`We sailed Juneau-Juneau on the Glacier Country itinerary and were very impressed with the ship, the crew and the other passengers. We got an upgrade for reasons we don't know (maybe because we were celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary) and the Commodore Suite was great. The food was beyond good and the staff was totally responsive to special eating requests (vegan, gluten-free, etc.) There were a variety of excursions (all included in the price of the cruise) which were geared to all activity levels. All the staff without exception were cheerful,enthusiastic, and knowledgeable and obviously wanted the passengers to have a wonderful trip. The other passengers were a diverse but very congenial group, mostly Americans but at least one Australian couple. And it was a younger group than we are used to - lots of 30's, 40's, and 50's - which was fun. We saw glaciers calve, eagles, bears, otters, humpback whales, seals, sea lions, a bunch of birds, including puffins, and moose swimming. We did not see orcas - this itinerary is not in the best location for them we were told. If they are a must-see, you might want to consider one of their other itineraries. We can't say enough good things about our cruise and highly recommend it! Read Less

Our cruise, Whales, Wildlife and Glaciers aboard the Safari Endeavour was exceptional. The staff all the way from our Captain to housekeeping was top-notch with great attitudes and a real sense of adventure. There were generally four options each day for the guests to indulge in. We generally went to places that were very interesting and had quite a few wildlife opportunities. The Expedition staff was exceptional, getting up early in the morning to scout our area and find great things to see and do. And our Captain and ship crew often would slow or stall the ship when wildlife presented itself. We felt the meals were generally good, but like we had seen on our Ama Waterways Danube River cruise, the chef tends to get too fancy at times, making the lunch and dinner courses a bit less desirable. The best meal aside from the crabfest was the salmon cedar plank for the fish lovers and a tomahawk steak for the meat lovers. These were simple, not flashy items that would have been nice as options to the often more fancy courses. But otherwise, the food was good and there was always plenty of it. The wait staff was as good as any you would find in a fine dining restaurant. One note of correction to the Cruise Critic overview of the Safari Endeavour is massages are no longer included. This should be updated in the Cruise Critic information. The land tour, Denali & Talkeetna Wilderness Rail Adventure, while being touted as a seven day tour, is really only five actual travel days at a fairly steep cost. While the amenities were very good in Talkeetna and on the domed rail car, it wasn’t enough to justify the cost of the excursion. The final travel day was essentially a motor coach ride back the same way we had traveled on the train. Our traveling partners had done different land options than us, one couple planned it themselves – the other couple used a different land tour company, and both couples had far better experiences with better value than we did. In conclusion, if you’re looking for a small ship with an active itinerary and an upscale environment, use UnCruise for the cruise portion. But if you plan on seeing Alaska’s interior, look elsewhere. Read Less

This cruise far exceeded our expectations and any cruise we had been on before! There is no comparison between a large ship cruise and an Uncruise small ship experience. While more expensive EVERYTHING is included, great food, top shelf liquor, shore excursions, snack time. Also as a small boat they cater to you. Our wonderful bartender Serenity (yes that's her name) knew what we wanted when she saw us coming and had it ready. This was a whale and wilderness cruise and when the captain saw a pod of whales the ship stopped until everyone had their fill of whales, or bears, or goats on a cliff side and we just stayed there. He made up the time at night going to our next wilderness stop. We also got up close and personal with several glaciers. Speaking of that most days we were in a deserted cove with us the only boat. From there we had day excursions with options for adventurous bushwacking to a nice cruise in a small boat. For several groups on the boat this was not their first Uncruise adventure. That in itself tells you a lot about this cruise line. The last night we were Juneau with several large ships and we really felt the difference. Read Less

We chose Un cruise because a boat is the best way to see these parts of Alaska, and we are not Cruise-type travelers. We wanted the ability to see more out of the way areas, and to have access to them via hikes, skiffs, or kayaks. We also wanted a smaller boat with fewer travelers and a staff that would be able to educate us about what we were visiting and seeing. Though more expensive than most of the cruises we looked at, Un-cruise succeeds at this on many levels. Though the cabins are small (we had a Captains cabin on the first level (111), they are cozy and comfortable and we had a nice sized window. The showers are small for a normal sized adult. Having said that, we were entirely comfortable throughout our week on the boat. There is a comfortable and spacious all purpose room on the second level, a nice dining room, and adequate deck space including two small hot tubs and a small exercise area. From our cabin, there was minimal engine noise and the cruising was smooth, something that had concerned me because I get seasick easily. The ship is organized with remarkable efficiency and the staff is exceptional. They are organized into navigation, expedition, hotel, and wellness departments, and each do their jobs beautifully. From a service standpoint, you want for nothing on this boat. Highlights include a ship's captain and staff that are welcoming and are willing to alter course to follow whales or other wildlife until everyone has seen them; guides who are knowledgeable and accommodating; waiters and waitresses who are eager to please, a skilled bartender, and yoga instructors and massage therapists who are friendly and caring. The menus change every day (all you can eat crab night was my favorite). The food was for the most part solid, though there were a couple of misses (occasionally overcooked fish). If you don't like the menu, the chef and kitchen staff will work hard to prepare something else for you. The daily activities are particularly well organized and executed from the back of the boat, where access to skiffs, kayaks, and even paddle boards is made easy. There is even a carefully supervised polar bear plunge for those who want a taste of arctic swimming. Though we had rain almost every day, the weather failed to distract from the beauty and overall experience. High quality rain and wet hiking gear (especially boots) is a must for this trip. If you don't bring your own, they supply high quality jackets and rain pants. Lastly, our fellow travelers were pleasant, interesting, and focused on the beauty of Alaska. If Alaska is on your bucket list and you are a traveler who seeks sensational up close beauty and knowledge in the comfort of a small boat with great staff, this is the way to go. 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 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

