This Is The Year To See Alaska on a Small Ship

This Is The Year To See Alaska on a Small Ship

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

Dan Blanchard in Alaska on a Small Ship

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.

polar plunge in Alaska

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 in Alaska

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.

starfish in Alaska

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

Safari Endeavour in Alaska. * Photo: UnCruise Adventures

QuirkyCruise logo bird

 

 

Don’t miss great articles, reviews, news & tips about small-ship cruising, SUBSCRIBE to QuirkyCruise.com for updates and special offers!  

© This article is protected by copyright, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the author. All Rights Reserved. QuirkyCruise.com.

About The Author

Anne Kalosh

Anne Kalosh has written about cruises for decades and her favorites involve small ships. She is the editor of Seatrade-Cruise.com and senior associate editor of Seatrade Cruise Review.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Write A Review

CruiseCompete

CruiseCompete ad for QuirkyCruise

UnCruise BF Ad

UnCruise Ad Jan 2024

SLCL BF Ad

SLCL Black Friday offers Nov 24 2023

2023 SATW Lowell Thomas QC Win

SATW Lowell Thomas Award winner

2023 SATW Lowell Thomas QC Win 2

2023 SATW Lowell Thomas QC Win for Heidi

SC & PK’s YT Channel

PK YouTube Sea Cloud

Adsense

Sign Up box

QC Sign Up Ad Sept 22

bird

Travel Without the Crowds

SATW Proud member

Adsense

About Us


Heidi and Ted HEIDI SARNA

I'm up to 78 countries and 110+ cruises worldwide, and it's the small ship journeys that I love writing about most. And so QuirkyCruise.com was born, an excellent research tool for planning your own unforgettable small ship trip.

THEODORE W. SCULL

I have traveled between all continents by sea and cruised along three dozen rivers. Ships and travel are in my blood, and so is writing. My journeys have translated into many books and many hundreds of articles.

More...

Our Small Ship Cruise Reviews & Articles

If you can imagine it, we’ve cruised it! With reviews, articles and destination overviews, we’ve got you covered.

9 Of The Best French Barge Cruises You Should Know About

9 Of The Best French Barge Cruises You Should Know About

Best French Barge Cruises By Heidi Sarna I've enjoyed small-ship cruises of all kinds all over the world, but I'm particularly partial to barge cruises along the canals of France. Everything I truly desire when traveling is offered on a barge cruise: Delicious healthy...

American Queen Voyages Shut Down Operations

American Queen Voyages Shut Down Operations

American Queen Voyages Shut Down Operations by Ted Scull, Karl Zimmermann, Anne Kalosh & Heidi Sarna Update March 22, 2024 — Bids close March 25 for American Queen Voyages' vessels. More details from Anne Kalosh's Seatrade Cruise News reporting HERE. A deep-felt...

  • Subscribe

    Sign up for our monthly newsletter to get insider reviews, tips & deals on unusual & small-ship cruises.

  • * I would like to subscribe to the QuirkyCruise newsletters. QuirkyCruise.com will not sell your email. See PRIVACY POLICY

vegasgg

gas138

bimabet

megahoki88

kdslots777

jakartacash

coin303

caspo777

big77

max77

autospin88

gopek178

monsterbola

wajik777

vegashoki88

dolar138

bigdewa.epizy.com

dunia777.epizy.com

kencana88.epizy.com

koko138.epizy.com

harmonibet.epizy.com

bolagg.epizy.com

mayora88.epizy.com

ligagaruda.epizy.com

babe138.epizy.com

money138.epizy.com

dog69.epizy.com

situs toto

www.linkpragmaticdemo.com

www.livecasinoonline.games

nusa365

www.judibolaparlay.id

www.roletonline.org

www.slot88rtp.net

batman138

situs toto

dphokathmandu.gov.np

www.luxury333slot.com

https://www.megawin77.id/

https://www.prada88gacor.com/

https://www.asiabetslot.com/

https://www.angkasa138.id/

https://www.vip303.co/

https://www.judicuanslot.org/

https://www.fit88.co/

https://www.pragmatic77slot.com/

https://www.slot99jackpot.com/

https://www.agen388.id/

https://www.hoki303slot.org/

https://www.dewa99.id/

https://www.garuda99slot.com/