What is the tonnage of MS Santa Cruz II?

MS Santa Cruz II has a gross tonnage of 2,664 GT.

How many guests can MS Santa Cruz II accommodate?

MS Santa Cruz II accommodates up to 90 guests in 0 cabins.

When was MS Santa Cruz II built?

MS Santa Cruz II was launched in 2021-01-01 by HX Expeditions.

MS Santa Cruz II — HX Expeditions

When you are exploring the Galápagos islands with us onboard the MS Santa Cruz II, you will enjoy a relaxed atmosphere in high quality surroundings. The small size - with a guest capacity of maximum of 90 allows for a cozy yet classy environment. You'll easily feel at home on board.

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.

Welcome aboard

An HX Expeditions trip includes everything from daily excursions and activities to our onboard Science Centre, meals, gratuities, drinks* and more. All designed to give you the expedition experience of a lifetime.

Add some indulgence to your voyage aboard MS Santa Cruz II and reserve one of our Darwin Suites. With two large windows, you’ll enjoy superb views in premium comfort. These spacious suites feature double beds that can be divided into two single beds on request at the time of booking, as well as a sofa bed suitable for a child under the age of 12. If more space is needed, these rooms can be interconnected with an Explorer cabin. All have private bathrooms with a shower and toiletries, a safe, and USA two-pin plug sockets. There’s a daily turn-down service, and you’ll also get a welcome gift in the form of a Galápagos wildlife book.

Two large windows
Double bed (optional twin)
Sofa bed, suitable for a child under 12 years of age
Bathrobes and slippers on request
Guests: up to 3 | Size: 30.3 m2
Cabin code: DS

With a large window that illuminates the interior and allows you to take in the views as we cruise, these cabins offer an elegant and comfortable space to relax in after a day of active exploring. They feature a single bed, and all have private bathrooms with a shower and toiletries, as well as a safe and USA two-pin plug sockets.

Large window
Double bed (optional twin)
Guests: 2 | Size: 14-15 m2
Cabin Code: EH

Large windows
Double bed (optional twin)
Sofa bed, suitable for a child under 12 years of age
Guests: up to 3 | Size: 17.2 m2
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 single bed, and plenty of space for solo travelers. There are 2 Voyager cabins located on the Horizon deck.

Mouthwatering meals and creative cocktails await you aboard MS Santa Cruz II. With creativity and dedication, our cheerful staff draw inspiration from everything from the weather to the region’s flavours and local ingredients.

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 Cordon Bleu (a trained Gastronomy Director) and a wide variety of culinary experiences that encompass all diets and preferences. Each and every meal served onboard is exquisite.

Your ship gives you everything you could wish for in a home away from home: places for stimulation, relaxation, and meetings with your fellow guests. With a Scandinavian-inspired décor and all modern conveniences, MS Santa Cruz II does it in comfort and style.

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 and fitness room are located here.

The Outdoor Terrace is located on Deck Three.

This large and well-lit area is not only the main bar, but also the place where most ship events will take place (welcome and farewell cocktail), and doubles as an ideal place for lectures. It’s the ideal site to chill and relax with Wi-Fi hot spot and direct access to our al fresco terrace.

Located at the main intersection on the ship, the reception is the place where you will find the central bulletin board with daily program and other valuable information on the expedition experience.

The Discovery Room is located on Deck Three.

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 the Galápagos’ Islands from inside. The Science Corner includes a glass cabinet, a microscope and a whale vertebrae clone, a perfect learning zone about our science activities.

The Gift Shop is located on Deck Two.

What if you could discover the unforgettable wonders of the Galapagos Islands, Earth's natural wonderland? With HX Expeditions, you can! Exploring these idyllic islands onboard our small expedition ships will take you off the beaten track and closer to nature for a more intimate experience. Nestled in the Pacific Ocean, this remote archipelago is a living laboratory of evolution, home to unique and diverse wildlife that have been inspiring explorers and naturalists ever since Charles Darwin first stepped foot here in 1835. With our Travel Guide, we have all the essential travel tips, packing lists, and insights to get you ready for your Galapagos trip.

Expect the unexpected as you explore the Galápagos Islands by sea and land, with a range of daily excursions, science projects, and talks we will ensure you uncover the magic of these iconic islands.

