Photo credit: UnCruise Adventures
According to Liz Galloway, Director of Marketing and Communications for UnCruise Adventures, the Alaska season is off to a strong start. With 6 ships deployed there, offering 9 full itineraries, UnCruise has a longer season in the Great Land than any other cruise line, and their ships are “quite full all the way through the season which ends in September.” Galloway attributes much of their sales both to loyal guests who have been “waiting to get back on board” and to the positive effect of their marketing “to reach new audiences that didn’t even know small ship adventure and expedition cruising was an option.” Sales are near 2019 benchmarks and interest and inquiries are strong overall for 2023, and particularly in Alaska, even into 2024. Galloway indicates the company is seeing a shift to folks that are somewhat younger than historically measured – passengers in their 30’s & 40’s and 50’s, young families, and more international customers as restrictions continue to be lifted in places like Australia.
UnCruise positions itself as “not hard adventure, not soft adventure but more like ‘choose your own adventure.’ The company operates small ship vessels carrying 22 to 86 guests, but the uncharted course is part of UnCruise Adventures’ DNA. As the name implies, UnCruise is an experience for clients removed from traditional big ship cruising. No two departures are ever the same – even on the same itinerary – because their smaller, nimble ships can go where big ships can’t. The extemporaneous nature of the sailings allows the cruise line to reveal other dimensions of their destinations which also include the Columbia & Snake Rivers, Pacific Northwest, the Hawaiian Islands, the Galapagos, Costa Rica, and, new for this year, Belize. Captains design as they go, taking advantage of the weather, wildlife activity, and other factors to create the best experience to be had that day. The ships deploy kayaks using their custom-built system to get clients in the water safely. Hiking poles are provided for following a member of the expedition team to shore in inflatable skiffs. Paddleboards and snorkel equipment, binoculars, and special features like bow cams and underwater hydrophones mean clients can have a wilderness experience of sorts even just staying on board with their favorite cocktail or a glass of wine – that’s included too. The experience of camaraderie is key – according to Galloway, it’s one of the things guests love most about UnCruise. “Everybody knows your name, the crew treats you like family.
For more information, contact UnCruise Adventures
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