UnCruise Adventures

One of the industry's best small cruise lines, UnCruise Adventures company operates smaller-sized vessels with regularly scheduled itineraries in the regions of Southeast Alaska, Hawaii, Baja Mexico (Sea of Cortes), USA (Columbia and Snake rivers, Washington coastal voyages) and Canada (British Columbia).

Company history

UnCruise Adventures offers an extraordinary small-ship cruising experience on expedition voyages to remote places. The line operates a fleet of small expedition boats and upscale yachts with up to 88 passengers capacity.

The company was established in January 2013 (as "Un-Cruise Adventures"), following the merger of two US cruise companies - American Safari Cruises and InnerSea Discoveries. While combined fleet's vessels remained the same, their new names were changed to reflect the company's new expedition style. Company's owner and CEO is Dan Blanchard.

UnCruise Adventures sells an uncommon product at very competitive prices, which besides affordable rates also consist of:

• Comfortable and luxury expedition experience. It's a great bet for those who have the latest REI gear and are ready to use it but also want to enjoy simple pleasures like massages (one massage is included) and fine wine.
• The expedition staff is charged with helping guests with activities like identifying the flora or spotting humpbacks. These cruises emphasize on familiarization with the geology, culture, flora, and fauna, by means of soft-adventure activities and guided shore excursions.
• A day in Alaska might start with a canoe tour to view a glacier and end with kayaking under the midnight sun. In Hawaii, passengers might visit a macadamia nut farm and later snorkel by moonlight. Night sailings depend on the venue. Excursions are included fleetwide.
• UnCruise ships offer memory foam mattresses, reasonably priced full bars and special kayak launching pads. All cabins are above the deck with outward facing opening windows, perfect for enjoying the view.
• Dinners are usually casual affairs, short on menu choices and long on a conversation. There are typically a couple of main course options, often based on freshly caught seafood. Most alcoholic beverages are included. Ship bars are open 24 hours a day and stocked with top liquor brands.

River cruises (only offered onboard the SS Legacy) provide "softer" adventures than the Adventure ones, with the extent of recreation that is a little walking in town. These cruises highlight the history, culture, and wildlife of the ports of call through a series of tours and enrichment lectures on board. There are options for those who look for more activity during free time in port. After the excursions, passengers have the opportunity to explore on their own by window shopping or hiking the local trails.

UnCruise caters to a wide range of travelers. The Adventure cruises' Sea of Cortez, Hawaii and Alaska itineraries attract active 30- to 70-year-old eco-conscious enthusiasts and families. River sailings appeal to mature clientele with an adventurous spirit. As there are no kayaks or skiff rides on these, guests embrace their desire to explore the wilderness and culture of the regions visited, in a state of total relaxation. Most passengers are North Americans, but you may also see some Australians and Europeans.

In early-February 2019, UnCruise announced a new 7-day itinerary (themed "Aloha Hawaii Adventure Cruise") part of company's "Hawaii Small Ship Cruise" 2019 program on Safari Explorer. The scheduled 6 summer departures (July-August) visit 4 Hawaiian islands. The 7-day roundtrips are from Kaunakakai (Molokai Island) to Lanai Island (Day 3), Maui Island (Olowalu, Day 4), seaday (Day 5) and Hawaii Island (Da 6 Milolii / Honomalino Bay, Day 7 Kailua-Kona, Day 8 Disembarkation / Kawaihae Harbor). UnCruise operates seasonally in Hawaii since 2011. The new voyages include themed activities like seakayaking, hiking, snorkeling, paddle boarding, wildlife viewing, skiff (boat) tours.

Currently, UnCruise Adventures line owns and operates the following vessels:

• Safari Endeavour (1983, built as Newport Clipper for Clipper Cruise Line)
• Safari Explorer (1998)
• Safari Quest (1992)
• Safari Voyager (1982)
• Wilderness Adventurer (1984)
• Wilderness Discoverer (1992)
• Wilderness Explorer (1976)
• SS Legacy (1983) - Columbia and Snake river cruises in the USA.

In 2020, the company introduces a new cruise itinerary (themed "Belize and Guatemala Wonders - Rivers, Reefs and Cultures") roundtrip Belize City. It will be operated by Safari Voyager and in the period October-December (a total of 6 departures). The new itinerary visits Belize Barrier Reef (world's second largest coral reef - after Great Barrier Reef in Queensland Australia), Ranguana Caye (private island, west of Placencia), Carrie Bow Cay and Laughing Bird Caye (island off Placencia's coast). Cruise prices started from USD 4550 pp (Master Stateroom double-occupancy rates) inclusive of meals; beverages (including alcoholic); watersports activities (snorkelling, seakyaking, beach BBQs) and all transfers. Early bookings received USD 800 ticket price discounts.