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

We travel as a group of 3 couples. This was our 2nd Un-Cruise. Two more couples decided to join us after hearing about our first experience with Un-Cruise. Several people have asked us to compare our first Un-Cruise, which was in Alaska, but the trips were so different, I can't compare the trip. The overall experience lived up to the first cruise. This cruise was actually in Sea of Cortez, there was no option for that on this forum. We stayed in Cabo San Lucas before the cruise and Un-Cruise bused us to La Paz, about 3 hours north. I would highly suggest The Bugalows in Cabo for pre and post. The host hotel Barcelo was awful! The cruise consists of morning and afternoon activities. Usual choices are hiking, snorkeling, kayaking or skiff riding. The highlights were riding donkeys in the desert, snorkeling with sea lions and whale sharks! The day we snorkeled with sea lions, the water was really rough. The ship pulls up to a rock in the ocean that hundreds of sea lions seem to hang out on. The juveniles are the ones that like to come check out the humans. They are like puppies. They are curious and have no intention of hurting you. These juveniles are about 4-6' long and couple hundred lbs! The day, the last day of the cruise, we were supposed to swim with whale sharks, the water was so rough, the port wouldn't allow any boats to go out. This was back in La Paz. Luckily for us, we weren't flying out until 2 days later. So after we disembarked the next morning, we booked a private tour to swim with the whale sharks. It was just our 10 o a very small boat. We road out about 30 minutes and finally spotted one. I was terrified. I knew I had to do it though. It was AMAZING! The whale shark couldn't care less about you. You swim directly over them. An absolute must do. The staff on these boats are amazing. The expedition guides know their stuff. Most of them have some sort of degree in marine biology, forestry, etc but even if they don't, they obviously spend a lot of time learning. The waitstaff who double as room stewards are mostly young people looking for some adventure. The food is amazing. On this ship, every meal is served in the one dining room. On the Alaska cruise, breakfast and lunch were buffet. But remember, the buffet is only for 60-80 passengers, not 5000. As the name suggests, this is nothing like a regular cruise. No assigned seating. No dress code. Very informal. Breakfast had a special or you could have eggs, toast, the usual. Lunch had a meat and a vegetarian option. Dinner was a meat, fish or vegetarian option. I am a very picky eater. On a couple of occasions, none of the choices appealed to me. The chef happily made me a salad or changed up one of the dishes for me. On this cruise, the drinks were included. The bar/lounge area was one floor up from the dining room. Cookies every day at 3pm. Happy hour with delicious hors devours, I liked these better than some meals, was at 5:30. The rooms are small. But very little time is spent in the room. We had one of the ones that opened to the outside deck with a walkway. I would have preferred one on the deck below so I could have left my blinds open to watch wildlife. But if we kept blinds open, everyone walking by could see in. The bathroom is tight but workable. They do provide shampoo and body soap and hair dryers. Part of the great experience of these ships are meeting fellow passengers. In our group, we range from age 35-53. We are all DINKS, double income no kids, who's main priority in life is to enjoy it while we are young and see as much as we can in this world. The majority of other passengers are in the 50-70 age range. We had one 10 year old and a couple in early 20s, and Larry, who was 87! I think on this cruise, everyone was from the US. The Alaska cruise had a lot of people from Australia and New Zealand. If you put down a deposit for your next cruise while on the current one, you receive a decent discount. Which we have now done twice. I think up next for us is Pacific Northwest. Every cruise, you get a bigger discount also. We are working our way up to Galapagos! Read Less

