Planning on going to the Galapagos over the next 6 months....Have read Nat Geo islander is very good as well as staff...wanting to know is A & K Eclipse ( read rooms were bigger) and Tauck Isabella 2 ( they only contract with Isbella they don't own the ship)
I hope someone has been on at least 2 of these ships to compare. All staff is from Ecuador and food all the same I am guessing...what's the reason to pay more thru A & K and Tauck or even National Geo? All the ships hold 48 and go out in small regulated groups each day. Is one really better than the other????????

Would like to bump this to the top as we are interested in hearing responses!
Thanks so much!

<..what's the reason to pay more thru A & K and Tauck or even National Geo?>

Nature of the companies. A&K and Tauck are high-end tour companies. NatGeo touts its interactive and pedagogical aspects - high quality guides, local knowledge, etc.

We went on Celebrity's Xpedition and had an amazing time a a lower price. Everything is included, excursions, food, alcohol, everything. The government decides which islands you visit, not the cruise line, so why pay more. Our naturalists were excellent. Hope you enjoy. We loved our experience.

I recommend you to book with a small boat, there are boats just for 16 passengers, and the tour is more comfortable and you can move faster that in the big ships with good prices,

And most of the travel agencies aren´t the owners of the ships but they have a commercial relationship with the boats and they can offer some options and good prices.

Just got off the Treasure of the galapagos yesterday. 16 passenger ship and it was lovely. We saw the bigger boats and glad we were on a smaller one . When we were on an island and they arrived by 2 small boats, it was quote overwhelming to see such large groups.
I suppose it is a matter of preference though