Safari Voyager

The 1982-built MV Safari Voyager cruise ship is currently owned and operated by UnCruise Adventures USA. She was constructed in 1982 by Chesapeake Shipbuilding and was last refurbished in 2015. In July 2016, AdventureSmith Explorations announced the addition of the renovated Safari Voyager to its fleet under a time charter agreement with UnCruise Adventures.

Like all UnCruise ships, Safari Voyager (IMO number 8963753) is USA-flagged (MMSI 334558000) and is crewed entirely by Americans.

History - construction and ownership

The 66-passenger Safari Voyager features a navy-blue hull and a refined atmosphere, similar to the other UnCruise Adventures vessels, combining expedition-style cruising with onboard luxury. She is ideally sized for exploring Baja California and Mexico’s Sea of Cortez (“the aquarium of the world”).

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.

Decks and Cabins

MS Safari Voyager has 33 staterooms, all outside/oceanview, each with a private heated bathroom. There are 6 cabin categories in total.

The ship has 4 decks, all accessible to passengers, with cabins located on 3 of them.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Safari Voyager features an intimate salon, a Wine Library, and an inviting dining room designed to encourage socializing among guests. All meals are included, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary in both the main dining room and the Voyager’s Lounge.

The UnCruise ship Safari Voyager can easily access areas that larger vessels cannot. She carries adventure equipment including paddleboards, kayaks, inflatable skiffs, a hydrophone, and an underwater camera (linked to the yacht’s lounge and all cabin TVs). Onboard amenities also include a Sun Deck, Lounge, Bar, Library, fitness equipment, and massage services.

Itineraries

MS Safari Voyager’s schedule includes roundtrip cruises in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, departing from San Jose del Cabo. During the 2016-2017 season, the ship explored the coastlines of Panama and Costa Rica.

In 2020, the company introduced the new "Belize and Guatemala Wonders - Rivers, Reefs and Cultures" itinerary (roundtrip from Belize City). Operated by Safari Voyager from October through December 2020 (a total of 6 departures), the voyage visited the Belize Barrier Reef (the world’s second-largest coral reef, after the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia), Ranguana Caye (a private island west of Placencia), Carrie Bow Cay, and Laughing Bird Caye (an island off Placencia’s coast). Cruise fares started from USD 4,550 per person (Master Stateroom, double occupancy) and included meals, beverages (including alcoholic drinks), watersports activities (snorkeling, sea kayaking, beach BBQs), and all transfers. Early bookings received a USD 800 discount per person.

In 2023, UnCruise Safari Voyager’s schedule featured the "Belize Eclipse Cruise 2023." Departing on October 13, 2023, the 7-night/8-day roundtrip from Belize City visited the Belize Barrier Reef (Day 2/Solar Eclipse Day, Ranguana Caye, Laughing Bird Caye NP), Guatemala’s Tapon Creek Nature Reserve/Las Escobas Rainforest Park (Day 3), Guatemala’s Rio Sarstun/Rio Dulce/Livingston (Day 4), Belize’s Punta Gorda (Day 5/Mayan ruins tour), Payne’s Creek NP (Day 6/Lime Caye), and Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (Day 7). Prices started from USD 5,845 per person, based on double occupancy.

In 2024, UnCruise scheduled the "Baja California Eclipse Cruise 2024" for Safari Voyager. Departing on April 6, 2024, the special voyage offered optimal viewing of the total Solar Eclipse (April 8) off the coast of Mazatlan. The 7-night/8-day itinerary included San Jose del Cabo (Day 1/flight to Los Cabos Airport, embarkation in La Paz), Sea Day (Day 2/Gulf of California), Solar Eclipse Day (Day 3/Northwest of Mazatlan), Sea Day (Day 4/Sea of Cortez), Isla San Francisco (Day 5), Los Islotes/Isla Partida (Day 6), La Paz (Days 7-8/overnight), and San Jose del Cabo (Day 8/home flight). Prices started from USD 7,150 per person (plus USD 495 for port taxes and fees). Single-occupancy cabin rates started at USD 9,200.

Safari Voyager cruise ship is an expedition-style vessel. Her adventure equipment includes 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 ship's lounge and to all stateroom TVs.

This ship is an excellent choice for travelers who prefer expedition-style cruising and active programs, combined with onboard luxury. All meals are included in the cruise fare, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, which are complimentary in both the main dining room and the Lounge. All Un-Cruise ships feature navy-blue hulls.

The other Un-Cruise "Safari" ships are Endeavour, Explorer and Quest.

Safari Voyager cruises in the regions of Baja California and the Sea of Cortez (often called "the aquarium of the world").