Metropolitan Touring

Already know Metropolitan Touring and how to sell it? You can find sales and marketing resources, plus contact details for the sales team, at the bottom of this page.

Watch below for a succinct introduction to Metropolitan Touring...

Q&A: Brayan Dillon, sales manager

We asked Brayan Dillon to share expert insight into recognising when a client is right for Metropolitan Touring, understanding the product and what makes it unique, plus his own tips for closing a Metropolitan Touring sale.

Finding the right client

Who is a typical Metropolitan Touring guest?

Metropolitan Touring’s guests are usually affluent, discerning travellers aged 45-70. They are often professionals, retirees or high-net-worth individuals from North America, Europe or Latin America. They seek experiential, educational and sustainable travel and are interested in nature, conservation, photography, and wildlife. Metropolitan Touring guests are comfortable with small-ship, soft adventure travel, but are not necessarily rugged backpackers.

These guests often rely on premium travel advisors, boutique agencies, or luxury tour operators and appreciate curated, fully-supported experiences with expert naturalist guides, boutique-level service, and safe, sustainable operations.

What budget does this typical Metropolitan Touring guest have?

The majority of Metropolitan Touring clients will spend $6,000–$12,000+ per person, excluding international airfares, and our 4-6 night expedition cruise packages are priced accordingly. Pricing depends on the cabin category and whether pre/post extensions in Quito, Guayaquil, or Mashpi Lodge are included.

Metropolitan Touring is a premium product, not entry-level. It’s not ultra-luxury (like a private yacht charter), but delivers strong value. Travel advisors and operators should target clients with mid-high to high budgets, who value comfort, exclusivity, and sustainability over bargain hunting.

What will make or break this client’s expedition cruise holiday?

For our trade partners, these are critical to client satisfaction and retention:

Make... 

• Exceptional guiding: Highly trained naturalists are a key differentiator.
• Multiple guides: A minimum of three or more guides onboard is essential for more activity options and flexibility, and these are all led by an Expedition Leader.
• Smooth logistics: We offer seamless pre/post cruise arrangements (hotels, transfers, flights).
• Unique access: We deliver enriched itineraries and small-group excursions, which is possible by having three or more guides onboard.
• Sustainability and ethics: Our clients care about responsible tourism in Galapagos.
• Comfortable ships: Our ships have well-appointed cabins, quality cuisine, and personalised service.

Break...

• Overpromising by agents: Agents must be careful not to mismatch client expectations, for example by describing our “premium expedition vessels” as “luxury yachts”.
• Unclear physical demands: Guests must be prepared for excursions, wet landings, etc.
• Not booking early: Galapagos has restricted permits; top itineraries and cabins book far in advance.
• Underestimating logistics: Agents should carefully consider booking tight connections, and should coordinate Galapagos flights and entry/exit requirements through Metropolitan Touring.

Getting to know the product

How many expedition ships does Metropolitan Touring have?

Metropolitan Touring operates three expedition vessels in the Galapagos Islands:

Santa Cruz II
90 guests; 50 cabins

Yacht La Pinta
48 guests; 24 cabins
Boutique experience with high crew-to-guest ratio.

Yacht Isabela II
40 guests; 20 cabins
Classic-style yacht offering an intimate expedition feel.

All vessels are owned and operated directly by Metropolitan Touring, ensuring full control over quality, sustainability and safety.

When do Metropolitan Touring ships visit their various destinations?

Metropolitan Touring operates year-round in the Galapagos Islands with fixed, rotating itineraries approved by the Galapagos National Park.

Itineraries range from 4-6 nights, typically following western, northern or eastern routes, rotating every 15 days.

Ships never repeat visitor sites within a week.

What excursions and experiences does Metropolitan Touring offer in these destinations?

In the Galapagos (included in all itineraries):

• Daily guided shore excursions (twice a day)
• Snorkelling, kayaking, panga rides, glass-bottom boat
• Wildlife watching
• Nature interpretation walks led by expert naturalist guides
• Photography opportunities
• Star-gazing and onboard briefings

At Mashpi Lodge (an optional add-on):

• Cloud forest hikes, wildlife watching, hummingbird observatory
• Aerial “sky bike” rides and canopy gondola
• Naturalist-led experiences and science lab tours

What’s onboard a Metropolitan Touring expedition ship to keep guests entertained when they’re not exploring their destinations?

Metropolitan Touring’s onboard activities include daily nature briefings and multimedia presentations and lectures by naturalist guides; plus an open-bridge policy means guests can learn from the ship’s officers. 

There are also lounge bars, observation decks, a library, a fitness room, hot tubs, board games and movies, as well as a boutique shop. 

Our focus is on expedition, enrichment and relaxation – not flashy entertainment.

Does Metropolitan Touring provide any Citizen Science opportunities onboard its expedition ships or in its expedition destinations?

