G Adventures

For more than 30 years, G Adventures has been offering affordable adventure travel around the world, including small-ship cruises (about 10-15% of their total annual business) on private yachts, catamarans and oceangoing expedition-style ships. The company also offers trips on riverboats.

Additionally, G Adventures sells travel by rail, road and air.

The company strives to provide small groups with authentic cultural experiences, through local guides, cuisine, transportation and uncontrived excursions.

Travelers on these trips skew younger — 20s to 50s — than most other travel companies; though any age will be comfortable if they’ve got a young-at-heart attitude and a decent level of fitness.

A local Chief Experience Officer (CEO) guides all trips and acts as the point person to make sure things run smoothly. (On the G EXPEDITION ship, there are additional expert guides in various disciplines).

The emphasis is on active exploring, using bicycles, for example, and on supporting local businesses and communities (i.e. through visits to schools and charity-supported restaurants in Cambodia).

To keep rates reasonable on the various sailing trips, meals are not included, instead the skipper collects money from passengers who want to share a simple breakfast and lunch onboard (the skipper goes grocery shopping for the basics); for dinner, it’s expected that passengers will want to eat dinner on their own in port on the islands. (Who wouldn’t want to?)

A BYOB policy (bring your own booze) is in effect for most of the Europe-based sailing and river cruises.

The line also matches same-sex passengers to avoid single fares.

With 700 itineraries in more than 90 countries (including a series of in-depth riverboat tours called National Geographic Journeys), G Adventures excels in offering trips geared to various ages, styles and interests — from families with young children to budget-minded “yolos” (the 18- to 39-year-old set).

G Adventures is dynamic, cutting-edge, socially-minded and hip (cue the great photos and video on their website), and they definitely think outside of the typical travel company box.

Quirky cruise anyone?

The line owns the G EXPEDITION ship for trips to the Arctic, Antarctica, Norway and Greenland and does full-ship charters for its many other small-ship offerings. (Hence ships may vary from year to year, and listings below reflect a portion of their current fleet.)

The Fleet

Xavier III (built 1996, refurbished 2004; 16 passengers) — Galapagos

Monserrat (b. 2005, refurbished 2016; 20 p.) — Galapagos

Queen of the Galapagos (b. 2007; 16 p.) — Galapagos

Yolita (b. 2007, refurbished 2016; 16 p.) — Galapagos

Estrella Del Mar (b. 1990, refurbished 2014; 16 p.) — Galapagos

Reina Silvia Voyager (b. 2020; 16 p.) — Galapagos

Eden (b. 2000, refurbished 2012; 16 p.) —Galapagos

G Expedition (b. 1972, refurbished 2009; 134 p.) — Arctic/Antarctica, designed to Ice Class 1B specifications

Daniele (b. 2015; 22 p.) —Burgundy, France

Toum Tiou II (b. 2008; 28 p.) —Mekong

Varuna (b. 2006; 24 p.) — Ganges

Amatista (b. 1994; 30 p.) — Amazon

Sailing vessels in Europe, the Caribbean and Asia may change from year to year, but those chartered generally carry about 8 to 16 passengers.

A catamaran cruise in the waters of Thailand. * Photo: © G Adventures, Inc.

Passenger Profile

Adventurous couples, singles and families of all ages (especially the younger-than 40 set) mostly from North America, and a handful from the U.K., Europe and other places.

The ocean expedition cruises tend to attract couples, average age mid-50s; while the sailing tours draw mostly 30s singles.

Price

$ Moderate

Included Features

Generally, meals are included, except on the small sailing yachts.

For Galapagos and South America coastal cruises, snorkeling gear is part of the package, while bicycles are carried on French rivers and on the Mekong.

On some itineraries, guided shore excursions are also included.

Passengers on an excursion in the Galapagos. * Photo: © G Adventures, Inc.

Itineraries

G Adventures cruises visit a vast array of destinations on intimate sailing vessels and yachts, as well as river boats and the company’s G EXPEDITION ship for Arctic and Antarctic voyages.

The focus is on exploring exotic places rich in culture with plenty of time to interact with local populations.

Sample Itineraries

Galapagos: There are mostly 7- to 17-day cruises either round-trip from Baltra or San Cristobal islands, packaged with a 1- or 2-night hotel stay in mainland Quito, Ecuador with the longest more elaborate stays in Ecuador. Itineraries focus mostly on the Central (including Santa Cruz Santiago), Western (Isabela and Fernandina) and Southern (Floreana and Espanola) island groups, to get up close and personal with the amazing wildlife and diverse landscape. (Note: airfare between Quito and the islands is not included in the rates as it often is with other lines.)

Estrella Del Mar in the Galapagos. * Photo- © G Adventures, Inc.

