Quasar Evolution| Galapagos Cruise

The Quasar Evolution is a 32-guest luxury motor yacht operated by Quasar Expeditions in the Galápagos Islands. It offers 8- and 15-day all-inclusive itineraries, 16 air-conditioned staterooms, an onboard doctor, and a 10:1 guest-to-guide ratio — making it one of the most capable expedition yachts in the archipelago.

At Glance

Operator

Quasar Expeditions

Vessel type

Motor yacht

luxury class

Passengers

32 guests

Crew

21 crew members (including 3 naturalist guides

1 doctor, 1 cruise director

Built / Refurbished

Last renovated 2017

Length

58.5 m

192 ft) | Beam: 8.9 m (29 ft

Cabins

16 staterooms and suites

Itinerary lengths

8 days / 7 nights

two itinerary options) and 15 days / 14 nights (back-to-back

Price from

From US $9,950 per person (8-day itinerary, 2025–2026 pricing

verify current season

All-inclusive

Yes

all meals, snorkeling gear, wetsuits, Zodiac landings, naturalist guide excursions, wine with meals

Notable feature

Onboard doctor and infirmary; 10:1 guest-to-guide ratio; access to National Park sites limited to 32 visitors

Gallery

Technical Specifications

  • Type: Cruise ship Expedition Vessel
  • Communication: UHF,VHF radio
  • Electricity: 110 volts AC/ 60 Hz
  • L.O.A: 192 feet / 58.5 meters
  • Beam: 29 feet / 8.9 meters
  • Engines: Caterpillar: 3512 TITA 1300hp
  • Generators: Norhern Lights 150 KVA
  • Builder: Kanasashi Shipyard, Japan
  • Speed: 10 / 12 Knots
  • Accommodation: 3 Jr. Suites on Bridge – A deck, 9 Cabins on main – C deck, 4 Cabins on Lower – D deck
  • Crew: 18 plus up to 2 Naturalist guides & 1 Cruise Director
  • Navigation Equipment: 72 mile Furuno Radar 19-53 CBB Navnet, Furuno GPS satellite navigator system, FurunoDepth Sounder, Simrad HS50, Electronic Girocompass, speed and distance log, compasses, barometers, forward looking echo sounder
  • Safety Equipment: EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon), 4 x 25 person open sea life rafts, life jackets, flares and signals, fire extinguishing system, and sprinkler system throughout the vesse. Safety equipment on board either meets or exceeds USA Coast Guard regulations
  • Comfort Equipment: Air Renewal System, Air conditioning throughout, TV / CD /VHS/DVD/Playstation 2, boutique, infirmary with MD on board, small soaking tub
evolution-yacht-deckplan

Onboard Experience

The Quasar Evolution is designed to make the Galápagos feel like a private expedition. With only 32 guests aboard a 192-foot yacht, the vessel offers a level of space and calm that is difficult to find at this price point. There are no 200-passenger corridors or queued Zodiac launches — just a small group moving together through one of the world’s most extraordinary natural environments.

Cabins and Accommodation

The Evolution’s 16 staterooms and suites are spread across cabin classes labeled A through D. A-class cabins are positioned for the quietest experience and receive the most positive passenger feedback for noise levels. C-class cabins near the anchor windlass can experience mechanical noise during anchoring — a practical detail worth knowing when choosing your cabin category. D-class cabins have received some reports of generator proximity; discuss cabin placement with your booking agent when reserving.

All cabins include private bathrooms with walk-in showers, air conditioning, safe boxes, USB charging sockets, 110V electrical outlets, hair dryers, and biodegradable toiletries. Bed configurations vary by cabin: some categories offer king-size or queen beds; others are twin-convertible. Confirm your preferred configuration at booking.

Dining

Meals are prepared by an on-board chef using Ecuadorian produce, local coffee beans, and fresh ingredients sourced where possible from the mainland. Three meals daily are included, along with appetizers, snacks, and a curated wine selection. Dining aboard the Evolution takes a social, shared approach — tables are communal and mealtimes become part of the group experience. Alfresco dining on deck is available and encouraged when weather allows.

