Offer: HX Explorers Members receive 5% or 10% off on all new HX bookings
Offer Details: HX Explorers level 1 members receive 5% savings off the total cabin fare, level 2 members receive 10% savings off the total cabin fare.
Booking Window: 10/2/25 - 10/31/25
Applicable Sailings: Valid on all HX departures between 10/30/25 - 3/31/27, excluding tour code SBGRE2608
Terms & Conditions: Offer valid on new bookings made between 2 October 2025 and 31 October 2025 and is valid on departures between 30 October 2025 – 31 March 2027, excluding tour code SBGRE2608 (Solar Eclipse Expedition - Svalbard, Greenland and Iceland) on 3 August 2026. Level 1 members at the time of booking are entitled to a 5% discount during this offer period on HX only. Level 2 members at the time of booking are entitled to a 10% discount during this offer period on HX only. The discount will be automatically applied to the booking if the correct HX Explorers membership details are included. The discount applies to everyone in your cabin. Price Promise – Should your booking become cheaper during the HX Black Friday 2025 Event, HX will refund the difference. To obtain this Price Promise the guest must request the relevant reduction directly with HX or their Travel Agent during the period of the HX Black Friday 2025 event. HX has the right to limit, change, or discontinue this offer at any time without notice. All other HX standard Booking Terms and Conditions will apply.
This sleek, spacious ship has a layout that allows you to enjoy your sailing in all aspects. Enjoy delicious food in the nice restaurant, learn with fellow travellers in the Science Centre or maybe mingle out on the many decks? While exploring the Gala?pagos, 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. The MS Santa Cruz II´s amenities easily appeal to all world explorers.
MS Santa Cruz II is environmentally sustainable and socially conscious with the local community, the operation is carbon neutral.
Day #
Date
Port
Arrive
Depart
1
Friday, 11/21/25
About Lima (Callao)
Lima, located seven miles form the port of Callao, was named the City of the Kings. Its grand old quarter is rich with Spanish colonial architecture: The Plaza del Armas has some prime examples. Late in the afternoon, the port of Callao will be filled with fishing boats, returning from a day at sea.
Lima, located seven miles form the port of Callao, was named the City of the Kings. Its grand old quarter is rich with Spanish colonial architecture: The Plaza del Armas has some prime examples. Late in the afternoon, the port of Callao will be filled with fishing boats, returning from a day at sea.
The archaelogocal capital of the Americas and the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent, Cuzco is now an important line in the South American travel network. Its legacy as the hub of the Inca empire is readily apparent; most of the city streets are lined with Inca-built stone walls and crowded with Quecha-speaking descendants of the Incas. The city has magnificent repositories of colonial art such as the cathedral (begun in 1559) and La Merced Church. There is also the Coricancha ruins, east of the city centre, which were formerly covered with gold (the stonework is all that remains) and the Museo de Arqueologia, the interior of which is fulled with metal and gold work, jewellery, pottery, textiles and
mummies. For other ruins - Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Puca Pucara and Tambo Machay are nearby.
The ruins of Machu Picchu, rediscovered in 1911 by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham, are one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world. While the Inca people certainly used the Andean mountain top (9060 feet elevation), erecting many hundreds of stone structures from the early 1400's, legends and myths indicate that Machu Picchu (meaning 'Old Peak' in the Quechua language) was revered as a sacred place from a far earlier time. Whatever its origins, the Inca turned the site into a small (5 square miles) but extraordinary city. Invisible from below and completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient to feed the population, and watered by natural springs, Machu Picchu seems to have been utilized by the Inca as a secret ceremonial city. Two thousand feet above the rumbling Urubamba river, the cloud shrouded ruins have palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all in a remarkable state of preservation. These structures, carved from the gray granite of the mountain top are wonders of both architectural and aesthetic genius. Many of the building blocks weigh 50 tons or more yet are so precisely sculpted and fitted together with such exactitude that the mortarless joints will not permit the insertion of even a thin knife blade. Little is known of the social or religious use of the site during Inca times. The skeletal remains of ten females to one male had led to the casual assumption that the site may have been a sanctuary for the training of priestesses and /or brides for the Inca nobility. However, subsequent osteological examination of the bones revealed an equal number of male bones, thereby indicating that Machu Picchu was not exclusively a temple or dwelling place of women.
