Expert Review: UnCruise Alaska

The insights shared here come from my most recent time sailing with UnCruise Adventures in Alaska, on the 8-day Glacier Bay Adventure Cruise with 2 Days in Glacier Bay. But what I detail below can apply to any UnCruise cruise you are considering. Our AdventureSmith experts, and our travelers, have been sailing with UnCruise for more than 25 years, so you’ll also find testimonials and staff reviews below that speak to everything from meals and service to the ships themselves. Together, these perspectives paint a full picture of what sets UnCruise Adventures apart and help you decide if they’re the right fit for your Alaska cruise.

IN THIS POST – UnCruise Adventures Alaska Reviews:
The UnCruise Alaska Experience Key Takeaways
Crew Culture & Guest Experience
Activities on UnCruise Alaska
UnCruise Alaska Itineraries
UnCruise Alaska Ships Review
Dining Review
Our UnCruise Review Credentials
Guest Testimonials & Trip Ratings
Request a Brochure

The UnCruise Alaska Experience: Key Takeaways

There’s something about UnCruise. If there were superlative awards in adventure cruising, they’d be at the top for congeniality. But from my lens and having heard hundreds of UnCruise Alaska reviews from our travelers over the years—I can boil it down to three key points that define the UnCruise Alaska experience:

• Off-vessel activity delivery: Unrivaled activity program, averaging two off-ship adventures per day, and backed by 25 years of expedition expertise and refinement. See details on every activity you can do.
• Exceptional crew: High retention, deep experience, and black-belt-level organization. The crews deliver a low-stress, fun, and expertly guided adventure where guests are informed and supported.
• Thoughtful itinerary development: Carefully scouted, tested, and refined to deliver authentic adventure, culture, and connection—including more Glacier Bay cruises than any other line.

The Crew Culture

Crewing is one of the most important aspects of small ship cruising. Each and every passenger’s experience is deeply impacted by the crew aboard—be they the guide or the steward, the chef or the captain. The UnCruise shipboard and shoreside staff are dedicated, young, enthusiastic, engaged and knowledgeable. The cruising industry has always had notoriously high staff turn-over rates. These are hard jobs with long hours, typically seasonal, and require you be “at sea” for long periods of time. 

We consistently get feedback from our clients that the crew aboard UnCruise ships reflect a team that feels valued, appreciated and respected by the company they work for. This translates directly into high retention rates and a deeply experienced staff. This, in turn, translates into an exceptionally positive experience aboard for passengers. Communication, here, is the key.

The greatest sin on any expedition cruise is to have passengers aboard who are unsure what comes next, or what they need to do to prepare for it. The UnCruise Alaska crews consistently keep their guests safe, comfortable, well fed, and well informed at every stage of their adventure. Not to mention that the Expedition Leaders responsible for managing the off-ship activity programs are black belts in dynamic group organization. 

If we happened to have a ton of kayaking interest aboard on a particular day, they’d just add another kayaking group to the morning or afternoon agenda. This flexibility has consistently been the modus operandi for UnCruise Alaska cruises, and it is a true hallmark of their low-stress, fun and accommodating style.

What Activities You Can Expect on UnCruise Alaska

UnCruise has spent 25 years perfecting off-ship exploration, delivering an unrivaled active Alaska experience. On my 8-day cruise, we averaged more than two off-vessel activities daily. Each evening, the Expedition Leader described in detail what activities would be offered next day, including the area to be explored and the level of strenuousness associated. The guides then came visited our tables to answer any questions and and help us sign up. Here’s what was on the menu:

Kayaking & Stand-up Paddleboarding

Kayaking excursions are expertly guided, typically relaxed and under two hours, and the very best way to experience these maritime environments in perfect quietude. UnCruise’s aforementioned use of the EZ Dock platform for launching sea kayaks quickly, comfortably and safely is a real innovation and bonus for any traveler seeking to try kayaking for the first time.

