Signature highlights
Purpose-built for Galápagos exploration, with a maximum of 90 guests, multiple observation areas, and expedition staff supporting shore excursions and wildlife interpretation.
MS Santa Cruz II
MS Santa Cruz II is a 90-guest HX Expeditions expedition ship, in service since 2002. This page lists 11 upcoming departures across 11 itineraries in South America, day by day and port by port. Its live AIS position is plotted on the map below and refreshed through the day.
Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their authors’ free licenses. Tap a photo for the credit and license.
MS Santa Cruz II at a glance
Ship size
Bigger than 23%
A small expedition-size ship at 2,664 gross tons — #431 of 565 ships we track. 30 tons of ship per guest.
Live Position ● 20 minutes ago
Heading to: ISLAS PLAZAS
0.2 knots
Not Defined
Position via AIS — updated periodically, not real-time.
About MS Santa Cruz II
MS Santa Cruz II is a compact Galápagos expedition vessel operated by HX Expeditions and designed for intimate, low-impact exploration. Built in 2002 and refurbished in 2021, the 90-guest ship provides a relaxed base between guided island landings, wildlife encounters, and educational activities. Its small size suits the Galápagos’ narrow channels and environmentally sensitive waters, while five passenger decks provide outdoor viewing areas and comfortable indoor spaces. The ship has 50 cabins and a high crew-to-guest ratio for personalized expedition service.
Ship at a Glance
- Operator
- HX Expeditions
- Builder / shipyard
- ASENAV Shipyard, Chile
- Registry / flag
- Ecuador (confirmed by the ship’s AIS identity)
- Call sign
- HC5781
- IMO number
- 9265677
- MMSI
- 735059355
- Previous names
- Mare Australis
Onboard Experience
Dining
The Beagle Restaurant serves meals throughout the voyage, with menus emphasizing locally sourced ingredients and Ecuadorian and international influences. Outdoor barbecue dining is also available on selected occasions.
Entertainment
The Expedition Lounge includes a science area and library for talks, informal learning, and socializing. Public spaces are oriented toward destination interpretation rather than large-scale shows.
Staterooms & suites
The ship has 50 cabins, including Explorer, Family, Voyager, and Darwin Suite categories. Many cabins can interconnect, and rooms generally offer ocean views through windows or larger picture windows.
For families
Interconnecting cabins and dedicated family cabin configurations provide flexibility for multigenerational travelers. The small-ship format supports shared expedition activities rather than extensive onboard children’s facilities.
Pools, spa & wellness
Onboard wellness facilities include a fitness room and two hot tubs. Guests can also use open decks for scenery viewing and fresh-air relaxation.
Environmental features
The vessel is designed for small-scale Galápagos operations and supports low-impact expedition travel. HX describes its Santa Cruz II operations as carbon neutral, while shore activities emphasize environmental education and local conservation awareness.
Where MS Santa Cruz II sails, month by month
| Oct 26 |
Nov 26 |
Dec 26 |
Jan 27 |
Feb 27 |
Mar 27 |
Apr 27 |
May 27 |
Jun 27 |
Jul 27 |
Aug 27 |
Sep 27 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South America | 7 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| From / night | $716 | 0 | $763 | $898 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ports it visits most
Explore This Ship
Jump from MS Santa Cruz II sailings into the broader destination network with cruise line and region hub pages.
Itineraries & Sailings
From $8,982 · $898/night
Ports of CallNext: Jan 5, 2027
1 upcoming departure
From $9,442 · $944/night
Ports of CallNext: Oct 13, 2026
1 upcoming departure
From $9,380 · $853/night
Ports of CallNext: Oct 22, 2026
1 upcoming departure
From $9,305 · $716/night
Ports of CallNext: Oct 16, 2026
1 upcoming departure
From $9,925 · $763/night
Ports of CallNext: Dec 25, 2026
1 upcoming departure
From $12,212 · $814/night
Ports of CallNext: Dec 31, 2026
1 upcoming departure
From $12,672 · $845/night
Ports of CallNext: Oct 22, 2026
1 upcoming departure
From $6,150 · $1,025/night
Ports of CallNext: Oct 17, 2026
1 upcoming departure
From $6,150 · $1,025/night
Ports of CallNext: Oct 13, 2026
1 upcoming departure
All 11 itineraries and their departure dates
- 10 Nights Galapagos Cruisetour 5 Jan 2027
- 10 Nights Galapagos Cruisetour 13 Oct 2026
- 11 Nights Galapagos Cruisetour 22 Oct 2026
- 13 Nights Galapagos Cruisetour 16 Oct 2026
- 13 Nights Galapagos Cruisetour 25 Dec 2026
- 15 Nights Galapagos Cruisetour 31 Dec 2026
- 15 Nights Galapagos Cruisetour 22 Oct 2026
- 6 Nights Galapagos Cruisetour 17 Oct 2026
- 6 Nights Galapagos Cruisetour 13 Oct 2026
- 8 Nights Galapagos Cruisetour 30 Dec 2026
- 8 Nights Galapagos Cruisetour 21 Oct 2026
All Upcoming Departures
| Departure | Return | Itinerary | Nights | Region | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 13, 2026 | Oct 19, 2026 | 6 Nights Galapagos Cruise | 6 | South America | Book → |
| Oct 13, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | 10 Nights Galapagos Cruise | 10 | South America | Book → |
| Oct 16, 2026 | Oct 29, 2026 | 13 Nights Galapagos Cruise | 13 | South America | Book → |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | 6 Nights Galapagos Cruise | 6 | South America | Book → |
| Oct 21, 2026 | Oct 29, 2026 | 8 Nights Galapagos Cruise | 8 | South America | Book → |
| Oct 22, 2026 | Nov 2, 2026 | 11 Nights Galapagos Cruise | 11 | South America | Book → |
| Oct 22, 2026 | Nov 6, 2026 | 15 Nights Galapagos Cruise | 15 | South America | Book → |
| Dec 25, 2026 | Jan 7, 2027 | 13 Nights Galapagos Cruise | 13 | South America | Book → |
| Dec 30, 2026 | Jan 7, 2027 | 8 Nights Galapagos Cruise | 8 | South America | Book → |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | 15 Nights Galapagos Cruise | 15 | South America | Book → |
| Jan 5, 2027 | Jan 15, 2027 | 10 Nights Galapagos Cruise | 10 | South America | Book → |
MS Santa Cruz II FAQ
What flag does MS Santa Cruz II sail under?
MS Santa Cruz II is registered in Ecuador.
How many passengers does MS Santa Cruz II hold?
MS Santa Cruz II carries about 90 guests with roughly 50 crew.
How old is MS Santa Cruz II?
MS Santa Cruz II entered service in 2002 and was last refurbished in 2021.
How big is MS Santa Cruz II?
At 2,664 gross tons and 72 m long, MS Santa Cruz II is a small expedition-size ship — larger than 23% of the 565 cruise ships cruises.to tracks.