This is our second cruise with Un-Cruise. The last one, on Safari Quest, was five stars in every category. This was not a repeat adventure. Yes, the marine life was spectacular. Snorkeling with baby sea lions, getting right next to a blue whale, touching and observing for hours the grey whales and babies was amazing and special. We encountered two super pods (over 2,000) dolphins that stayed with the boat until sunset. That is a once in a lifetime experience. We got to enjoy all the wonders of the wildlife in the Sea of Cortez. The whales, sea lions, dolphins, birds all cooperated and showed us their individual beauty and wonder. That’s why we went. We just hoped the entire week would have been as nice as previous cruises with Un-Cruise. I hate to keep comparing with the Safari Quest, but that’s my reference point. The crew seemed to be hard working but we did not feel they were over friendly. We thought the crew were nice people. What they do is not easy. It takes a special personality. We recognize that . Maybe they had been without a vacation for some time. Overall, they seemed tired. When passing in the hall they often did not say “hi” or even look up and make eye contact. They are knowledgeable in their field, but their presentations could use a little more showmanship. There are two crew members we would like to recognize. Mark, the guide, and John in engineering went out of their way to help us during the cruise. John came to our rescue a few times. He was a very nice, pleasant young man. When he overheard we needed a bag of ice he went out of his way and brought the ice pack to our room. It was not his job, he just did it. Thank you, John! And on the last morning, Mark made sure our luggage got put on last (first off) so we could make our quick connection at the airport. We appreciate his extra efforts. The boat was clean and comfortable. The captain kept us safe and out of any bad weather (waves, wind) as best he could. The boat is large enough that the crossings felt calm and stable. The first night they did a safety drill. The boat is US Coast Guard certified. The Captain did a very good talk explaining the noises you might hear on the boat. It was very reassuring to those that hadn’t sailed before. I thought it was a good idea to let you know that the sounds of the anchor going down, the bow thruster, or a hydraulic lift was normal. He talked about their water treatment system and introduced the chief medical officer, guides and head stew staff. The sign up for the messages were that night. They filled up fast. During the week the crew preformed safety drills. We felt safe in the capabilities and commitment to safety. They made sure we were going to get on the skiff safely. Our room, we thought, was a perfect location. Stateroom #308. We had a door that led to the outside. We could get fresh air if needed. It is far enough back that the solid railing around the front of the boat stops before your room, so you can see the water when laying on the bed. We couldn’t hear our neighbors or people walking above us, it was very quiet. The back closet was large (boat standards), with six deep drawers. The bed is high enough to use the space underneath for storage. The desk and chair we used for additional storage of books, binoculars, water bottles, and toiletries that didn’t fit in the bathroom. We liked the bed lights and the overhead lights got brighter the longer you kept it on. The bed was comfy, on the soft side. Two large pillows were provided. There were extra blankets and a throw. The Aft 300 deck is where the excursions meet, so it was convenient for that, but far enough forward you do not get the noise. The shower is small but not that bad. The location of the soaps was hard to understand. It was right under the shower flow, so the soap would be washed away before getting to your head or body. Our shower needed a new curtain. But it was very clean with plenty of hot water! The windows were large at the foot of each bed. The draperies closed for good privacy and darkening effect. It would have been nice to have a sheer to pull so you could get light and privacy. Even though the rooms were well marked the couple next door accidently walked into our room, twice while we were in the room. I don’t know what their problem was, but, most people walking by never caused any kind of problem or noise. On the TV were three different channels. The bow camera, the menu for the day, and a slideshow of the crew. I thought it was very nice to have individual photos of the crew we have contact with, their names, and position on the screen. There also is a speaker in your room. Daily announcements, special sightings, tour excursion departures, and meal call were announced. You could also listen to the nightly 20 minute talks. The thing we liked the least, was the wet landings from the skiff to the shore. We understood that going in. But wasn’t there a way to land the skiff higher on the sand so we could jump off the front with our hiking/walking shoes? The waves were small and not pounding on the beach. Just pull the skiff two feet onto the sand. It wasn’t that we minded getting our feet wet, it was the chance of getting sand in your hiking shoes/boots and walking for hours with it rubbing against your skin. The boat excursion choices were the same just about every day. Beachcombing. The sand was very coarse. You could paddleboard and kayak in a restricted area. They had snorkeling from the beach or from the skiff a few times. Underwater there was not a lot of coral, but the fish were colorful. Wetsuits, mask, fins, snorkels are provided and in good shape. But, the water is very cold (65°F). They offered desert walks and hard exploratory hikes. There was nothing for the intermediate hiker and you could not venture out on your own. They did have small boat tours. If you were lucky a seal lion or dolphin would swim close to your boat. Birders enjoyed the unique species they saw. The guides did their best to make it interesting. Jeremy gave us a very informative and interesting boat tour. He pointed out all sorts of birds flying, nesting, floating, feeding and swimming. There was an osprey on a nest and one perched in a cactus. We saw up close pelicans, herons, osprey, frigates, and oyster eaters. I also had a wonderful desert hike with Kati as a guide. We gained elevation to beautiful vistas. She made it interesting and fun. And I felt like we really exercised and learned some things about the area. My only suggestion is to have a SEPARATE hike for the birders. Why should the entire group have to constantly wait for the birders that are lagging behind, watching the same bird? Kati had the patience of a saint. The rest of the group thought it was rude. The trip to Magdelena Bay was exceptional. The vans were clean and comfortable. The drive was scenic. We wound up through the mountains, and down the other side. The group was split up into 6 to 8 per boat. The grey whales and their babies were everywhere! At one point we had two families swimming right next to us. The curious babies would stick their heads out of the water to look right into your eyes. You could touch them, splash water on them. They in turn would blow whale snot on you, if you were lucky! It was AMAZING!! We were out on the bay for 2 hours. 90% of that time we were right next to a momma grey whale and baby or one within sight. We even saw them breaching! Leaving was hard to do. It is such a special area!! Lunch was at a local restaurant five minutes from the port. Lobster, fried fish, shrimp was served with potato salad. There was good chips and dips on the table. The service was fast and efficient. One man at our table was not a fan of seafood. The quickly served him a grilled chicken breast. Lindsay was our guide for the sea lion snorkel. She was very good and a great “diver”. She made sure we were safe in the water and no bull sea lions came near us. She kept the group together and made it exciting. Maiwenn was the captain of the skiff and did a good job of watching out for us and assisted the snorkelers in climbing the ladder and getting back safely on the boat. They had one of the easiest ladders to climb, in our experience, from a Zodiac. We even saw blue footed boobies flying overhead. The food selection was Tex-Mex almost every meal, including breakfast. We were not a fan. Breakfast example was Rancho Huevos or Bacon and Jalapeno Omelet; Chiryo and sweet potato hash with eggs or spinach and feta omelet. There was a lot of feta with meals. You could always order plain scrambled eggs. One morning there was a big hit – pancakes. On three lunches there was not a second choice. At sit down breakfast you order for the day. If you go to early-riser breakfast for fruit, breakfast bread, cereal, and sometimes yogurt because spicy Mexican food isn’t your thing to start the day, it was hard to order. There was always enough food and presented beautifully. During dinner the difference from the first table served to the last was usually 30 minutes. So when the first tables were getting dessert, the last just got served their plates. There was plenty of wine offered at dinner and the crew was attentive to other drink orders. One lunch example was a chicken pita with no other choice. Chicken tacos with very little chicken, open face – more like a burrito, no cheese, no sauce, plain rice, re-fried beans with chips and dip on the table. Dessert was a dry white cake that was supposed to be tres leches cake. Another lunch was beef teriyaki or veg stir fry. Basically the same thing. Dessert was Bailey’s ice cream pound cake with white chocolate sauce. Again the cake was dry, tasty, but dry. One day because of the activity schedule they had a brunch. This included a very nice selection of eggs benedict, bacon, sausage, pasta, chicken, cinnamon rolls, garlic knot bread, salad with mango vinaigrette, guacamole, salsa and chips, fresh fruit. The problem was the buffet line went very slow. I felt sorry for those after us, having to stand for over 30 minutes to get their food. We were finished eating before some had gotten their food. Maybe they could have had two lines or have someone helping serve the food. It might have gone quicker. Dinner had a dry fish choice – red snapper, with chicken; yellow tail or duck; marlin or ranchero steak; grouper or pork tenderloin; sea scallops (poached) or lamb. We were surprised that there wasn’t a soup and salad at dinner. Black bean soup was one night. Gazpacho another. One dinner we didn’t like either entrée and the Chef made us very large and delicious chef salad with a balsamic avocado herb dressing. The first evening there was prime rib or a macadamia nut encrusted fish and a wonderful chocolate decadent dessert. And the last evening there was beef tenderloin or lobster tail. Some had both! Those were both very good. But to say we had less than 5 good meals, isn’t my idea of an Un-Cruise experience. We did have one amazing dessert. It was a Kalua Carmel Custard with fresh blackberries, blueberries and strawberry. The blueberries were dusted with gold powder. I told them they should have named it something exotic, it was outstanding. I should have taken a photo! It was a work of art. In conclusion the marine life and Sea of Cortez experience was one we will remember for a long time. It really is, as Jacques Cousteau described, “the world’s aquarium”. This had nothing to do with Un-Cruise but our Un-stay at the Barcelo started our trip out on a wrong note. We tried to check in on the Friday before our cruise. Un-Cruise has a hospitality room there on Saturday and we thought it would make it convenient. The Barcelo would not honor our reservation we had since May 25th 2016. They said because it was for only one night (cruising on Saturday) they needed the room for people that were staying four days. They accepted our reservation online. They confirmed our reservation. But the kicker is THEY CHARGED MY CREDIT CARD for the night. They graciously drove us to the Holiday Inn. I did not come to Mexico to stay at the Holiday Inn. Holiday Inn does not charge the same rate as a night at the Barcelo. Funny thing is, we met a couple (on our cruise) that the same thing happened to them. They were told that their room had plumbing problems. Another couple at the Holiday Inn said a similar thing happened to them. Barcelo called them three days before they were supposed to arrive. Said they needed their room for a conference. At least, they stayed at the Dreams hotel. The Holiday Inn staff was very nice, and the place was clean. It did not have the same facilities as the Barcelo and was a little run down. We should not have been treated like that! Un-Cruise guests, be warned. Read Less

We just returned from the UnCruise to the Sea of Cortez. It was just amazing. The natural beauty was awesome, from mountains and cliffs and turquoise water, to the plants, animals, and sea life we saw on the cruise. The ship was clean and comfortable, with nice touches like afghans in the lounge for colder nights. Good, healthy food, in reasonable quantities. Great and creative bartender. Hiking, snorkeling, skiff boat rides, beach parties. Yoga at dawn, massages at your convenience.The staff was just amazing, knowledgeable and helpful at every turn, got to know us personally. Activities were offered for high, medium, and low intensity and safety was top priority. UnCruise brings all the equipment (snorkels, wet suits etc) so you don't have to. We had a 90-year old and a 9-year old in our group and they, along with everyone else, had a good time.Highly recommend this cruise and hope to go again. This is a nature cruise, so don't go if you are looking for night-life entertainment. We were up by 7 am, in bed by 9 pm. Highlights include visiting the sea lions on their island rock, great snorkeling, mule trip with the vacqueros of Baja, dolphins cavorting next to our little skiff, swimming with the enormous whale sharks, and several pleasant afternoons with drinks and snacks on beautiful beaches. 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