For the even more adventurous, all UnCruise Alaska ships also carry a complement of stand-up paddleboards (SUPs). For the very well balanced, this is a truly unique way to explore the quiet coves that dot the area. 

Bushwhacking 

There are not many developed hiking trails in the wilds of Southeast Alaska. Very few of the remote bays, coves and fjords you will visit have any development whatsoever ashore. So if you want to explore inland beyond the beach, you’re often bushwhacking (walking off-trail in dense woods).   

I participated in a number of these off-trail activities during my cruise—and can honestly say that no participant had anything other than a goofy good time. Crawling over, under and across logs, through the boot sucking muskeg bogs. Truly a laugh-out-loud joy at times, and the younger passengers just couldn’t get enough of this type of adventurous exploration.  

Short Hikes & Beachcombing 

On all our activity days, there were Zodiac skiffs and naturalist guides that led less-active groups on very low-impact beachcombing excursions, or a “meander” as they called it. What better way to spend an afternoon than with a knowledgeable Alaska naturalist simply exploring the wide-open shingle with its colorful tidepools, wrack line of kelp and sea grass, and open views to the sea. 

Light Hikes 

There were also opportunities for medium-length, medium-effort hikes in more open country—often across rocky ridges or in the alluvial plains and moraines created by glaciers. These hikes allowed us access to higher vantage points for sweeping vistas.   

On my particular cruise, while in Glacier Bay National Park, we followed our guide up the ridge adjacent to Lamplugh Glacier and were rewarded for our modest 45-minute effort with an eagle’s eye view of Lamplugh—spilling magnificently into Johns Hopkins Inlet far below. 

All-Day Hikes 

Aboard larger UnCruise Alaska vessels, there is also the opportunity to sign up for longer, nearly all-day hikes.  

On my trip, we departed the ship right after breakfast, armed with a box lunch, and headed up Cascade Creek in Thomas Bay. This is one of the few developed trails out in this country, maintained by the Tongass National Forest. The maintenance is primitive however, and we worked hard to hike the 4 miles up this beautiful river gorge to Falls Lake. 

Only one small group of us made it to the lake, but have no fear, our experienced guides were well prepared for varying abilities and levels of fitness. Over the course of the day two separate groups of hikers were gassed from the elevation gain, and there were more than enough guides to turn around with these groups and happily head on back down the hill. 

Skiff Tours 

On every Alaska small ship cruise, there are ample opportunities to explore via small skiff. These are typically 20’ Zodiac or DIB inflatables—very comfortable, stable and safe. They are the means by which you get to shore, but also great platforms to poke into coves, inlets and shallows for exploration. 

One gentleman on my cruise with some mobility issues did no off-vessel activities other than skiff tours. He absolutely captured the finest wildlife photographs of all aboard due to his stable (and highly mobile) perch.  

Alaskan Snorkeling: Not as Cold as You Think

Uniquely, UnCruise’s “Wilderness” class ships in Alaska may offer snorkeling as an added-cost activity. Since this activity requires a great deal of specialty gear, preparation and confluence of weather and sea conditions, it is never guaranteed on any particular departure. 

The time and tides were right for my cruise, so a snorkel guide got me fitted out with a 6-mm wetsuit, full hood, thick gloves and booties, mask, snorkel and fins. With this heavy gear, I was surprised how comfortable I could be in Alaskan waters. The activity necessarily does not last long, maybe 20 minutes in the water, but it was a truly unique wilderness experience that I will never forget. 

Alaskan Polar Plunge: As Cold As You Think 

Polar plunging, for whatever reason, is a thing in our cold-water destinations—Alaska cruises, Antarctica cruises & Arctic cruises seem to always offer this for the adventurous. If there is a day where weather and sea conditions permit, the crew will offer passengers a chance to take a dip without the wetsuit.   

It’s quite an experience to jump into the glacier-fed waters of Southeast Alaska. I’m here to tell you that you are not “off-vessel” for long in the 52-degree water—but there is always a warm drink or a quick dip in the hot tub to assist in the recovery from this delightfully shocking experience. 

