Hurtigruten Unveils Buy 1, Get 1 Free Promotion on Galápagos Cruises

Few destinations rival the Galápagos Islands for untouched wilderness and close-up encounters with unique wildlife, including blue-footed boobies, land and marine iguanas, and the finches that inspired Darwin's evolutionary theory. Hurtigruten Expeditions has an enticing offer for the travel and nature enthusiast in your life.

The expedition cruise company based in Norway is launching a Fall In Love with Galápagos buy-one-get-one-free deal on select sailings, allowing travelers to enjoy two seven-day Ecuador and Galápagos adventures for the price of one.

This promotion is valid until February 15, allowing travelers who purchase one full-fare ticket to take along a second person for free on selected sailings from March 31 to December 26, 2023. Solo travelers are not left out—Hurtigruten is also providing a 50% discount for those traveling alone.

Here’s everything you need to know about the eligible sailings and the booking process.

Which Galápagos sailings offer BOGO?

Hurtigruten is providing the BOGO offer on any of its itineraries that include the Galápagos, featuring three new itineraries introduced in 2023. These include:

Nature and Wildlife: A week-long expedition beginning with two nights in Quito. Guests can explore Ecuador’s capital and enjoy a day trip to Cotopaxi National Park to witness its active volcano. Afterwards, travelers will board the 90-passenger MS Santa Cruz II and spend four days discovering the islands of Santa Cruz, Santiago, Rábida, Bartolomé, and Genovesa, with activities ranging from spotting red-footed boobies to swimming alongside sea lions.

Iconic Wildlife and Sublime Scenery: Similar to the Nature and Wildlife cruise, this seven-day itinerary starts with two days on the mainland of Ecuador. The programming changes on day three when guests board the ship and head to the western Galápagos islands, while the Nature and Wildlife cruise focuses on the central islands. This itinerary includes visits to Santa Cruz (home to the Charles Darwin Research Station), Isabela, Fernandina (known for its large marine iguana populations), and Florena.

Nine of the Best Isles: This 11-day journey merges the highlights of both the Nature and Wildlife and Iconic Wildlife and Sublime Scenery itineraries, offering guests the chance to explore more through dinghy rides, hikes to view flamingos, and glass-bottom boat trips to observe Galápagos penguins below the surface.

Other itineraries include the In Darwin’s Footsteps cruise (nine days dedicated to the eastern islands) and the Machu Picchu and Galápagos expedition (14 days, featuring three days in Peru, two days on mainland Ecuador, and nine days in the Galápagos).

The vessel

Every sailing occurs on Hurtigruten’s carbon-neutral vessel, the MS Santa Cruz II. This ship accommodates up to 90 passengers in 50 cabins and suites, ranging from Voyager single cabins (equipped with a twin bed and a desk) to Darwin Suites (featuring a double bed, a lounge area, and two picture windows that can be combined with Explorer cabins for families needing extra space). Amenities include a restaurant, bar, library with Galápagos literature, a science corner for learning about conservation, two outdoor hot tubs, a fitness center, and a panoramic terrace with sun loungers (where happy hour drinks and barbecues are hosted daily).

Additionally, there is an array of vehicles and equipment on board to facilitate guest exploration of the surrounding waters (and engage with the notoriously friendly wildlife), including dinghies, kayaks, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, and a glass-bottom boat. Each voyage is accompanied by several Ecuadorian naturalist guides to enhance the overall experience.

Booking information and inclusions

Tickets can be purchased directly from Hurtigruten’s website, and the discount will be applied automatically.

However, there are some stipulations: the first and second guests must occupy the same cabin, and this offer is applicable only to new reservations. It's also essential to remember that the second guest will still need to book their flights, transfers, and any necessary accommodations before or after the cruise. As with most expedition cruises, meals and drinks (including house beer and wine) are included in the fare. Additionally, complimentary Wi-Fi is provided on board, though connectivity may be spotty when the ship is in more remote locations.

Hurtigruten also provides a variety of pre- and post-cruise excursions, such as a five-day journey through the Mashpi Reserve or six days of wildlife observation at a luxury ecolodge in the Amazon rainforest, available for separate purchase.