UnCruise Adventures Alaska Cruises
From its beginnings in 1996, UnCruise has sought to provide enriching, adventurous travel experiences that give guests a familiarity and appreciation for new cultures and the natural world. The line began as American Safari Cruises, and pioneered yacht cruising in Alaska. They've since changed their name to UnCruise, and as the name reflects, offer unique cruises unlike most others on the market. Small, rugged, and environmentally conscious, UnCruise is for adventurers and thrill-seekers with an appreciation for the finer things in life.
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UnCruise Adventures Ships
| Ship Name | Star Rating | Year Built | Gross Tonnage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safari Endeavour |  |
1983 | |
| Safari Explorer | |
1998 | |
| Safari Quest | |
1992 | |
| Safari Voyager | |
1982 | |
| Wilderness Adventurer |  |
1984 | |
| Wilderness Discoverer | |
1992 | |
| Wilderness Explorer | |
1976 | |
| Wilderness Legacy | |
1983 |
8 UnCruise Adventures Ships
UnCruise Alaska Cruises Overview
Sail with UnCruise on 7- to 21-night cruises to Alaska, exploring places like the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay National Park, Dawes Glacier, and Tongass National Forest. UnCruise sails between April and September, stopping in major cities like Juneau and Sitka and smaller islands accessible thanks to the small size of the vessels. Perfect for nature- and animal-lovers, you'll have the opportunity to see an immense amount of wildlife, spectacular glaciers and fjords, and the rugged terrain of Alaska up close.
UnCruise Cruise Ships in Alaska
UnCruise's small, contemporary yachts and expedition vessels are far more intimate than the mega-ships you may usually associate with cruising. On UnCruise, you'll enjoy a vacation in which you get to know most of your fellow travelers, whether you're on a 22-person boutique yacht or the largest ship, the S.S. Legacy, with 84 total passengers, as well as your crew and expedition leaders. Several of UnCruise's ships sail to Alaska, including the Legacy, Safari Endeavour and Explorer, and Wilderness Discoverer and Explorer. On these ships you'll find several public decks, a large dining room, lounge, fitness area, salon, library and observation deck. The cozy, warm ships are relaxing and spacious retreats after long days of adventure.
Accommodations on UnCruise Alaska Cruises
On an UnCruise voyage, there are several cabin categories to choose from, all of which are space efficient and come with a large picture or view window, a porthole, or a small balcony, depending on the vessel. Each room has a flat-screen TV with DVD player, and iPod docking station, air conditioning and heat, and a private bath with shower. Choose from a queen, double, or twin beds, all with memory foam mattresses. The most lavish accommodation, the Owner's Suite, comes with a sitting area, wet bar, refrigerator, king bed, and private bath with Jacuzzi tub.
As part of UnCruise's conservation efforts, reusable water bottles are available onboard, as well as eco-friendly amenities.
Shore Excursions on UnCruise Alaska Cruises
UnCruise offers a variety of mild, moderate, and rigorous outdoor activities to partake in, including kayaking, hiking, paddle boarding, and skiff excursions. These are included in your cruise fare and are organized on board each day; you'll talk one on one with your expedition team regarding the activities best suited to your interest and activity level. Excursions are ranked on a 1 to 5 scale from easy to difficult, and are led by a well-trained, experienced, and competent crew of guides who love the outdoors and are excited to share their passion with you. Guides will also lead groups through must-see landmarks like the El Capitan Cave, Glacier Bay National Park, and the Misty Fjords National Monument. There are also more casual, zen-like excursions offered, for those who want a calmer wilderness experience.
If you're looking for more time in the great outdoors, UnCruise offers several Alaska Land Packages to tack on before or after your cruise. Stay in Juneau, near the Mount Robert's tram, or at the Cape Fox Lodge in Ketchikan, where you can explore the Tongass Narrows. Stay in a wilderness lodge in Denali National Park and Knik River Valley on an 8-night, post-cruise escorted land tour, or go on a scenic train journey from Calgary, Alberta to Seattle, Washington before boarding the "Exploring Muir's Wilderness" Alaska cruise.
