galápagos, you'll have the ability to actively engage in activities and encounters. After a day in Darwin's footsteps, you will enjoy coming home to a casual atmosphere with the best service there is. MS Santa Cruz II's amenities easily appeal to all world explorers. #### Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Passenger Capacity | 90 | | Crew | 0 | | Gross Tonnage | 2,664.0 | | Length | 232.0 ft | | Total Cabins | 0 | ## Onboard Amenities ### Other - **Full access to our Science Centre**: Often described by guests as “the heart of an HX ship”, our interactive science programme is like nothing you'll find elsewhere. Join our onboard scie... - **Professional photos of your trip from our onboard photographer​**: Every expedition has an onboard photographer who’ll capture stunning images from each day of your voyage. After you’ve returned home, we’ll send you a... - **Sky deck**: The Sky deck offers spaces where guests can relax and enjoy their Galápagos expeditions basking in the sun at the very top of the ship. The sun deck a... ### Fitness - **Fitness Room**: Our fitness center is equipped with yoga mats, set of weights, 2 treadmills, 2 stationary bikes, and an elliptical trainer for those guests who do not... ### Food and Drink - **All-inclusive drinks​**: Enjoy a glass of wine or beer before dinner in the Pool Bar. Or unwind in the evening with a cocktail in the Explorer Lounge. Whatever and whenever yo... - **Beagle Restaurant - Incredible Dining Experience**: The MS Santa Cruz II has a team of trained staff members that utilize locally-sourced organic food to prepare every dish. This ship provides a Le Cord... - **Breakfast, lunch and Dinner**: Indulge in anything your appetite desires across a huge list of delicious choices that almost rival the memories you’ll make off the ship. Start the d... - **Panorama bar & lounge**: This large and well-lit area is not only the main bar, but also the place where most ship events will take place and doubles as an ideal place for lec... ### Relaxation - **Hot Tub**: For a nice relaxing time our two hot tubs with capacity for 5 guests each. Located on the Expedition deck are ideal. ### Recreational - **Expedition lounge & bar with Science Corner and library**: Facing the front of the ship, the Expedition Lounge – complete with a refreshment station and library – is a fantastic place to admire the beauty of t... ## Ports of Call ### Quito *Coordinates: -0.229498, -78.5243* Quito, Ecuador's capital, sits high in the Andean foothills at an altitude of 2,850m. Constructed on the foundations of an ancient Incan city, it’s known for its well-preserved colonial center, rich with 16th- and 17th-century churches and other structures blending European, Moorish and indigenous styles. These include the cathedral, in the Plaza Grande square, and ultra-ornate Compañia de Jesús J... ### Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island *Coordinates: -0.459667, -90.2714* Baltra Island, or Isla Baltra, is a small island of the Galápagos Islands. Also known as South Seymour, Baltra is a small flat island located near the center of the Galápagos. It was created by geological uplift. The island is very arid and vegetation consists of salt bushes, prickly pear cactus and palo santo trees. ### San Cristobal Island *Coordinates: -0.867471, -89.4364* San Cristóbal Island and named previously by the English as Chatham Island, is the easternmost island in the Galápagos archipelago, as well as one of the oldest geologically. It is administratively part of San Cristóbal Canton, Ecuador. ### Santa Fe Island *Coordinates: -0.816667, -90.0667* Santa Fe Island, also called Barrington Island after admiral Samuel Barrington, is a small island of 24 square kilometres which lies in the centre of the Galápagos archipelago, to the south-east of Santa Cruz Island. Visitor access is by a wet landing in Barrington Bay on the north-eastern side of the island. ### Santa Cruz Island *Coordinates: -0.38, -90.3667* Santa Cruz Island is the largest of the Channel Islands, off the coast of Southern California. Its many sea caves include the vast Painted Cave, on the northwestern side. The island has many trails, including around Scorpion Canyon, with opportunities to see the island scrub jays. Scorpion Beach features kelp forests. Smugglers Cove has tide pools. Cavern Point offers Pacific Ocean views and seaso... ### Espanola *Coordinates: -1.37584, -89.6722* Española is a city primarily in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, United States. A portion of the central and eastern section of the city is in Santa Fe County. ### Eden Islet ## Booking Information - **Book This Cruise:** https://pirate.travel/cruise/2292831 - **Compare Prices:** CruisePirate compares prices across multiple booking channels - **Price Alerts:** Set up alerts for price drops on this sailing - **Support:** Contact our AI-powered cruise assistant for personalized recommendations ### Why Book with CruisePirate? - Real-time price comparison across booking channels - AI-powered cruise recommendations - Transparent pricing with no hidden fees - Expert cruise search and filtering --- ## Technical Metadata - **Canonical URL:** https://pirate.travel/cruise/2292831 - **Markdown URL:** https://pirate.travel/cruise/2292831.md - **API Endpoint:** https://pirate.travel/api/cruises/2292831/ - **Primary Image:** https://images.cruisepirate.ai/v3/static/cruise-lines/hx-expeditions/ms-santa-cruz-ii/ship/80315.webp - **Data Source:** CruisePirate Cruise Database - **Last Updated:** 2026-10-19 12:23:42 UTC