Wilderness Explorer

Former name: Spirit of Discovery

Wilderness Explorer last position

Wilderness Explorer last location was at North America West Coast (coordinates 47.65862 N / -122.38187 W) cruising en route to FISHERMANS TERMINAL. The AIS position was reported 6 months ago.

All Itineraries Current Position

Current itinerary of Wilderness Explorer

Wilderness Explorer current cruise is 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan. Prices start from USD 6300 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 19 May, 2024 and ends on 26 May, 2024.

Date / TimePort
19 May    Departing from Juneau, Alaska hotels
20 May - 21 May    Glacier Bay, Alaska
22 May    Endicott Arm Fjord, Alaska
23 May    Wrangell Narrows Alaska
24 May - 25 May    Misty Fjords, Alaska
26 May    Arriving in Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island Alaska hotels

Specifications of Wilderness Explorer

Year of build1976  /  Age: 48
Flag state USA
BuilderEastern Shipbuilding Group (Panama City, Florida USA)
Classice-strengthened expedition ship
Speed11 kn / 20 km/h / 13 mph
Length (LOA)57 m / 187 ft
Beam (width)11 m / 36 ft
Gross Tonnage910 gt
Passengers74 - 84
Crew26
Passengers-to-space ratio12
Decks5
Cabins37
Decks with cabins3
Last Refurbishment2012
Former namesSpirit of Discovery
OwnerInnerSea Discoveries Alaska Inc
OperatorUnCruise Adventures

Wilderness Explorer Itineraries

DateItineraryDeparture PortPrice from
2024 May 19 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan Juneau $6300
2024 May 26 7 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Juneau Ketchikan $6300
2024 May 26 14 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Juneau Ketchikan $11400
2024 Jun 02 7 days, round-trip 7 Night Glacier Bay National Park Haines and Pelican Town Cruise Juneau
2024 Jun 02 14 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan Juneau $11400
2024 Jun 09 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan Juneau $6300
2024 Jun 16 7 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Juneau Ketchikan $6300
2024 Jun 16 14 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Juneau Ketchikan $11400
2024 Jun 23 7 days, round-trip 7 Night Glacier Bay National Park Haines and Pelican Town Cruise Juneau
2024 Jun 23 14 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan Juneau $11400
2024 Jun 30 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan Juneau $6300
2024 Jul 07 7 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Juneau Ketchikan $6300
2024 Jul 07 14 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Juneau Ketchikan $11400
2024 Jul 14 7 days, round-trip 7 Night Glacier Bay National Park Haines and Pelican Town Cruise Juneau
2024 Jul 14 14 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan Juneau $11400
2024 Jul 21 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan Juneau $6300
2024 Jul 28 7 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Juneau Ketchikan $6300
2024 Jul 28 14 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Juneau Ketchikan $11400
2024 Aug 04 7 days, round-trip 7 Night Glacier Bay National Park Haines and Pelican Town Cruise Juneau
2024 Aug 04 14 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan Juneau $11400
2024 Aug 11 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan Juneau $6300
2024 Aug 18 7 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Juneau Ketchikan $6300
2024 Aug 18 14 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Juneau Ketchikan $11400
2024 Aug 25 7 days, round-trip 7 Night Glacier Bay National Park Haines and Pelican Town Cruise Juneau
2024 Aug 25 14 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan Juneau $11400
2024 Sep 01 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan Juneau $6300
2024 Sep 08 7 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Juneau Ketchikan $5800
2024 Sep 08 14 days, one-way from Ketchikan to Juneau Ketchikan $10500
2024 Sep 15 7 days, round-trip 7 Night Glacier Bay National Park Haines and Pelican Town Cruise Juneau
2024 Sep 15 14 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan Juneau $9600
2024 Sep 22 7 days, one-way from Juneau to Ketchikan Juneau $4800

Wilderness Explorer Review

Review of Wilderness Explorer

In 2012, MS Wilderness Explorer joined the UnCruise Adventures fleet as the company's 3rd expedition ship. Originally built in 1976 by “Eastern Shipbuilding” as the 86-passenger “Spirit of Discovery” (for Cruise West), the boat was extensively drydock-renovated in 2012.

Like all UnCruise ships, Wilderness Explorer (IMO number 7641413) is USA-flagged (MMSI 367167190) and all American-crewed.

History - construction and ownership

The 74-passenger ship Wilderness Explorer cruises in Southeast Alaska during summer months. The ship’s hull design and her shallow draft allow easy access to Alaska’s wildlife and a variety of adventure excursions. Each Un-Cruise Adventures’ ship navigates together with a fishing boat that is fully-equipped.

Wilderness Explorer cruise ship

Un-Cruise Adventures (formerly American Safari Cruises) is a USA-based, wholly-owned cruise company, a subsidiary of InnerSea Discoveries Alaska. In 2013, the American Safari Cruises line was renamed to "Un-Cruise Adventures". Currently, the company has 2 headquarters - main headquarters in Seattle WA and second in Juneau AK.

Decks and Cabins

Wilderness Explorer has only 37 staterooms, all of which are outside/oceanview. The cabin grades number is 3.

The boat has 5 decks, of which only 3 are passenger-accessible and with cabins.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Meals onboard the Wilderness Explorer are served buffet-style at set times. Soda, juice and lemonade are included in the cruise price. The pastry chef guarantees guests will replenish calories quickly.

Wilderness Explorer cruise ship

Wilderness Explorer has a Spa area with sauna, massage room, fitness equipment and a hot tub. The ship also features a Lounge, Bar (Douglas fir) and Library. The Un-Cruise Explorer ship easily visits areas that larger ships cannot and offers adventure equipment including paddleboards, kayaks, inflatable skiffs, hydrophone and an underwater camera (linked to the yacht’s lounge and all cabin TVs).

Wilderness Explorer - user reviews and comments

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Wilderness Explorer Wiki

In 2012, the Wilderness Explorer ship became the 3rd expedition cruise ship in the fleet of the Un-Cruise company. Originally built for the Cruise West line (as the 86-passenger MV Spirit of Discovery), the vessel was extensively renovated to accommodate 76 passengers on Alaska Glacier Bay cruise itineraries between Sitka and Juneau.

Wilderness Explorer features a larger lounge compared the other Un-Cruise ships. Its passenger cabins, even though with the same footage, feel bigger. 

All Un-Cruise ships have navy blue coloured hulls. The Explorer ship is a great choice for those who like expedition-style Alaska cruising and activities, combined with onboard luxury amenities. The other Un-Cruise "Wilderness" ships are Discoverer and Adventurer.

Wilderness Explorer is a typical expedition cruise ship equipped with paddle boards and kayaks; inflatable skiffs; hiking poles. The ship also has a hydrophone (for below water surface sounds) and underwater camera (real-time images are displayed on all the TVs onboard).

Together with some of its fleet mates, this ship was formerly owned and operated as "Spirit of Discovery" by the Cruise West line (1973-2010, now defunct). Based in Seattle WA (USA), at its peak Cruise West had a fleet of 9 small ships (capacity between 78 and 138 passengers). They operated on cruise itineraries in Alaska, British Columbia and also in the Pacific Ocean (Sea of Cortes, Panama, South Pacific islands, East Asia and Russia). The line ceased operations in September 2010.

From the former Cruise West fleet are also the ships Spirit of Columbia (Baranof Dream), Spirit of Alaska (Admiralty Dream), Spirit of Glacier Bay (Chichagof Dream), Spirit of Endeavour (Safari Endeavour), Spirit of 98 (Safari Legacy, now SS Legacy), Spirit of Yorktown (Americana).