I chose this cruise as I "really" wanted to see Alaska. We arrived in Fairbanks on 8/13/17 to begin the land portion of this Uncruise trip. Uncruise outsources their land trips and I don't remember who the company was as I've thrown everything away and deleted everything from my email. Let me start by saying this entire trip including airfare from DFW for two was $22,000.00 which included trip insurance. Land trip--in a nutshell not worth the big bucks at all. The first day, 4 hour trip on the dome train, cold food followed by a 90 mile school bus ride to our lodge which took 7.5 hours in Denali Park. The bus stopped for every animal sighting where you needed high powered binoculars to see them and they were about 1 inch tall. The food at Kantishna Lodge where we stayed was horrible. Many people complained. It was cold, rainy the entire time and forget about seeing Denali. We hired a plane to fly us back to the train station. The rest of the land trip went downhill from there. Terrible food everywhere. When it's raining, nothing is pretty. Boarded Wilderness Explorer in Juneau and as usual raining. I think we were in room 325--right before you go out the back of the boat. Room smelled like urine. Employee said not much can be done about it. Room was what I expected. Food was horrible again I'm not the only one complaining. Crew was nice. If you like to kayak in the cold rain, this trip is for you. The best part of the trip was seeing whales and Aurora Borealis. Again for what this trip cost--forget about it! Large cruise ships can enter Glacier Bay for 24 hrs--only 2 allowed in per day--go on the big one. Only thing you won't be able to do is sit for a long time looking at the whales. One lady was a photographer on the trip and totally disappointed. If I ever go back to Alaska, which I won't, I would rent a car and have private small planes fly me into places for several hours. That is what we saw in Glacier Bay. Not necessary to spend 24 hours there. Again, for what this trip cost, in my opinion, not worth it at all!!!! Read Less

I picked this cruise based on the availability of a 'solo' cabin, by the time the cruise was over had decided to again sail with ACL again next May. The ship was clean and well run, the Hotel Manager, Natalie Pozdol, and the Cruise Director, Jean Vielman (be sure and ask her to make you a Green Goddess) were truly outstanding, quickly responding to any problems, and arriving at rapid solutions. I had a 'solo' cabin, which was very comfortable, and had a balcony, which I made great use of watching the world pass, and seeing sights that I would not normally see. The professionalism from the entire staff was truly remarkable. Added highly to the enjoyment of the cruise. The ship's galley turned out some outstanding meals. The size of the ship allowed some really close-up visist to some interesting locations, especially the glacier, and to sail close to some of the wildlife, seals, whales, etc. The cruise was so enjoyable that I signed up for a cruise on the Queen of the West in May of 2018. I can honestly tell you to bring a size larger garment to wear when the cruise is over, the food is just that good, and the little extras insure that you will never be hungry. The open-seating and single time dinning allows for the easy making of new friends, and some great conversation. The trips ashore were very interesting, and of just the right length. This cruise was designed for us 'older folks,' and there is very little to do for young children. That about takes care of the review, to sum up,. a great cruise, staffed by some great people. Read Less

A friend recommended this cruise line. We enjoyed both the itinerary and the small ship experience. It was more casual than we expected - comfortable and friendly. The captain was flexible and would stop or turn around if he spotted wildlife we would enjoy seeing. The staff definitely wanted to please us. The on-ship entertainment was perfect; no big productions, mainly a couple of multi-talented performers. Excursions were educational - some more interesting than others. Living in a flat-land Midwestern state, we were awed by the vistas every day of the cruise. The other passengers were as enthusiastic as we were spotting bears, mountain goats, seals, sea lions, eagles, puffins, otters, and icebergs. It was thrilling to hear the "thunder" prior to seeing a piece of a glacier fall and plunge into the sea. Birds rushed to that location to feast on the small fish that were brought to the surface. Our best cruise yet. Read Less

