UNCRUISE Adventures in Alaska & More

UnCruise Adventures

Seattle-based UnCruise Adventures operates a fleet of nine expedition vessels accommodating from between 22 to 86 passengers, mainly those seeking adventure cruises in North America’s coastal, island and inland waters from Alaska south to Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, out amongst Hawaiian Islands, Costa Rica and Panama, and in the Galápagos Archipelago off Ecuador.

The American firm, with origins dating back to 1996, has the largest selection of small ship cruises in Alaska, varied enough for return exploratory voyages. UnCruise Adventures is a shared, unrushed experience. For those who like off-season travel, some Alaska itineraries begin in April as the state’s wildlife is waking up, and the spring months are generally drier than later on.

The 49th state is UnCruise’s prime summer focus. The emphasis is on avoiding the big cruise ship ports and offering outdoor activities — kayaking, skiff excursions, paddleboarding and hiking — in and around scenic coves and fjords, while watching wildlife at close range. The line has creative itineraries and activities to best explore the Alaska Panhandle well away from the big ships.

Safari Voyager. * Photo: UnCruise Adventures

RELATED: Learn more about UnCruising in Alaska in Heidi’s review of her awesome and active week aboard the Wilderness Explorer from Juneau to Ketchikan. 

RELATED: UnCruise Founder Dan Blanchard Discusses the Benefits of Small Ship Cruising with QuirkyCruise.

Fleet

Safari Endeavour (b. 1983 & 74 p) — Alaska

Safari Explorer (b. 1988 & 36 p) — Alaska & Hawaii

Safari Quest (b. 1992 & 22 p) — Alaska & Pacific Northwest

Safari Voyager (b. 1982 & 66 p) — Latin America

Wilderness Adventurer (b. 1984 & 60 p) — Alaska

Wilderness Discoverer (b. 1992 & 76 p) — Alaska & Pacific Northwest

Wilderness Explorer (built 1976 & 74 passengers) — Alaska

Wilderness Legacy (b. 1983 & 86 p) — Pacific Northwest, Columbia & Snake Rivers

La Pinta (b. remodeled in 2019 & 48 p) — Galápagos islands

The 22-pax Safari Quest is a great ship to charter for private family and friend groups. * Photo: Un-Cruise Adventures.

Passenger Profile

A varied lot spanning the ages who come for itineraries that combine popular and off-beat destinations. Cruises are as informal as they come, and the emphasis is on outdoor activities and exploring. For families, activities are designed for children as well.

The Columbia-Snake rivers cruises had always attracted generally older passengers for its specific slants on history, cultural traditions and scenery, though now with a big focus on active adventure, the passengers’ ages should have a wider spread.

All but one of UnCruise’s ships are American-flagged, and so the crews largely hail from the US of A. The Safari Voyager is registered in St.Kitts.

RELATED: A grandmother shares her UnCruise experience cruising with her children and grandchildren. 

RELATED: Check out our UnCruise Reader Reviews here.

Trying a real ice iceberg in Alaska. * Photo: UnCruise Adventures.

Price

$$ – $$$

Weeklong cruises are typically upwards of $3,200 per person, and include shore excursions, booze and other perks. Some 7-night itineraries command twice that, while early spring dates (14 nights) may begin below $5,000. Peruse the lot to find the price you can afford.

Private Charters

Family and friend groups are especially well suited for private charters of the 22-passenger Safari Quest and 36-passenger Safari Explorer.

Check out our special full-charter offers on these two ships, HERE

Family on skiff tour near a glacier. * Photo: UnCruise

Included Features

• All onboard meals
• Wine, beer, liquor & non-alcoholic beverages
• Use of onboard water sports equipment
• Exclusive activities & shore visits
• Wellness amenities
• Entry fees to national parks & preserves
• Group airport transfers

Up close and personal on an UnCruise. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

UnCruise Itineraries

Alaska cruises feature prominently, with itineraries ranging from seven, 12 and 14 nights, most either originating or ending at Juneau, or both.

RELATED: Active Alaska aboard the Legacy. by John Roberts

In the Pacific Northwest, there’s a 7-night cruise to explore the Olympic wilderness and San Juan Islands and another 5-night tour of the Salish Sea and San Juan Islands.

UnCruise also offers a 7-night Hawaiian Islands hopper cruise, a 7-night Mexican Sea of Cortés/Baja Peninsula cruise, and 7-night Galápagos Islands cruise.

In 2023, UnCruise dropped its Columbia and Snake River itineraries as well as its Central America routes — for now — but they could be added back to the fold at a later time as UnCruise likes to keep its offerings fresh.

RELATED: Judi Cohen reviews her UnCruise Hawaii adventure HERE.

RELATED: Heidi reviews her awesome and active week aboard the Wilderness Explorer from Juneau to Ketchikan. 

