Our journey to the Galápagos Islands for Metropolitan Touring’s small ship La Pinta was to a wildlife paradise like no other we had ever visited. The moment our panga (a rugged inflatable rubber boat) approached La Pinta, gracefully bobbing up and down in the Pacific Ocean off Baltra Island, I knew she was just right for our six-night Galápagos adventure.
Metropolitan Touring’s small ship La Pinta provided a comfortable and luxurious platform for the closest encounters with fearless animals than we had seen in any other part of the world.
The experienced crew and expedition team created a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. We loved everything about this expedition!
(Update: The ship was gorgeous when I was onboard in December. It was in dry-dock from Jan 2-30, 2025 to be refurbished, so it must be even more beautiful now.)
While the ship has a capacity of 48 passengers, on our sailing in early December 2024 there were only 24 passengers aboard. This small ship felt more like a private yacht with personalized service and spacious public areas. I was told that during the holiday season, the ship will be at capacity.
See cruises here: Metropolitan Touring Cruises
Cabins
All passenger cabins had ocean-view fixed windows and are located on the Cabin Deck. There are a total of 20 Luxury cabins accommodating twin or king beds and four Luxury Plus cabins that can accommodate two to three passengers with twin or king beds and a sofa bed.
Our Luxury Cabin 307 had a very comfortable king-size bed with four pillows and crisp white linens. The furnishings were modern, and the lighting was used very effectively throughout. Three large closet doors covered the shelves and hanging space, with nice wooden hangers. We had lots of room to unpack our suitcases, even though we had clearly overpacked for this expedition!
The bathroom inside our cabin was bright and had ample storage above and below the vanity for our personal belongings. Fluffy white towels were provided in all sizes, along with a larger beige towel for snorkeling or to take to the beach. Water pressure was excellent, and it was very easy to control the temperature in the shower without fumbling around.
Pedro, our cabin steward, kept our space clean and amused us daily with very creative towel animals. Most of the small ships I’ve been on did not have fun with towel animals like the big ships commonly do. Be aware that the cabin doors have no locks, and the cruise line recommends not bringing valuables. We kept our passports and wallets locked in our room safe.
Dining Room
There was one seating for all guests in the dining room located on the Main Deck. There were round tables of six and eight with moveable chairs. I found it interesting and a little unusual, based on previous small ship cruises, that we were assigned to a table with the same waiter and guests for the entire trip. Happily, we were seated with a newlywed couple from Israel who could not have been better tablemates.
A buffet with an egg station was offered at breakfast, and lunch was also served buffet-style with a carving and soup station.
We dined al fresco twice for lunch with a fulsome buffet offered. Dining outside, especially in a warm climate, is something we enjoyed immensely. The outdoor experience at the stern of the Sun Deck was best when the ship was anchored. Once the engines turned on and we set sail for the next island destination, the Sun Deck was quite noisy with strong vibrations. Regardless, we still enjoyed the al fresco dining a lot!
Daily Routine
I found the pace and the daily routine on the ship just right—adventurous physical activities and time to relax onboard.
Breakfast was served at 7:00 a.m., lunch around noon, and dinner at 7:30 p.m.
At 8:00 a.m., we left the ship via panga for a landing to hike or walk, a scenic expedition cruise, snorkeling and kayaking, or for a short adventure in the glass-bottom boat.
Some days, there was an opportunity to do more than one activity off the ship in the morning and again in the afternoon following lunch.
Returning to the ship around 6:00 p.m. on most days, there was time to shower and rest before heading to the lounge for a presentation by the expedition team called an “Eco Moment” and an explanation of the next day’s program. This was followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. After dinner, some passengers went up to the lounge or out to the Sun Deck for stargazing and a nightcap.
The Lounge and Bar
Located on the Upper Deck, the lounge and full-service bar had windows all around, providing wonderful views of the ocean as we cruised.
Library
Off the lounge was a library with books about the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, and Charles Darwin that passengers could borrow or read. Comfortable modern sofas and ocean views made the library an ideal quiet spot on the ship.
Fitness Room
There was a small fitness room located on the Upper Deck near the hot tub with weights and well-maintained exercise equipment. Towels and water were provided.