Nestling between two spectacular towering Andean Ranges, Quito-Ecuador's capital, also straddles the Equator and, as such, lays claim to being the 'City at the centre of the world'. It is a city of wonderful juxtapositions! The wonderfully preserved and restored Old Town, a living testimony to Quito's colonial past, is complimented by the modern glass skyscrapers, electric trolleys and mansions to the north of the city. Even the somewhat dominant and highly active Pichincha Volcano, coexists harmoniously on the city's western side.
Quito Attractions
Excursions to the city's fine museums allow us to step back in time and discover more about its fascinating history and indigenous people through their handicrafts, archaeology and even modern art. Itself a living museum, Quito's colonial Old Town takes on a completely different perspective by night! Travel to colourful indigenous markets and even both the northern and southern hemispheres in one day.
Nestling between two spectacular towering Andean Ranges, Quito-Ecuador's capital, also straddles the Equator and, as such, lays claim to being the 'City at the centre of the world'. It is a city of wonderful juxtapositions! The wonderfully preserved and restored Old Town, a living testimony to Quito's colonial past, is complimented by the modern glass skyscrapers, electric trolleys and mansions to the north of the city. Even the somewhat dominant and highly active Pichincha Volcano, coexists harmoniously on the city's western side.
Quito Attractions
Excursions to the city's fine museums allow us to step back in time and discover more about its fascinating history and indigenous people through their handicrafts, archaeology and even modern art. Itself a living museum, Quito's colonial Old Town takes on a completely different perspective by night! Travel to colourful indigenous markets and even both the northern and southern hemispheres in one day.
During W.W.II Baltra was established as a US Air Force Base. Crews stationed at Baltra patrolled the Pacific for enemy submarines, and protected the mouth of the Panama Canal. After the war the facilities were given to the government of Ecuador. Today the island continues as an official military base.
Dragon Hill, or "Cerro Dragon," is named after its population of land iguanas. The site offers a beautiful view of the landscape and two small brackish lagoons where flamingos and other shore birds occasionally feed. Along the trail, we'll cross a beautiful "white forest" of Palo Santo (incense) trees and Galapagos cotton plants. Excursion options include a high-intensity hike with swimming/snorkeling at the beach, high intensity snorkeling from a zodiac followed by a short walk and a low-intensity Zodiac ride along the coastline with optional dry landing for animal observation.
Punta Vicente Roca is located at the mouth of the "sea horse's head" that forms northern Isabela. It is a small promontory with two coves which lie on either side of the eroded remains of a tuft, or volcanic ash cone, which make up the point. Facing the ocean is a bay, shielded from the open swells.
The area is a popular scuba-diving sitr with abundant ocean life. On the other side of the point is a secluded cove, accessible from the sea only through water-filled subterranean passages. Sea lions, and large numbers of blue-footed and masked boobies inhabit the point and the sheer cliffs, and flightless cormorants can be seen along the shoreline.
The hub of most activity in the Galapagos, Puerto Ayora is a charming port town where sea, sun, seabirds and sailboats coexist in happy equilibrium. On the town’s outskirts, you will also find the headquarters to the world-renown Charles Darwin Research Station.
Puerto Ayora is a lively seaside town offering international cuisine, oceanfront hotels, outdoor bars, scuba diving schools and an avenue of boutiques with everything from tie-dyed sarongs to Panama hats.
Here is Post Office Bay...where 18th century whalers opened an unofficial post office in a barrel. Its been in service ever since and the cost of postage has not gone up a single cent. Here is where the flamingos nest on towers of mud, but not before showing off their exquisite pink color circling the lagoon and landing.
