Evan Nelson

Review of Un-Cruise Adventures

We have been with this company to both Alaska and ...

We have been with this company to both Alaska and Hawaii and loved it. This cruise line is for action adventures, and not for relaxing and reading a book. Expect to be exhausted every night by 9 PM and enthusiastic to get up at 7 AM for yoga, early morning snorkels or whale watching, etc. One of the great things about this cruise line is the collaborative process between the staff and the guests, changing the daily schedule as needed if something new and exciting becomes available, like a pod of whales that shows up in the middle of dinner or a chance to pick up a biology expert for an unexpected lecture on the boat.

Passengers are mostly in their 50s and older, very well-traveled, and well-heeled. Because these cruises are small you get to know all the guests, and the sense of comraderie makes this like an adult summer camp for one week. The staff are mostly young adults who are incredibly attentive to details. Service is excellent! It's the little touches that matter, such as when they brought hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps right up to our kayak to keep us warm as we were watching glaciers. The staff themselves are fascinating to talk with because they have been on so many adventures of their own. The food is excellent and they will cater to any special dietary needs. The rooms are nice yet very small, but hey! Are you going to sit in your room when you come halfway around the world to see the great outdoors and the animals, geology, and fauna?

It truly is all inclusive. You will never have to pay for a drink, a change in your menu, or tip a staff member for bringing you a towel. When you take shore excursions they handle tipping the drivers and guides. Do be prepared that on the last day of the cruise you will be expected to tip 5 to 10% of the value of the total cruise. By then, however, you will likely have had such a good time and know the staff so well that this large chunk of money seems reasonable.