2020 Uncruise Adventures Alaska Brochure
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Alaska 2020 Adventure DEFINED get active & inspired 22-90 guest small ships only so few can DO SO MUCH! EARLY savings Uncover your Alaska 2 UnCruise.com Feel the chill of a glacier here long before you, and step into primitive Alaska. The mountains are huge. Trees tower over you. Even the whales are enormous. Bigger than anywhere you’ve been. It feels immense cruising slowly past peak after peak with the tall old-growth just out of port. Just you and The Great Land. You’re not alone in wonder. Insiders have seen changes over the years. And they say there’s no better time to see Alaska than now. Some places seem frozen in time, while others have undergone nature’s renewal. Our Alaska—and soon yours—is ever evolving. Untamed. Unbound. Southeast Alaska has 18 designated wilderness areas, “The adventure two national monuments, Glacier Bay National Park in and exploring …was its 3.3 million acres, and neighboring protected areas. wonderful! We went to It’s part of the second largest terrestrial preserve on the planet. And we intend to keep it that way. Our captains places in Alaska where and crew know its waterways and inlets as intimately as there were no other they know their ships. They’ll share it with you up close boats. We saw the on a bushwhack, kayak, or polar plunge. How will you experience Alaska? beauty, vastness, and wonder of Alaska in a way that felt exclusive and personalized.” — Joe G; Aurora, CO (2019) Snapshot: The land of awes. undaunted. 3 Contents Alaska 3 Small Ships, BIG Adventures 5 Finding Our Un-ness I UnCruisers 6 Unparalleled Value 7 Ready. Set. Go. 8 Theme Cruises 11 Family Discoveries 12 Groups & Charters 13 Explorations 14 Life On Board 26 Local. Fresh. Inspired. 27 The Fleet 30 Small Ship Comparison 37 Alaska Itinerary Comparison 38 Rewards I What’s Included 39 Rates & Dates 40 Sustainable Adventures I Connect 42 Reservation Information 43 4 UnCruise.com small ships, BIG adventures Welcome aboard. After a crew member gives you a quick tour of your cabin, take a stroll around the ship and head to the lounge for a glass of bubbly and to meet your shipmates. You’re in Alaska, and off the grid. We’re notoriously adventurous. And thanks to our uncompromising commitment to going places and doing things others can’t, you’re headed on an all-out active experience. It’s that mission that sets us apart. Small ships—hosting 90 guests, tops—get you in the wild with a few nature-leaning souls. Like each of our adventurers, no two UnCruise departures are ever the same. Engage with our favorite places (they’ll soon be yours!) through on-the-ground, in-the-water explorations. You’ll learn a lot. And, we like to think, look at the world a little differently when you return. “I never wanted a ‘Big Boat’ cruise: too many people, too many ship-owned shops. UnCruise provided what I was looking for: great people (staff and other guests), great destination and activities.” — Jeff S; Hooksett, NH (2019) Snapshot: Waterfall in love with Alaska? unrivaled. 5 Finding our Un-ness Alaska, the birthplace of UnCruise Adventures, was and continues to be wide open for exploration. Almost 25 years later, innovation continues to be at the core of our motto. We’re serious about your fun and driven by a commitment to leaving the charted course and really experiencing what the world has to offer. Your crew and everyone working hard behind the scenes has a fierce love of travel, and a deep respect and appreciation for the wilderness, wildlife, culture, and heritage of the places we visit. And we’re pretty proud to say that this rubs off on our guests. UnCruisers Our small ships are intimate, and it doesn’t take long for guests and crew to get comfortable. Plenty of laughs are shared during your time on board at meals, cocktail hour, and on excursions. But it’s more than shared experiences. As travelers, guests quickly discover similar hobbies and interests. We bet you’ll find something in common. Wondering who your fellow adventurers might be? They hail from all walks of life. A medley of ages, lifestyles, places around the globe; couples, singles, and generations of family; educators and the educated (be it the school of life or a PhD), savvy travelers, entrepreneurs, even the occasional celebrity. From the young to the young-at-heart, they are likely a lot like you, and generally like each other. So much so, it’s not uncommon to see them traveling together again. Snapshot: The long and winding moat. 6 UnCruise.com Unparalleled Value From your very first inquiry, expect personalized service and expertise—and a host