RELATED: Rivers of Adventure on the Columbia & Snake Rivers. by John Roberts

Hikes with amazing views like this are par for the UnCruise course. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

Sample Itineraries

The 7-night Northern Passages & Glacier Bay cruise begins at Juneau, sailing either the Lynn Canal or Chatham Strait to visit Glacier Bay National Park.

From there, sail through the Icy Strait to Chichagof Island and the Peril Strait, Sergius Narrows and Neva Strait, through the Krestof and Nakwasina Sounds to the final destination at Sitka, Alaska.

RELATED: QC Contributor Judi Cohen reviews her Alaska cruise aboard the Wilderness Legacy.

Kayaking is a big part of the UnCruise ethos. * Photo: Judi Cohen

UnCruise Adventures often spends a whole day in Glacier Bay seeing ice and animals close up. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

In the Pacific Northwest, the 7-night Explore! Olympic Wilderness & San Juan Islands cruise embarks at Seattle, setting sail to the Salish Sea and through Deception Pass to Lopez Island, Orcas Island, Sucia Island and the shores of the Olympic Peninsula and Olympia National Park before returning to Seattle.

Friday Harbor in Washington’s San Juan Islands is a favorite cruise stop when UnCruise ships leave Seattle. * Photo: Ted Scull

Why Go?

The majestic nature of Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands are best seen from the decks of a small ship.

Go for the varieties of wildlife living in Alaska, Sea of Cortés, Galapagos and Hawaii. And go for the cultural connections in all the regions shared close up with fewer than 100 others (and often below 50) rather than amongst multiple thousands in the mega-ship ports.

And go for the fun!

When to Go?

The cruises are scheduled for the best weather times of the year. The UnCruise website has easily understood bar charts showing the prime months for whale watching or enjoying the wild flowers in Mexico, and in Alaska, wildlife sightings and Northern Lights, plus the optimum driest and sunniest periods. Here’s one below:

UnCruise.com graphic highlighting the Alaska season.

For instance, in Alaska, spring means lots of newly-born animals, migrating birds and whales, lots of snow on the mountains, waterfalls at their peak with runoff, and the best chance to see the Aurora Borealis (other than in winter).

UnCruise’s Sustainability Initiatives

UnCruise Adventures does a lot to leave the lightest footprint in the areas it visits, including replacing ship engines with more efficient models and working with the ports it visits for responsible recycling and waste disposal.

On board, they purchase supplies with less packaging and sustainable seafood from sources approved by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program. Passengers are provided reusable water bottles and eco-friendly bath amenities in refillable containers.

The cruise line works with local guides and experts at each destination and donates to local causes.

Activities & Entertainment

All ships carry expedition teams who give (often illustrated) talks, some based on what the bow camera catches and the underwater hydrophone sees and hears. They organize adventures ashore, guided shore walks and rigorous hikes and explain use of the available craft such as kayaks, inflatable skiffs, and paddle boards.

The fleet has stern boarding platforms and snorkeling is offered in short sessions, even in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, using a supplied wet suit. The line’s website features a comprehensive fleet amenities chart showing what’s available on every vessel.

There are a number of theme cruises including photography, marine biology, ornithology and wellness where experts are on board to offer talks and guidance (see UnCruise’s website). All vessels also have fitness equipment, TV and DVD players in the lounge, and small book libraries.

Plunging into Glacier Bay directly from the ship. * Photo: UnCruise Adventures

Dining on the UnCruise Fleet

Aside from a full breakfast, lunch and dinner, there is also a special breakfast offering for early birds and hors d’oeurves at cocktail hour. Meals are multi-course affairs, featuring farm-to-table produce and sustainable seafood catches that are regionally and seasonally specific.

Breakfast might feature avocado toast topped with pesto, grilled tomato, poached eggs and red pepper sabayon; a prosciutto, asparagus and goat cheese omelet; banana pecan pancakes; sweet potato hash; sausage, bacon and ham; and fresh-baked pastries.

Dinner choices include dishes like baked sustainable Alaskan halibut with lemon thyme–infused compound butter or roasted garlic pork medallions with braised apples and cream sherry reduction.

The wine selection highlights labels from Washington and Oregon. Safari Endeavour and Wilderness Explorer each have a wine bar as well.

Fresh fish like halibut and salmon are served on UnCruise. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

Ships

All UnCruise ships share similarities across the board, despite variations in size.

Safari Endeavour

On four decks, accessed by stairs, Safari Endeavour accommodates 74 passengers and lots of features (no elevator).

Public Rooms

On the main deck, the dining room has wide windows along both sides, plus a small wine bar. The ship’s library of games, books and DVDs is also located on this deck near the dining room. The lounge has a large viewing area at the bow and another bar. At the aft on the upper deck there are two hot tubs, while the sun deck has fitness equipment and yoga mats, plus another bar underneath a covered area.

