The other day, my housemates and I were deciding between two places to hang our hat rack. One option, near the window, we all agreed looked better, while the other, near the door, was more functional. Why one looked better was hard to say, and how we all agreed is even more perplexing, but the functionality had clear reasoning. Because it was a hat rack and thus did serve a specific purpose, we chose the practical option, and then made it look good with some extra effort.  

What I most enjoyed about the process was that it was thoughtful. Functionality vs. aesthetics is often treated as opposing values, but they don’t have to be, and a little extra intention is all it takes to merge the two (this idea forms the whole basis of feng shui). 

As I put my limited interior design skills to use while planning out our new living room, I couldn’t help but think of our team at INCA. Intentionality is something I am very proud of in being part of a team that carefully designs trips in the Galápagos, using the functional and stunning yacht Integrity as a home base. Integrity was built with the understanding that beauty can live in harmony with thoughtful design—and that the two don’t have to be at odds. 

Integrity was built to last. In 2025, it celebrated its 20th year cruising the waters of Galápagos without missing a day of service for committed travelers. That is not an accident. 

Designing a boat that would be sturdy enough to last meant finding materials with specific qualities; from engine parts to the wood for the interior accents, to the materials for the stabilizers and deck, each aspect was thought through with sustainability and functionality in mind. In a place where balance with nature is the collective goal, it’s imperative to use resources wisely so that we are not extracting more than we need to. Thinking about our resource use is a key ingredient in our definition of Integrity, in part because the owners and operators have called the Galápagos home for more than 50 years. This is why they harvested an invasive tree species to provide the wood for the ship’s interior. It is why Integrity spends a month each year in dry dock to ensure the boat is well cared for and maintained. 

When the team set out to renovate the boat just over a year ago, our goal was to elevate the aesthetic while ensuring the design reflected the natural beauty of the islands. The design and quality of the materials were thoroughly examined to balance environmental impact with the guest experience, doing as much as possible to limit the extractive nature of a remodel while maximizing the awe-inspiring potential of a journey through one of the natural wonders of our world. 

It’s easy to believe that newer is better—but Integrity tells a different story. As we hang our hat on 2025 and set sail into 2026, we hope Integrity will continue cruising for another 20 years. We are proud to call this vessel our home in the Galápagos—a boat whose durability and beauty are the natural result of intention carried through from start to finish.

Written by Jasper Roberson-Schulz

To cruise the Galápagos Islands aboard Integrity click here »