Deck Life

The Evolution’s 360-degree deck space gives unobstructed views for wildlife watching and photography. The sun deck is the social hub for stargazing after night briefings, and open social areas throughout the vessel encourage interaction among guests. The atmosphere is described consistently by passengers as warm and family-like rather than formally upscale — a distinction worth noting for travelers who find ultra-luxury settings stiff.

Water Activities

The Evolution is equipped for active exploration. Snorkeling equipment and wetsuits are provided as part of the all-inclusive rate, and kayaks are available for use during appropriate visitor-site stops. Three on-board Zodiacs can accommodate all 32 guests at once, meaning the group never has to split into multiple loading waves. This operational efficiency matters on tight national-park time windows.

Safety and Medical

The Evolution is notably one of the smallest vessels in the Galápagos fleet to carry a dedicated on-board physician and infirmary. For families with children, older travelers, or anyone with health considerations, this is a meaningful differentiator. The physician accompanies all departures — .

Itineraries and Archipelago Access

The Galápagos National Park operates on a two-week rotation cycle introduced in 2012, requiring all vessels to wait at least 14 days before returning to the same visitor site. This means the Evolution’s two 8-day itineraries are deliberately designed as a pair, each covering a complementary set of islands and sites.

8-Day Itineraries (7 Nights)

The Evolution operates two distinct 8-day routes. ‘In the Steps of Pirates & Darwin’ visits a combination of younger and older islands, including Fernandina and Española — offering dramatic contrasts in geology, flora, and wildlife. ‘Footsteps Back in Time’ is the second rotation, covering a different set of high-value sites. Both depart from Baltra Island or San Cristóbal. .

Quasar describes both 8-day itineraries as equal in quality of animal encounters, landing-site calibre, and activity level. Neither route is inferior. Travelers who can extend to 15 days capture both rotations back-to-back, seeing every major visitor site the park allows within a fortnight.

15-Day Itinerary (14 Nights)

The 15-day ‘Darwin’s Legacy’ itinerary combines both 8-day rotations consecutively. Guests board on day one and remain for the full fortnight, visiting a broader range of sites across the archipelago than any single 8-day programme allows. Quasar offers a 10 percent discount on the second week when both are booked together. Price from US$18,905 per person .

Islands and Sites Reached

Across its combined 15-day rotation, the Evolution typically visits: Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal, Española, Genovesa, Santiago, North Seymour, Floreana, Santa Fe, South Plaza, Fernandina, and Isabela . Western Isabela and Fernandina access gives guests the opportunity to see flightless cormorants, Galápagos penguins, and marine iguanas in some of the least-visited terrain in the park.

Quasar Evolution vs Grace: Choosing Between Them

Both the Evolution and Grace are operated by Quasar Expeditions and are routinely cited among the best-managed vessels in the Galápagos fleet. The choice between them is a genuine one, not a question of quality tier — both are luxury-class and all-inclusive. The differences are meaningful, however, and worth understanding before booking.

Factor Evolution Grace
Capacity 32 guests 16 guests
Cabins 16 staterooms & suites 9 staterooms & suites
Length 58.5 m / 192 ft 44 m / 145 ft
Last renovated 2017 2023
Price from US$9,950 / person (8-day) US$10,950 / person (8-day)
Historic provenance Purpose-built modern expedition yacht Built 1950s; Grace Kelly’s honeymoon yacht; WWII service history
Atmosphere Social, open, family-adventure feel; 360° decks Intimate, historically resonant; classically elegant
Doctor onboard Yes — dedicated physician and infirmary [VERIFY — confirm doctor on Grace]
Guide ratio 10:1 guest-to-guide 8:1 guest-to-guide
Best for Families, groups wanting social dynamic, travelers who value safety infrastructure Couples, honeymooners, travelers drawn to history and intimacy

The Honest Verdict

If historical character matters to you — the knowledge that Grace Kelly and Aristotle Onassis once sailed these same decks — then Grace is a hard vessel to resist. The recent 2023 renovation has brought her to a very high standard while preserving that vintage elegance. At 16 guests, she is more intimate by design.