Southeast Asia Rivers: 8- and 10-night cruises (plus 2 hotel nights) on the 28-passenger Toum Tiuo II riverboat between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap to visit wet and floating markets, temples (including a sunrise visit to the legendary Angkor Wat on the longer itineraries), stilt villages, and Vietnam war sites (such as the Cu Chi tunnels and Reunification Palace, associated with the Fall of Saigon in 1975).
Croatia & Montenegro: 8- to 15-day super casual catamaran cruises travel the Dalmatian Coast, sailing between Split and Dubrovnik, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia and Montenegro on an 8-passenger yacht.
Greek Isles: 8- to 10-day casual yacht cruises sail between Santorini, Mykonos and Athens, with stops at untouristy offbeat islands in the Cyclades; maybe including Folegandros, Sifnos, Ios, Antiparos, Paros and/or Naxos.
Cuba: 8-day super casual 16-passenger catamaran cruises sail round-trip out of Havana and visit points on the Canarreos Archipelago with a focus on snorkeling, swimming and beach-bumming.
Caribbean Islands: 7- and 8-day catamaran cruises with up to 8 people sail round-trip from Tortola (sailing the British Virgin Islands) or St. Lucia (visiting the Grenadines) and hit all the best offbeat swimming, snorkeling and beach sites.
Maldives: 7-day cruises aboard the traditional dhoni (a dhow-like fishing boat) Sea Farer, spend a week snorkeling and diving in the gorgeous waters of the Maldives islands, and its lagoons and atolls. The boat carries up to 14 passengers.
Thailand: Choose from 7-day round-trip voyages from Phuket or 4-day cruises between Phuket and Koh Phi Phi. Enjoy swimming, snorkeling and kayaking as you peruse the islands on a 16-person, 82-foot catamaran.

Amarista on the Amazon. * Photo: © G Adventures, Inc.

Amazon River: The purpose-built 28-passenger Amatista offers 9-day adventure cruises on the Amazon departing from Lima (Iquitos), Peru, and visiting the jungle in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve; with optional pre- or post land trips to Machu Picchu.
Antarctica: From 11- to 22-day cruises, with most itineraries round-trip from Ushuaia, Argentina, to visit points throughout the South Shetland Islands and Antarctica Peninsula. Longest cruises add the Falklands and South Georgia.
Arctic/Norwegian Fjords: 8- to 22-day routes, include cruises between Reykjavik, Iceland, and Longyearbyen, Norway, or Edinbugh, Scotland, and Spitsbergen, Norway; visit ports and peep polar bears, sea birds, whales, Arctic foxes and more creatures along the coasts of Norway, Greenland, Iceland, and Svalbard.

No shortage of South Georgia Penguins in the Antarctica. * Photo: © G Adventures, Inc.

Why Go?

G Adventures features intimate trips to highly sought-after parts of the world.

This is an ideal way to cruise for active travelers who love the water and crave small-group experiences in an ultra-casual environment.

Itineraries are flexible and fun, and you travel with expert and passionate tour leaders.

When to Go?

Galapagos is year-round; Antarctica late October through mid-March; Arctic late May through mid-September; Southeast Asia July to April; Maldives year-round; Thailand October to April; and Europe April to October.

Activities & Entertainment

In general, the destination and your interaction with fellow passengers is the entertainment. You’ll spend plenty of time sharing conversation and drinks on deck.

Activities happen in port or in the water while snorkeling, diving, kayaking or zipping around in zodiacs or small skiffs.

The Galapagos boats carry two skiffs for expeditions and snorkeling equipment for passengers’ use (wet suits are included on the ships).

And the Mekong riverboat carries a handful of bicycles.

G Adventure Dining

The menus where possible incorporate local ingredients, such as fish and local veggies and fruits.

More Details on Some of G Adventures’ Boats & Ships

All Galapagos vessels and the polar ship G EXPEDITION have an indoor observation lounge for talks by the naturalists, plus a bar, small library, outdoor observation deck with chairs for relaxing, and indoor dining area for casual and relaxed meals.

The company, except for its G EXPEDITION ship, charters a wide range of vessels, from riverboats to sailing yachts to catamarans, so they all will have their own unique features and layouts.

Toum Tiou II on the Mekong River, for instance, has a main lounge with a large-screen TV for watching a limited selection of DVDs, a library, bar, and open-air dining area and indoor/outdoor lounges.

Meanwhile the small catamarans and yachts in the Caribbean, Europe, Thailand and the Maldives, and the riverboat on the Amazon, all have a combination lounge and dining area indoors, plus outdoor seating for sunbathing and hanging out.

Amatista on Amazon. * Photo: © G Adventures, Inc.

Some Details on Cabins

The polar-going G EXPEDITION has five cabin categories that range in size and layout.

All have private bathrooms with showers, and a porthole or window. The two lowest categories are quads and triples with upper and lower bunk beds. All other categories have two lower beds, except for four larger suites that have a queen bed.

Yolita

The Galapagos ship features 8 cabins, with queen or twin beds, large windows, and TVs with DVD players. All have private bathrooms and air conditioning.

Eden

This Galapagos ship carries 16 passengers, and its two wraparound decks easily access all directions. Four cabins are twin lowers, a double bed cabin, and 3 twin-share bunk cabins, all with private facilities and A/C.

Integrity

The Integrity sails in the Galapagos with up to 16 passengers. The 9 staterooms comprise 1 suite, a single, a fixed twin, a fixed king, and 5 convertible kings or twins. All have private facilities and A/C.

Reina Silvia Voyager

Most cabins have a private balcony on this 16-passenger Galapagos ship. It offers double, twin or single lower berths, and all twins can be joined.

Toum Tiou II

This Mekong River boat has 6 upper deck cabins and 8 lower deck cabins, all with windows and en-suite bathrooms.

Amatista

The Amazon-based Amatista has 14 cabins — 7 upper deck and 7 lower deck, all with windows and private bathrooms.

Catamarans/Sailing Yachts

The vessels (for Cuba, the Caribbean, Greece, Croatia, Thailand, Maldives) may vary from year to year, but generally have 4 to 8 double cabins often (not always) with private bathrooms.

Contact

G Adventures has main offices in Boston, MA and Toronto, Canada.

Additionally, in USA & Canada 1-888-800-4100; UK 0344 272 2060; Australia 1300 853 325; New Zealand 0800 333 415. Consult the website for additional international telephone numbers.