of benefits that make us unique. Backstage pass Small group travel—from the ship itself to groups of a dozen or so afield—puts you in on the action (not watching from afar), with AHA! and “I-can’t-believe-I-just-did- that” moments around every corner. Expert guides Seriously—they’re aces. Our guides have vast and deep experience, plus an impressive collection of advanced degrees in curiosity-piquing subjects from whales to fungi to geology. Their enthusiasm is infectious. Home away Boats are comfortable, welcoming, and unique in style and personality. All are from home adventure-ready for gearing up, kicking back, and mixing and mingling. Adventure for all Kayak or paddle board. Snorkel or skiff. Beach stroll, hike, or mountain goat climb. There are plenty of options and equipment for everyone to join in the fun. Everyone is in on the action. Active as you like it Do as much or as little as you like. On top of the daily activities, ease into the day with sunrise stretches on the top deck. There’s exercise equipment at the ready, anytime. Or just watch the landscape go by. Fresh, hand-crafted You didn’t know it would be this good. Chefs (including pastry chefs) impress meal cuisine after meal with locally sourced ingredients, swoon-worthy desserts, and baked- on-board breads. Cheers to that! An astounding array of beverage options, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic (signature cocktails every night!), means you’re never far from a toast. And it’s all included. Zero hidden costs What most defines your trip is included in the fare—excursions, adventure equipment, transfers, and baggage handling. Put your wallet away (until it’s time to recognize your top-notch crew). Accommodating… Dietary restrictions? Special occasion? Need a little extra help on a hike? It’s and then some our business to make sure your adventure not only matches your needs and expectations, but surpasses them. Just ask and we’ll do our best! The ineffable spirit We’re all in the same boat. Crew and guests alike, wide-eyed with wonder and of adventure childlike curiosity—and it shows. The excitement. Laughs. Collective energy. Then hug it out at the end of your adventure. Choose to UnCruiseSM unbeatable. 7 Ready. It takes permits—thousands of them—to live out our adventure dreams. It’s a big part of the process and it starts years in advance. To keep protected areas wild, the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Tribal Councils, and other agencies often regulate how many people and commercial operators can enter an area and what they can do there. We’re honored that they welcome us. Once we’re in these wild places, we go out of our way—and more to the point, everyone else’s—to seek out adventure around every bend. It’s your captain and crew that make your experience. They’re the best in the biz. Your onboard team includes the captain, mates, engineers, chefs, expedition guides, and hotel, galley, and deck staff. All incredibly talented yet unique in the flair they bring on board. Like you, they’ve found their un-ness. Each crew member is hand-picked for their outstanding knowledge, experience, customer service, and safety skills—and also their genuine enthusiasm and welcoming spirit. Crew members undergo training in areas such as leadership, CPR, wilderness response, safety, guest services, and Leave No Trace practices. In other words, you’re in great hands. Your ship is equipped with regional books and your expedition team can answer any questions along the way. From whale and bear aficionados to glaciologists, geologists, and environmental scientists, your guides are full of facts and ready to share. Sit in on an after-dinner talk or pull them aside with one of your burning questions. If they don’t know the answer, they’ll find out. Snapshot: Follow the leader. No breadcrumbs needed. 8 UnCruise.com Set. Preparing for all the possibilities in Alaska can feel daunting. But keep it simple with a few basics and you’ll be set in a snap. Calf-high rubber boots are essential for hiking and bushwhacking—and are the ticket to dry feet. You’ll likely find puddles to jump in, too. Getting from skiff to shore often requires a wet landing, which means walking through shallow water. Liquid sunshine or cloud failure, adventures carry on. Let your mantra be “layers, layers, layers.” Opt for synthetic, quick-dry materials, or tried-and-true wool. A heavy-duty rain jacket and pants made of waterproof fabric like Gore-Tex with waterproof, taped seams ups your comfort level. A wool hat, scarf, and gloves are handy, but so is a rain hat or pogies (paddling gloves). And when it’s sunny, temps can climb into the 80s.