Ecuadorian destination management company, Via Natura, expects to launch a “game-changing” purpose-built expedition vessel in the Galapagos Islands in 12 months, targeting the ultra-high-net-worth traveller.

Esteban Velásquez, Chief Executive Officer of Via Natura debriefed LATTE on the project last month at Serandipians’ The Essence of Luxury Travel show in Marbella, Spain.

Hermes Mega Catamaran will be an all-suite, all-balcony 12-berth vessel operating itineraries ranging from four- to 15-nights in duration. Onboard there will be a signature menu served by a renowned Ecuadorian chef, a premium beverage package included, butler service, cooking classes and cocktail lessons, a library, an aperitif lounge, two bars, a spa with Hammam and more. Shore excursions will be offered by experienced naturalist guides from Zodiacs.

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Accommodating up to 20 guests, the cabin configuration includes 10 entry-level suites of 35 square metres and two single suites for solo travellers, measuring 20 square metres. Suites will include a private bathroom, walk-in closet, mini-bar, floor-to-ceiling windows, private balcony, and jacuzzi.

“The feeling for a very long time was there really wasn’t a lot of luxury cruising in the Galápagos,” Velásquez told LATTE when discussing the project. “Many people believe that by charging a lot of money, that means luxury. That’s not the case.

“Operators of other new ships think that by having larger rooms, that’s luxury too.”

“What we wanted to offer was a cruise that has the services of a bigger boat in an intimate superyacht setting. I always felt that there was no such product in the Galapagos, that there was this market not being catered to. That market is those that charter boats in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean.”

“The feedback we’ve received in the past 18 months is that everybody is amazed by the product. That this is something else. It’s a game-changer,” Velásquez says of the response.

When conceptualising its vessel, Via Natura initially planned to refit an existing boat. However, early into the project when viewing potential boat acquisitions in the Mediterranean to flip, it was clear to Velásquez that to offer all the bells and whistles the UHNW individual of today requires, a custom-build project was necessary.

“I quickly realised I was not going to get the size of the rooms and the services we wanted to have with a remodelled vessel, so, in the end, we decided to build from scratch,” Velásquez said of the project, which is now well underway.

“We want to pamper our guests with big suites and balconies, including private Jacuzzis. Guests will be spoilt with butler service and we feature sofa beds for families so suites can be converted into triples, or accommodated in interconnecting suites.”

“Our library/reading room can also be repurposed for families or if we require multi-language speaking services for groups.”

Velásquez said: “There are other catamarans in the Galapagos, but they all look the same. We wanted our catamaran to look like a yacht. The design has a very masculine, powerful look and we wanted to transmit that to our customers.”

Via Natura also chose to construct the ship in its home country, taking advantage of local builders and artisans, and supporting the Ecuadorian economy. Being developed at home also has the added advantage of tweaks and adjustments to be made during the construction phase.

Originally, Hermes Mega Catamaran was planned to be 45 metres in length, but that is edging closer to 50 metres now, Velásquez tells LATTE. It will be the second biggest catamaran in the world, he says.

Via Natura will target the 40 to 60-70 year old market with Hermes Mega Catamaran. “But we’re also thinking about the future guest and the younger generation of travellers, in their late 30s.”

He says earlier clients that travelled to the Galápagos were “nature buffs”.

“People that felt lucky enough to be there and they wanted to go for a full week with a list of the animals and marine life they wanted to see. But the newer generation of traveller want to be in Galápagos, but they aren’t necessarily nature lovers or want to stay for a full week. Some will say five or six days is enough.

“So we have sailings of four days to 15 days, providing guests with the flexibility to pair their cruise with visiting the Ecuadorian highlands, the Amazon or going to Machu Picchu,” he adds.

The first model suite of Hermes Mega Catamaran will launch in August, with the boat earmarked for delivery by November 2024. After a period of sea trials, Via Natura expects the first commercial sailing in April 2025.

Bookings opened for Hermes in September 2023. The average per day rate aboard Hermes Mega Catamaran will be approximately US$420 entry rate.

More technical details and pricing can be viewed here: vianatura.com/hermes-galapagos-luxury-cruises/