UnCruise Adventures
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- 1Fare includes all meals, wine, beer and liquor, non-alcoholic drinks, adventure activities and gear, national park fees, guides, and group transfers on embark/disembark day; gratuities ($45 per guest per day suggested) and premium wines and spirits are extra.
- 2Nine small ships carrying 22 to 86 guests; seven are U.S.-flagged, which lets Alaska and Hawaii itineraries skip foreign port calls.
- 3Itineraries in Alaska (Southeast, Prince William Sound, Aleutian Islands), Seattle-Juneau via Canada's Inside Passage, Hawaii, Baja California, Costa Rica & Panama (Canal transit from 2027) and the Galapagos.
- 4Themed sailings: Families in Nature, Adult Escape, Photography Cruises and Captain's Cruises hosted by CEO Captain Dan Blanchard.
Payments & cancellations
Final payment
Per cruise lineSources differ
The La Pinta (Galapagos) Terms of Passage on the same page still say the fare 'is to be paid in full ninety (90) days before the departure of the vessel', the scale UnCruise used for bookings made before Oct 1, 2025. We show the current Terms (120 days); confirm Galapagos bookings with UnCruise.Terms & Conditions La Pinta Terms of Passage (same page)120 days before departure
Final payment is due 120 days before departure. UnCruise cannot auto-charge cards, so the guest or advisor must make the payment. Unpaid reservations may be cancelled without notice and charged cancellation penalties.
Applies to: Bookings made on or after October 1, 2025 (UnCruise Terms & Conditions, U.S. dollars)
Bookings made on or before Sep 30, 2025: final payment 90 days before departure. The La Pinta (Galapagos) Terms of Passage still say 90 days.
Deposit
Per cruise lineSources differ
UnCruise's Terms & Conditions say the deposit is due 'within five (5) business days of the booking date' (within 24 hours for departures 120 days or fewer away); the Terms of Passage on the same page say 'within 5 days of making the reservation'. The same Terms also say 'For reservations made within 120 days of the scheduled departure, full payment is required at the time of booking'. We show the Terms & Conditions; expect full payment on bookings made within 120 days.Terms & Conditions Terms of Passage (same page)20% within 5 business days of booking (24 hours if departing within 120 days)
20% of the total (cruise, hotel and land), due within five business days of booking for departures more than 120 days away, or within 24 hours for departures 120 days or fewer away. Bookings made within 120 days of departure must be paid in full at booking. Full guest names are required when the booking is confirmed. Credit card (no American Express), check, bank transfer or money order; no PayPal.
Applies to: Bookings made on or after October 1, 2025 (UnCruise Terms & Conditions, U.S. dollars)
Bookings made on or before Sep 30, 2025: 20% non-refundable but transferable cruise deposit at booking; hotels and land packages 50% non-refundable at booking.
Cancellation penalties
Per cruise lineSources differ
The La Pinta (Galapagos) Terms of Passage on the same page still say '100% of initial deposit payment is nonrefundable but transferrable until 90 days prior to departure', the older scale. We show the current Terms; confirm Galapagos bookings with UnCruise.Terms & Conditions La Pinta Terms of Passage (same page)See details below
Written notice required (letter or email to sales@uncruise.com); effective the day UnCruise receives it. 121 or more days before departure: forfeit 50% of the deposit (the other 50% refunded). 120-91 days: forfeit 50% of the total trip cost. 90-0 days: forfeit 100%. Applies to cruise, hotel and land. Changes: $250 per person more than 121 days out; within 120 days cancellation penalties apply. Name changes within 60 days: $100 per person (not Galapagos). No refunds for illness. Private charters have their own schedule.
Applies to: Bookings made on or after October 1, 2025 (UnCruise Terms & Conditions, U.S. dollars)
Bookings made on or before Sep 30, 2025: 91+ days forfeit 100% of deposit (transferable to a Future Travel Certificate valid one year); 90-61 days forfeit 67% of trip cost excluding port fees & taxes; 60-0 days 100%. Promotions can carry different terms (booking confirmation governs).
Onboard extras & packages
Prices are approximate, per person per day unless noted. Always confirm the current price with the cruise line.
