This was an unbelievable 10 day adventure I have been on many cruises but have not posted reviews as I feel in the posted reviews everything that is needed to be said was already said. As there was very little info on American Safari I wanted to post this to help others that might be considering it. While it was very expensive it was not a big a difference as one might think. If you are considering a suite on Holland America or Princess and factor in cost of drinks, bottled water, shore excursions, photos, specialty restaurants, transportation etc, it is not that much more yet what you see is so much more and what was experienced was that of once in a life time.

My Review We are a family of 5, 3 kids ages 12/9/6 We flew Air Alaska from EWR to SEA and connecting to Sitka. I have no complaints flights were on time and all employees were professional and helpful. We spent 3 days and 2 nights in Sitka Prior to our cruise. Sitka is all that is posted about on these boards. A truly charming town with very friendly people where ever we went. Day 1 We arrived in Sitka at 1:30 pm checked into our hotel The West mark. American Safari had a Private transfer waiting for us at the airport. Our bags were brought to our room. The hotel was fine as a place to sleep for the night. That afternoon we wonder around the town going in and out of the many fine shops we ate at Victoria's Pour House and had some of the best King Crab legs we have ever had. Later on some of the fisherman from The Deadliest Catch came into the bar as it seemed to be their local hang out which we were not aware of as my son is a big fan of the show.

Day 2 Had breakfast at a new restaurant called Level 2 that was recommended to us and the food was very good we ate dinner there as well. They have a nice lunch menu if you are visiting for the day and it is right on the main street were the cruise ships tender in. We had lunch at a small stand set up on the road to the left of the docks called Two Chicks and a Stick. It was two sisters that had fresh caught salmon from local fishermen that was skewered and you had a choice of different glazes and toppings served over rice for $8 two skewers for $15 with a drink you had to eat on the side of the road next to their trailer but it was well worth it to eat salmon that had just been caught. I highly recommend trying them. We were going on a tour the next day that was included with the cruise so we just walked around the town went to the lookout and to the Bishop's house and bought some gifts. Day 3 cruise day 1 We went back to Victoria's for some King crab for Lunch and Had Halibut Burgers which were great, we went to the docks to see the Debra D from the Deadliest catch and take some pictures. Our tour started at 1:30 and brought us around the town, Went to the Raptor Center, Russian Church, the tot-am pole park, and then we were brought to our ship the Safari Quest. Our bags were taken from our hotel and brought to our rooms on board the ship. The Ship is a private yacht that holds a max of 22 passengers yet there were only 15 on our sailing. They do not allow children under 12 except for two sailings per season this being one. There was a family of 6 from Australia and a family of 4 from Indonesia for a total of 15 on our sailing. We got to know each other on our tour and were excited about getting to the Ship. There was a crew of 9 for our sailing all standing outside waiting to greet us and they knew all of our first names from the time we met. We were show to our rooms and gathering in the living room for Champagne and Hors d'oeures. We all gathered in the living room area and we got the run down on how things worked. We cruise during the day and go to quiet coves to Anchor at night. We got to know the crew which were just fantastic. Throughout the cruise they seemed to antic pate our needs and desires and they were met without asking and a friendly smile. We would get a talk each night about the next days activities from our on board Expedition Leader as well as a review each morning to make sure that everyone was doing what he or she wanted to. There was a Chef and a pastry chef on board. For breakfast there was pretty much anything you wanted made to order plus the chefs special of the morning. During breakfast were were told about our dinner choices there was always a fish and a meat with chicken available. You could choose one or the other or have both if you wanted. The food was all cooked to order and excellent throughout the cruise. There was Breakfast at 8ish, lunch at 12ish, Fresh Baked cookies at 3ish, Ct hour at 6ish with hors d oeuvres and dinner at 7ish. Everything was ISH due to the events that could be taking place at that time if there was something to see we would eat later. Day 2 We woke up in the heart of the inside passage. There were brown bear on the shore eating with cubs so we were off in kayaks or the skiff depending on what you wanted to observe them closer a truly amazing morning. After lunch we pulled anchor and went out to observe whales we saw Humpback first, then sea otters and porpoise riding the bow of the ship. and the we saw families of Orca, I do not know who was more excited us or the orca as they were very playful with us we say two of them fully breach which was just spectacular. We weren't sure how this day could be topped but each day we saw things that amazed us more and more it was like being on a seven day shore excursion. Read more