Floreana Island was once a penal colony for Ecuador, the first capital of the Galapagos and where Charles Darwin met the viceroy of Galapagos.
Cormorant Point Activities
Your excursion options include a medium-intensity wet landing at Cormorant Point (or Punta Cormorant), where you may see two plant species found only at this particular site, as well as flamingos, stilts and whit cheeked pintail ducks. Or try advanced snorkeling in Devil's Crown Volcanic Cone to spy grunts, groupers, chubs, spotted eagle rays, white-tipped reed sharks, sea stars, parrotfish and rainbow wrasse.
During W.W.II Baltra was established as a US Air Force Base. Crews stationed at Baltra patrolled the Pacific for enemy submarines, and protected the mouth of the Panama Canal. After the war the facilities were given to the government of Ecuador. Today the island continues as an official military base.
This white-sand beach on Isla Santa Cruz is a major egg-laying site for Pacific green turtles, but pelicans and flamingos feel equally at home here, too. Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz, close to the Baltra Airport, Las Bachas is a swimming beach that serves as a Visitor Site. On this hike, you may see flamingoes, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and whimbrels. The sea turtles nest off the beach as well.
About Buccaneer Cove, Santiago Island, Galapagos Islands
Buccaneer Cove, Santiago Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
6:00am
12:40pm
12
Tuesday, 12/2/25
About Puerto Egas
A visit to Puerto Egas begins with a wet landing on the dark sand beaches of James Bay. The visit begins with a walk along the rocky coast giving visitors the opportunity to view some of the Galapagos Island's best tide pools. Sponges, snails, hermit crabs, barnacles and fish including the endemic four-eyed blenny can be seen. The walk also presents visitors with a variety of shore birds, marine iguanas, sally light foot crabs and sea lions.
Located south of Santiago, the geology of Isla Rábida makes it stand out from the other Galápagos Islands, in that it consists primarily of spatter-cone volcanic lava and eroded hills in spectacular shades of red and brown. Visitors to Isla Rábida will land on the island's northern beach with its unusual maroon-colored sand. Upon arrival, they are likely to see sea lions and marine iguanas lazing in and around the nearby caves. Brown pelicans can be spotted nesting in the vegetation just inland from the beach, while masked and blue-footed boobies nest on the cliffs above.
The variety of volcanic formations found here give this small, barren island a moon-like appearance. A hike over the island's lava tubes and tuff cones leads to a spectacular view of Pinnacle Rock, where sea lions and penguins are often seen cavorting in the waters.
Genovesa Island (Tower Island) is a shield volcano in the Galápagos Islands in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The island occupies about 14 square kilometres (5 sq mi), and its maximum elevation is 64 m (210 ft). The horse-shoe shaped island has a volcanic caldera whose wall has collapsed, forming the Great Darwin Bay, surrounded by cliffs. Lake Arcturus, filled with salt water, lies in the centre, and sediment within this crater lake is less than 6,000 years old. Although no historical eruptions are known from Genovesa, there are very young lava flows on the flanks of the volcano.This island is known as Bird Island, because of the large and varied bird colonies which nest here. There are an abundance of frigatebirds and it is among the best place in the archipelago to see Red-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, Swallow-tailed Gulls, storm petrels, tropicbirds, Darwin's finches, and Galápagos Mockingbirds.
During W.W.II Baltra was established as a US Air Force Base. Crews stationed at Baltra patrolled the Pacific for enemy submarines, and protected the mouth of the Panama Canal. After the war the facilities were given to the government of Ecuador. Today the island continues as an official military base.
This sleek, spacious ship has a layout that allows you to enjoy your sailing in all aspects. Enjoy delicious food in the nice restaurant, learn with fellow travellers in the Science Centre or maybe mingle out on the many decks? While exploring the Gala?pagos, 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. The MS Santa Cruz II´s amenities easily appeal to all world explorers.