First time cruising family. We looked for a small ship with an elevator to take our 97 year old mom back to Alaska where she lived for a year in 1947. American Cruise Lines fit the bill. I can't say enough nice things about the ship, American Spirit, its Captain, and crew. The cabin and bathroom were much bigger than expected. Very comfortable bed and very clean. Each cabin had a large window you could open and look out. The large main lounge, with a 180 degree view, and the top deck had comfortable seating for watching the passage, visiting, reading or napping. The meals were excellent. The menu varied daily with wonderful options and preparations. Portions were perfect. We didn't come away overstuffed or wanting. This is an adult cruise. Not enough entertainment for young kids or some adolescents; no video games or play areas, no movie theater or pool. And limited wifi. Perfect for those of us who want to unplug, decompress, and enjoy the unbelievable scenery. Some shore excursions are included in the booking. They have activities to suit everyone, from wheelchair and walker to hiker, runner, fisherman, and kayaker. I highly recommend this cruise. Read Less

Thank you Jean, Andrew and the whole staff aboard the American Spirit for the BEST Alaskan experience we could ever have wished for.The Captain and deck hands gave us so much time at each of the glaciers that we had time to breathe in the experience and really enjoy BEING there. He had us surrounded by Orcas at one point and was able to cut engines so we could see them up close and one even swam under the bow. The icing on the cake was the Bald Eagle perched on the top of the ice berg as we passed the last iceberg. Everyone began to suspect that they had cued the animals as we passed. MAGICAL!!! Thank you for taking such great care of our Dad and helping to get him off the ship and exploring the sights. Perfect weather was the cherry on top. I don't know how it could have been better. Loved Bill and Laura, Ranger Jenny, and Gary. The food was great - even with my quirky special diet (I believe I put on pounds). Safe travels to you all. Hope to join you again sometime. Read Less

I chose this cruise cause it had a good itinerary. the ship was awful. small rooms, even smaller bathrooms. no entertainment for adults after 10. food was awful. no 24 hr. Pizza. no guys burgers. carnival has them both and entertainment after the show. steep to get back on the boat. expensive excursions. tons more that i can't remember. just an awful boat with horrible food. no cigarettes for sale. no alcohol for sale. just awful. gambling every day for 10 days and you can't get a free cruise. just horrible. Bathroom shower and toilet didn't work twice. had to use bottled water. then when i asked to be reimbursed, had to yell at the guy, yuan to get me 3 bottles of water. was going to send me a pitcher. i used bottled water to shower not pitcher water. horrible. Gina our stewardess was nice. people on the boat were rude. basil, he was very nice. Read Less

This cruise was great. The small ship lent itself to stopping when a bear was spotted, getting closer to the glaciers than a larger ship would be able to do.The cabin was quite large, the bed comfortable, and the bathroom roomy. The food was out of this world. The chef even cooked a salmon caught by a family member for our dinner! The entertainment is strongly lacking--enough so that I can't honestly recommend this cruise line to my friends under 70. Not enough fun entertainment after dinner. The lecturer, while knowledgeable, needed to be only in the afternoon, not afternoon after afternoon, and then evening, too. The service was top notch in every department. The ports were as good as could be with what towns were available.The beginning of my cruise did not go well. No one informed me that I was to meet at a hotel lobby, rather than on the ship, to go on a pre-cruise glacial tour so I missed it.All 8 in my party missed it. Disappointing. Read Less

We wanted to experience Alaska but on a small boat. So much better than a big boat - a more diverse range of ports, a chance to meet everyone on board, the ability to stop and chase the wildlife rather than sticking to a strict time schedule. We were very impressed with the quality of the boat, the decor and the size of our stateroom The staff were incredibly friendly, warm and helpful The food was excellent and there was always plenty of alchohol, including free cocktail hour every evening The other travellers were also very friendly. Some were in groups, but most came as a couple and were very happy to mix. There were also a few singles, who mixed in well. Being in our early 50s, we were one of the younger couples, but that didn't actually matter at all. We had a historian on board for the whole trip, who made it incredibly interesting - he was fabulous. Quite a few people specifically book trips based on when Todd (Weber) will be on board. Not a cruise for kids. Read Less