- Gratuities (standard rooms)
- Not included: $315 per guest per week suggested ($45 per day)Per cruise line
- Gratuities (suites)
- Not included: $315 per guest per week suggested ($45 per day)Per cruise line
- Drink package
- Included (wine, beer and liquor, including signature cocktails)Per cruise line
- Premium drink package
- Extra cost: premium wines and spirits (no package or price published)Per cruise line
- Soda package
- Included (non-alcoholic beverages)Per cruise line
- Non-alcoholic package
- Included (coffees, teas and non-alcoholic drinks)Per cruise line
- Wi-Fi (basic)
- Included where available: limited Wi-Fi on the Alaska ships 7pm-9am only, switched off in national parks and protected areas; limited Wi-Fi on Safari Explorer (Hawaii) and Safari Voyager (Mexico); free low-bandwidth satellite internet on La Pinta (public areas only)Per cruise line
- Wi-Fi (premium)
- Included in the fare (onboard Wi-Fi, where available)Per cruise line
- Specialty dining package
- Not offered (all meals included in one dining room, open seating; no specialty restaurants)Per cruise line
- Specialty dining (avg per meal)
- Not applicable (no extra-charge dining)Per cruise line
- Fitness classes
- Included (on-deck morning stretches / yoga; fitness equipment and yoga mats on every ship)Per cruise line
- Spa / thermal pass
- No spa on any ship; on-deck hot tubs on select vessels (included)Per cruise line
- Air program
- Air not included, except the Galapagos: Quito-Galapagos flights and two Quito hotel nights are included on Darwin's Discoveries with Quito (2027-28). UnCruise does not sell flights from home.Per cruise line
- Other fees & perks
- Included: national park entry fees, adventure activities and gear, group transfers and baggage handling on embark/disembark day, guides; port fees & taxes for reservations made after 5/26/26 and all Galapagos bookings. Extra: gratuities, premium wines and spirits, travel insurance, optional land tours. $250 per person change fee (more than 121 days out); $100 per person name change within 60 days. Wine corkage $20 per 750ml, $30 per box or magnum. Onboard account in USD.Per cruise line
Sources differ
UnCruise's pages differ on port fees and taxes. The Terms say they are included only for reservations made after May 26, 2026 (and all Galapagos bookings); itinerary rate tables say port taxes and fees are included for every listed sailing. We show the Terms.Terms & Conditions Glacier Bay Adventure itinerary rates
Accessibility & special needs
- How to tell the cruise line
- Tell UnCruise in writing at booking about any illness, disability, or need for a wheelchair or medical equipment, and tell staff before travel about medical conditions, medications or equipment you'll bring. Dietary needs go on the Mandatory Online Guest Form. Per cruise line
- Wheelchairs & scooters
- Limited. Guests must manage steps to board every ship and reach the decks; only Wilderness Legacy has an elevator (stairs to the top deck). Bring your own collapsible wheelchair. Door thresholds of 2-16 inches, stairs and narrow passages; the captain decides if a wheelchair user can go ashore. Guests needing assistance must travel with a companion responsible for them. Per cruise line
- Medical equipment & pregnancy
- No physician except on La Pinta (Galapagos); crew trained in first aid and CPR, first aid supplies and seasickness medication on board. Medical facilities are not available aboard; any medical treatment is at the guest's risk and expense. Satellite phone on the bridge for emergencies at extra cost. Per cruise line
Not on the line's site (or not confirmed yet): blind / low vision, deaf / hard of hearing, service animals, guests of size. Ask the cruise line's accessibility team.
Never promise an accommodation. Send the request to the line and let them confirm. How to handle these calls → Premium
Upgrade & suite ladder
entryNavigator, Trailblazer and Pathfinder cabins (plus Compass single cabins); Captain cabins on La Pinta
Per cruise lineTwin or queen beds, private (often marine-style) bathroom, TV/DVD; most have a view window, but Safari Quest's Navigator cabins have port lights with no view. Compass cabins are single cabins with one twin bed.
midAdmiral cabins
Per cruise lineLarger cabins with queen/king or twin beds, often a sofa or day bed for a third guest, large view windows; some have a mini-fridge (e.g. Safari Voyager: double sofa sleeper, TV/DVD).
topCommodore and Jr. Commodore Suites (Safari Endeavour, Safari Voyager, Safari Explorer, Wilderness Legacy; Legacy also has an Owner's Suite)
Per cruise lineSuites with sitting area, mini-fridge, bathrobes and (on some ships) a jetted tub; Safari Endeavour's Commodore Suites have a private balcony. Wilderness Legacy's Commodore Suite is a two-room king suite.