MS Santa Cruz II is environmentally sustainable and socially conscious with the local community, the operation is carbon neutral.
Year Built
N/A
Capacity
90
Meeting Rooms
N/A
Year Refurbished
N/A
Elevators
N/A
Casino
N/A
Registry
N/A
Restaurants
N/A
Disco
N/A
Tonnage
2,664
Bars
N/A
Fitness Center
N/A
Cabins
48
Pools
N/A
Children's Program
No
Handicap Cabins
N/A
Theaters
N/A
Internet Cafe
N/A
Shops
N/A
Library
N/A
Spa
N/A
Cabin Categories | Decks
Darwin Suite
Explorer cabin, Expedition deck
Explorer Cabin, Horizon Deck
Explorer cabin, Panorama deck
Explorer family cabin, Horizon deck
Voyager single cabin, Horizon deck
Cabin Details
Our three Darwin suites on the Panorama deck, featuring double picture windows, will provide superb comfort and deluxe amenities for more discerning guests. Available in twin or double bed and if more space is desired, they can be interconnected with an Explorer cabin.
Our three Darwin suites on the Panorama deck, featuring double picture windows, will provide superb comfort and deluxe amenities for more discerning guests. Available in twin or double bed and if more space is desired, they can be interconnected with an Explorer cabin.
With comfortable spaces and large picture windows to illuminate the interior spaces and allow guests to take in the views, these cabins offer elegant relaxation areas after a day of active exploring. There are 17 Explorer cabins located as on the Expedition deck.
With comfortable spaces and large picture windows to illuminate the interior spaces and allow guests to take in the views, these cabins offer elegant relaxation areas after a day of active exploring. There are 23 Explorer cabins located as on the Horizon deck.
With comfortable spaces and large picture windows to illuminate the interior spaces and allow guests to take in the views, these cabins offer elegant relaxation areas after a day of active exploring. There are 3 Explorer cabins located as on the Panorama deck.
With comfortable spaces and large picture windows to illuminate the interior spaces and allow guests to take in the views, these cabins offer elegant relaxation areas after a day of active exploring. There are 2 Explorer family cabins located on the Horizon deck. Cabins are equipped with twin beds and a sofa bed (ideal for children under 12).
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.
Deck 5
Deck 4
Deck 3
Deck 2
Deck 1
Request Additional Information
Departure Port:
Lima (Callao)
Sailing Date:
Friday, 11/21/25
Return Date:
Friday, 12/05/25
Nights:
14
Ship:
Santa Cruz II
Cruise Line:
HX
Checking For Available Shore Excursions From ShoreTrips®
Prices are per person, double occupancy, cruise only and on select sailings. Prices shown are for stateroom categories as noted and are shown in US Dollars. Government taxes and fees are additional. Airfare is not included. Prices and itineraries are based on availability and are subject to change without notice.
During W.W.II Baltra was established as a US Air Force Base. Crews stationed at Baltra patrolled the Pacific for enemy submarines, and protected the mouth of the Panama Canal. After the war the facilities were given to the government of Ecuador. Today the island continues as an official military base. 
Floreana Island was once a penal colony for Ecuador, the first capital of the Galapagos and where Charles Darwin met the viceroy of Galapagos. 
This white-sand beach on Isla Santa Cruz is a major egg-laying site for Pacific green turtles, but pelicans and flamingos feel equally at home here, too. Located on the north shore of Santa Cruz, close to the Baltra Airport, Las Bachas is a swimming beach that serves as a Visitor Site. On this hike, you may see flamingoes, Sally Lightfoot crabs, hermit crabs, black necked stilts, and whimbrels. The sea turtles nest off the beach as well. 
The variety of volcanic formations found here give this small, barren island a moon-like appearance. A hike over the island's lava tubes and tuff cones leads to a spectacular view of Pinnacle Rock, where sea lions and penguins are often seen cavorting in the waters. 
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