Dining & Drinks on UnCruise Alaska Cruises
Each of UnCruise's handcrafted meals is prepared with creativity, nutrition, and taste in mind. As often as possible, ingredients are locally sourced for freshness and to support local business, and menus reflect the regions you visit. On an Alaska cruise, you're likely to find Hama Hama oysters from Coastal Washington and fresh-caught Dungeness Crab caught by local Alaskan fisherman.
In the mornings, choose from an early-riser breakfast with fresh fruit and fresh-baked pastries, or a full breakfast with hot, cold, and specialty items. Lunch is typically served buffet style and includes salads, sandwiches, soups, and locally-inspired dishes. Dinner is a casual affair, but one with delicious foods, specialty wines and craft beers, and delectable desserts. Enjoy local seafood and meats, vegetarian options, and chef-selected wine parings. All meals are open-seating and served at one time.
Before dinner, enjoy cocktail hour and hors d'oeuvres in the lounge, and in between meals stop by the coffee and tea station, which also offers healthy snacks like energy bars and fresh fruit. On most vessels, premium spirits, fine wines, and craft microbrews are included in your cruise fare, and can be enjoyed at meals, in a lounge or wine bar onboard, or while soaking in the hot tub.
Dietary needs can usually be accommodated with advance notice, and special occasions can be celebrated with surprise treats.
Activities on UnCruise Alaska Cruises
While sailing from one destination to the next, enjoy the peace of an UnCruise vessel, carrying less than 100 guests each. You'll have plenty of time to get to know your fellow adventurous travelers, and can mingle and talk in the covered outdoor area, open decks, National Park-style lounge, or dining rooms. Onboard, there is exercise equipment and yoga mats for the looking to keep up with their fitness routines, and a hot tub sauna and massage room for afternoons when you need some extra relaxation. On several ships, a complimentary massage is an included bonus.
Throughout your voyage, local experts will come onboard to present on the environment, wildlife, history and culture of the region, to help put into context what you'll see once you get into port. Sustainable travel is very important to UnCruise, so many presentations include an education on the need to protect the environment as well as in-depth knowledge on the local flora, fauna, and animals.
UnCruise's open bridge policy means you can go to the bridge any time you'd like and chat with the Captain about navigation, as well as listen to the underwater hydrophone and watch live footage from cameras connected to TVs to see what's happening underneath the ship all day long.
There is a wide selection of board games, books and DVDs onboard, as well as stand-up paddleboards and kayaks available to use. The observation deck is a perfect place to look for whales, dolphins, sea otters, bears, and eagles by day, or stargaze by night.
Children's Programs on UnCruise Alaska Cruises
While UnCruise does not have any specific children's programming, on all cruises children and teens over the age of eight are welcome onboard, and Alaska is a wonderful destination for a family vacation. "Family Discoveries" itineraries have fun, educational adventures for the whole family to enjoy, with a range of skill and activity levels to suit various age groups. Families can interact with local Alaskan families and fisherman, partake in arts and crafts or a game of cards onboard, go on a hike with a naturalist, and make s'mores over a bonfire.
UnCruise Alaska Cruises Past Guests
Loyal UnCruise guests are rewarded with "Beyond the Buoy" benefits. Beginning with your fourth cruise, you'll receive a loyalty savings of $500 per person, or a choice of two of the following rewards: a two-night pre- or post-cruise hotel stay, private transfers to and from the airport, $400 per person savings on a land extension, or double value on the "Refer-A-Friend" savings. As you book more cruises, your rewards increase, with higher loyalty savings and additional amenities and services onboard. Let your Cruise Specialist know if you are a Beyond the Buoy member at the time of booking so all possible discounts can be applied.
Accessibility on UnCruise Alaska Cruises
Guests with limited mobility may be able to travel with UnCruise, though the vessels do not meet all applicable ADA Accessibility Guidelines for buildings and facilities. Guests with some mobility who bring their own collapsible wheelchair can typically be accommodated, though it is strongly encouraged that they travel with someone who can assist them throughout the cruise. The S.S. Legacy, which sails to Alaska, has one elevator that connects the three public decks.