Understanding & Choosing the Best UnCruise Alaska Itinerary

The 8-day cruise is the gold standard for Southeast Alaska small ship cruising, and UnCruise keeps it simple by sticking with this length for their Alaska-only routes. While other cruise lines offer shorter cruises, they often shortchange the experience. With embarkation and disembarkation days being light, an 8-day trip gives you a solid six days of exploration.

The 8-day circumnavigation of Admiralty Island is the classic itinerary in this region, and with good reason. Of the five unique 8-day itineraries in Southeast that UnCruise offers in Alaska for 2026, three are complete circumnavigations and two are partials.

A handful of UnCruise Alaska itineraries rise to the top of our expert and guest selected Best Small Alaska Cruises list for various reasons. But for your first small ship cruise in Alaska, my personal favorite would be the Glacier Bay Adventure Cruise. Here’s why:

1. It can be done in an easy 8 days, round-trip Juneau. (Convenient and the most air connections of any Southeast Alaska port.)
2. Calm waters: except for Icy Strait, you’ll cruise protected “inside waters” with no swell.
3. With the exception of Icy Strait, sailing is in protected “inside waters,” allowing for overall calmer cruising with no ocean swell. 
4. Compact route: covering about 500 miles means less transit, more time exploring.
5. It circumnavigates Admiralty Island and also includes two days in Glacier Bay.
6. It’s “got it all” in terms of wilderness experience in Southeast Alaska: Glacier Bay’s tidewater glaciers, Admiralty Island’s bears, humpback feeding grounds in Frederick Sound and Icy Strait, fjords, salmon streams, lush Tongass forests, and countless calm coves for safe anchorage and off-vessel activities.

Note that UnCruise also offers unique Alaska experiences outside of this region. An 8-day cruise in Prince William Sound, an 11-day cruise along Kenai, Katmai, Kodiak and the Aleutian Islands, a 14-day Gulf of Alaska cruise from Seward to Juneau, and a 13-day exploration of the Inside Passage entire from Seattle to Juneau. So there is truly something for every interest if you seek to explore a bit farther.

UnCruise Alaska Ships Review

The UnCruise fleet, to us, is Southeast Alaska coastal expedition cruising incarnate. Their seven Alaska-based vessels range in size from 22 to 86 passengers, which is not particularly unique across the small ships in Alaska (AdventureSmith works with Alaskan ships that accommodate 4 to 100 passengers). However, UnCruise’s innovative systems and processes for the efficient off-vessel deployment of passengers and equipment set them apart. 

Take kayaking, for example: a core activity in Southeast Alaska. UnCruise has developed custom launch platforms—like their EZ Dock and the “Sea Dragon”—that span the stern or tow behind the ship on 4 of their Alaska ships. These floating systems make kayak entry and exit safe, stable, dry, and stress-free, even for beginners. Guests can adjust gear and get comfortable before being gently slid into the water, and returning is just as easy.

These thoughtful innovations reflect UnCruise’s commitment to comfort, safety, and smooth adventure delivery, hallmarks of their expedition style.

The program style is generally the same across the UnCruise fleet—you will experience comparable delivery of the same activities, and in many cases the very same day-by-day itinerary. UnCruise does, however, offer a range of Alaska ship styles. As discussed above, these seven ships are all equally well adapted platforms for off-vessel exploration; it’s the onboard experience that varies across the fleet.

Though many of these distinctions are nuanced, you will generally find that:

Wilderness Adventurer (60 passenger), Wilderness Discoverer (76 passenger) and Wilderness Explorer (74 passenger) tend to have smaller cabins with compact en-suite bathrooms (think maritime efficiency), and consequently a lower per-day price point. I consider these three ships to be cleanly comparable.

The Safari Endeavour (84 passenger), Safari Explorer (36 passenger) and Safari Quest (22 passenger) tend to have larger cabins with more spacious bathrooms and a more upscale feel throughout (think maritime comfort, wood tones and brass). The latter two also offer an intimacy and small group size unique to the fleet. Consequently, these three vessels carry a higher per-day price point. 

