Grace Kelly's former yacht is now taking people around the Galápagos Islands

This really would be a trip of a lifetime 
Alice Howarth21 January 2018

Getting to sail around Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands may sound like a dream trip but what about doing it on the former yacht of Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco?

Yes, you can now set sail on one of the most storied yachts around.

Built in South Hampton and launched in 1928, it was originally owned by an Argentinian tycoon before it was eventually acquired by the British Navy during the war.

Then called HMS Noir, the ship was used to patrol the entrances to the Solent and along the coast of the Isle of Wight and suffered some structural damage while on duty.

Grace Kelly and Prince Rainer
Bettmann/CORBIS

Later repaired, it was then sold on to the Greek shipping magnate and second husband of Jackie Kennedy, Aristotle Onassis. He kept it for himself for a few years, entertaining the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, before he gave it to Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco as a wedding present in the 1950s.

Used on their honeymoon, sailing the coasts of Corsica and Sardinia, the couple decided to rename her Deo Juvente II. Adored by Grace, she would use it to entertain guests and holiday with her friends and family.

Aristotle Onassis entertaining guests including Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton 
Quasar Expeditions

Since the royal family of Monaco sold it in 1958, the ship has passed through various owners but was bought and renamed, M/Y Grace, by Quasar Expeditions in 2007.

Today, the company will allow you aboard to cruise around the Galápagos Islands in style. Only sleeping 18, the decor of the yacht may be new but its suitably old-school, in celebration of the boat’s history. Romantic and nautical, the suites and staterooms are reminiscent of 1950 cabins.

Quasar Expeditions

There are two itineraries guests can choose from.

'From Baltra Island' ("following in Darwin's footsteps") is seven nights and eight days and will take you to Bird Island, snorkeling and allows you to see a number of unique species, such as marine iguanas, sea lions, flightless cormorants, herons, egrets and Galápagos hawks over the week.

The second trip is 'From San Cristobal Island' (“beyond Darwin's footsteps”) and it’s also seven days and eights nights. This itinerary allows you to spot giant tortoise and land iguana and visit white coral beaches as well as visit Charles Darwin’s Research Centre and experience Black Turtle Cove.

There is the possibility of doing a 15 day trip but that has to be enquired about individually as does hiring the yacht out privately.

M/Y Grace - in pictures

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Rates start from $5,600 to $8,900 per person and we've already started saving.

You can find out more here.

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