The good ship Silver Galapagos.

A weekly series featuring luxury hotel expert Mary Gostelow’s hotel pick of the week. 

There is only one way to see as much of the Galapagos as possible – and that is by ship. The Silversea-managed Silver Explorer has just been completely renovated, with its 50 classic wood-filled cabins (sorry, suites rather) giving way to taupe Architectural Digest interiors.

Sea lions move about, undisturbed by visitors. The ship in the distance.

Mary and a bright red, puffed-up Frigatebird.

For everyone who has not yet been, but has the Galapagos on his wish list- guess what? It is even more exhilarating than you could possibly expect. A one-week cruise is the perfect length of time. After initial briefing from the ten onboard naturalists, your first expedition is 8:30am the first morning, and it is high activity the whole time. Thanks to a brilliant strategy by Galapagos National Park, the animals are not tame, but oblivious to humans. Thousands of sea lions, Jurassic Park-type iguana, and hundreds of species of fish and birds go about their daily rituals without noticing you. Frigatebirds suck in air to swell their characteristic neck pouches and attract females. Juvenile blue-footed boobies try first flights, giving up after a couple of flaps.

Coming down from an intense, rocky terrain hike.

Educational lessons are interspersed with grueling hikes, kayaking, snorkeling, or sunbathing at the ship’s top deck jacuzzi. Also on the top deck, the four premium suites, 601-604, which give the best balcony views and are handy for the gym and fifth floor outdoor grill.

Food throughout your journey is superb, with buffet breakfasts (oh that drinkable peach yogurt!) and lunches, and à la carte dinners. Or you can get your butler to bring whatever and whenever to your suite. One night is a South American wine tasting which, like absolutely everything about Silver Galapagos other than the spa and wifi, is included. Once what becomes a nonstop house party is over, you have thousands of photos to sort. All schedules on and off Silver Galapagos, including embarkation and disembarkation, are by zodiac.

Read last week’s Hotel of the Week here.

Arriving on land for another day of exploration, scheduled by zodiac of course.

The ship carries zodiacs, snorkeling gear, kayaks and lifeboats, of course!