To assist with your selection of vessel, UnCruise recently created sophisticated “360 Degree Virtual Tours” of the fleet, which you can now view on our ship pages (linked above). These tours allow you to take a virtual walk through, to get a better feel for the spaces that are available in different cabin types and public areas. Our team here at AdventureSmith is deeply familiar with this entire fleet, and can help to walk you through all of the options to find the perfect fit.

Regardless of which UnCruise ship you choose, these are ideal platforms from which to explore the protected bays, inlets and passages of coastal Alaska. The UnCruise fleet is not conspicuously luxurious or exceptionally modern; these ships are comfortable, casual and uniquely ready for adventure.

What to Expect at Meals Aboard UnCruise

It’s the blend of creativity, regional flavor and heartfelt service that makes dining with UnCruise a true highlight and often an extension of the adventure. Everything is included, so I could put my wallet away and enjoy top-tier meals, beer, wine and cocktails without extra charges. A few tips on dining that might help you best choose your ship:

• Safari boats offer fully plated meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Wilderness boats typically feature breakfast and lunch buffets with plated dinners.
• Wilderness Legacy is the exception, offering plated service across all meals.

While breakfast and lunch are generally straightforward with familiar favorites and the occasional standout special, it’s dinner that brings the most inventive dishes and elevated flavors.

Dietary restrictions? No problem. Our past guests and other AdventureSmith experts who’ve been aboard consistently praise the crew’s attentiveness, from gluten-free desserts to protein-packed vegetarian dishes and custom happy hour snack plates that never feel like compromises.

Fresh Local Alaska Flavors Highlight Onboard Menus

Meals are crafted with fresh ingredients and house-made breads and pastries that often steal the show. It was a treat to choose between land, sea or vegetarian entrées, with the option to split for a surf-and-turf experience or double up for hearty appetites.

Seafood is a highlight, especially in Alaska, where it’s sourced directly from the waters we navigated. And it was especially nice to see that UnCruise is a partner of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch® program so a lot of thought goes into their choices of sustainable seafood on the menu. The all-you-can-eat Alaskan king crab feast is always a crowd favorite; I guarantee you’ll want to ask the chef for at least one recipe before the journey ends.

Creative Cocktails & Thoughtful Touches

I appreciated how the onboard beer selection highlighted Alaskan craft breweries, and the cocktail menu had a fun, Alaska-inspired twist. The wine and spirits list was also well-curated. Happy hour is a daily celebration, complete with appetizers and signature drinks inspired by the day’s adventures, wildlife sightings or special occasions onboard. After cruising Glacier Bay, we toasted a vivid blue cocktail served over glacier ice. They also served a “Beary Cosmo,” made with wild Alaska blueberries, a nod to the region’s natural abundance (which we ate and foraged for during select shore excursions). Mocktail versions are always available and just as tasty. And best of all, every last sip is included in the cruise fare.

Our UnCruise Review Credentials

AdventureSmith Explorations has a long history with UnCruise Adventures and the seven vessels they sail in Southeast Alaska. In fact, our founder Todd Smith helped to pioneer this type of activity-based small ship adventure cruising in the 1990s as a naturalist-guide aboard some of these very ships.

Learn more about UnCruise as a company and our connection to them, view all UnCruise cruises or browse more of our staff expert & client traveler reviews below. We send hundreds of passengers to Alaska each summer cruise season, and partner with over 150 different vessels globally and 70 different operator partners, so we can offer a big-picture view at the value each ship and cruise will bring to our travelers. 

Comments & UnCruise Trip Ratings

Looking for more UnCruise reviews? Or have a specific question. Contact our team, or ask us anything in the comments on this page. Below the comment section, find testimonials for UnCruise Alaska cruises, written by our travelers who rate everything from the meals to crew, guides and ships.