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 368569000) and all American-crewed.

History - construction and ownership

The 74-passenger ship Wilderness Explorer cruises in Southeast Alaska during the 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 UnCruise ship navigates together with a fully-equipped fishing boat.

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 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).

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).