Loyalty program
Loyalty Rewards and Benefits (past-guest savings; 'Beyond the Buoy' membership after 5+ cruises)Per cruise line
- 12nd cruise — 1 previous cruise ($200 per person off)
- 23rd cruise — 2 previous cruises ($350 per person off)
- 34th cruise — 3 previous cruises ($500 per person off)
- 45th+ cruise / Beyond the Buoy — 4+ previous cruises ($700 per person off; Beyond the Buoy membership at 5+ sailings)
- 510th cruise free — 9 cruises completed (excludes Galapagos and Aleutian Islands)
Guests may say
“UnCruiser”, “Beyond the Buoy”, “Next Adventure Savings”, “The More You Sail, the More You Save”
None: UnCruise is an independent, privately owned line with no sister brands.
Military & veterans
$250 per person off for veterans and active-duty military, all destinations, no expiry.
Listed as '$250 Off for Veterans and Active Duty' (Destination: All, Expires: Never). Combinability and proof required are not stated.
How military rates work → PremiumAirport transfers
Included: group transfers and baggage handling between the airport and the ship (or pre-boarding hospitality area or UnCruise-booked hotel) on embarkation and disembarkation day, if flight details reach UnCruise at least 45 days before departure and flights meet the itinerary's arrival/departure times. Otherwise guests arrange their own.
Which ports: Varies by voyage; see each voyage page.
What's offered changes by port and sailing. Check before you quote a price.
Good to know
No spirits from home; wine has a corkage fee
Per cruise lineGuests can't bring spirits aboard (they are held until the end of the cruise). A limited amount of wine is allowed under UnCruise's Alaska, Oregon and Washington licenses, with a corkage fee of $20 per 750ml or $30 per box or magnum. Drinking age is 21.
Minimum ages differ between pages
Per cruise lineThe kids page and FAQ give a minimum age of 6 (12 on Safari Quest unless chartered), with all ages on Families in Nature sailings. The Terms say 8 and older, with Safari Quest open to children 13 and under on private charters only. There is no childcare or kids' club. Kids under 18 save $500 off the cruise fare; kids 2 and under sail free on Families in Nature sailings.
No doctor on board except in the Galapagos
Per cruise lineCrew are trained in first aid and CPR, but only La Pinta (Galapagos) carries a physician. Guests needing assistance must travel with someone who takes full responsibility for them. UnCruise strongly recommends travel insurance (Travelex plan offered to U.S. residents).
Pregnancy limit: 30 weeks
Per cruise lineReservations aren't accepted for women who will be 30 weeks or more pregnant at the end of the trip; between 24 and 30 weeks a physician's letter approving boat travel (and air, if any) is required.
U.S.-flagged ships sail entirely within Alaska and Hawaii
Per cruise lineMost of the fleet is U.S.-registered, so Alaska cruises (e.g. roundtrip Juneau) and the Hawaii inter-island cruise don't need foreign port calls or open-ocean days from Seattle or Vancouver. Exceptions: Safari Voyager (Mexico, Costa Rica & Panama) is registered in St Kitts & Nevis and La Pinta in Ecuador. Seattle-Juneau voyages pass through Canada, so passports are required.
Advisors must make payments; no Amex or PayPal
Per cruise lineUnCruise doesn't auto-charge cards for balances, so payments must be made by the guest or advisor (by phone or the Guest Portal). It accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover and Diners, but not American Express or PayPal. There is no online booking portal for advisors; book by phone or email.
Fleet
- Ships
- 9 small ships (22 to 86 guests): Wilderness Legacy (86), Safari Endeavour (84), Wilderness Discoverer (76), Wilderness Explorer (74), Safari Voyager (66), Wilderness Adventurer (60), La Pinta (48), Safari Explorer (36), Safari Quest (22)Per cruise line
- Newest ship
- No new ships. Newest-built is La Pinta (built 2007, Galapagos). Most recent fleet change: the refreshed Wilderness Adventurer returned for the 2025 season.Per cruise line
- Ship classes
- Wilderness expedition vessels (Wilderness Legacy 86 guests, Wilderness Discoverer 76, Wilderness Explorer 74, Wilderness Adventurer 60; Alaska), Safari boutique yachts (Safari Endeavour 84, Safari Voyager 66, Safari Explorer 36, Safari Quest 22; Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, Costa Rica & Panama), La Pinta (48-guest yacht, Galapagos only)
Where they sail
Last full review: 8 Oct 2026·Last updated: 26 Oct 2026
A full review is when we re-check every fact on this page.
"Last updated" is the most recent check or change to any single fact.
Something wrong or missing?
"Per cruise line" = confirmed on the line's own site.
"Unofficial tip" = from an experienced travel professional; helpful, but not confirmed by the cruise line.