Safari Endeavor Alaska John Muir cruise is definitely a cruise for people who enjoy adventure, wildlife, learning, intimacy, and luxury. This is not a cruise for those who want Las Vegas type entertainment, many visits to cities and souvenir shopping, big staterooms, and endless variety on the ship. The staff is excellent: friendly, knowledgeable, with a love for the outdoors and adventure. This quality flows down from the captain, who is a great manager--he kicks in when needed for any job onboard, while maintaining strong discipline and camaraderie among the crew. The food is excellent, though I'd like to see more variety, especially near the end of the week; however, I understand this could make planning more difficult on a small ship such as this. There are many outdoor activities: kayaking, photography, skiff tours, bushwhacking, a polar dip (!), and just plain sightseeing as you pass by one incredible scene after another. My only criticism here is that activities are rotated a little too infrequently. For instance, free kayaking should be offered more frequently, as should combination kayaking/bushwhacking. Do count on seeing incredible wildlife, such as grizzly bears, bald eagles, sea otters, and, of course, whales. And the glaciers are spectacular, many of them unavailable to other types of transportation. Read Less

We spent 5 days in Denali before flying from Anchorage to Juneau. We were aboard the Wilderness Explorer for 7 nights exploring the Inner Passage. First and foremost, my son has peanut/tree nut allergies and the chef knew ahead of time and had no nuts in the kitchen for the week we were on board! The pastry chef makes everything from scratch so it was such a huge joy for my son to eat what everyone else was eating. They did have nut bars for snacks but did offer to also take those away too! They clearly take all allergies very seriously and we thank them for that - traveling with allergies can be very stressful. The ship was clean and though there were 70 passengers on board, it didn't feel like it at all. The rooms could use some updating but everything was clean. We had been on La Pinta over Christmas and that ship is more updated. But, don't let that deter you! We would all go back in a heartbeat and would definitely use Uncruise again. There were excursions off the ship everyday. We went bush whacking, kayaking, on skiff rides, snorkeling (yes, in 47 degree waters with wet suits - we were fine!), hiking. We went through Glacier Bay. It is a very active cruise - perfect for our 5 teens. The grandmothers went on skiff rides or meadow walks or just watched the stunning scenery. They do have rainboots on board. I brought my daughters and mine though and the boys just got them from on board. Either way, they are a must. Every landing was a wet landing. Hiking shoes aren't needed because you really end up just wearing your rain boots because everything is so muddy. Definitely bring rain pants and a rain jacket. The waters were extremely calm so even my mother who usually gets very seasick was totally fine! The service was great all around. The guides were all very knowledgeable and likeable and all clearly love Alaska! Read Less

We are used to small ship cruising having been on Small river ships and National Geographic Lindblad several times. We thought we would try this company and were incredibly disappointed. The food was the worst. They give you very small portions first off. One egg omelets, served overcooked and dry or oatmeal. If you wanted something different they somehow forgot to bring it to you. Lunch and dinner was no different. Meats that were tough, vegetarian dishes that lacked imagination and sauces that were bland and discusting to boot. The off shore activities were geared toward young able bodied people. The bulk of the guests were over 55 so lots of them had no choice but to stay aboard ship and be bored. I went on one all day hike. They took us on a 12 mile hike! Mid way in the hike, we were warned if we wished to bail out, they would take everyone back as well. In other words there was no bail outs allowed. Most of could hardly walk the next day. Our cruise was supposed to have a naturalist on board. She was a just students paying off her loan. She knew quite a bit about very little and hung out with 4 guests the entire 7 days. The bar is open though, morning noon and night. Free alcohol all day and night. It made for some very drunk guests. Boredom makes people drink a lot. In short, do not waste your time or money on the Un Cruise Alaska cruise. Read Less

AMAZING - 5 days off the grid and Alaska was cool too. UnCruise adventures was like being on an excursion for 7 days. We stopped in every inlet and saw Sea Otters, Sea Lions, bears, Bald eagles, and humpback whales. We hiked, kayaked and watched nature pass. We didn't once stopped at one of those cruise owned ports. We had a park ranger on board that provided tons of information and perspective. Food and Service were exceptional! - Staff of two cooked meals for 30+ people in a room about 4x4; choices were abundant making a decision your only problem. Staff rotated chores on the ship and even the captain would help you on and off the ship during excursions. If you ever get the chance to go to Alaska consider Uncruise Adventures. As we pulled back into civilization I dread the thought of getting back on the grid. ^5 to the staff; they really make the trip exceptional! Read Less

