Trip planning starts earlier this year with Un-Cruise Adventures’ release of its small ship adventure cruise schedule for Southeast Alaska in 2015.
Seven vessels carrying 22-88 guests offer 115 total departures from April through September. Adventure activities, culture, history, wildlife and remote wilderness star on ten itineraries ranging from one to three weeks duration.
Alaska-bound travelers with popular Glacier Bay National Park on their wish list have more opportunities to experience the park on a small ship adventure in 2015. The line’s newly released 2015 deployment shows 87 out of 115 departures visit Glacier Bay for one or more days of in-depth exploration, most including off-boat adventures of hiking and kayaking.
“We’ve developed our itineraries based on years of experience sailing in remote areas of Alaska,” said Captain Dan Blanchard, CEO. “You will see the beauty and awe inspiring, raw nature that makes Alaska a must-see, must-explore destination.”
Travelers may choose an Active, Luxury or Heritage Adventure. Active Adventures aboard expedition vessels—60-guest Wilderness Adventurer, 74-guest Wilderness Explorer, 76-guest Wilderness Discoverer—focus on adventure activities in remote wilderness. Luxury Adventures aboard yachts—22-guest Safari Quest, 36-guest Safari Explorer, 86-guest Safari Endeavour—include adventure activities along with upscale amenities and more inclusions on board. Heritage Adventures aboard the 88-guest S.S. Legacy, a replica coastal steamer, focus on living history with crew in period costume and sail port-to-port with shoreside tours included such as Skagway’s famed White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad.
Enter the heyday of the Klondike Gold Rush on the S.S. Legacy sailing weeklong Alaska’s Golden History adventures between Ketchikan and Juneau, Alaska (and reverse). History comes alive through presentations and skits on board and included tours to points of historical interest. Ports visited include Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka and Skagway. Whales, wildlife and wilderness are highlighted on a full day spent inside Glacier Bay National Park along with a day’s exploration in Icy Strait and Chichagof Island.
A weeklong Discoverers’ Glacier Country itinerary roundtrip Juneau, Alaska spends two days inside Glacier Bay National Park and explores around Icy Strait, Chichagof Island, Baranof Island, Frederick Sound, Stephen’s Passage, Ford’s Terror and Endicott Arm. The Luxury Adventure cruise is offered on three upscale yachts—Safari Quest, Safari Explorer, Safari Endeavour. The inclusive cruise includes all premium wine, beer and spirits; a massage; transfers; taxes and fees; and all adventure activities from the yacht. Rates begin at $4,195 per person, double occupancy.
The popularity of the Northern Passages & Glacier Bay itinerary between Juneau and Sitka, Alaska (and reverse) spurred the line to add more departures for 36 total in 2015. Two days are spent inside Glacier Bay National Park. Other areas explored include Icy Strait, Chichagof Island, Baranof Island, Peril Strait and Sergius Narrows. The Active Adventure is available on the Wilderness Adventurer, Wilderness Discoverer and Wilderness Explorer. Rates begin at $2,095 per person, double occupancy.
The Inner Reaches Eastern Coves itinerary sails from Juneau to Ketchikan, Alaska and explores Tracy Arm Wilderness, Frederick Sound, Thomas Bay, a half-day port call in Wrangell, Behm Canal and Misty Fjords National Monument. The Active Adventure is offered on all three expedition vessels. Rates begin at $1,895 per person, double occupancy. Four departures are offered on Luxury Adventure yachts Safari Endeavour and Safari Explorer. Rates begin at $3,895 per person, double occupancy.
The Inner Reaches Western Coves itinerary sails from Ketchikan to Juneau, Alaska and explores El Capitan Passage and Cave, Chatham Strait, Frederick Sound, a half-day port call in Klawock, Stephen’s Passage, Endicott Arm, Ford’s Terror and Dawes Glacier. The Active Adventure is offered on two expedition vessels—Wilderness Discoverer and Wilderness Explorer. Rates begin at $2,395 per person, double occupancy.
With an increase in the number of travelers combining itineraries to create two or three week adventures, the line reorganized its schedule to make it more convenient. Travelers may now stay on board the Wilderness Explorer or Wilderness Discoverer for the duration and experience up to three different itineraries—Northern Passages & Glacier Bay, Eastern Coves, Western Coves—making an Ultimate or Ultra Adventure.
In spring and fall, a 12-night Famed Passages of Discovery itinerary sails between Seattle and Juneau (and reverse) on six departures. Rates begin at $2,895 per person, double occupancy. And an 11-night Gold Rush Legacy cruise sails from Seattle to Juneau (and reverse) aboard the S.S. Legacy. Rates begin at $6,395 per person, double occupancy.
Active and Luxury Adventures include adventure activities: kayaking, hiking, skiff excursions and paddle boarding. Heritage Adventures include shoreside tours. Fresh, innovative cuisine is served on all vessels. Select theme cruise dates are available for photography and marine biology interests. Kids in Nature departures cater to families with children younger than 13 years. Charters and group incentives are available. To book or to request additional information, contact your travel agent or Un-Cruise Adventures at 888-862-8881 or sales@un-cruise.com.
