New to our Fleet
The former National Geographic Galapagos Expedition Ship
The Islander
Exploring Ecuador aboard the 48-guest Southern Star Islander allows you to experience the islands on an up-close, personal scale. Originally built for service in the Caribbean, and then later used for expeditions in the Scottish Highlands, the twin-hulled Islander had been sailing year-round cruises to Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands since 2004. In 2022,the Islander was moved to coastal Ecuador to open the door to the fabulous treasurs of this natural coastline.. A nimble, modern, Galápagos Island cruise ship, she offers an intimate environment and a friendly, convivial community quickly forms on board. Yacht-scaled and trim, her mahogany and gleaming brass fittings create a gracious and welcoming environment. Designed for active exploration, she can visit areas larger vessels can’t, and guests often compare Islander to being aboard a private yacht—one that’s as smart as she is lovely and dedicated to discovery.
At 164 feet, she is perfectly sized and offers a full range of facilities. With such an intimate community, life aboard is friendly and bright. A community at sea quickly develops between guests and staff. Names are quickly learned and personal preferences remembered—shipboard services are impeccable. From broad open decks (complete with comfy hammocks perfect for iguana-like basking in the sun) to delectable dining on fresh, local food, Islander delivers a sophisticated and amiable expedition. Contemporary and stylish, she offers a high degree of comfort on board without sacrificing expedition pedigree. Her dining room easily accommodates all guests at once for a single seating, and a large lounge forms the social hub of the ship. Here, you’ll gather each evening with newfound friends, members of your own party and our naturalists for an expedition tradition called Recap. As you’d expect from your own yacht, life on board is casual in every respect, with no need for formal clothing. And services such as professional laundry and wireless Internet make packing and travelling more convenient.
Don’t be fooled by her sleek exterior: Islander is a ship built for adventure and exploration. Her cool tools for expedition offer an impressive range of ways to experience the wildness of Ecuador and the Mainland Galapagos. Learn about life below the surface with our undersea cameras, poke into waterline caves aboard a kayak, and snorkel with playful, inquisitive sea lions or Giant Mantas. . And, with our small groups and several Zodiac landing craft, you’ll be ashore within minutes of our dropping the anchor–meaning more time exploring and less time waiting.
SOUTHERN STAR ISLANDER
| Capacity 48 guests |
Length 164 feet |
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| Year Built 1995 |
Beam 30 feet |
Flag Ecuador |
| Remodeled 2015 |
Cruising Speed 8 knots |
The Southern Star Islander is a versatile 164-foot twin-hulled vessel with 24 spacious cabins accommodating 48 guests. She is a sturdy expedition ship, designed for year-round discovery and active exploration of the Ecuadorian Islands on an up-close, personal scale.
SOUTHERN STAR ISLANDER REVIEW
Southern Star Islander review includes a detailed description of the small ship including deck plans and a photo gallery. Our experts have been aboard the Southern Star Islander firsthand. Please read our Southern Star Islander review below then contact our experts to compare the Southern Star Islander with other small cruise ships, yachts and catamarans.
The Southern Star Islander is the larger of the two Southern Star ships in Pacific Ecuador so choose her if you are seeking a more intimate experience. Otherwise, choose her if you are seeking an active, educational and intellectual cruise with the experts from Southern Star. This ship is excellent for family cruises, with interconnected cabins, family-friendly activities and numerous educational opportunities for kids. Though the Islander ship is more expedition-focused in her style and feel, her guides and equipment are the best in the business, so you can expect the highest level of education and expedition experience possible—qualities which put her on our list of luxury cruises.
| Southern Star Islander |
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Common Areas Aboard Southern Star Islander
Contemporary and stylish, the Southern Star Islander is fully air-conditioned throughout and features the following amenities: a covered deck with hammocks, chairs and tables; laundry service (additional charge); doctor’s office available 24 hours a day free of charge; fitness center; library; photo kiosk for sorting and transferring your photos (bring your own USB or external hard drive); and global market featuring goods from local artisans from the Galapagos and Ecuador. An onboard spa offers massages, body treatments and facials.
The lounge and bar are the main social hub of the ship, and where all the briefings, photography talks and guest speaker presentations take place. With sweeping windows over the stern and a skylight above, the room offers ample natural light and dramatic views.
Internet access is available. You may access WiFi on your laptop, tablet or phone to check email, social media or surf the web, you’ll most often find that the Internet connection is not powerful enough to support Skype or video chat while cruising offshore but improves once at anchor. If you choose not to travel with a computer, there are Internet kiosks available.
Dining Aboard Southern Star Islander
Islander’s elegant dining room wraps around the stern with large windows and accommodates the entire expedition community in a single seating. You are free to dine with whom you like, and independent travelers will find a warm welcome on board. Dress is always casual and the general ambiance is relaxed and informal.
