Jetsettersblog

The luxury yacht that Princess Grace and Prince Rainer of Monaco used on their honeymoon has been purchased and refurbished by Quasar Expeditions. The M/Y Grace cruises the small coves and islands of the Galapagos that larger cruise ships cannot reach with a classic beauty befitting her namesake.

One-Time Royal Yacht, M/Y Grace

The M/Y Grace, once owned by the Prince and Princess of Monaco, has been restored and modernized for luxury cruising by Quasar Expeditions.

The yacht that Princess Grace of Monaco and Prince Rainer used for their honeymoon is now available to royal wannabees, Grace Kelly fans, and history buffs everywhere for week-long tours of the Galapagos Islands.

The 147-ft yacht has a history worthy of Hollywood. Given as a wedding gift to the royal couple in 1956 by Aristotle Onassis, the Deo Juvante II was captured in many newsreels as cameras and reporters followed Grace Kelly on her final voyage from the United States to her new home and what was dubbed at the time as “the wedding of the century.” The couple left the day after the ceremony to cruise the coasts of Corsica and Sardinia on their yacht.

The Deo Juvante was sold in 1958 and then held by a series of owners until Quito, Ecuador-based Quasar Expeditions purchased the yacht, then known as the M/Y Zein, in 2006. After an extensive renovation, Quasar Expeditions renamed the yacht the M/Y Grace in honor of her late owner and as a representation of the starlet-turned-princess’s elegance, beauty, and style. Quasar Expeditions has issued the yacht into service plying the small islands and coves in the Galapagos Islands where larger tour ships cannot reach.

Her current itinerary includes 7 night/8 day cruises from San Cristobal that include the Charles Darwin Research Station, Genovesa, Fernandina, Isabela, Kicker Rock, Prince Phillip’s Steps, Tagus Cove, and Pinnacle Rock. The itineraries are ideal for active travelers who want luxury and comfort while enjoying hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, close-up encounters with wildlife, individual attention, and fine, romantic dining.

With one crew member for every two guests, the Grace continues to treat her guests like royalty with a Jacuzzi, eight spacious staterooms with private bathrooms, a library, sundeck, bar, TV and video, and stereo systems. Grace’s royal history and accommodations easily lend themselves to romantic vacations, anniversary cruises, honeymoon trips, and shipboard weddings as well as memorable vacation cruises.

For more information about Galapagos Islands cruises on board the Grace, visit the M/Y Grace page on the Quasar Expeditions site.

About Quasar Expeditions

Quasar Expeditions is a luxury cruise operator serving the Galapagos Islands for 23 years and specializes in tailoring individual adventures created around each guest’s interests.

Source: Quasar Expeditions
Website: http://www.galapagosexpeditions.com