Ecuador Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
30 ships from 14 cruise lines
Ecuador cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 96 upcoming sailings on 30 ships from 14 cruise lines visiting Ecuador, calling at 20 places. Cruises can start in Guayaquil, Baltra Island, San Cristobal Island, Galápagos and Quito and end in Guayaquil, Baltra Island, San Cristobal Island, Galápagos and Quito. Of 96 upcoming sailings, 24 start in Ecuador and 21 end there. More South America cruises.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare Ecuador cruise lines
See every Ecuador cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About Ecuador
Ecuador is a compact, wildly diverse country that delivers two distinct cruise experiences: expedition-style voyages among the Galápagos Islands and small-ship river expeditions into the Amazon headwaters. For the American traveler who wants genuine discovery rather than a floating resort, Ecuador offers wildlife encounters, living Indigenous cultures, colonial architecture, and natural scenery unmatched on Earth. The key is choosing a small operator with certified naturalist guides, spending a few acclimatization days in Quito, and embracing the unpredictable rhythms of nature. This package gives you the full picture: ports, operators, excursions, honest trade-offs, and the imagery needed to sell it to a discerning audience.
Typical routes
- Galápagos Expedition Cruises — 5- to 10-night itineraries around the archipelago, typically starting at Baltra or San Cristóbal and calling at Santa Cruz, Floreana, Española, Isabela, Fernandina, and Genovesa.
- Amazon Headwater River Cruises — 4- to 8-night expeditions on the Napo River from Coca or Nuevo Rocafuerte, with excursions into Yasuní National Park and along the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Ports overview
Ecuador's cruising is almost entirely expedition-style: Galápagos islands by small ship and the Amazon headwaters by riverboat. Mainstream ocean cruise ships occasionally call at Manta on Pacific repositioning itineraries. Quito and Guayaquil are gateways rather than cruise ports, though Guayaquil is a possible embarkation point for coastal expedition voyages.
Cruise season
Galápagos: warm/wet December–May (warmer water, calm seas); dry/cool June–November (more wind, excellent wildlife). Amazon: year-round; February–May is wetter, while June–September and December–January are comfortable for trail walking.
Find your Ecuador sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at Ecuador, earliest departure first.
72 Days One-Way from New York to Fort Lauderdale
Visits Ecuador. Also visits United States, Bermuda, Antigua and Barbuda
Crystal Serenity
22 Days One-Way from San Diego to San Antonio
Visits Ecuador. Also visits United States, Mexico, Guatemala
ms Nieuw Amsterdam
36 Days One-Way from San Diego to Buenos Aires
Visits Ecuador. Also visits United States, Mexico, Guatemala
ms Nieuw Amsterdam
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26 Days One-Way from Panama City to Buenos Aires
Visits Ecuador. Also visits Panama, Peru, Chile
Scenic Eclipse
42 Days One-Way from Buenos Aires to Fort Lauderdale
Visits Ecuador. Also visits Argentina, Uruguay, Falkland Islands
Crystal Serenity
8 Days San Cristobal Island, Ecuador Round Trip
Starts and ends in Ecuador. Also visits Galapagos, El Salvador
National Geographic Islander 2
12 Days One-Way from Valparaiso-Santiago to Panama City
Visits Ecuador. Also visits Chile, Peru, Panama
Crystal Serenity
24 Days One-Way from Valparaiso-Santiago to Fort Lauderdale
Visits Ecuador. Also visits Chile, Peru, Panama
Crystal Serenity
29 Days One-Way from Bridgetown to Valparaiso-Santiago
Visits Ecuador. Also visits Barbados, Bonaire, Curaçao
Azamara Quest
42 Days One-Way from Miami to Auckland
Visits Ecuador. Also visits United States, Aruba, Curaçao
Azamara Onward
14 Days One-Way from Miami to Callao-Lima
Visits Ecuador. Also visits United States, Aruba, Curaçao
Azamara Onward
82 Days One-Way from Miami to Hong Kong
Visits Ecuador. Also visits United States, Aruba, Curaçao
Azamara Onward
Where Ecuador cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (4)
Baltra Island (14) (cruises from) · Galápagos (1) (cruises from) · Guayaquil (45) (cruises from) · Quito (5) (cruises from)
Disembarkation ports (4)
Baltra Island (14) · Galápagos (1) · Guayaquil (45) · Quito (5)
Ships by type: 24 ocean 6 expedition · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
Plan your Ecuador cruise
Ecuador cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
Ecuador cruise port guide →More South America cruises
Colombia · Argentina · Chile · Falkland Islands · Brazil · Peru · Uruguay · South Georgia And South Sandwich Islands
Frequently asked questions about Ecuador cruises
How many places do cruises visit in Ecuador?
20 Ecuador places are visited by 30 ships from 14 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a Ecuador cruise?
Galápagos: warm/wet December–May (warmer water, calm seas); dry/cool June–November (more wind, excellent wildlife). Amazon: year-round; February–May is wetter, while June–September and December–January are comfortable for trail walking.
Sources and further reading
Background on Ecuador draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- CIA World Factbook: Ecuador
- Britannica: Ecuador
- U.S. Department of State: Ecuador International Travel Information
- CDC: Ecuador Traveler View
- Galápagos National Park Directorate: Galápagos National Park
- Lonely Planet: Ecuador
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 31, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!