The Year to See Alaska on a Small Ship
By Anne Kalosh.
Preparing for summer in Alaska, UnCruise Adventures became the latest line to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for crew and for passengers 18 and older. (Note: since this story was first posted, Lindblad Expeditions has also announced it will mandate vaccines for both passengers and crew.)
“We are excited about the dramatic change in the availability of vaccines, thus the update to our COVID-19 policy,” UnCruise CEO Capt. Dan Blanchard said.
“With current and forecast vaccine distribution levels expanding rapidly, we have made the decision to require all adult guests and crew to be fully vaccinated prior to boarding our vessels. The safety of our guests and crew is paramount in providing a fun, adventuresome and memorable time for all.” — Dan Blanchard
UnCruise Adventures plans to operate at least six of its small ships in Alaska this summer. Here, Capt. Dan Blanchard, CEO. * Photo: UnCruise Adventures
PCR Test Still Required
Currently, a negative pre-cruise PCR test is also required of all passengers within four days prior to embarking. This also covers the unvaccinated under 18s.
“Vaccinations, combined with testing, take us to an entirely new level of safety compared to testing alone,” Blanchard said.
With everyone inoculated, calls will be allowed at Port Angeles, Washington, and Alaska’s Ketchikan and Sitka. Previously, UnCruise itineraries were entirely focused on wilderness areas. Plus, thanks to the vaccination mandate, passengers will not have to keep to the line’s own organized excursions and may explore independently if they wish.
Still, UnCruise focuses on active adventure like hiking, kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding and exploring by skiff — it’s even possible to take a “polar plunge” into Glacier Bay.
A family takes the polar plunge in Alaska’s Glacier Bay. * Photo: UnCruise Adventures
This Is The Year
This is the year to see Alaska on a small ship, according to native son Blanchard. Because big cruise ships are currently blocked, only a handful of small, U.S.-flag operators like UnCruise, Lindblad Expeditions, American Cruise Lines and Alaskan Dream Cruises are expected to be sailing.
Kayaking amid ice formations. * Photo: Ralph Lee Hopkins for Lindblad Expeditions
All focus on authentic experiences.
Instead of the 1.3 million or so cruisers that had been projected, the total number of visitors to Alaska by sea may be something like 15,000, Blanchard estimated. Tiny towns that typically would be overrun when the big ships are in will be more like their quiet, winter selves.
“Our message to the world is that this wild Alaska space is going to be theirs,” Blanchard said during a virtual news conference with Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon.
UnCruise Adventures are nature-based. Here, travelers check out a starfish. * Photo: UnCruise Adventures
Safest State In The U.S.
Dunleavy touted his state as the “safest in the country … maybe the safest place in the world,” due to its high COVID-19 vaccination rate. He based his claims on WalletHub’s ranking of the safest states during COVID and other media reports.
According to Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, 18.9% percent of residents are fully vaccinated and 28 percent have had at least their first shot. Anyone over 16 can now get vaccinated there.
The first UnCruise ship is scheduled to sail from Seattle in late April, with the first cruise from Alaska in May.
Juneau, a home port for the line, is open for visitors, Mayor Weldon said, adding that her town is at Level 1, the lowest alert level. As of last week, 23.7 percent of the population was fully vaccinated, and 52 percent of residents 16 and older had received at least one dose. So numbers should be even higher when small-ship cruising starts.
Blanchard plans to have six vessels running in the “Great Land,” and he hopes there may be enough demand to activate a seventh.
Safari Endeavour in Alaska. * Photo: UnCruise Adventures
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