We were looking for something in a small boat cruise that included lots of moderate to strenuous outdoor physical activity and as up-close to geography and wildlife as possible. The Un-Cruise "Exploring Muir's Wilderness" fit the bill to a T. From no-hassle check in to the nice touch of their delivering our luggage to the airport after debarkation (leaving us time to dally/shop in town for several hours before catching their shuttle to join it for airport for check-in), the administration was practiced, hospitable and generous. We got to see whales breaching, sea lions roaring, sea otters doing that cute on-their-back swimming thing, both black and grizzly bears from a safe distance, glaciers up close and calving, more bald eagles than anyone would want to try to count, and on and on. Their recommended equipment listing was spot on - don't short-change its elements, as you'll need it all by cruise end. Hiking -"Bush-whacking" they call it - into the forest, off-trail, was great, as was kayaking around islands and along shorelines. "Meandering" ashore was nature walk interesting, but more demanding than some cruisers anticipated - don't go if you have trouble with mobility, as there's not enough to occupy on board ship, and the whole ethos is diving into the locale. We were lucky in the weather, and we didn't expect luxury accommodations (as some reviewers obviously did - we weren't there for the froufrou, but for the get out and explore). My wife scores it as the hands down best vacation we've ever taken (I've got to think some more before I score it above Paris, but it's certainly close). We both agree that the best part, and what made it really stellar, was the crew. Every member, bar none, seemed genuinely pleased to be there and thrilled that we'd decided to join them. They were also interesting, intrepid in the outdoors, remarkably well educated, eager to share their extensive knowledge of the state/wildlife/geography/flora/fauna, and honest to admit if they didn't know (and then immediately track down someone who did!). The lounge was comfortable, the meals excellent (meat/fish/veg or combine them entrees every dinner, and best-ever breakfast bacon - don't miss that!). The rooms were a bit Spartan (albeit with more storage than we expected), but cleaned daily spotless and daily re-despotted. If you're looking for a small ship outdoorsy getaway, you'll find you only use them to sleep/change/bathe - there's plenty of out-of-room to do. Overall, accommodations were nicer than the two previous small-ship cruises we've taken (on other cruise lines). A single complementary massage per passenger and two available hot tubs were welcome after some of the activities. Their "Plan-free" claim is not license to freelance - and in the Alaskan wilderness, letting hikers or kayaks go off on their own would be downright dangerous - this is not Disneyland or Monaco - but is flexible to adjust to weather, avoid other cruise ships, react to reports of interesting wildlife activity nearby, etc. The only negative I can even imagine is that Alaska's so enormous, there's no way to cover it, and the week we were onboard was limited to the southern Inside Passage, so you'll need to go beyond it to see the northern bulk of the state. As for meeting the advertised criteria, nothing negative to report at all - even the martinis were beyond excellent. If the above is what you're looking for, I'd certainly recommend it heartily! Read Less

If you want to see Alaska from the ship's railing twenty stories above the water or from the inside of the ship's casino, then take a big ship cruise. You may see whales, porpoise, or sea lions in the water but simply wave goodbye to them as you and your 3000 fellow passengers sail on by so you don't show up late at your next port of call to buy overpriced trinkets and jewerly. UNCRUISE has smaller vessels to enhance the Alaska experience. Their largest vessel accommodates 88 passengers. "Passenger" is really an unfair descriptions for UNCRUISE guests because we were much more than passengers, we were full participants in the nature experience. UNCRUISE is considered a soft adventure cruise because the description is totally accurate. UNCRUISE believes you really cannot experience or fully appreciate the wild beauty of the 49th state unless you are actually along the ship railing only 20 feet from the water so you can actually feel and smell the spray of the sixty foot humpback whale cruising within 50 feet of the ship. Get on a zodiac skiff and be able to get close to the incredible majestic glaciers. Reach over the side and pick up crystal blue glacier ice. Knowledgeable guides took us into the woods and described the flora and fauna so you get an education along with the experience of being in wild pristine nature. We saw black bears with baby cubs on the shore. We were so close we didn't need binoculars to determine that the black spots on the shore weren't a muskrat or beaver. Since UNCRUISE doesn't have a set time table to be in the next port of call they have flexibility to ensure you take full advantage as wildlife appears. This was quite an advantage for us as we saw a pod of orca whales ahead of our vessel. The captain shut down the engines a safe distance from the whales in hopes that they would come towards us. The sight we saw was incredible as the pod of 12 orcas moved steadily toward us. They came within 20 feet of the vessel and breached the water and spy hopped for over 20 minutes. They seemed like they were putting on a once in a life time show just for us. Because of the flexiblity in schedule the captain was able to stay right there and provide enough time to really take in the full splendor of those beautiful creatures. Try doing that on a mega cruise ship. Even if the ship had the flexibilty to stop, it would take over a mile to fully stop. The orcas would have been long gone. I'm not knocking large cruise ships but they're not for me. The large cruise ships are great for many people who enjoy extragant floorshows and a casino, but you really miss so much of the true Alaska experience. If you love delicious locally sourced fresh seafood and produce you will really be impressed with the food options on UNCRUISE. The scratch made pastries are unbelievable. I really believe one of the best things about the UNCRUISE experinence is the crew. You will never experience a more attentive, caring, and professional crew. After the very first day they will know you by name. They will know what you drink and how you like your coffee. It is a personal relationship with the crew and your shipmates. I have taking three cruises with UNCRUISE and at the end of each and every one new relationships have been forged and precious memories created. What else can I say, UNCRUISE is the best. Read Less

We wanted to see Alaska, but are not fans of big cruise ships, nor did we want an extreme nature cruise. This cruise fit the bill. Nice size, nice crew, interesting passengers. Beautiful scenery. I would highly recommend. The outstanding item I want to highlight was the bartender Daniel Harding. Not only a great bartender in general, his Irish Coffee was the best I have ever had! The Buena Vista in San Francisco should take lessons from Daniel! We went in May and loved watching the humpback whales. Glaciers were outstanding and we learned much about several that we got to see up close. Watched what is called caving…calving? Pretty spectacular. You are pretty remote the entire time and cell service is sparse if any. It was nice to be disconnected from civilazation! They even offer on board massage, which I passed on. Others spoke highly of the massage and even one was said to call it "a spiritual event". Read Less

This small ship experience is as good as it gets! This was higher priced than the big ships but twice the Alaska experience and ten times the service and included activities. Incredible wines and top shelf liquors included. We had the smoothest and fastest embarkation and disembarkation ever. The owner even came on the ship the last day to say goodbye. All the crew members lines up to shake you had or give you a hug when you got off the ship. Very emotional for all the passengers. Most guests were couples of all ages and a few singles. One couple even got engaged on the ship. Young children might have been bored, but they do have special sailings to include kid activities. This was our 5th Alaskan Cruise but by far the best of all. We are going on a family Alaskan Cruise trip in a few month on a large ship but will miss the Un-Cruise experience . Un-Cruises are the very best!!!! Read Less

