SEATTLE, June 09, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Expanding operations across the West Coast of the Americas, small ship operator Un-Cruise Adventures has released its full deployment schedule for 2016 with nine ships offering adventure and river cruises in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, Columbia and Snake Rivers, Mexico, Hawaii, and new for 2016, the Galápagos Islands and Costa Rica & Panama.
Un-Cruise Adventures’ fleet of boutique yachts and small ships carry 22-88 guests on adventure and river cruises from one week to 21 nights. Adventure activities, tours, and presentations are included.
“Central and South America are prime adventure travel destinations,” said Captain Dan Blanchard, CEO. “The quality of included adventure activities and opportunities for wildlife encounters make these trips stand out.”
Costa Rica & Panama – New destination in 2016
From October 2016 through April 2017, the 64-guest Safari Voyager sails 29 weeklong adventure cruises on an Uncharted Isthmus! Sloths, Monkeys & Mangroves itinerary between San José, Costa Rica and Panama City (or reverse). Jungle hikes and watersports activities occur throughout the week in Curú National Wildlife Refuge, Isla Tortuga, Manuel Antonio National Park, Corcovado National Park, Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica; and Coiba National Park, Gulf of Panama Islands, Panama. A full Panama Canal transit is included in each voyage. Rates begin at $2,995 per person, double occupancy.
Galápagos Islands – New destination in 2016
Following in Darwin’s footsteps, eight departures are scheduled on a 10-day Unequaled Ecuador! Colonial Quito & Galápagos Islands itinerary including a two-day tour of historic Quito, Ecuador and a weeklong cruise among the islands. The 48-guest La Pinta explores Isla San Cristóbal, Isla Santa Cruz, Isla Bartolomé , Isla Santiago, and two of the archipelago’s showcase islands—Genovesa and Española. Island hikes, glass bottom boat touring, snorkeling and kayaking bring guests up close to wildlife including iguanas, sea lions, birds, penguins and giant tortoises. Adventures include transfers; air between Quito and Galápagos; fees/taxes; tours and adventure activities; and premium wine, beer and spirits on board La Pinta. Rates begin at $8,995 per person, double occupancy. Optional tour extensions include a five-day Amazon rainforest voyage and a seven-day guided land tour exploring Peru and Machu Picchu.
Southeast Alaska
Travelers may choose from seven adventure cruise itineraries on 113 departures lasting a week or 12 days, many with visits to Glacier Bay National Park, from homeports of Seattle, WA; Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka, Alaska. Two new adventure cruise itineraries debut in 2016: Exploring Muir’s Wilderness and Yachter’s Alaskan Frontier, both roundtrip Juneau, AK. Itineraries may be combined to create adventures from two to three weeks long while remaining on the same vessel. Six vessels—22-guest Safari Quest, 36-guest Safari Explorer, 60-guest Wilderness Adventurer, 74-guest Wilderness Explorer, 76-guest Wilderness Discoverer and 84-guest Safari Endeavour—sail adventure cruises in remote Alaskan wilderness with a focus on exploring wilderness and wildlife. With no port calls during the week on most itineraries, the emphasis is on exploring outside: hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, skiff excursions and whale watching are included. Rates begin at $2,295, per person, double occupancy.
Pacific Northwest
From April to May and September to November, weeklong adventure cruises sailing roundtrip from Seattle explore the islands, temperate rainforests and hidden coves found in the secluded waterways of the Pacific Northwest. The 76-guest Wilderness Discoverer offers 14 departures on an Explore! Olympic Wilderness & San Juan Islands cruise sailing in Washington’s Puget Sound from south Hood Canal north through the Salish Sea and San Juan Islands with visits to Olympic National Park, Sucia Island and Orcas Island. The 22-guest Safari Quest sails 19 departures on a British Columbia’s Yachters’ Paradise itinerary exploring Victoria, Harmony Islands, Princess Louisa Inlet, Jervis Inlet, Gulf Islands, B.C.; and San Juan Island, WA. Rates begin at $3,695 aboard the Safari Quest and $1,795 aboard the Wilderness Discoverer. Rates are per person, double occupancy.
Columbia and Snake Rivers
The 88-guest S.S. Legacy, a replica coastal steamer, offers 34 river cruise departures on two itineraries on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, roundtrip Portland, Oregon from April through November. In 2016, seven departures are offered on a new Ameritage! Four Rivers of Wine & History itinerary featuring Washington and Oregon wines. Wine experts join the ship for wine tastings and presentations on board. Highlights include visits to Washington and Oregon wineries, Hood River, Palouse Falls State Park and Cannon Beach. A Legacy of Discovery itinerary cruises through the scenic Columbia River Gorge to the rolling hills of the Palouse, east to Hells Canyon and back to the coastal town of Astoria, Oregon while transiting eight sets of locks and dams. Included tours focus on the history of the area—early explorers such as Lewis and Clark, pioneers, native cultures and entrepreneurs. An on board heritage team and local experts from along the route recreate yesteryear in authentic garb of the era. Rates begin at $3,395 per person, double occupancy.
Mexico’s Sea of Cortés
From San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, the 84-guest Safari Endeavour operates 21 Baja’s Bounty adventure cruises exploring Baja’s remote Sea of Cortés, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from January through March and November through December. Depending on the time of year, weeklong adventures include either an opportunity to snorkel alongside whale sharks in Bahía de la Paz or a scenic trip across the peninsula to Bahía Magdalena to see gray whales and calves up close. A flexible sailing schedule explores Isla San Francisco, Bahía Agua Verde, Isla Partida, Isla Espíritu Santo and La Paz. Highlights include snorkeling with sea lions, a burro ride with local rancheros into the arroyo, kayaking, hiking and snorkeling excursions. Rates begin at $2,995 per person, double occupancy.
Hawaiian Islands
In 2016, 23 departures explore four islands by yacht—Hawai’i, Maui, Lana’i and Moloka’i—on a Hawaiian Seascapes adventure cruise. From January through April and November through December, the 36-guest Safari Explorer sails one-way itineraries between Hawai’i and Moloka’i (and reverse). Highlights include a full day of exclusive cultural activities on Moloka’i, snorkeling with Giant Pacific Manta rays, whale watching and marine life search in the Humpback National Marine Sanctuary, snorkeling among sea turtle habitat and kayaking near volcanic cliffs. Rates begin at $3,795 per person, double occupancy.
Inclusive cruises are available in seven destinations and fares may include premium spirits, fine wines and microbrews; port taxes and fees; exceptional cuisine; and massage and stretching classes. Theme cruise topics include photography, marine biology, ornithology, wine, craft beer, and Lewis & Clark. A Family Discoveries program encourages families to bring children eight years and older along with a savings of $500 on fares for kids ages eight to 13.
To book or to request additional information, contact your travel agent or Un-Cruise Adventures at 888-862-8881 or sales@un-cruise.com.
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Editor’s note: Visit the Media Gallery for press materials and images. More photos are available through sarahs(at)un-cruise.com.
About Un-Cruise Adventures
Un-Cruise Adventures’ boutique yachts and small ships carry 22-88 guests on voyages in Alaska, Hawaiian Islands, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, Columbia & Snake Rivers, coastal Washington, British Columbia, Galápagos Islands and Costa Rica & Panama. Un-Cruise Adventures, under the parent company of InnerSea Discoveries Alaska Inc., is a member of Trusted Adventures, dedicated to the highest standards of small-group travel and to giving back to the places visited.