After investigating many options, this cruise fitted our needs and expectations. The telephone conversations with agents verified that we would be physically able to participate with the varied activities. Their enthusiasm and willingness to help made the decision easy. I also had help from a friend in Alaska who recommended Lindblad Expeditions. Our trip was all I expected and more. There was not a day that was not eventful. Watching the whales and seeing the bubble netting was beyond words. Our upclose viewing of the glaciers and ice floe was also a highlight. The 'cocoa boat' was very appreciated. The guides were so knowledgable but also fun. For the most part, they knew when to allow time to appreciate the quiet and allow for appreciation of the environment. Evening lectures were an added bonus. The staff was always cordial and there to help when needed. Food was well prepared and choices given. Dining with fellow travelers and sharing day's experiences was fun and educational. Good food, good wine and good conversation abounded. I will highly recommend this trip to everyone and would hope to go again. Thank you for giving me all and more than I expected. Read Less

The small boat experience of the UnCruise Safari Endeavour exceeded our dreams! From the moment the owner of the cruise line , Dan Blanchard, spoke to our group before boarding until we departed a week later, everything was top notch! Our cabin was #317, yes, it is small. But the only time you will be in the cabin is to shower, dress, and sleep. And it's plenty big enough for that. The best part of the cabin is the view every time you open a curtain or walk out the door! From Captain Shep, to expedition leader Kent, the guides, the wait staff, bartenders, small craft tenders, and definitely the chef and his staff, the love their job and it shows! One of the really neat things was everyone being in the lounge around 5:30 for happy hour and to hear about the activities of the next day! When everyone had selected their activities an announcement would be made that dinner was ready and we all made our way to the dining room. No pushing and shoving like the big cruise ships, very civilized. This was our first cruise with UnCruise, but it won't be our last! Read Less

WOW OMG... I only have superlatives for this cruise...I cannot begin to thank this company for what turned out to be a truly fantastic voyage (8day Glacier Bay & Island Adventure) From an included airport shuttle and hotel drop-off ( get there a day early to enjoy Juneau) this trips gets off to a great start, with a visit to the Alaskan State Museum and the Mendenhall Glacier after free time (shopping anyone??)in this lovely port city. After boarding the Admiralty Dream ,we were taken to a private island for dinner at the Orca Point Lodge which was incredible in both cuisine and location. Onboard, I found my single cabin #202 to be well-appointed and spacious with two comfy twin beds (which I switched off every night lol) plenty of storage, under bed and in a deep closet, as well as a large picture window allowing for wonderful scenic views. The "shotoilet", as I dubbed the combo toilet and shower, were the epitome of maritime efficiency, stocked with locally made toiletries. All meals provided were culinary delights (thanks chef Eric and galley) starting with early breakfast of freshly baked danishes/pastries at a 24 hour coffee/tea/hot water station, full breakfast, lunch, 3 pm cookie time (which paired nicely with an Alaskan stout), 530 pm hors d'oeuvres, then dinner in a casual setting with picturesque views served by an amazing waitstaff who also doubled as room stewards. (thanks Val!) Complimentary wine/beer provided with dinner featured local brews and vintages from CA/OR/WE...After dinner and those over the top dessert (thanks Sunshine!) you can relax in the lounge with its daily drink special prepared by Brent (spruce tip martini anyone?) using Alaskan spirits, syrups, and themes for reasonable prices as alcohol is not included. Raingear, boots and binoculars provided by the cruise line came in handy for our numerous outdoor excursions...be it above deck, on land or sea. And what fun they were! Paddling 2 person kayaks on gentle Sound waters, DIB rides (inflatable boats) expertly steered by Kevin, took us as close as possible to wildlife, glaciers and waterfalls. Hiking backwoods trails in the forest or a bog allowed us to burn off those calories! The Admiralty Dream's decks and windows allowed for many phenomenal photo-ops and her gracious Captain, Capt. Gavin, allowed us to visit his bridge often. Her size allowed us to visit smaller port towns like Kake, a Tlinglit, and Petersburg, settled by Norwegians, giving us time to truly experience Alaskan cultures and her people. A few brave souls(myself included) took part in a polar plunge of sorts, joining the "killer whale club" by jumping off the back of the boat into those frigid waters...bracing but invigorating! And what an education ADC delivers! Tlingit heritage guides, Gary and William, joined us at Glacier Bay along with a US Park Ranger, Patrick, and together with our resident naturalists, Michelle and Jamie and Sam Sockeye, Tlinglit artisan and guide, they provided thoughtful and insightful lectures on all things Alaska. Glaciers calving, humpback whale watching,sea lion haul-outs, bald eagles galore...even a white wolf made a cameo....the only thing I missed was the Aurora Borealis but not from a lack of trying (and there was a wake-up call for that lol) I highly recommend this cruise line and this trip as a great way to see and appreciate a more intimate Alaska than one can achieve via those big boats (sorry NCL!) I feel truly blessed to be one of the"Lucky 13" passengers meeting wonderful people who really made this the trip of a lifetime for me. Thanks!! Read Less