Alaska had always intrigued us. We had associated it with the Artic, oil, Anchorage, amazing scenery, wildlife and large cruise ships. The amazing scenery and wildlife were of interest to us but not the large cruise ships. Then someone told us about the Inside Passage. We discovered that we could explore this on a small ship. So we booked a seven night trip from Ketchikan to Juneau with Un-Cruise Adventures. We and the 58 other passengers on the Safari Endeavour were treated to an amazing experience by 35 enthusiastic crew members. We went at the beginning of May expecting cold weather and rain most days. Southeast Alaska is the thin coastal part of Alaska north of Vancouver. It can be very wet as the annual rainfall is 1,550 mm. We were told to bring layers of clothing, raingear, wellington boots, gloves, scarves and beanies. In the event apart from some drizzle in Ketchikan, there was no rain, the skies were blue every day on the ship, and the sun shone during the day. While we took some cold weather clothing, the raingear and wellington boots were provided on the ship. We were told that May and September are the best months to explore the Inside Passage, and so we were very fortunate to have picked May. We were on Safari Endeavour’s first trip of the season. The crew was fresh and enthusiastic. The ship wasn’t full (it can take 84 passengers). The people in the three small towns we visited during the week were happy to see us. The curator of the excellent Ketchikan museum told us: “We can’t wait for the cruise ships to arrive at the start of the season, and we can’t wait for them to leave at the end of the season!” At the height of the season there can be as many as five large cruise ships - each with more than 2,000 passengers - in any of these small ports at one time. The number of visiting tourists then outnumbers the number of local residents significantly. We flew from Seattle to Ketchikan. From the 1800s this small isolated frontier town has relied on fishing, salmon canning, timber and the occasional gold strike. These days fishing and the large cruise ship tourists are the main source of income for the town. We spent a night in Ketchikan at the Inn on Creek Street, an old Victorian hotel with an excellent restaurant next door. Creek Street was the red-light district up until the 1950s. The next morning we walked up along the creek past the original houses on ‘Married Men’s Walk’, named for its original purpose! At the top of the creek is a salmon run which helps the salmon migrate upstream in June. That’s when the bears come out of hibernation to feed. We spent time in the museum and walked along the waterfront where there was one very large cruise ship and our own very small ship away in the distance. We were glad that we were on the small one! We had a comfortable twin-bedded cabin on the Safari Endeavour. It had generous storage and a small but adequate en suite. The food on board was excellent. It was varied and delicious, very attractively presented, served by a small team of staff, and cooked by a small team of real professionals. The chef came into the dining room every day to give us a description of the food to be served at lunch and dinner. There was a choice of a vegetarian or other option, and he also catered for other special requests. One afternoon the chef gave us a tour of his galley. What his team produced in such a small space was miraculous. The barman in the lounge, Daniel, created different cocktails and served special snacks every evening. As an added bonus all the drinks were included in the price of the trip! The Southeast Alaskan scenery is stunning. There are vast empty seascapes, with high mountains covered with rain forest and still capped with snow in May. Everywhere there were high waterfalls cascading the melting snow down into the sea. Most mornings we anchored in a secluded bay, and were given the option of at least two activities – a walk (easy, more difficult or a bushwack), kayaking, paddle boarding, or a trip on a skiff (a large 14-person rubber duck). Swimming could also be an option, but the water was freezing at this time! Each activity was led by a guide, each of whom was an expert in wildlife. One specialized in bears, another in whales, and another in sea otters and sea lions. One of the guides gave an illustrated talk on their subject in the lounge after dinner most nights. Lindsay, the whale expert, had studied whales in Namibia and South Africa. When she took us out on a skiff in Traitors Cove and spotted a pod of humpback whale, she whooped with joy. One day we stopped in Wrangell, an isolated town of only 2,400 inhabitants with a small fishing harbour. Noticeable was the large stack of shipping containers. This is because the only access to all the towns in Southeast Alaska is by sea or air. We were treated here to a presentation about the local Indian culture, the Tlingit tribe, in a replica Indian long plank house. There was also an excellent small museum in the town which gave us a good insight into life here in the early settler days. On other days we walked in a rain forest, kayaked for the first time, walked along a beach exploring all the pools and beach life, and went out in skiffs exploring the scenery in other isolated locations. We saw many sea animals - whales (mostly humpbacks and some orcas), seals, sea lions and sea otters. These otters intrigued us. They swim on their backs with a small rock under one of their flippers. They use this to smash their catch before swimming off with the rock safely back in place! Bird life is fairly limited apart from Bald Eagles. They look like the African Fish Eagle but with a different call. Also fairly common are flocks of guillimots. They spend much of the time under water before coming up in a different spot. On land we had hoped to see brown and black bears and moose. It was too early to see the bears although one was spotted on the shore one day. On one of our walks our guide saw the backside of a departing moose. All we saw was its spoor and droppings. On the last day we sailed 55 km. up the Endicott Arm to the most amazing Dawes Glacier. The ship could not anchor as the fjord is 800 feet deep. We all climbed into the skiffs and went up close to the glacier. We watched as it was calving (large parts falling off into the fjord). This was one of the highlights of the week – as was the celebration afterwards. Our guide took us into a sheltered rocky cove and produced hot chocolate laced with peppermint schnapps – a brilliant drink! On the way back to the ship, she picked up a small piece of glacier ice from the fjord, and offered us shots of peppermint schnapps over ice! And to make this last day even more special while watching whales after dinner, we caught a glimpse of the northern lights! We ended our week in Juneau, the capital of Alaska. It’s another small frontier town with some impressive state administration buildings squashed in between the sea and the mountains. Over breakfast the Un-Cruise chief executive came on board and greeted us warmly. The vibe among the crew made all the difference to this trip. They all mucked in and did everything. The waiting staff also cleaned the cabins; the captain and his officers, as well as the massage and yoga staff, helped launch and organise the returning skiffs and kayaks for the activities. The whole atmosphere was very personal. On the last night at dinner the captain introduced every single member of the staff, and when we disembarked the following morning, each member of staff was on the quay to bid us goodbye. Alaska’s Inside Passage is amazing. It’s scenery and wildlife are incredible, and taking a small ship with such personal attention is the way to go! Read Less

