Condé Nast Traveler readers recognized Metropolitan Touring in the Expedition Ship Line category of the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards. Some awards are given by a jury; others are earned one voyage at a time. Readers of Condé Nast Traveler, one of the most influential travel publications in the world, named Metropolitan Touring to the Best Cruise Lines in the World 2026 list in the expedition cruise line category.
This recognition means something special to us. It didn’t come from a campaign or a committee. It came from travelers who walked among sea lions, swam alongside sea turtles, and watched the sun set over volcanoes from the deck of one of our ships, and who wanted to share that experience.
The award recognizes a cruise line, but behind that name are three ships, each with its own character. In this article, we introduce each one and what makes traveling aboard it unique.
La Pinta: The Flagship
La Pinta is Metropolitan Touring’s flagship and the natural choice for travelers seeking an expedition with a touch of luxury. She welcomes up to 48 guests, a number chosen so the ship never feels crowded and every landing keeps its sense of intimacy.
Her cabins come in two categories. Luxury cabins measure 16.43 m² and accommodate two guests. Luxury Plus cabins measure 23 m², add a sofa bed, and accommodate up to three guests. Every cabin has picture windows instead of portholes, so the scenery fills the room from the very first sunrise. Four pairs of cabins connect, a great option for families or groups of friends traveling together.
Life on board spans three decks. The upper deck has an outdoor lounge, a gym, and a hot Tub, the perfect spot to watch the islands drift by at the end of the day. The main deck is home to the dining room, reception, the shop and the infirmary, staffed 24 hours a day by an on-board doctor.
Each expedition is led by an expedition leader, together with four naturalist guides certified by the Galápagos National Park. On average, there is one guide for every 12 guests, below the Park’s maximum of 16. Itineraries last 5, 7, or 9 days and explore different areas of the archipelago: east, southwest, northeast, and southeast. At each visitor site, guests can choose among hikes, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, or a glass-bottom boat ride.
Santa Cruz II: The Largest Ship in the Fleet
Santa Cruz II is Metropolitan Touring’s largest ship, with 50 cabins for 90 guests across five decks. Her size allows for more common areas and additional accommodation options while maintaining the small-group expedition format.
She is also the most versatile choice for a wide range of travelers. Voyager cabins, at 11.8 m², are designed for solo travelers. Explorer cabins, at 15.2 m², are the main category, and 36 of them can connect. Families can choose Explorer Family cabins, at 17.8 m², for two adults and one child under 12. And for those who want more space, there are three Darwin Suites at 30.2 m² that can also connect to an Explorer cabin.
On board you’ll find two hot tubs, a gym, an observation lounge with a bar, the open-air Sky Bar, a natural history library and a shop. As on every ship in the fleet, there is a doctor on board and an infirmary available 24 hours a day.
Four naturalist guides accompany each departure, with around 12 guests per guide. Santa Cruz II sails three itineraries:
- North (5 days, 4 nights): Bartolomé, Genovesa, Santa Cruz and Santiago.
- West (5 days, 4 nights): Fernandina, Floreana and Santa Cruz.
- East (7 days, 6 nights): Española, Seymour, Rábida, San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe and South Plaza.
Activities include hikes, kayaking, snorkeling, paddleboarding, coastal exploration, and glass-bottom boat rides.
Isabela II: The Intimate Yacht
Isabela II is the smallest ship in the fleet and perhaps the coziest. She welcomes up to 40 guests across 20 cabins, each with a private bathroom. She is the ideal ship for travelers who picture the Galápagos as a voyage among just a few, at the relaxed pace of a yacht.
Most of her cabins are Classic cabins, measuring 12.8 m² and accommodating two guests. Two of them are Classic Family cabins, with room for one child under 12. Rounding out the options are one Standard cabin and the Owner’s Cabin, at 18.9 m², the yacht’s signature cabin, located on the main deck.
Isabela II has three decks. The upper deck features the outdoor lounge, the gym, and the hot tub. The main deck houses the dining room, the bar, a business center, the shop and the infirmary, with a doctor available 24 hours a day. There is also a library, air conditioning throughout the ship, and Starlink Wi-Fi.
Isabela II itineraries last 5, 7, or 9 days and cover the central, northern, northwestern, northeastern, southeastern, and western areas of the archipelago. Snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards and a glass-bottom boat are available on board.
Your Expedition Starts Here
Thank you to every traveler who voted for us. This recognition inspires us to continue caring for every detail, from the first welcome aboard to the last hike on the islands.
Imagine waking up facing a volcano, swimming alongside a curious sea lion, and ending the day under a blazing sky over the Pacific. That is what days in the Galápagos are like, and that is how we want you to experience them.
If you haven’t yet explored the Galápagos with Metropolitan Touring, now is a great time to start planning. You can combine your expedition with other experiences in our portfolio in Ecuador, such as Casa Gangotena in Quito, Mashpi Lodge in the cloud forest, or Finch Bay on Santa Cruz Island.
The Galápagos isn’t just a place you visit. It’s a place you experience. And we’ve spent more than five decades preparing that moment for you.