I was looking for an adventure cruise on a small ship with a focus on glaciers and wildlife. Weather in Sept was wet, cold, rough and windy. We saw almost no wildlife - 2 bears on a beach 3/4 of a mile away and only humpback whales from a considerable distance - literally nothing else. Food was excellent, crew was very accommodating. The owner of the cruise line was on board and altogether too much of a presence in a number of respects. On days when we saw very little, kayaked around the ship for lack of something to do, they got everyone together in the evening and raved about what a fantastic day we had had. Well no it was cold, windy and we saw very little. They could not help the weather, obviously, but they tried to hard to pump up everyone when it would have be wiser to just not make ridiculous comments about the day that simply did not apply. Read Less

My wife and I had a wonderful time on our 7 night Alaskan Dream Cruise on the Chichagof Dream embarking in Juneau and ending in Sitka. The Chichagof Dream is a small ship built in the 1980's and overhauled in 2016 for Alaskan Dream Cruises.. It had only 37 passengers on our cruise so we got acquainted with most of them over meals and excursions. We enjoyed the small ship experience which included kayaking and DIB boat days in Kelp Bay and Takatz Bay in eastern Baranoff island, visits to Petersburg and Kake, dinner on shore at the Orca Point Lodge, and a DIB boat tours in Endicott Arm to view Dawes Glacier as it calves into the water and to a sea lion "haul out." We were interested that our captain, who was very experienced and did a fine job of navigating, was hired only for this trip, and that our tour leader had only been on the job for a month or so. A kick-off visit to the newly opened Alaska State Museum would have been informative and enjoyable with a knowledgeable guide. But the DIB boat, dining room, and lounge staff were very helpful and accommodating. Our cabin, category A, was small with 2 twin beds and portholes but was comfortable. The visit to the fishing village of Petersburg included an explanation of how Norwegian settlers got to Alaska and some children dancing Norwegian folk dances, a village bus tour, and a hike along a board walk to see muskeg required more time than the sights warranted. The same was true for a visit to Kake, a Tlingit village where we saw some native dancing, the world's tallest totem pole, a presentation by a local carver, and a local fish hatchery where we watched a black bear catching a salmon. The after dinner presentations by the staff in the lounge on Alaska living, native animals, and Tlinigit culture were informal, well intentioned, and amateurish. The food in the dining room was abundant and generally good but the chef didn't deliver on the full ambitions of his menus. Not surprisingly, the visits to Juneau (where there were 4 large cruise ships in port) and Sitka which were the most interesting shore excursions, but we were partly, if not mostly on our own. We got to see whales, sea lions, harbor seals, bears, mountain goats, salmon, and lots of birds as well as the fantastic Alaska fjord/mountain/seaside scenery. Interestingly, in Sitka we docked at the home of the cruise line owners and disembarked from there. So for an informal and relaxing exposure to southeast Alaska, this was a very enjoyable cruise with some rough edges which I hope will be addressed in the future. Interestingly, several college alumni travel tours as well as Road Scholar tours use Alaskan Dream ships. Read Less

