Safari Explorer

The 1998-built MS Safari Explorer cruise ship (originally named "MV Rapture”) is currently owned and operated by UnCruise Adventures USA. The vessel underwent an extensive drydock refurbishment in 2008 at a cost of USD 3.5 million.

Like all UnCruise ships, Safari Explorer (IMO number 8964654) is USA-flagged (MMSI 366339000) and is crewed entirely by Americans.

History - construction and ownership

The 695-ton, 36-passenger Safari Explorer features a navy-blue hull and a refined onboard atmosphere, similar to other UnCruise Adventures vessels, combining expedition-style cruising with luxury.

UnCruise 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 "UnCruise Adventures." The company maintains two headquarters: its main office in Seattle WA and a second office in Juneau AK.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

The ship has 18 staterooms, all oceanview and equipped with private heated bathrooms. There are 6 cabin categories: Single, Master, Commander, Captain, Admiral, and Commodore Suite. Depending on the category, cabins can accommodate single, double, or triple occupancy. The vessel has 2 Balcony Suites.

Onboard venues include an intimate Bar Salon (lounge), Wine Library, and dining room (complimentary restaurant). The vessel’s shallow draft allows her to access areas that larger ships cannot. She provides complimentary adventure equipment to all passengers, including paddleboards, kayaks, inflatable skiffs (speedboats), a hydrophone, and an underwater camera (linked to the lounge and all cabin TVs). The spa area features an on-deck hot tub (Alaska itineraries only), fitness equipment, a sauna room, and a massage room. Additional amenities include a Sun Lounge, Lounge, Wine Bar, Bar, and Library.

Itineraries

UnCruise Safari Explorer’s schedule includes Southeast Alaska cruises departing from homeport Juneau AK and Hawaiian Islands voyages operating roundtrip from homeport Kaunakakai (Molokai Island, Hawaii).

In 2024, the ship was chartered to AdventureSmith Explorations (a California USA-based travel brand) for Alaskan itineraries, including sailings in the Inside Passage and the new "Prince William Sound Explorer" circumnavigation cruise.

Safari Explorer cruise ship (formerly "mv Rapture" until 2009) was originally built as a bare-bones expedition vessel. She re-emerged following a USD 3.5 million renovation in 2008, offering 18 oceanview cabins, all with private bathrooms featuring heated tile floors.

All UnCruise Adventures ships feature navy-blue hulls and a refined onboard atmosphere. Explorer’s compact size allows her to access areas that larger ships cannot. She is an excellent choice for travelers who prefer expedition-style cruising and active programs combined with onboard luxury. The other Un-Cruise "Safari" ships are Endeavour, Quest and Voyager.

Safari Explorer, a typical expedition cruise vessel, carries adventure equipment including stand-up paddleboards and kayaks, inflatable skiffs, hiking poles, and a hydrophone (for listening to underwater sounds). The bow-mounted underwater camera is linked to the yacht’s lounge and to all cabin TVs.

The small-capacity Safari Explorer cruises in Southeast Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands.

In early February 2019, UnCruise announced a new 7-day itinerary themed "Aloha Hawaii Adventure Cruise" as part of the company’s "Hawaii Small Ship Cruise" 2019 program aboard Safari Explorer. The six scheduled summer departures (July-August) visit four Hawaiian islands. The 7-day roundtrips operate from Kaunakakai (Molokai Island) to Lanai Island (Day 3), Maui Island (Olowalu, Day 4), Sea Day (Day 5), and Hawaii Island (Day 6 Milolii / Honomalino Bay, Day 7 Kailua-Kona, Day 8 disembarkation at Kawaihae Harbor). UnCruise has operated seasonally in Hawaii since 2011. The new voyages include themed activities such as sea kayaking, hiking, snorkeling, paddleboarding, wildlife viewing, and skiff tours.