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Life on board the Ultramarine is refined yet rugged: Cabins range from Explorer Triples to Deluxe Balcony Suites, all with heated floors, cozy furnishings, and panoramic windows. There’s a wellness center with a sauna and spa, a theater for expert-led talks, and a wraparound deck for wildlife watching.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises’ 10-night Quito and Galápagos Inner Loop sailing is a gentle, luxurious invitation into the heart of Darwin’s iconic archipelago. Aboard the Celebrity Flora, a sleek, eco-conscious mega-yacht built for the Galápagos, just 100 guests enjoy all-inclusive indulgence, from unlimited Wi-Fi and drinks to locally sourced cuisine. The ship’s design—with solar panels and a dynamic positioning system that spares the seabed—underscores a commitment to sustainability.
During shore excursions, certified naturalists guide you through the islands’ enchanting diversity: On Santiago Island, you’ll spy shorebirds, Galápagos hawks, marine iguanas, sea lions, and fur seals. At Egas Port, volcanic terrain meets crashing surf. Twice-daily excursions ensure you’ll not just observe but learn—everywhere you go, lectures deepen your appreciation of ecology, geology, and evolution.
Suites on Flora range from veranda rooms to penthouse suites, many with “infinite verandas” that open you directly to the sea breeze. The public spaces feel like a private yacht—there’s a sun deck for stargazing (with guided constellation talks), elegant dining, and cozy salons for reflection or conversation.
Hurtigruten
Arctic fauna abounds throughout the northwest passage, a sea trail that links the Pacific and Atlantic via the Canadian Arctic. A 19-day northwest passage cruise with Hurtigruten covers a portion of this wild expanse, as well as the coasts of Greenland and Iceland. From Hurtigruten’s 490-person MS Roald Amundsen, you could spot musk ox, caribou, minke and humpback whales, and, if you’re lucky, the elusive polar bear. The trip’s excursions include RIB boat rides, hiking, and citizen science programs.