The Evolution’s appeal is different: it is a larger, more socially active yacht with modern infrastructure including the onboard physician. For families or groups who want the reassurance of medical support at sea, or who simply prefer the energy of 32 like-minded travelers over a quieter 16-person setting, the Evolution is the stronger choice. The higher guide ratio of 8:1 on Grace is a marginal advantage — both ratios are well above industry norms.

Neither vessel should be dismissed. The price difference (approximately US$1,000 per person on the 8-day) reflects Grace’s smaller capacity and legacy positioning, not a dramatic quality gap.

Who the Quasar Evolution Suits

The Evolution occupies a clearly defined position in the Galápagos fleet. It is a luxury-class vessel with genuine expedition capability — but it is not an ultra-luxury product like the Silver Origin (100 guests, butler service, suite-only) or Aqua Mare (16 guests, superyacht pedigree, bespoke Italian interiors). Travelers who are considering those vessels should weigh whether the price premium delivers proportionate value for their specific priorities.

Families with children or teenagers, particularly those who want medical cover on board

Groups of friends booking a shared cabin or multiple cabins who want a social voyage

Solo travelers or couples who enjoy meeting others rather than preserving seclusion

Experienced wildlife travelers who want maximum itinerary coverage (the 32-guest group size matches the National Park’s maximum per-site visitor limit)

Travelers on a luxury budget who want strong expedition infrastructure without ultra-luxury pricing

Honeymooners or romance travelers may find Grace a better emotional fit — Evolution is active and social rather than quietly romantic

How to Book the Quasar Evolution

Book Direct — Voyagers Travel Company (Recommended for Independent Travelers)

Voyagers Travel Company is the publisher of GalapagosIslands.travel and a licensed Ecuador-based operator with offices in Quito and the United States. To reserve the Quasar Evolution or request availability across the 2025–2027 schedule, contact Voyagers directly

Contact Voyagers Travel Company →

For Travel Trade Partners — Latin Trails (DMC)

Travel agents, tour operators, and wholesalers working through a Latin American DMC channel can access the Quasar Evolution through Latin Trails, a licensed Galápagos DMC partner. Latin Trails handles trade allocations, group contracts, and FIT bookings for qualified travel-trade accounts. Direct consumer inquiries should be directed to Voyagers Travel Company above.

Contact Latin Trails →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many passengers does the Quasar Evolution carry?

The Evolution accommodates exactly 32 guests in 16 staterooms and suites. This group size is significant: certain Galápagos National Park visitor sites cap landing parties at 32 people, meaning the full Evolution group can disembark together without splitting — an operational advantage over larger vessels.

What is included in the Quasar Evolution price?

All rates are fully all-inclusive: three daily meals, appetizers and snacks, a curated wine selection, snorkeling equipment, wetsuits, Zodiac landing fees, daily guided shore excursions with certified naturalist guides, and kayaks. Galápagos National Park entry fees should be confirmed with your booking agent as they may be billed separately depending on the booking channel.

What is the difference between the 8-day and 15-day Quasar Evolution itineraries?

The two 8-day itineraries are designed as equal-quality rotations — each covers a different set of islands and visitor sites. The 15-day itinerary combines both rotations back-to-back. Quasar offers a 10% discount when the second 8-day week is booked alongside the first. Travelers with time and budget frequently rate the 15-day option as the definitive Galápagos experience.

How does the Quasar Evolution compare to Silver Origin and Aqua Mare?

Silver Origin (Silversea) carries 100 guests in all-suite accommodation with butler service, representing a larger-ship ultra-luxury product. Aqua Mare (Aqua Expeditions) carries 16 guests in superyacht surroundings with bespoke Italian interiors. Both sit above the Evolution in price and ultra-luxury positioning. The Evolution offers a more social, expedition-focused luxury experience at a lower per-person price point, with the added value of an on-board physician.

Is the Quasar Evolution suitable for families with children?

Yes — Quasar markets the Evolution explicitly as a family adventure yacht. The on-board doctor and infirmary provide an additional safety net that parents tend to value. The social atmosphere, varied activity levels (snorkeling, kayaking, wildlife walks), and 10:1 guide ratio make it well-suited to families with teenagers or curious younger children. Activity levels are described as light to moderate throughout all itineraries.

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