The concept of Un-Cruise Adventures began in 1996 when American Safari Cruises was established and pioneered yacht cruising in Alaska, offering upscale, active cruises aboard small yachts. In 2008, American Safari Cruises gained a new parent company when its former CEO Dan Blanchard – who headed American Safari Cruises from 2001 through 2008 – formed InnerSea Discoveries, LLC with partner Tim Jacox and purchased American Safari Cruises. In January 2013, the company changed its name to Un-Cruise Adventures.
The executive team currently includes Principal and CEO Dan Blanchard and Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Tim Jacox. Together they have 60 years of combined experience in yacht and small-ship cruising. Blanchard formerly was vice president of operations at Cruise West and a captain for Glacier Bay Lodge cruises; he has been a licensed captain since 1981. Jacox spent 20 years at Cruise West including 12 years as vice president of marine and land operations and about 8 years managing sales and marketing.
Blanchard and Jacox introduced Active Adventures in Southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage in summer 2011. These adventure cruises specialize in wilderness exploration with an emphasis on exhilarating explorations, hiking and kayaking. Three expedition vessels offering Active Adventures include the 76-guest Wilderness Discoverer, 60-guest Wilderness Adventurer and 76-guest Wilderness Explorer.
Luxury Adventures are offered aboard three yachts: the 86-guest Safari Endeavour, 36-guest Safari Explorer and 22-guest Safari Quest. Highlighting the luxury of experience, itineraries feature: casual, inclusive, upscale cruising highlighted by adventurous activities and cultural encounters most travelers never experience. Guests can be as active as they wish with activities such as kayaking, hiking, skiff explorations and stand-up paddle-boarding.
The newest endeavor is Heritage Adventures, which will debut in August 2013 with new itineraries highlighting Living History programs on board and ashore. The 88-guest S.S. Legacy is a replica Victorian steamer which will sail inclusive voyages in the wake of early explorers, gold rush prospectors and pioneers – first in Alaska and later on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
All three – Active Adventures, Luxury Adventures, Heritage Adventures – offer an alternative to traditional cruising by taking guests into areas that are not accessible to larger ships. They focus on activities and excursions that provide close-up experiences with wilderness, wildlife, culture and history in each destination. Itineraries are flexible and change to maximize wildlife and scenic viewing opportunities.
Un-Cruise Adventures is headquartered at historic Fishermen’s Terminal in Seattle, WA. Its vessels sail in Alaska’s Inside Passage, Mexico's Sea of Cortés, Coastal Washington & British Columbia, the Columbia and Snake Rivers and the Hawaiian Islands.
Click here to connect with Un-Cruise Adventures on ATTA's member online community, The HUB.