UnCruise Adventures has launched its 2018 schedule of small ship cruises highlighted by a new itinerary on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, plus a fresh lineup of itineraries and an expanded selection of ships in Alaska, according to a company statement.
Of note, the 88-guest S.S. Legacy heads to Alaska from April through mid-August, then sails on the Columbia and Snake Rivers from August through November.
Based in Seattle, Washington, the line operates eight adventure ships, plus a partner vessel in the Galápagos, carrying 22 to 88 guests in Alaska, coastal Washington, British Columbia, Columbia & Snake Rivers, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, Hawaii, Galápagos, Costa Rica and Panamà.
“The Columbia & Snake River system is an outdoor enthusiasts’ mecca, and extending our style of adventure there is a natural fit,” said Captain Dan Blanchard, CEO. “In order to make it an UnCruise, we need to slow down, take time to kayak, sightsee by skiff, and go hiking. We purposely build flexibility into our itineraries to make each day the best day possible.”
The S.S. Legacy will sail eight departures between Portland, Oregon and Lewiston, Idaho (or reverse) on a new weeklong “Rivers of Adventure” itinerary from mid-August to October. An included charter flight to/from Lewiston makes it roundtrip Portland, Oregon. With a new focus on adventure, river exploration includes a jet boat ride into Hells Canyon, Deschutes River whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, yoga, paddle boarding, kayaking, skiff tours, swimming and a winery tour.
With the addition of the S.S. Legacy in Alaska, seven ships will sail 10 different cruise itineraries on 160 departures lasting one or two weeks from April through September. Homeports are Seattle, Washington; Ketchikan, Juneau, Petersburg and Sitka, Alaska. Five of 10 itineraries are new in 2018 and seven include a visit of one, two or three days in Glacier Bay National Park. Haines, Alaska is a new port of call. The Safari Endeavour and S.S. Legacy sail two alternating itineraries between Juneau and Sitka providing more two-week sailings.
The 62-guest Safari Voyager will offer 28 departures one-way between Costa Rica and Panamá (or reverse) from January through April, June, August, and again from October through December.
In May, June, August and September, the Safari Voyager is scheduled for 12 “Pure Panamá” cruises roundtrip Panamá City. The cruises visit the Guna Yala (formerly San Blas) Islands, Chagres River, Pearl Islands and Darién Jungle. Highlights include a full transit of the Panamá Canal, meeting locals in an Embera village, and a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fort San Lorenzo.
From January through March and December, the Safari Endeavour sails 14 departures on a weeklong Baja’s Bounty itinerary roundtrip San José del Cabo with an included land tour to the ship in La Paz.
The La Pinta will sail five Galapagos departures on an 8-night Darwin’s Islands and Colonial Quito exploration with six nights on board the ship and two at Casa Gangotena Hotel.
The Safari Explorer is offering 22 departures on a Hawaiian Seascapes itinerary one-way between Moloka’i and The big Island of Hawai’i (or reverse) from January through March and November through December. The island hopping cruise visits Maui, Lana’i, Moloka’i and the big island of Hawai’i.
n spring and fall, 10 departures on a weeklong “Explore! Olympic Wilderness and San Juan Islands” cruise sails from roundtrip Seattle exploring coastal Washington shores from South Hood Canal to the Olympic Peninsula and around the San Juan Islands. The Wilderness Discoverer will sail the itinerary in spring with the Safari Quest taking over in the fall. The Safari Quest also sails 10 departures on a weeklong British Columbia’s Yachters’ Paradise itinerary in spring and fall from Seattle.