Yes, Metropolitan Touring is deeply invested in conservation and scientific engagement, including:

• Collaboration with the Charles Darwin Foundation.
• Guest participation in wildlife counts, species observations and ecological monitoring.
• Educational support for Citizen Science tools (e.g. iNaturalist and eBird)
• Mashpi Lodge features an in-house research lab where guests engage with scientists studying endemic species.

This appeals strongly to eco-conscious travellers – a major selling point for partners targeting the responsible travel segment.

What is the dining like onboard?

Cuisine onboard Metropolitan Touring ships is fresh, locally-inspired and gourmet, and combines Ecuadorian and international cuisine. There are buffets, plated meals and special al fresco meals available and dietary restrictions such as gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan can be catered for. All meals are included in cruise fare

All three expedition ships offer indoor and al fresco options.

Do you have a minimum age limit for guests?

While family-friendly, the product is best suited for older children and teens due to physical activity levels and conservation focus – we therefore have a minimum age requirement of six years. 

All three vessels have family-specific cabins and child-friendly activities onboard.

Is there anything else travel agents should know about the Metropolitan Touring expedition cruise product?

The key B2B points for trade partners are: 

• All-inclusive pricing: This includes accommodation, meals, excursions, guides and onboard activities. Airfare and park fees are separate.
• Stable commissions and strong support from sales reps.
• Flexible FIT and group booking options.
• Sustainable operations: Carbon-neutral, water treatment, zero single-use plastics.
• Multilingual naturalist guides (English/Spanish; French/German upon request).
• We are ideal for honeymooners, multigenerational families, educational groups and conservation-minded luxury travellers
• We have high satisfaction and repeat/referral rates among top-tier travel advisors.

Gleaning top selling tips

What are the unique selling points of a Metropolitan Touring sailing that agents can use to entice their customers to book?

These top-tier differentiators can help agents confidently position Metropolitan Touring above competitors:

1. A proven pioneer in the Galapagos

We have more than 70 years of experience in Ecuador and Galapagos and were the first company to operate expedition cruises in the region. Metropolitan Touring offers deep local expertise, scientific partnerships and has a trusted reputation

2. We own and operate our fleet

We have full control over service, safety and sustainability, with three well-maintained ships across size segments for different client types. It’s a 100% Metropolitan Touring experience. 

3. Unmatched naturalist expertise

We have industry-leading naturalist guide-to-guest ratios, with three or more guides onboard at all times. We offer daily enrichment lectures and guided excursions as well as Citizen Science and conservation-focused programming.

4. Authentic sustainability credentials

Metropolitan Touring boasts carbon neutral operations, a plastic-free commitment and brilliant community engagement. We have a long-term collaboration with the Charles Darwin Foundation and other NGOs.

5. Ideal for add-on itineraries

Agents can combine cruises with Mashpi Lodge, Quito, Cuenca or Guayaquil for seamless, curated journeys for their clients. We also use one DMC for all Ecuadorian experiences, resulting in streamlined logistics.  

What’s the ideal time to book for the most competitive prices and/or best availability?

Agents should advise clients on this booking window strategy:

For best availability:

9-18 months in advance for:

• Holidays (Christmas, New Year, Spring Break)
• High-demand months (June-August)
• Large groups or clients needing connecting cabins 

For best rates:

Shoulder seasons (late April-early June, September-mid-December) offer:

• More promotional pricing
• Fewer crowds, but great wildlife viewing
• Early bird promotions (9-12 months out)
• Last-minute offers may exist, but are highly limited due to strict park caps

Encourage clients to book early. Top cabins and routes sell out fast due to Galapagos visitor limits.

What marketing tools does Metropolitan Touring have available to agents who are promoting its expedition cruises?

Metropolitan Touring provides robust trade marketing support via:

• Customisable flyers, brochures, and itineraries
• A B2B digital asset library (logos, photos, videos, maps, etc.)
• Social media content packs
• Co-branded email templates and landing pages
• Virtual ship tours and 360° videos
• Webinars and product training sessions
• Printed collateral on request
• High-resolution wildlife and experience imagery

Partners should request access to the trade portal or contact the sales team for the latest campaigns and offers.

What support do you offer agents wanting to learn more about Metropolitan Touring’s expedition cruises?

Metropolitan Touring invests in trade education and support through:

• Live and recorded webinars
• Online training modules
• One-on-one sales consultations or FAM trip briefings
• FAM trips (subject to availability)
• A dedicated B2B sales team for North America, LATAM, Europe, etc.
• Participation in trade shows and in-destination site visits
• Newsletters with updates on promotions, itinerary changes and tips

Agents are encouraged to build direct relationships with their regional sales managers for insider knowledge and co-marketing opportunities.

This page has been produced in partnership with Metropolitan Touring.