Safari Endeavour

The 1983-built MV Safari Endeavour cruise ship is currently owned and operated by UnCruise Adventures USA.

Like all UnCruise ships, Safari Endeavour (IMO number 8963698) is USA-flagged (MMSI 367152220) and entirely American-crewed.

History - construction and ownership

The 86-passenger Safari Endeavour is the largest vessel in the UnCruise fleet. Previously named "Spirit of Endeavour," she offers guests an Alaska yacht-style cruise experience at the price of a small-ship voyage. Her high-tech kayak dock, installed at the stern, features a dedicated launching platform that allows passengers to embark and disembark with ease.

When Cruise West went bankrupt in 2010, Un-Cruise Adventures seized the opportunity to expand its fleet of small ships. The company acquired several vessels and refurbished them for expedition-style cruising, including Endeavour.

Un-Cruise Adventures (formerly American Safari Cruises) is a USA-based, wholly owned cruise company and a subsidiary of InnerSea Discoveries Alaska. In 2013, American Safari Cruises was rebranded as "Un-Cruise Adventures." The company currently maintains two headquarters: the main office in Seattle WA and a second office in Juneau AK.

Decks and Cabins

Safari Endeavour features a total of 42 staterooms, all Oceanview (including four Balcony Suites), across five cabin grades. Each accommodation is appointed with high-end furnishings.

In 2012, Un-Cruise Adventures reduced the ship’s passenger capacity from 102 to 86 to provide more spacious accommodations. The additional space enhances onboard comfort, creating a more relaxed and open atmosphere in the lounge, on the decks, and in the dining room.

The ship has 4 decks, all of which are accessible to passengers, with cabins located on three of them.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

All meals in the dining room (the complimentary restaurant) are served with table service; there are no buffets. Breakfast begins at 8:00 AM and features specialties such as eggs Benedict or lemon ricotta pancakes, although guests may request traditional options like bacon and eggs. A continental breakfast is available from 6:30 AM for early risers. Lunch, served at noon, is typically a casual selection of salad, soup or a hot sandwich, followed by dessert. Appetizers and snacks are offered during cocktail hour in the bar. Coffee and tea are available throughout the day.

During the 2012 drydock, several staterooms were expanded. The vessel was outfitted with two hot tubs, a sauna room, new gym equipment, a wine bar, and a massage suite. The bar menu was upgraded to include premium spirits and wines. The ship provides all passengers with complimentary watersports equipment and expedition gear (sea kayaks, paddleboards, and inflatable skiffs/speed boats). She also features an aft-located launching platform (marina) and an underwater camera.

Guests can enjoy drinks in the glass-enclosed upper lounge while the ship sails through prime whale-watching waters, including Mexico’s Sea of Cortez and Alaska’s Inside Passage. Happy hour can be livelier than scheduled hikes, as passengers gather for close-up wildlife views and the intimate atmosphere offered by this unique small ship.

Safari Endeavour cruise ship was built in Jeffersonville, IN, in 1983 as "Newport Clipper" for Clipper Cruise Line (St Louis MO USA). The Clipper line was later acquired by Kuoni Travel Group and subsequently sold to Cruise West. Newport Clipper was renamed "Spirit of Endeavour" and sailed on Alaska cruises for over a decade. When Cruise West filed for bankruptcy in September 2010, the mortgages on its three ships (including Spirit of Endeavour) were assumed by West-Hardwick Marine Inc. On August 10, 2011, American Safari Cruises (now Un-Cruise Adventures, following its merger with InnerSea Discoveries) purchased the vessel and renamed her Safari Endeavour.

Un-Cruise Adventures’ ships feature navy-blue hulls and a refined onboard atmosphere. Endeavour’s compact size allows her to access destinations that larger ships cannot reach. She is an excellent choice for travelers seeking expedition-style cruising and adventure activities combined with onboard comfort and luxury. The other Un-Cruise "Safari" ships are Explorer, Quest and Voyager.

Safari Endeavour’s adventure equipment includes stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, inflatable skiffs, hiking poles, and a hydrophone (for listening to underwater sounds). A bow-mounted underwater camera is connected to the yacht’s lounge and to all cabin TVs.

Safari Endeavour cruises in Alaska and the Sea of Cortez (Baja Mexico).

Together with some of her fleetmates, the ship was formerly owned and operated as "Spirit of Endeavour" by Cruise West (1973-2010, now defunct). Based in Seattle, WA (USA), Cruise West operated a fleet of nine small ships at its peak (with capacities ranging from 78 to 138 passengers). The company offered itineraries in Alaska, British Columbia, and the Pacific Ocean (including the Sea of Cortez, Panama, the South Pacific islands, East Asia, and Russia). The line ceased operations in September 2010.

Other former Cruise West vessels include Spirit of Columbia (Baranof Dream), Spirit of Alaska (Admiralty Dream), Spirit of Glacier Bay (Chichagof Dream), Spirit of 98 (Safari Legacy, now SS Legacy), Spirit of Discovery (Wilderness Explorer), and Spirit of Yorktown (Americana).