Safari Endeavour carries water sports equipment such as kayaks, inflatable skiffs and paddleboards that can be launched from the ship’s EZ Dock hydraulic platform. Like most of its sister ships, Safari Endeavour also has an underwater camera installed at the bow and a hydrophone that provides a rare peek into the underwater world.

Cabins

There are five cabin categories onboard. Commander cabins open to side promenades and have windows, a desk and chair and twin beds. Other categories have king or twin beds, desk and chair and window. The Commodore Suite has a private balcony and Jacuzzi.

In cabin: en suite, TV and DVD, hair dryer, reusable water bottles.

Safari Explorer

Safari Explorer is a small yacht that accommodates 36 passengers on three decks, without an elevator.

Public Rooms

The dining room has windows along one side and is opposite a salon with a bar and a library. The top deck has fitness equipment and a hot tub, which is not in use on Hawaii itineraries.

Onboard water sports equipment includes kayaks, paddleboards and inflatable skiffs. Unlike its sister ships, Safari Explorer doesn’t have the EZ Dock function, but just a simple swim step at the stern. The ship also has a hydrophone that lets passengers listen in on the underwater world.

The 36-passenger Safari Explorer. * Photo: UnCruise

Cabins

There are six cabin categories, from one single occupancy cabin to two Commodore suites. Most cabins are on the Cabins Deck and open to side promenades. They have either king, queen or twin beds, and windowed doors with sometimes an additional window. Three categories have private Jacuzzi, while the larger suites also have sitting areas and/or French balconies.

In cabin: en suite, TV and DVD, hair dryer, reusable water bottles.

A “Commander” category cabin on Safari Explorer. * Photo: UnCruise

Safari Voyager

Accommodating 66 passengers on three decks (no elevator) Safari Voyager reflects the region in which she sails, with Latin American art and handicraft featuring prominently in the décor.

Public Rooms

The dining room on the main deck seats all passengers in one sitting. The lounge has large windows, an indoor bar and covered al fresco area, plus a book, game and DVD library. The sun deck has a small area with fitness equipment and yoga mats and storage for kayaks and inflatable skiffs, and there are two additional outdoor deck spaces that include a bow viewing area.

The ship carries paddleboards, but has no wetsuits. Small boats can be launched from the EZ Dock hydraulic platform. Safari Voyager also has an underwater camera installed at the bow and underwater hydrophone capturing the sounds of the sea.

Cabins

There are seven cabin categories, from single-occupancy to Owner’s Suite. Most have queen or twin beds, desk and chair and window; Admiral category and suites have a sofa that can accommodate a child. Those in the Captain category have a rain shower, while the Owner’s suite has a Jacuzzi. Five cabins on the Bridge Deck open to side promenades.

In cabin: en suite, TV and DVD, hair dryer, reusable water bottles.

Safari Voyager’s Bar. * Photo: Un-Cruise Adventures.

Safari Quest

Safari Quest is the smallest of the fleet, built for 22 passengers (no elevator).

Public Rooms

The small dining room has windows along one side and is adjacent to a cozy salon with a bar. A small library nook has a collection of games, books and DVDs. The top deck has space to catch the sun or work out with fitness equipment under the shade or just chill out in the hot tub.

There’s a full beam swim step at the stern, and lots of water sports equipment on board including kayaks, paddleboards and inflatable skiffs. Safari Quest also has a cool underwater camera installed at the bow and hydrophone for underwater views and soundtrack.

Guests kayaking near Safari Quest in the Pacific Northwest. * Photo: UnCruise Adventures

Cabins

There are four cabin categories – two cabins, one single and one double occupancy, open directly off the dining room. Five cabins on the lowest deck have king, queen and twin beds and elevated port lights (no view). Four cabins on the observation deck have sliding glass doors and French balconies.

In cabin: en suite, TV and DVD, hair dryer, reusable water bottles.

Captain-grade cabin on the Safari Quest. * Photo: UnCruise Adventures.

Wilderness Adventurer

An expedition ship for 60 passengers, Wilderness Adventurer has three decks connected by stairwells (no elevator).

Public Rooms

The dining room and adjacent lounge have plenty of windows and a casual feel in décor. On the sun deck, there’s a hot tub and fitness equipment for down time.

The ship also carries a small collection of books, games and DVDs. Water sports equipment includes kayaks, inflatable skiffs a paddleboards, and there’s an EZ Dock hydraulic platform for direct access to the water. 

Cabins

There are four cabin categories, most with queen or twin beds, and one single-occupancy cabin. 

In cabin: en suite, TV and DVD, hair dryer, reusable water bottles.

Wilderness Discoverer

A 76-passenger expedition ship, Wilderness Discoverer has four decks (no elevator).