UnCruise Alaskan program

In 2018, UnCruise Adventures added the 7th vessel to its Alaskan fleet. The 88-passenger SS Legacy, newly outfitted with skiffs and sea kayaks, operates in Alaska as part of the company's Alaskan itinerary program with visits to Glacier Bay National Park and new itineraries.

• Among the 2018's additions is Haines, where is offered a float trip down Chilkat River (available on most UnCruise Alaskan itineraries). Also offered are a guided hiking tour, bikes (for rides through the town) and an onboard lecture by local Chilkat Tlingit people.
• The company also added new "Alaska Insider" cruises as themed voyages. The "Alaska Insider" theme is joining company's "Alaska Awakening" campaign highlighting the benefits of Southeast Alaska cruising during spring. These voyages take place in April and May, featuring expert lectures and guided tours by authors, nature writers, glaciologists, bear and salmon experts, ethnobotanist, historian, a marine ecologist, along with cultural heritage guides from Alaska Native Voices Educational Institute.
• The new "Alaska Insider" themed cruises are offered on the boats Safari Endeavour, Safari Explorer, SS Legacy, Wilderness Adventurer, Wilderness Discoverer, and Wilderness Explorer.

The company's theme voyages lineup also includes itineraries visiting ports in Columbia and Snake Rivers, Costa Rica, Panama, Pacific Northwest USA (Coastal WA and the San Juan Islands). Voyages are themed on marine biology, ornithology, photography, storytelling, music, craft beers, wines, spa-wellness.

UnCruise's fleet of small boats and boutique yachts offers vessel capacity of 22-86 passengers. The adventure voyages last 1-2 weeks. All activities and shore trips are included in the fares.

Our Un-Cruise Adventures ships schedules give you all sailing dates and the line's tickets prices PP. Follow the ship links to compare prices, port departures and arrival dates in ports of call. This way you can plan and budget better your Un-Cruise small ship vacations - knowing where and when all their ships go, and for how much.

UnCruise Adventures 2019 Alaskan itineraries

The company opened its Alaskan 2019 cruise season earlier than ever - on April 6. Seven boats were scheduled for a total of 142 homeport departures on 11 different itineraries. Between April-September 2019, UnCruise ships operate on 1 to 2-week voyages leaving from homeports Seattle, Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka, and Petersburg. Fleet's passenger capacity varies between 22-90 (per boat).

In April-May 2019, UnCruise Adventures offered 24x "Alaska Awakening" itineraries, on which a local theme host shared region-related insider information. Every Alaskan cruise featured wilderness adventure-type activities, like hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, bushwhacking, skiff boat tours, whale watching - each lead by expedition guides.

• "Alaska’s Glacier Country" (new itinerary) on SS Legacy and Safari Explorer (total 36 departures) is roundtrip from Juneau with 1 day in Glacier Bay Park.
• "Northern Passages and Glacier Bay" itinerary on Wilderness Discoverer, Wilderness Adventurer and Wilderness Explorer (total 24 departures) is a 7-day oneway between Juneau and Sitka. 
• "Glacier Bay Small Ship Cruise" on Wilderness Adventurer (5 departures) is 7-day roundtrip from Juneau with 2 days in Glacier Bay. 
• "Glacier Bay National Park Adventure Cruise" on Wilderness Adventurer and Wilderness Explorer (total 20 departures) is roundtrip from Juneau with 3 full days in Glacier Bay.
• "Alaska Yacht - Bears, Bergs and Bushwhacking" itinerary on Safari Quest (total 16 departures) is 8-day roundtrip from Petersburg AK.
• "Alaska’s Glaciers and Whales" itinerary on Safari Endeavour (7 departures) is between Juneau and Sitka.
• "Whales, Wildlife and Glaciers" itinerary on Safari Endeavour (7 departures) cruises the upper Inside Passage between Sitka and Juneau. 
• "Alaska Fjords and Glaciers" on Wilderness Discoverer and Wilderness Explorer (total 20 departures) is between Juneau and Ketchikan.
• "Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise" on SS Legacy, Safari Endeavour and Wilderness Discoverer (total 6 departures) is 14-night itinerary between Seattle and Juneau. 

Rates for 1-week Alaskan cruises start at USD 3000 pp (double occupancy) and are inclusive of all beverages (including alcohol(), all meals, adventure activities, fitness, land transfers. Land packages to Kenai Peninsula, Juneau, Denali Park, and Talkeetna are optional (available at extra cost).