All food served aboard is fresh, sourced from local and sustainable suppliers and inflected with regional flavors. Breakfast is served buffet-style, with eggs and other dishes made to order. Enjoy freshly-baked pastries, and a bounty of fresh, tropical fruits and fresh-squeezed fruit juices. An early riser continental breakfast is also served each morning, and on warm tropical mornings, is often served on Islander’s covered outdoor deck. Lunch is most often buffet, though occasionally served family style, and there is often an option of a light lunch served on deck. Dinners are plated and served in the dining room, except for the evening when an extravagant barbecue is held on Islander’s open deck.
A variety of beverages are available for purchase including beer, cocktails, spirits and wines by the glass or bottle. Sodas and juices are complimentary. The lounge also offers 24-hour beverage service, including coffee, a variety of teas, sodas, water, ice and cookies.
Expedition Staff Aboard Southern Star Islander
The Southern Star Islander’s captains have decades of sailing experience in the regions they explore. They know when and where to navigate so that you feel the places visited are all yours. And Ecuadorian Captain and officers welcome guests to the Bridge in accordance with Islander’s “Open Bridge” policy.
The Southern Star Islander’s expedition staff likes nothing better than to surprise and delight you by directing the ship toward alluring coves or bow-riding dolphins. There is even an onboard Undersea Specialist to expose you to the marine world through underwater cameras and video microscopes. The seasoned crew consists of expert Zodiac drivers and considerate service providers. Their energy, enthusiasm and local field expertise are sure to enhance your experience. This is what expedition travel is all about: not just seeing wilderness, but being out there, in it.
Activities Aboard Southern Star Islander
The Islander offers an impressive range of ways to experience the wildness of Ecuadors Natural Coast. Learn about life below the surface with the undersea cameras, poke into waterline caves aboard a kayak, glide into coves on a stand-up paddleboard and snorkel with playful, inquisitive sea lions. And, with small groups and several Zodiac landing craft, you’ll be ashore within minutes of dropping the anchor, meaning more time exploring and less time waiting. Onboard is a fitness center with cardio equipment (stationary bicycle, step machine, treadmill), hand weights and yoga mats. The wellness specialist offers morning stretches outside on the sundeck.
On all Islander departures, scuba diving is available at an added cost for experienced divers. Onboard guides will arrange for a rendezvous with a local dive outfitter that will supply both gear and dive guides.
Snorkle equipment is available for all guests
CABINS & DECK PLAN ABOARD NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ISLANDER
Southern Star Islander accommodates 48 guests in 24 cabins, including two suites. All accommodations have a window, and the eight cabins at the top of the ship (Categories 4 and 5) have private, glassed-in terraces for exceptional views of the passing islands. Two spacious suites (Category 5) feature a wraparound view forward over the bow and off to the side of the ship. All cabins have two single beds that can combine to create double- or queen-sized beds. Your preference is taken at booking.
Decorated in a rich, nautical design with mahogany trim, Islander’s cabins are cozy and well-appointed. All cabins offer ample closet space, a small table and chair, individual climate control and private facilities. There is ample room under the bed for storing smaller pieces of luggage, and hair dryers are stored in every cabin. The small but well laid out bathrooms have botanically inspired hair products and shower gel. A limited number of cabins can accommodate a third person.
In addition to listed Solo cabin rates, select double-occupancy cabins may be available for single occupancy with a single supplement fee. If you would like to share accommodations with another guest of the same gender, we will be happy to try to accommodate you in select cabin categories. This program allows you to pay the per person double-occupancy rate whether or not a roommate is found. Contact AdventureSmith for further details and availability.
Main Deck #201-206. Cabins feature two lower single beds, which can convert to a queen bed, and a window.
Main Deck #207-210; Bridge Deck #301-302. Centrally located cabins feature a window and two lower single beds, which can convert to a queen bed.
Bridge Deck #303–306. Conveniently located, these cabins feature two lower single beds, which can convert to a queen bed, and a window. Cabins 305 and 306 can accommodate a third person.
Upper Deck #403–408. These spacious cabins feature two lower single beds, which can convert to a queen bed. All cabins feature a window and outside glassed-in terraces with seating. There are large windows in the top half of the terrace doors. Note that the single beds in cabins 403 and 404 convert to double beds.
Main Deck #201-206 can be booked for dedicated single occupancy. Cabins feature two lower single beds, which can convert to a queen bed, and a window.
Upper Deck #401, 402. These are the largest cabins on board. These Suites feature two lower single beds that can convert to a queen bed and wrap-around windows. Both have a desk, chairs and table. They also feature outside glassed-in terraces with seating.
Main Deck #207-210; Bridge Deck #301-302 can be booked for dedicated single occupancy. Centrally located cabins feature a window and two lower single beds, which can convert to a queen bed.