Alaska has been one place we have always wanted to visit and a cruise seemed the best introduction. The only problem was we didn't want to be on a big ship. Searching the internet led us to Un-Cruise. The Safari Endeavour was heading for it's summer playground of Alaska from Baja and we picked it up in Seattle. We started at a reception centre in the Crowne Plaza and made our way to the ship via a short city tour on a coach. At dock side the owner welcomed us on board. We were photographed before being shown by a member of the crew to our cabin where our luggage was already waiting. Cabin 303 was towards the front of the ship on the 300 deck. We wanted to be able to step out onto the deck straight from our cabin and the 300 deck is ideal for this. I've always been amazed at how much room they find in these cabins. The two single beds had plenty of storage under although one appeared slightly lower than the other. One full length and two half length wardrobes plus 6 large draws took all our clothes with ease. The desk was handy for odds and ends. Coat hooks took the waterproofs and dressing gowns. The bathroom was cosy. I'm not small and once I became custom with the shower curtain all worked out pretty well. Towels, soap and shampoo are provided but there isn't a problem on environmental grounds for using your own. The tap water is drinkable as the Safari Endeavour has it's own water producing system. It can make 500 gallons of fresh water every hour! Introductions by the owner, captain and other department staff were done in the lounge. Being the start of the summer season for the ship we only had 32 passengers, a ratio of 1:1 with the crew. We were going to be spoilt! Before we set sail we had an abandon ship drill. The great thing about Un-Cruise is there isn't a dress code, except when doing water based activities when life jackets are a must. We were gently reminded the cruise was Un-Cruise Adventures and one aim of the crew was to get you off the ship at every possible opportunity. I might add at this stage the crew were made up of 3 different departments: The Ship's Crew consisted of the Captain, his Mates, engineers and deck hands. They drove the ship, kept it going and made sure everything bolted down was ship shape. They also drove the skiffs and zodiacs for off ship excursions. The next section were the 'Hotel' staff. The cooks, bar staff, waiters and cleaners, the latter being the same. Lastly there were the Expedition staff. This group had the job of keeping us entertained, on our toes and off the boat! I would add to this group the 3 fitness instructors who also gave the complimentary massages at the end of our first week. The ship can hold 84 passengers. For the first 6 nights we had only 32. The last 7 nights we gained another 30 or so. Naturally we noticed the difference but we never felt crowded. The lounge can hold the full amount of passengers as can the dining room (one sitting per meal) The other public areas like the decks rarely felt crowded. What was nice was the crew also joined in watching whales etc. I'm told they hold early morning yoga lessons and afternoon stretching sessions. I must have missed those... Whilst in US waters we were able to get off the boat and explore places very few go to. Double man kayaks, paddle boards and skiffs are used most of these days. Bush hikes also are led by the expedition staff. Lessons are given on using the kayaks and some like my better half were taken out on one with a staff member. My back doesn't allow me to use a kayak and I found the skiffs restricting my photographic needs. I mentioned this to the 3rd mate when he asked me how things were going. Within minutes he invited me onto a zodiac for an hour exploring the bay we had stopped at! Port of calls included Friday Harbor were we had a 1/2 day to explore and visit the whale museum (included), Ketchikan (full day) were a local gave us a tour of the old town (included) and we picked up extra passengers, Wrangell (morning) where we were given a tour of the local chief's lodge (included). The hotel staff looked after us so well. Within a day they were all calling us by name and had started to learn our likes and dislikes when it came to food. Generally the food was very good but we do prefer simple fair. Breakfast might have a special omelette etc but bacon, sausages, egg and hash browns were also on offer as was cereals and oats. Early risers also had a continental style affair available in the lounge at 6:30. Some availed themselves of both. During the trip my wife celebrated her birthday for which a cake and song was given at dinner. The following day was our 35th wedding anniversary and a small treat was also cooked up by the galley staff. Lunch was generally one option other than a vegetarian version. Often we would just ask for a sandwich which wasn't a problem. Dinner had a meat, fish or vegetarian option. Fine wines are served with meals and all drinks are included with this cruise. A pity we don't/can't drink... After dinner one of the Expedition staff would give a short talk on their specialist subject. I stopped by for the knots demo and sky at night but the urge to be on deck watching for wildlife won me over. I think later in the season I wouldn't get any sleep as I tried to be on deck during all daylight hours. This may have been a little different if we had a typical Alaskan shower. The thing is we only had one time when we got wet during an off boat excursion. I don't think I can describe or give justice to the scenery we saw. We did see a brown bear and a black bear but it was a little early in the season for them. Some saw orcas but I missed them but humpback whales were plenty and so were bald eagles. Sea otters, porpoises and other wildlife and birds were also snapped. I can only finish with a short appraisal of our final full day: We woke up at about 6am to find ourselves slowly making our way into Endicott Arm towards Dawes glacier. We waived between growlers (small icebergs) until we could see the end of the glacier about a mile away. Breakfast then out to listen to the glacier creak and explode as the force of nature pushed it towards us. In turn we climbed onto the zodiacs and made our way through the floating ice towards the wall of blue. We kept to about 1/4 mile away but calving ice still made the zodiac rise and fall with the waves. Hot chocolate was served. Once all were back on board the ship retreated to a small side bay where passengers and crew were invited to take a Polar Bear Plunge. A good many jumped in, I chose to take photos. After that some went out in kayaks and paddle boards and I will confirm some came back with fresh ice for their drinks. By early evening we made our way out of Endicott Arm into Stephens Passage. Here we encountered so many humpbacks. I must have spent 4 hours snapping away. By 10pm I thought I'd better get some sleep. At 11pm a tannoy announcement stated the Aurora Borealis had made an appearance. The deck filled with dressing gown clad passengers and crew. As it disappeared porpoise started to dance at the bow of the ship. It was a perfect way to finish what had been a perfect Un-Cruise. Read Less

I've wanted to visit Alaska for years but a traditional cruise doesn't appeal to me. I was so excited to discover Un-Cruise. It exceeded my very high expectations. The crew is friendly, funny, professional and will do anything to make sure you have a perfect adventure. We learned to kayak, went bushwhacking, took skiff rides around huge icebergs, and watched humpback whales leap and dance. We spent much of the week a little wet and a little cold, knowing there would be a hot drink waiting for us on deck when we got back to the ship. The food was exceptional. Portions were very reasonable --not huge, but you could ask for more. Evenings were fun and sometimes educational but not heavy lectures. Passengers gather in the lounge often to drink, snack, play games, or meet. We changed tables and meal companions daily. Un-Cruise also has the advantage of being a small ship with great flexibility, so if water threatened to be rough, the captain and cruise director changed plans to give us a perfect week. I can't say enough good things about our experience. Read Less

The Safari Endeavour is the second largest ship in the Un-Cruise line with 42 cabins. We went on one previous cruise on a large cruise ship and did not enjoy it. It was large and massive, dumping 2,000 people into each port. While this trip is expensive it covered all activities, there were no additional costs involved. The not-so good - the cabins are small and our shower was particularly small. It was difficult to shower without getting the floor a bit wet. The two single beds could not be moved together in our cabin (which is noted in their catalog). Housekeeping was excellent, our cabin and bedding were very clean. Everything else exceeded expectations. We could go into bays and get close to glaciers, get even closer in kayaks (and look back on the large cruise ships that could just barely enter the bay). I felt an intimate connection with the fjords and the land. In the guided kayak trips there was one leader in front and one in back. The leaders were knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The dining room was a few feet above water level and the experience of eating as you glide past waterfalls and cliffs was delightful. I liked the fact that there was one seating per meal and you could sit at any table you wanted. Activities are geared to active retired people with usually three choices each morning and afternoon: bushwhacking, kayaking and a ride on a skiff. While hiking we saw salmon swimming upstream to mate, from the skiff we saw a family of bears catching fish, and on board ship we saw whales galore. At one point there were at least 6 whales swimming around the ship. This is a cruise that allows you to be intimate with Alaska. It was a fantastic experience. Read Less