Our small expedition boats allow us to land on beaches and terrain away from the crowds. Exploring the various islands on foot turns an adventure into an expedition - with hikes amongst the distinct ecosystems for a more intimate experience amongst the truly unique flora and fauna.

Or what could be better than drifting over a colourful reef and seeing marine life illuminated in crystal-clear water? Where the conditions allow, you can take to the water where you could snorkel amongst sea lions or even paddleboard past penguins. With MS Santa Cruz II as your floating base camp, it is the perfect spot to return to for some relaxation and reflection on some of the lifelong memories made in the Galápagos Islands.

The Expedition Launch Pad can be found on Deck 1.

Whenever you feel the need to get your body moving, exercise facilities are on hand to get your pulse up. And whether you’re relaxing after a day of fascinating lectures, or a long hike, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to relax your body and mind.

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 want to let their routine slide.

For a nice relaxing time our two hot tubs with capacity for 5 guests each. Located on the Expedition deck are ideal.

The Galápagos offers a plethora of adventures as you experience the rich nature and unique wildlife of these idyllic islands. Regardless of what time of year you visit, a pair of sturdy walking shoes is recommended for the hikes as trails vary in difficulty, but most are of volcanic nature.

For those travelling in the warm season (January - May), we recommend focusing on shorts and loosely-fitting tops. This time of year is also the wettest, so be sure to pack a light rain jacket or poncho. If you are visiting during the cooler months (June - December), we suggest packing a light jumper or windbreaker for those chilly nights onboard.

We also recommend packing the following:

Insect repellent
Polarised sunglasses and sunscreen
Sandals or shoes you don‘t mind getting wet
Wide-brimmed sun hat with a chin strap
Swimsuit for the hot tubs
A pair of casual shoes for onboard use
Waterproof small back pack or bag
Rain Jacket
Prescription Snorkeling Masks

Don't forget you will also receive a complimentary reusable waterproof bottle, which is yours to keep at the end of the voyage.

It may seem like getting to these remote islands is an expedition in itself however, many carriers fly to Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) in Quito or José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE) in Guayaquil.

Within the cost of your voyage, we include return flights in economy class between key gateways, and entirely dependent upon the expedition you choose. Be sure to check the 'What's Included' section of the voyage to see which applies to you, flights include:

from/to Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra and the Galápagos Islands.
from/to Lima - Cusco (Peru) for those with the Machu Picchu combination.

Please Note: The checked baggage allowance is up to 23kg, and a cabin bag of up to 8 kg. These limits can vary between long-haul and the included short-haul flights run by LATAM, to/from Lima (for the Machu Picchu programme) and Quito/Guayaquil (for Galápagos Islands). Additional luggage can only be booked as a paid service at the check-in counter.

With their unique wildlife and captivating natural beauty, these islands offer a memorable experience for all of the family. Exploring these islands provides numerous educational opportunities for children, from learning about evolution and diverse ecosystems to close encounters with the local stars such as the Galápagos giant tortoises and playful sea lions.

Our Family-friendly cruises and guided tours ensure safety and comfort, while activities like snorkeling, hiking, and wildlife spotting create cherished moments for families to bond and appreciate the wonders of nature together.

Smoking is allowed only in designated outdoor areas, not in cabins or private balconies. Smoking while the ship is refuelling is prohibited.

Guests will receive limited complimentary Wi-fi access. Additional Wi-Fi is available for purchase.

The minimum age for travel to Antarctica and Galápagos is 5 years and the participation of children under the age of 12 years in small-boat landings during expedition cruises is at the discretion of the captain.

Guests who require special diets or have food allergies can contact the Restaurant Manager in the restaurants during opening hours.

Everything you need to know about your cruise, including your bookings, daily programme, restaurants and services on board and essential information about available excursions is at hand at any time.

What have I booked?

Take a look at My bookings to explore the excursions you have booked and prepare for your adventure accordingly with practical tips.

What's happening today?

The daily programme helps you to know what’s happening on board. It shows you all the on-board events, meals, optional excursions/activities, and important announcements so that you can relax and enjoy the expedition.

What’s available on board?

You can find all the services and facilities available on board in one place: exciting excursions and information about the state-of-the-art vessel.

Gratuities included. Fantastic service is standard at HX Expeditions and we’ll never add discretionary charges onto your bill (though if you’d like to leave something extra, it’s always appreciated).