We wanted an adventure experience and we got just that. It was fantastic; we bushwhacked, kayaked, skiff boat excursions, visited a salmon fishery and were up close and personal with the Bears. The staff and crew were first rate, everyone was knowledgeable, helpful, entertaining and felt like family by the end of the week. The food was excellent, rooms small but nice, comfortable and very clean. The land package before the cruise was just as excellent and did not disappoint. For a trip of a lifetime; Un Cruise made it a lasting memory to enjoy for ever. One unique feature is that if nature is showing her face, like 20 plus whales feeding,the boat will stop and let you enjoy the sweet surprise. We also experienced the Northern Lights. We departed from Juneau which is a beautiful city to explore and enjoy and cruised the inside passage and returned to Juneau which was perfect for us. Read Less

This was our first experience with any type of cruise. We chose the small boat because we heard that we would be able to go to areas not normally allowed of the big cruise ships. We were not disappointed! The cabins were very nice and ours had a sliding door that opened on to the deck. I would not recommend spending the extra money on this type, since there was no added value for the door. Also, because we had no cross ventilation, none of the clothes that got wet were able to dry during the whole cruise (and these were NOT cotton clothes). Everything else in the cabin worked great. The guided trips were fantastic, especially dropping anchor next to a glacier and then kayaking closer. The whale watching was not a disappointment, as we saw quite a few whales. Some even swam just yards from the boat. Another favorite was the snorkeling. Obviously we needed to use their wet suits because the water temperature was 34 degrees. But I never got cold. Unfortunately, there was only one 45 - minute chance to perform this activity and we paid $35 to rent the suit. Very expensive for just the one time. They should have scheduled more snorkeling activities. The crew was extremely friendly and went out of their way to make sure you had what you needed. Megan was a fantastic leader for all of the activities and Dawn was a great guide, who knew quite a bit about many things. The food was excellent, definite fine restaurant quality. Breakfast and lunch were buffet style while the dinner was slightly more formal sit down. For dinner each night you could choose a meat, seafood, or vegetarian. What we didn’t realize until the last couple of days was that you could order half and half. And we didn’t know this until a fellow passenger ordered it. This was not publicized. All in all, we had a great time and will certainly book another cruise in the future. Read Less

Although the accommodations are not luxurious, they were comfortable and adequate. The adventure was unbelievable! We spent little time in the room and most of our daytime hours were off the boat. We kayaked, hiked, went on skiff tours and snorkeling was available. We saw humpback and orca whales, bald eagles, puffins, bears and even the Northern Lights!!! Unbelievable beauty and breathtaking experiences being so close to calving glaciers, misty islands, amazing tide pools and feeding bears. The staff was so enthusiastic and informed that it was contagious. I felt VERY safe all the time whether on the boat or kayaking or hiking. The food was terrific, varied and abundant and the on board staff so helpful and cheerful. There were games, movies and a bar for down times. The other guest were from all over the US and world and so much fun to hang out with. I would go again without any hesitancy! Read Less

My husband and I always wanted to go to Alaska but we DIDNT want to be on a 2000 person ship where people got dressed up to stand in line for a buffet dinner, look at glaciers and breathtaking sites from half a mile away, and be held captive on the ship except for occasional outings for tourist stops. We wanted to be on a ship where we sit and have plated dinners, where by the end of the week we actually knew everyone on the ship, and most importantly, where we "experience" Alaska close up. Un-Cruise exceeded our expectations in every way. Every day we were able to chose from kayaking, skiff tours, hiking, beach walks on glaciers and more (polar plunge for the brave ones which ended up being 1/3 of the people). It wasn't fancy it was a true Alaska experience. We didn't bring high heels we brought hiking boots. The food was 5 star every night with a choice of meat, fish, or vegetarian, with a homemade dessert and a full bar open from lunch if you wanted to sit in the hot tub with a beer, through the entire evening. Every evening there were fabulous lectures from naturalists giving talks about native bird life, fish, bears, and how the weather changes are effecting Alaska. The crew was highly educated and treated each guest as if they were family. Our safely was their number one priority and they kept every guest healthy and safe through the entire week. When we disembarked the ship the entire staff lined up on the dock to shake our hands and thank us by name for joining them. We have already signed up to join Un-Cruise for a return in 2018. Can't wait. Read Less