This experience was wonderful. The crew was exceptional. Very accommodating. Educated on what we saw and where we were going. If they didn't know an answer they'd know who did. They bent over backwards to make this an extraordinary experience. They sights were spectacular. We saw whales, porpoise, dolphins, sea lions, puffins, bear, mountain goats, and even a banana slug :) Annie the Cruise Director had a great pulse on what to do each day. I told her why I was on the cruise and she helped me make the right decisions. Every day there were numerous activities to be a part of from kayaking to shore walks, bushwhacking hikes to skiff tours. The food was surprisingly good and I was shocked at the choices they provided for every meal. I never felt stuck eating something I wouldn't want to eat. The Pastry Chef Stephanie created delicious deserts and pastries. I actually met her on the plane from Seattle to Juneau where she told me this was her first cruise in Alaska and she created desserts that were as delicious as the sights we saw. This was my first cruise and I had no idea what I was getting into and now I can't wait to do this again and when I do I'll go with UnCruise. Easy decision after the experience they provided. Read Less

The drop down boxes on the review input form do not have an option for the Sea of Cortez or San Jose Del Cabo so I used what I had to file the review. The ship departed from and returned to San Jose Del Cabo, Baja California Sur, and cruised the Sea of Cortez. We choose this cruise because it was focused on birding in the Sea of Cortez. The expedition leader kept that focus throughout the trip. A birding guide from the area was on board and stayed available on-board as well as during the excursions. Those passengers less interested in birding had most of the whale watching, snorkeling, hiking and zodiac cruises still available. There were 72 passengers on this 84 passenger boat. We met at the Barcelo Grand Faro for the transfer to the ship. Un-Cruise provided us with wristbands that gave us access to the amentities of the all-inclusive Barcelo prior to the transfer. We were on-board and away on time. The captain greeted us all and a photo book of guests and staff was prepared from our arrival photos. The book stayed in the lounge to help when names escaped the memory. The cabin was a bit small but we expected that. Most of our time was on the observation decks or in the lounge. We had asked for the twin beds to be pushed together as a king and found that left one of us up against the wall. We decided to keep the arrangement and it caused little problems for us during the trip. The food was very well prepared and menus varied. Service was friendly and professional. Meals were at a set time but seating was open. There was a very good early risers breakfast for those up early. The bar was well stocked with premium brands and the bartenders well trained. Drinks were quick to arrive and well prepared. The espresso machine was a big hit. Guest to staff on this boat was 72/36. This was the last cruise of the season in the Sea of Cortez and everyone was doing the additional work of getting ready to steam to Annacortes, Wa. for dry dock in addition to their normal duties but the work was always done properly and you always got a smile from the staff. The captain and other ranking officers were often out and made a point to visit with guests. There was a medical emergency mid-week that ultimately required that we change itinerary and get to a close spot for medical attention. Guests were kept informed of decisions made without intruding on the individuals privacy and the person was taken to a local hospital for treatment. I thought it was well handled by the crew. There was a presentation most nights about the cultural and natural aspects of the areas we visited but no nightlife other than that. They really do brake for whales. Spotters on the bridge kept expedition staff informed about any sightings and we frequently slowed down and spent some time with whales or dolphins. There are a couple of hot tubs and some exercise equipment but no pool. There are no specific facilities for children. The mountains' islands' and waters of the Sea of Cortez are ruggedly beautiful. Water temp of 70F was bit cool for us but the ship carries wetsuits and snorkeling gear. There was fitting and instruction the first morning then you used the same equipment all week. The Sea of Cortez was not an option in the drop down box so I used the Mexican Riveria to be able to file the review. The cruise departed from San Jose Del Cabo, Baja California Sur and returned there. Fellow passengers were generally middle-aged and up' as we are' and well traveled. It is easy to find an interesting conversation during the cocktail hour. The schedule for the next day and sign up sheets for excursions were handled after dinner. The itinerary was changed one evening because the wind had changed and we had an opportunity to visit a beautiful cove that was usually too choppy. The expedition team and captain kept looking at the conditions to give us the best experience possible.There were usually one or two snorkel outings, one or two zodiac tours. beach activities, and normally one highlight excursion. These included burro rides, swimming with sea lions, swimming with whale sharks, and a cultural walk in Loreto. We used a couple of afternoons specifically cruising to sight whales and dolphins. The expedition team kept things moving without being intrusive about it. It was clear in all their behavior that safety was a top priority and it was constantly reinforced. This was our third expedition style cruise and was very good. The ship, staff, and location combined for a great experience. We were in cabin 203. This is a captain class room with two movable twin beds. We had them set up as a king but meant one side was against the wall. We were OK with it but consider it before setting up your bedding request. There is a small desk and chair, a good sized wardrobe, and a small ensuite. Read Less

Have traveled on large ships and small and prefer now smaller expedition ships with lectures instead of entertainment. We had 42 passengers who were all well traveled and well educated. Average age was probably over 50. It was like going to camp but with gourmet food and drinks. Everything was very casual. The best part of the trip was the wonderful interaction among the guests and with the crew. Grey whale watching in Magdalena Bay was a highlight. We also saw blue whales, seals (you could snorkel among them), mobula rays, dolphins, and a myriad of birds. Depending on the weather each day offered snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, etc. The activities were guided and separated by difficulty levels. Free time was spent sitting on the upper deck or watching DVDs in your room. There is a DVD library available as well as reference books and some paperbacks. Yoga was offered each morning followed by breakfast. Two stops were made each day with various activities. During cocktail hour the next day was explained and you signed up for your activities. However weather often changed them. We did have a lot of wind and some rough seas so you might need medication. This was not a cruise for children although they offer designated children's sailings so they might work. Evenings were quiet with everyone to bed before 10PM. A couple of nights they did have evening lectures and once an onshore bonfire. We really enjoyed the cruise, the activities and the people. Read Less

