Cruise
UnCruise Adventures Appeals to Active Travelers
by Randy Mink
UnCruise Adventures is a small ship cruise line that’s all about fewer faces and open spaces. For globetrotters with a spirit of adventure and a passion for cultural immersion, UnCruise merits a serious look.
This is not mass tourism. Forget the lines and the crowds. Accommodating anywhere from 22 to 86 passengers, UnCruise’s nine intimate expedition vessels go to places where the jumbo ships don’t. Passengers spend their days hiking, kayaking or wildlife watching rather than shopping, lounging by the pool or tempting Lady Luck in the onboard casino.
“We are the antithesis of your typical cruise,” says Monica Sagisi, vice president of marketing & sales. “When you UnCruise, you’re immersing yourself in nature and the culture, and having a true connection with the destination.”
Because of the small passenger capacity, it doesn’t take long for guests and crew to get to know one another. An open-bridge policy encourages passengers to chat with the captain.
Active Days Outdoors
Each ship is equipped with top-of-the-line gear for kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling and hiking. Binoculars are available, too.
Members of the expedition team exhibit an infectious enthusiasm for connecting with nature; many have advanced degrees and can speak in detail about subjects ranging from whales to fungi to geology.
Destinations: Temperate to Tropical
Though there are set itineraries, Mother Nature leads the way on these cruises, and in-the-moment changes will happen. No two departures are ever the same.
In Southeast Alaska, UnCruise operates seven different itineraries. Sea of Cortez outings explore remote islands off Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. The 7-day “Hawaiian Seascapes” program visits four islands—Molokai, Lana’i, Maui and Hawaii. Also available are 7-day cruises in Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, a bucket-list destination inhabited by animals found almost nowhere else.
