A string of ultra-luxury ships will soon be setting sail. Point of difference? They’re being floated out by tour and hotel companies. A new expedition yacht set sail in the Galapagos recently.
Nothing too remarkable about that: the Ecuadorian islands have seen a whole spate of small luxury ships appear over the last few years. The Galapagos Explorer is a refurbished and renamed ship that carries only 12 guests in considerable luxury, with prices starting from $US10,950 ($16,800) a person twin share for its seven-night cruises. An artist’s impression of the Galapagos Explorer.
There’s nothing remarkable about its itineraries either, which, like many others, take in the eastern or western islands. So what’s different? The fact that Galapagos Explorer is owned by andBeyond, best known for its luxury African safaris. Cruise lines beware: other tourism companies are starting to muscle in to the business.
Most notably, in 2022, Crystal Cruises was acquired by A&K Group, otherwise known as luxury tour company Abercrombie & Kent. Also in 2022, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection – owned by Marriott International – was established with the launch of Evrima, a 298-guest ship with lavish suites, 10 dining venues and a watersports marina. The larger Ilma (448 guests) is due to follow this September and the even larger Luminara in 2025.
The latter will carry 452 guests. Ritz-Carlton more recently attempted to acquire Sea Cloud Cruises, which operates three tall-mast ships. It wa.