Public Rooms

The dining room and lounge are casual affairs with small windows. The observation deck has two hot tubs, while the sun deck has open and shaded areas. Board games and DVDs are available, and there’s plenty of kayaks, inflatable skiffs and paddleboards. Snorkel equipment and wetsuits are charged extra.

The EZ Dock hydraulic kayak launch platform allows for direct access to the water. Wilderness Discoverer has an underwater camera at its bow and a hydrophone to view and listen to the underwater world around the ship.

Cabins

Four cabin categories have queen or twin beds and windows. Pathfinder cabins have outside entries from the ship’s side promenades. Four Explorer cabins on the sun deck have space for small sitting areas.

In cabin: en suite, TV and DVD, hair dryer, reusable water bottles.

Wilderness Explorer

Built for 74 passengers, this explorer vessel has three decks (no elevator). 

Public Rooms

The dining room is small but can seat everyone in one sitting. The Lounge Deck has a forward bar and lounge with a hot tub, while the Sun Deck has some fitness equipment and yoga mats under a covered section, where passengers can keep fit between excursions.

For downtime, there’s an onboard book, game and DVD library. Water sports equipment are in full supply, with Necky kayaks and inflatable skiffs at the ready, and paddleboards. Snorkel equipment and wetsuits are available for an extra charge.

An EZ Dock swim step and kayak launch platform provides direct access to the water. An unusual feature, an underwater camera installed at the ship’s bow provides a unique underwater perspective and a hydrophone lets passengers listen in on the underwater world.

Kayaking in Misty Fjords National Monument with Wilderness Explorer. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

Cabins

Three cabin categories have either twin, double or queen beds and a window. Explorer cabins on the Sun Deck are accessed via side promenades and have fold-down queen beds and large picture windows. Cabins towards the aft of the Lounge Deck also have doors that open out to side promenades.  

In cabin: en suite, TV and DVD, hair dryer, reusable water bottles. 

Wilderness Explorer twin cabin. * Photo: UnCruise Adventures

VIDEO: Heidi shows us around her Wilderness Explorer cabin #202.

VIDEO: Heidi gives us a tour of the top of deck of Wilderness Explorer.

VIDEO: Heidi tours us around the Lounge (middle) Deck of Wilderness Explorer.

VIDEO: Heidi gives us a lay of the land of Wilderness Explorer’s Main (lowest) Deck. 

Wilderness Legacy

The largest ship in the fleet. Wilderness Legacy carries 86 passengers, and is the only ship with an elevator connecting its four decks.

Public Rooms

On the main deck, the large dining room has an elegant décor, wide windows along either side, a wine bar and an adjoining viewing area from the stern. The lounge has a viewing area from the bow of the ship and a bar as well as a piano.

There are two hot tubs on the bridge deck, plus fitness equipment and yoga mats. The ship carries an onboard book, game and DVD library. Water sports equipment such as kayaks, paddleboards and inflatable skiffs are accessed via a launch pad.

Cabins

Six cabin categories include an Owner’s Suite (with a private Jacuzzi) on the bridge deck and two Jr Commodore Suites with wrap-around windows. Most cabins have either queen or twin beds.

In cabin: en suite, TV and DVD, hair dryer, reusable water bottles.

RELATED: Ted Sails aboard the SS Legacy on the Columbia & Snake Rivers.

The charming Wilderness Legacy. * Photo: Judi Cohen

La Pinta

A yacht sailing in the Galápagos Islands, the 48-passenger La Pinta has three decks with stairwell access (no elevator).

Public Rooms

The dining room has large portholes either side, however, the lounge has floor-to-ceiling picture windows for better views. This ship has a small fitness room and an expedition room with books, maps and artwork.

A sun deck has a covered sky lounge with a bar and hot tub. Perfect for Galápagos, La Pinta has a glass-bottomed boat for an up close and personal view of the underwater life of the islands.

Cabins

La Pinta has only two cabin categories. All have sitting areas, a deck and chair and either queen or twin beds, however, four larger cabins have an additional fold-out couch.

In cabin: en suite, safe, hair dryer, reusable water bottles.

Guests on a beach walk with La Pinta. * Photo: UnCruise

Special Notes

For adventure trips, UnCruise has a wide variety of price points and a fleet that includes 22- and 36-berth yachts, 60- to 84-berth small coastal-style ships, and a remarkably winsome Victorian atmosphere aboard the one-of-a-kind S.S. Wilderness Legacy.

Private charters are available for all ships, and family and friend groups are especially well suited for the 22-passenger Safari Quest and 36-passenger Safari Explorer. 

Along the Same Lines

Alaskan Dream Cruises, Lindblad Expeditions.

Contact

UnCruise Adventures, based in Seattle, Washington.

US & Canada; +1 888-862-8881

International toll-free; +00 800 50060006

www.uncruise.com

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