Cruise Buzz

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Q&A with Un-Cruise Adventures

Catching the cruise buzz at Cruise Shipping Miami with Tim Jacox, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Un-Cruise Adventures.

 

A. Un-Cruise Adventures carves an unconventional path for the adventurer in us all. Wildlife is eye-to-eye; culture is one-to-one; small group explorations are life-changing; sense of place is extraordinary; memories never fade.

Q. Why the name change?

A. The company has evolved over the last 16 years, and the name change reflects this growth. What started as yacht cruising in Alaska, is now four styles of Un-Cruise Adventures—Active, Luxury, Heritage and Charter Adventures. Our fleet has grown to three expedition vessels, three yachts and one replica Victorian style steamer carrying 22-88 guests. All seven boats sail in Alaska, but you’ll also find us in Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, the Hawaiian Islands, Columbia and Snake Rivers and Coastal Washington and British Columbia.

Q. What three words best describe an Un-Cruise?

A. Unrushed. Uncrowded. Unbelievable.

 

Q. How does an Un-Cruise experience help create unique travel experiences?

A. An Un-Cruise Adventure enables guests to explore remote areas by luxury yacht, small expedition vessel or replica Victorian style steamer with just 22 to 88 like-minded adventurers. It ensures guests have up-close encounters with nature, culture and history while discovering wildlife-rich seas and shores. This isn’t small ship cruising or big ship cruising. These are Un-Cruise Adventures that are fully focused on the Luxury of Experience–quality over quantity, wildlife over night life, and life-changing encounters over momentary entertainment.

Un-Cruise Adventures can be Active Adventures, Luxury Adventures or Heritage Adventures. A range of itineraries retain the best of traditional cruising while eliminating the rigidity, hassles and crowds. To illustrate, Un-Cruise Adventures:

• offer flexible itineraries and few scheduled port times so vessels can seek out wildlife and maximize viewing time for guests –rather than follow set timetables.
• carry only 22 to 88 guests and offer so many activity options that there’s never a crowd or long line.
• hug shorelines in smaller, nimble boats that can go where big cruise ships can’t.
• emphasize wildlife and wilderness experiences via small group travel.
• let guests meet local people one-on-one in small towns and native villages.
• ensure casual, comfy, adventure-appropriate attire, even in the evenings – no formal dress allowed!
• provide friendly, casual dining without assigned dinner seating.
• feature upscale staterooms/cabins, epicurean menus, fine wines and microbrews, and amenities such as on-deck hot tubs, saunas, massage, yoga and exercise equipment.

Un-cruise Adventures are designed specifically to provide close up, personal adventure experiences.

• cruising Glacier Bay National Park, wending through ice floes and scooping up bergie bits – 200-year old ice for drinks during cocktail hour – while watching massive glaciers calve new icebergs.
• exploring by kayak, inflatable boat or even custom-built non-motorized craft to discover secluded coves and observe sea and shore wildlife at close range.
• watching a waterfall plunge hundreds of feet between two jutting cliffs and feeling its misty spray.
• stepping back in time through Heritage Adventures’ Living History programs.

Q. What eco-tourism trends have your seen in the industry?

A. People want to get reacquainted with nature. They are seeking a more meaningful travel experience that connects them with their surroundings. Small group travel is ideal for a more intimate, personalized experience in a destination.

Q. What do you think the attracts people to adventure travel?

A. Although we are all very connected through technology, there is a lack of connection to the natural world. An Un-Cruise Adventure allows time to reconnect, see wildlife up close, go kayaking or trekking, and relax and enjoy the beauty of each destination

Q. How will your company continue to grow and expand?

A. New destination, more itineraries! In winter 2015, we’ll begin offering Luxury Adventures in Central America—Costa Rica, Panama Canal and Belize.

Connect and learn more with Un-Cruise Adventures