UnCruise Adventures 2020 Alaska itineraries

In May 2019, UnCruise announced its Southeast Alaska 2020 schedule with a total of 117 departures on 7 itineraries - 5 visit Glacier Bay Park and all feature planned daily off-ship adventures. April through September 2020, UnCruise ships leave out of homeports of Ketchikan, Juneau, Sitka and Seattle WA.

• "Alaska’s Glacier Country" itinerary on SS Legacy, Safari Endeavour, Safari Quest and Wilderness Explorer (total 32 departures) is roundtrip from Juneau with 1 day in Glacier Bay. 
• "Northern Passages and Glacier Bay" on Wilderness Discoverer and Wilderness Explorer (total 20 departures) is 7-day itinerary between Juneau and Sitka. 
• "Glacier Bay National Park Adventure Cruise" on Wilderness Adventurer (24 departures) is roundtrip from Juneau with 2 full days in Glacier Bay.
• "Alaska’s Glaciers and Whales" itinerary on Safari Endeavour (6 departures) is between Juneau and Sitka.
• "Whales, Wildlife and Glaciers" on Safari Endeavour (6 departures) cruises the upper Inside Passage between Sitka and Juneau. 
• "Alaska Fjords and Glaciers" on SS Legacy, Wilderness Discoverer, Wilderness Explorer, Wilderness Adventurer and Safari Quest (total 25 departures) is between Juneau and Ketchikan.
• "Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise" on Safari Endeavour and Wilderness Discoverer (4 departures) is 14-day itinerary between Seattle and Juneau.

Rates for 7-day UnCruise Alaska itineraries started at SUD 3200 pp (double occupancy). A 6-day pre-cruise package is optional and offered to Talkeetna and Denali Park.

Small Ship Adventure Cruises 2019

New 10- and 12-night voyages in Panama and Costa Rica highlight the newest UnCruise Adventures' schedule of adventure cruises for 2019. The Seattle-based line operates 8 adventure ships and a partner vessel in Galapagos, carrying around 22-90 passengers in Alaska, Columbia & Snake Rivers, coastal Washington, Mexico's Sea of Cortes, Galapagos, Hawaii, Panama, and Costa Rica.

Small ships with adventure gear take guests deeper into the destinations via paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking, biking, snorkeling, rafting, bushwhacking and skiff excursions.  

• Southeast Alaska (from US$2,995 per person - 1 new itinerary visiting Glacier Bay National Park -UNESCO site): 7 small ships sail a total of 142 departures on 11 itineraries with new Alaska's Glacier Country itinerary roundtrip from Juneau. Homeports include Seattle, Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Petersburg, from April through early October. 2-week itineraries are available.
• Columbia and Snake River (from US$3,745 per person - new wine & culinary cruise): A new week-long Rivers of Wine & Culinary cruise is offered aboard S.S. Legacy in 2019 with 6 trips planned in November-December, roundtrip from Portland Oregon. The voyage visits wineries in 4 AVAs, a cidery, a brewery. It emphasizes hand-crafted meals all with local ingredients, as well as food and wine pairings. A wine expert and sommelier sail onboard, while a guest chef joins for presentations. 
• Coastal Washington (from US$4,195 - Olympic National Park-UNESCO site): 15 departures in spring and fall roundtrip from Seattle exploring the shores of Puget Sounds, Olympic Peninsula and San Juan Islands. 
• Mexico's Sea of Cortes – UNESCO Site (from US$3,795 per person): From January through March and December, Safari Endeavour sails a total of 16 departures on a week-long Baja's Bounty itinerary roundtrip from San Jose del Cabo. Depending on the time of year, snorkeling and swimming with whale sharks are offered, along with a visit to Magdalena Bay to see grey whales up close. 
• Galapagos Islands – UNESCO site (from US$8,345 per person): 6 departures are offered of a 7-night Darwin's Discoveries itinerary on La Pinta sailing roundtrip from Guayaquil.
• Hawaiian Islands – Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (from US$4,695 per person): Safari Explorer sails a total of 22 departures on Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary between Moloka'i and Hawai'i from January through March, November through December. 
• Panama and Costa Rica (from US$4,795 per person - new 10- and 12-night itineraries): From April through September, Safari Voyager sails 9 departures on 12-night Pure Panama & Costa Rica voyage. From January 2019 through April 12, an 8-night Unveiled Wonders itinerary sails between Costa Rica and Panama 15 times.