Reception Area and Gift Shop
A large reception area served as the central hub on the ship with a knowledgeable and friendly purser always available to assist with our every question or need. A gift shop with clothing and expedition gear, sunscreen, limited pharmacy items, jewelry, and local souvenirs was also located in the reception area. We disembarked the ship onto waiting pangas through doors on either side of the reception area after donning our life jackets.
The Expedition Manager and Team
Both the manager and the team of naturalist guides were outstanding! They were incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and approachable, making every excursion a memorable experience.
Itinerary and Excursions
Our itinerary included visits to five islands, starting and ending on Baltra Island, where the airport is located.
We visited North Seymour Island, Isabela Island, Rábida Island, Santa Cruz Island, and Floreana Island. With a mix of land-based beach time, walking and hiking, and water-based activities including panga and glass-bottom boat excursions, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddling in several locations on each island, there was no shortage of rich, educational adventures. The geology, flora, fauna, and animals were unique to each island and even parts of an island. For example, the 180-year-old Galápagos giant tortoises roamed freely in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. They exhibited no fear of our presence as we walked right up to them for photos. At the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora on the same island, giant tortoises are protected in enclosures and have been bred to repopulate the island with the once-endangered animals.
All in all, we saw a whopping 12 of the Galápagos Big 15 species during our expedition. My favorites included the blue-footed boobies, penguins, flightless cormorants, frigatebirds with swollen red sacs, giant tortoises, sea lions, fur seals, flamingos, marine iguanas, and colorful land iguanas.
Summary
My husband and I agreed that Metropolitan Touring’s small ship La Pinta provided a comfortable and luxurious platform for the closest encounters with fearless animals than we had seen in any other part of the world. The experienced crew and expedition team created a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. We loved everything about this expedition!
What’s Included
- Meals: From lunch on Day 1 until breakfast on the final day.
- Accommodation with private bathroom.
- Excursions as listed in the itinerary with a certified bilingual naturalist guide (Spanish/English).
- Snorkel equipment, kayaks, and paddleboards.
- Wetsuits.
- Unlimited purified water, tea, coffee, and snacks.
- Shared transfer from major hotels in Quito/Guayaquil on Day 1.
Excluded Services
- Entrance fees to the Galápagos:
- Galápagos National Park Fee: $200 USD per person.
- Galápagos Transit Control Card: $20 USD per person.
- International and domestic flights.
- Airport transfers in Quito or Guayaquil.
- Alcoholic beverages and colas.
- Tips for guides and crew.
- Personal expenses.
Tips
- Take lots of American money in small bills. Ecuador uses US Dollars as their currency.
- Give yourself plenty of time before your flight to the Galápagos Islands (at least two hours). Schedules often change in Ecuador.
- When you arrive at the domestic terminal in Guayaquil, proceed first to the Immigration Counter to pay $20 USD per person for a Tourist Card. Only cash is accepted.
- Pack suitable footwear for wet landings and hiking on rugged lava.
- No need to pack anything fancy. This is a very casual cruising experience.
Also of note to my story:
She’s not a shiny new ship with all the bells and whistles, but she’s been tastefully refreshed and dolled up. The ship was gorgeous when I was onboard in December. It was in dry-dock from Jan 2-30, 2025 to be refurbished, so it must be even more beautiful now. She was built in 1982 and overhauled in 2008, with a recent refurbishment in January, since our expedition cruise.
Getting to the isolated Galápagos Islands from Canada included multiple flights, connecting in Panama with an overnight stay in Guayaquil, Ecuador, before our final flight to Baltra Island, where our cruise with Metropolitan Touring would depart. There are some good flight connections from the USA.
Words and Photos by Judi Cohen (TravelingJudi)
Compliments and thanks to Metropolitan Touring Cruises, CruiseCompete. and All Things Cruise
See cruises here: Metropolitan Touring Cruises
Editor’s Notes:
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About Metropolitan Touring: Metropolitan Touring is the leading regional Destination Management Company (DMC) in South America. We offer a collection of products and experiences that include various, best-in-class hotels and Expedition Vessels operating in stunning sites. Metropolitan Touring is the trend setter when it comes to bespoke travel experiences as well as the first travel agency to offer high-end, ecologically minded tours and services in the region.
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