This was our 8th cruise with American Cruise Lines - we choose this line for its small ships, American crew, and interesting destinations. To enjoy the American Experience, you have to understand what you are NOT buying - no casino, stage show, spa, salon, specialty dining, etc. What you ARE buying is local entertainment in small ports, friendly and responsive young staff, and mature passengers with lots of travel experience and rich life stories. Cabins are more than adequate in size (although I always pack extra hangers). Dining is one seating for lunch and dinner. Dress code is casual. Although we did not get as lucky with the wildlife as I was hoping (no bears for me) the scenery was beautiful, the weather acceptable, and the long journey south from Juneau to Seattle relaxing. The small ports we visited were unique and charming. The free hotel night in Juneau and transfer to the ship were a great idea. The Hotel Baranof is not a very nice hotel but hotel options in Juneau are very limited. On Alaska itineraries for American, most shore excursions are complimentary. Excursions were simple but the "city tour" in Wrangell, AK was exceptionally charming. Traffic in Seattle is terrible so neither the city tour nor the transfer to the airport were pleasant, but of course this is not American Cruise Lines' fault. Internet and television service were unavailable most of the time as the ship sailed a long distance from land. The hotel manager - also serving as cruise director on this voyage - was amazing. We loved Val's personality and attention to customer service. His eager young staff (the kids serve as both room stewards and dining room waiters) was so friendly and loveable. Some of the food was a little odd and we were disappointed in the quality of the fish and seafood, but I can tell you we did not lose any weight or come home hungry. We are booked on 2 more American Cruise Lines trips, in September 2016 and March 2017. It is a relaxing, informative, and pleasant way to travel the USA. Read Less

Small ships, great itineraries and wonderful, cheerful service. Free wine and beer with lunch and dinner. A full-bar happy hour every day before dinner with great appetizers! Starting in Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier, the Tracy Arm cruise with Watson Glacier and the huge icebergs were beautiful. The historic walking tour of Petersburg gave us a glimpse of real life in Alaska. Out of Wrangell, the Jet boat tour on the Stikine River and Chief Shake Glacier provided up close viewing of the Glacier with a great addition of Mountain Goats 200 yards away! The local town tour of Wrangell was great, beautiful museum and entertaining guides. Duckboat tour of the harbor in Ketchikan. Cruising the Queen Charlotte Straits was a beautiful 3 days. San Juan Island tour in Friday Harbor, Jet boating in Anacordes through Deception Pass. Walking tour in Port Townsend was great and informative. Did I mention that ALL of these tours are FREE on American?!!! Our Naturalist on board was very informative and helpful in identifying Humpback whale behavior and spotting a lone Orca (Sea Panda)! While everything wasn't perfect, the combination of a smaller ship and cheerful staff made our 8th cruise on American all we could expect. We have 2 more cruises booked and will relish our 11th cruise FREE. What a great benefit to have on American Cruise Lines!!! Read Less

This was our third cruise with American Cruise Lines. We have always enjoyed ourselves. Small ship cruising is, imho, the only way to go. Ships carry 80-some passengers, with a crew or 30 or so. There is always someone close by that you can contact for whatever you may need. Management team is always available and always visible and always working to pamper every passenger. The personal touch is everywhere you look. The group activities, shore excursions, cocktail hours, are great opportunities to meet and get to know your fellow passengers. We particularly enjoy being able to get on and off the ship in a timely manner, and being able to have meals at one time and have open seating is a real plus. We usually book our next cruise before disembarking; saves time, $, and gets you a better choice of staterooms. Our next cruise was booked for New Orleans before we departed Juneau. Friends are constantly inviting us to go cruising with them on the big ships. We continue to decline. This is a much better way to spend our time and money. Read Less

We wanted to experience Alaska on a small ship. The Un Cruise Wilderness Explorer and her crew made the trip on of the GREATEST vacations of our lives. The kayaking and zodiac rides were AWESOME! Hiking was fantastic and the wildlife viewing was all you could ask for. I saw more bears than in my last TWO trips to Alaska. As for the dining I gained a pound a day even thought we were VERY active for 3-4 hours per day. The food was amazing! The crew was highly trained and could not do enough to make sure you had a superior experience. I changed our activities several times to spend time with some of the great people we met on board and it was handled in no time by the crew. We cruised from Juneau to Sitka through the inside passages.It was an unbelievable experience. I would highly recommend this Company and ship for anyone looking for the small ship experience in Alaska! CAM Chicago Read Less