Uncruise Adventures offers a unique take on the small ship cruising experience. They immerse you in the destinations and explore areas that are inaccessible to the larger ships.
With Uncruise Adventures you get up close and personal with the wildlife and get to step ashore in the small villages and communities that other cruise lines don’t visit.
The company began in 1996 with two yachts that sailed in Alaska. They have continued to grow over the years and now have nine ships sailing in several different destinations including the Hawaiian Islands, the Sea of Cortez, and the Galapagos Islands. Their ships are very small and carry between 22 and 88 passengers.
Their mission is simple: to provide their guests with an enriching adventure travel experience and inspire an appreciation for local cultures and the natural world.
Like the other small ship cruise lines, Uncruise Adventures takes you places the bigger ships can’t go. However, unlike other small ship cruise lines like Windstar Cruises, they don’t go to the cities and touristy areas.
They focus on the remote areas to really get you immersed in the wildlife and local culture’s way of life.
What style of cruising does Uncruise Adventures offer their guests?
Uncruise Adventures offers two different styles of cruising, Adventure Cruising and River Cruising.
What is an Adventure Cruise itinerary like with them?
Adventure Cruising is what you think of when you think of Uncruise Adventures. It is the foundation of the company that started it all. Although, you will still be comfortable.
This is not adrenaline rushing adventure, it is more soft adventure that you can enjoy at a leisurely pace. Most of the itineraries that the company offers are this style of cruising.
These itineraries are not port-centric at all. In fact, on some itineraries the only ports you go to are where you get on and off the ship at the beginning and end of your cruise.
These cruises are all about the scenery and the wildlife that you are immersed in throughout your cruise vacation. A great aspect of these cruises is that the schedule is much more flexible.
For example, on the large ships if you spot whales in the ocean along the way you don’t get to stop and enjoy watching them. The ship has to keep moving to the next port of call.
But, on this type of cruise you have the flexibility to slow down or even stop and really spend time enjoying the wildlife. This gives you the opportunity to see and do things that you can’t on the larger ships.
If you want to visit the towns and touristy areas, but on a smaller ship then this is not the right fit for you. However, if you are looking to unplug, get away from it all, and live in the moment with nature then this is definitely what you want.
What does the River Cruising itineraries look like?
Uncruise Adventures river cruising is focused in the Pacific Northwest on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
These are what you expect from a river cruise itinerary. They are much more port-centric and about the history and culture of the towns and villages you visit along the way.
You will do excursions that visit the museums, wine country for tastings, and walking tours around the towns. The river cruise vessels are built like the old steamships and have an old west type of feel to them.
They even bring an old west style saloon onboard for you to enjoy. They feature a lot of shows and reenactments to immerse you in the history of the area you are sailing through.
If you want to go back to the old west, then this is a great option. However, if you are wanting to experience an elegant paddle-wheel ship while exploring the Pacific Northwest, then check out the American Queen Steamboat Company.
Both companies do pretty much the same itineraries, but offer you completely different experiences while onboard the ships.
What is the atmosphere like onboard the ships?
These ships give you the intimate experience that you want in a smaller vessel. All of the ships hold under 100 people so you will receive excellent service from the crew.
It is easy to get to know your fellow passengers while on the cruise. Whether you are doing a river cruise itinerary or an adventure cruise itinerary you will not be roughing it onboard the ship.
The ships may be upscale and elegant, but the atmosphere is very comfortable and welcoming. It is a casual, low-key environment.
There are no formal nights on these ships. What you wear for breakfast you can wear for dinner. The river cruise vessel (S.S. Legacy) is more elegant in style and the rooms are very comfortable to stay in.
The expedition style ships (Wilderness Adventurer, Wilderness Discoverer, and Wilderness Explorer) are still comfortable, but more basic.
They are not styled as elegantly and upscale as the river vessels and yachts. However, they are the most affordable option so they allow you to get the small ship experience without spending as much money to do so.
The last type of ship is the elegant, upscale yachts (Safari Endeavour, Safari Explorer, Safari Quest, and Safari Voyager). These are the most elegant and high-end ships in their fleet.
You will get the 5-star service you want in a casual, comfortable environment.
The ship they use for the Galapagos, the La Pinta, is the only ship that is leased, so it is completely different from anything in their fleet.
You still get all of the same inclusions and excellent service, but the floorplan of the ship is completely different.
What kinds of activities and excursions do they offer?
Like the other cruise lines, you can do as much or as little as you want. They have kayaks onboard that you can use. There are zodiac boats that you can go on where they will get you even closer to the wildlife.
They offer excursions for different fitness and mobility levels. The crew is really good with helping you and teaching you how to use all of the equipment and gear.
If you just want to stay on deck and enjoy the view while you relax with a drink you can do that too. It is completely up to you how you want to spend your vacation time.
In the Sea of Cortez, near La Paz, you have the option to swim with the sea lions and whale sharks. In Hawaii, you can join in on a night snorkel excursion.
Finally, in Alaska, you will stop in a native village where you will get to spend time with the tribe and learn their culture, heritage, and way of life.
The big ships may take you to a cultural center and you meet and learn from the local tribes. However, it’s not the same experience as actually being in the village and immersed in their home and daily way of life.
Also, all of their Alaska itineraries take you to Glacier Bay so you don’t miss out on that experience. On their Panama itinerary the ship makes a stop in the Guna Yala Islands where you get to visit several different villages.
This is a very remote area, with very little infrastructure, where the local tribes still use coconuts as currency to barter with each other.
Any unique features about the ships or company?
One great feature that you won’t find on most other cruise lines is the open bridge policy on these vessels. Uncruise Adventures allows you to go and hang out with the captain and the crew in the bridge area anytime you want.
They will teach the history of the ship and show you how to use the instruments and charts. This is a really cool experience that you don’t get to do on the larger cruise ships.
You will really get to know and become friends with all the other passengers and the crew. The company really focuses on preserving nature and sustainability.
All of the food onboard the ship is both locally and sustainably harvested.
Do they offer any theme cruises?
Uncruise Adventures offers several different theme cruises that you can go on. They offer photography cruises, bird watching cruises, marine biology cruises, craft beer and wine cruises, smooth jazz cruises, and health and wellness cruises.
You will have plenty of options to choose from if you want a theme cruise that offers a little bit extra for you.
What’s included in the price of the cruise?
The cruises are pretty much all-inclusive. The cost includes your room, all of the entertainment, excursions and activities that they offer, equipment and gear onboard the ship, food, beverages including alcohol.
You can enjoy your drinks whenever you want and not have to pay extra for them. The only things not included in the cruise fare price is the port fees and taxes, gratuities for the crew, and your airfare.
This makes it really easy to figure out your total cost for your cruise vacation before you even leave home. The only added cost that you will have to keep track of is any items you buy while you are in port.
Uncruise Adventures offers a very unique, small ship experience for you to consider. If you like visiting the different towns and ports each day then this is not the cruise line for you.
However, if you want to go to more remote areas and see the untamed, wild areas of the destination you visit then you will love this cruise line.
What do you think about Uncruise Adventures? Let us know if the comments below.