We traveled the Sea of Cortes on the Safari Endeavour over the New Year's period. We chose this holiday because we were multi-generational group who all love adventure and active trips. Un-Cruise was recommended to us by our seasoned expert travel agent. She knows cruises and she knows us, which is why we are still shaking our heads over the whole experience. To say it was a misfit is an understatement. But i have to say that we were in the slimmest minority of passengers who left unsatisfied. Most of the other passengers were delighted with the program, the staff and the ship. Here are the PROS as we saw them: The Sea of Cortes is truly a breath-taking landscape. It is such a remote and desertic place it is best visited on a ship. There were lots of other families on board so plenty of socializing opportunities for our children. We got to swim with shark whales and sea lions (pretty incredible). Staff is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the region. There is no internet onboard offering us a heavenly tech-free week. We really got to interact with our kids! Loreto, a small traditional Mexican town, we visited was a real 'find', tranquil, beautiful, authentic. They had a wonderful bar-tender onboard (Heather), the only staff member who rivaled our staff experiences on other ships. The CONS, sadly, well outweighed the PROS for our group: FIrst of all, the cabin and ship are very poorly maintained (from a cleanliness perspective). Our cabin, a Commodore Suite (their highest grade) never felt truly cleaned. This is partly because the cabins are maintained by the crew which also waits tables in the dining room. When we arrived in the cabin I mentioned to my mother that our duvet cover (a horrid navy blue thing that belonged in a college dorm) looked slept in. She was incredulous but, on our last day as we were packing up, the cleaning crew asked if they could come in to strip the beds while we ate breakfast. When we got back to our cabin to retrieve our carry-on luggage we saw that the beds were stripped but the duvet covers were indeed left on! DISGUSTING! The coverlet on the hide-a-bed was visibly filthy with brown dirt. Dirty towels were frequently left forgotten on the bathroom floor after the morning cleaning. Our shower curtain was similarly dirty from past use. The floor was vacuumed precisely once during our whole stay (sand and candy wrappers were left as evidence on the floor). Again, no one else onboard seemed put off by this so I think our housekeeping expectations may have something to do with our past cruising experiences on SeaDream, Seabourn, and Paul Gauguin where spotlessness is the norm. The staff is more reminiscent of a summer camp than a cruise ship or a resort: they are gung-ho but not really trained for ship service. They remind me of kids taking a break from college to do a bit of travel. Several of them are precisely that, few if any are career ship staff from what I saw. They are nice enough (although not really service minded at all) but wildly uneven and unsophisticated (they would forget the simplest requests like a glass of water, ice, a wine refill, an extra dollop of mayonnaise). The ship lacks polish in every respect, from the staff to the ghastly common areas to cabins and all the details are way more Best Western than luxury ship (and the prices are definitely in the luxury ship zone). Pillows, sheets, TP, toiletries were all strictly budget motel grade. There was never, until the very end with one or two (Ashley and Jeryd in the dining room stand out) the sense that the staff was concerned with getting to know our likes and dislikes, or what they could do to make our trip better. We hooted with laughter at Jeremy's proud proclamation that Uncruise prided itself on having "a plan from which to deviate" ethos. The only plan this ship deviates from is when weather makes whatever was on the books untenable. Otherwise, and here is where we were really fish out of water, Uncruise has the most rigid guest policy I have ever been held to. They must be scared to death of litigation: we were give ZERO allowance to do as we pleased on shore except when we were in one of the two towns we went to. One is not allowed to deviate in any way from the planned activities. Should you want to walk at a faster pace on the hikes, paddle a bit further in the kayak, go for an impromptu swim, eat at any time other that the hour set for each meal, well, pall, that is plan from which Uncruise will strictly NOT be deviating. The staff are infuriatingly unconcerned with your preferences. It's all about keeping to a schedule and maintaining everyone in a manageable group. It is adventure for the timid, the leery of autonomy, the utterly malleable. The very fact that in this spectacular landscape they have no place or inclination to serve drinks or even a snack in the open air (everything is served in the grim dining room- everyone at once) is a travesty. On a sunny day there is no comfortable place to sunbathe, not an outdoor cushion in sight, no staff to offer you so much as a glass of water. We were there on New Year's Eve. There was no attempt to decorate the ship or serve a festive meal. It was all so ho-hum. These are people who have no sense of occasion (and nor apparently did the guests- hardly any one did so much as change into a nicer shirt for the dinner- so sad!). In fact, this is how they manage the food service - breakfast is at 7:30 sharp (on holiday!) no and ifs or buts, and then at breakfast you are told what the lunch and dinner choices are and you are to give your preferences then for those meals!! Who doesn't love planning what they're going to eat for lunch and dinner at breakfast, on holiday no less! My son and I who are avid hikers and climbers had to stage an escape one day to scale a hill that caught our interest. I hated having to be duplicitous and sneak around the guides but they left us no choice. After that we felt a distinct chill from Jeremy the cruise director. He's a nice enough guy but he clearly likes his guests sheep-like and undeviant. Ah well, Uncruise is not for us. We like our freedom too much (and cleanliness and sophisticated service). But if you like everything planned to the un-th second, and an all-American crew, and super safety conscious adventure dolled out in thirty minute increments (as the majority of our fellow passengers did) - then this is for you. On a last note, the food was fine (not one memorable bite but not dreadful) but we all had upset stomachs the last few days until the day or so after we got back... The coffee is cafeteria bad. The butter is not real butter. The cocktail hour snacks were truly awful. There is no maitr'd to greet you at the entrance to the dining room and help seat the groups so it's a sort of undignified game of musical chairs at every meal. If you go, don't bother packing binoculars (they have plenty, sun lotion (again they provide reed-safe sunscreen), any sort of nice clothing (this is a strictly beige/sage-toned, Tevo sandal crowd). Do bring reading material and DVDs you're likely to have a lot of time on your hands between activities. Read Less

For my 70th birthday, my wife and I wanted to cruise to Alaska, but we wanted to avoid the very large ships used on most cruises. We envisioned mostly staying onboard watching the beautiful scenery with the occasional whale. On the Safari Explore,r we got much more, and it was great. Uncruise specializes in active cruises. Everyday activities included long and short kayaking trips, hiking and bushwaking, and zodiac tours of fjords. All activities were led by staff who were very knowledgeable about the local plants and animals. Whether on an activity or just cruising aboard the ship if an interesting animal was spotted, we just stopped and watched. We saw humpback whales, orcas, bears, sea lions, seals, eagles and a wolverine. After activities, we relaxed in a very comfortable lounge with an open bar policy or just watched the beautiful scenery. At night the ship stopped in a cove for a restful sleep. The staff attentive to our requests. My wife said she felt like a queen--ask and it was done. The cabins were adequately large and clean. Lunch and dinner were very good (not great) with adequate portions. Breakfasts were just average and lacked variety. The activities are focused on active adults and teens. The cruise would not be good for children (or anyone else) who needs to be entertained. There is no wifi and mostly no cell phone service. Overall it was a great experience and much better than we expected. In the end, we felt that our cruise on the Safari Endeavour, while expensive, was good value for the money. Read Less

We traveled on-board UnCruise Safari Endeavor from Juneau to Ketchikan on September 2014, the last cruise of the season (7 nights). I cannot describe our experience in words, but I'll do my best. It was WOW! Big WOW!. Huge WOW! Everything was perfect & above it. We were amazed by the kindness of the staff, the comfort of the cruise, and the great beauty of Alaska. The glaciers were breathtaking. We saw many animals, as promised - whales, seals, sea lions, and many many birds. We experienced an amazing time, with great people, and we cannot stop talking about how great it was. It is not a cheap cruise, but you will get more than you wished for. More than you could ask for. This was THE BEST adventure we ever had, and I just wish we will be able to join one of their cruises in the future. Read Less