I've now sailed on every kind of cruise vessel, from a 12-passenger tugboat to the current largest in the world-Royal Caribbean International's 5,479-guest Harmony of the Seas.
However, when I first ventured out with UnCruise Adventures, its Safari Endeavour was the smallest cruise ship I had ever been on.
Boy, was I in for a treat.
By the time I boarded the 84-guest vessel, I had previously gone cruising on a riverboat with a capacity under 200 passengers, but this was going to be my first-ever expedition cruise. The Safari Endeavour picked us up roundtrip from Juneau, Alaska as the big boys watched on. Yes, even Silversea Cruises ordinarily intimate Silver Shadow qualified as certainly did Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Millennium, which I had sailed on before.
The Endeavour was clearly a different animal, and I appreciated the change of pace from the very start. Sure, private accommodations were somewhat stark by comparison with more industrial-style ensuite bathrooms, but amenities were still plenty comfortable. We'd be spending most of our time outdoors anyhow.
Most appreciated for a ship nerd like me was the open bridge policy allowing access to step in and observe the navigational process firsthand. At other times, the lounge itself was a cozy place to stay warm.
And you couldn't go wrong with an always-open bar with included drinks such as my favorite Alaskan Brewing Company brews on tap. In fact, the culinary program onboard-although understandably limited in selection-was very good, especially desserts and pastries.
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Of course, the real highlight of UnCruise in Alaska are its expeditions.
While the mega ships have a schedule to keep in order to reach the next port of call, if our ship spotted wildlife, we could alter course for a spell. That we did several times to see whales immediately alongside or in front of our ship, and it was unlike anything seen from a regular cruise.
Particularly wonderful, though, were the many opportunities we had to explore the waters and shores themselves off the vessel. Often at anchor-once even in Glacier Bay while the larger ships sailed past-we could get off for an intimate cruise or kayak adventure from the convenient marina right at the stern. Plus, loading kayaks was a breeze thanks to it cradling the craft as you boarded and exited them. At other times, we ventured shoreside for hikes and up-close-and-personal encounters with nature.
From such moments on, I was hooked by expedition cruising and UnCruise Adventures specifically.
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Just a year later, I also tried out its S.S. Legacy for seeing another side of the brand, one more focused on history along the Columbia and Snake rivers. An 88-guest replica coastal steamer took us to a number of scenic and storied sites. The river cruise was less of a physical adventure but still did feature expedition elements like a high-speed boat tour through Hells Canyon that was a blast.
This time, the appeal was more nostalgic with UnCruise's great software and service paired with a seriously unique piece of hardware, complete with steam whistles. As a fan of Disneyland, I surely appreciated its frontier nature and saloon atmosphere. Cosplayers would delight in the staff dressing up in period clothing as well.
Both ships were great for different reasons, but they are only two in a fleet of nine going much farther than the Pacific Northwest. UnCruise additionally heads for Hawaii, the Sea of Cortez, the Galapagos and, most recently, Costa Rica and Panama.
All would make for great destinations in which to experience the brand's alternative style of cruising.
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