Wilderness Explorer

Choose this ship if you are seeking an affordable and active adventure cruise with a lively crew with over 40 years of experience cruising Alaska. True to her name, the Wilderness Explorer is an adventure cruise ship designed to explore the wilderness up close and in style. She has been a strong sea boat since splashing the waters in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. The ship’s heartiness shows in her winters spent in Southeast Alaska. You can find detailed information on all of the cabins, amenities and decks on this page. Our experts can help you compare Wilderness Explorer with other small cruise ships and other expedition ships offering small ship Alaska cruises.

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Common Areas Aboard Wilderness Explorer

The Wilderness Explorer is designed to maximize viewing areas, social spaces and amenities for active travelers. The Cabin Deck features a large hot tub for up-close wildlife viewing from its position on the open bow. The Sun Deck includes fitness equipment, a covered area and space for tables and chairs. The lounge features a full bar in the center with a Douglas fir bar top, and offers a selection of microbrews on tap and cask wine. The well-stocked resource library includes books, games and DVDs. The Wilderness Explorer is equipped with Starlink WiFi, although connection may be unavailable in more remote areas and is typically only available in the evenings. Cell phone reception may be available when the ship is in more populated areas; a satellite phone is available (added cost) for emergencies.

Dining Aboard Wilderness Explorer

The Wilderness Explorer offers guests a casual-style dining experience with open seating that can accommodate all passengers at once. Chefs create exceptional meals using locally sourced fresh ingredients to reflect the flavors of each destination. Each day includes an early-riser breakfast of fresh fruit, onboard-baked pastries and breads, and a full breakfast complete with specialty items. Lunches range from pasta salads and sandwiches to homemade soups and ethnic dishes. Dinners offer a choice of entrées, including fresh seafood and meats.

Breakfasts and lunches are served buffet-style, while dinners are elegantly plated. Buffet meals give guests the flexibility to enjoy healthy and delicious options on a flexible schedule between activities and wildlife sightings. Vegetarian dishes are available and special dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice. Hors d’oeuvres for the cocktail hour feature a variety of appetizers, and desserts are varied and plentiful. Top-shelf liquors, wine and microbrews are complimentary.

Activities Aboard Wilderness Explorer

With an emphasis on exhilarating explorations in remote wilderness, the Wilderness Explorer features a fleet of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, a stern-mounted, state-of-the-art kayak launch platform and swim step (perfect for a polar plunge), and inflatable skiffs. Skiffs aboard are pontoon-style boats with seat back railings. Adventure gear is available for use, including hiking poles, and snorkel gear and wetsuits at an additional cost.

Other activities aboard the Wilderness Explorer include on-deck stretching classes with yoga mats offered each morning, whale watching and warm-ups in the hot tub and independent use of the fitness equipment. The open bridge policy encourages interaction with the captain and crew as they discuss navigation, logistics and flexible itinerary based around weather and maximizing wildlife viewings and off-boat activities.

Expert guides and jovial crew members both educate and foster camaraderie with their onboard programming. Engaging naturalist-led lectures are complemented by the underwater sights and sounds provided by the hydrophone and bow-mounted camera. Laughter fills the lounge nightly with lively gatherings for charades, trivia or a talent show.

Crew & Guides Aboard Wilderness Explorer

Wilderness Explorer’s enthusiastic and knowledgeable crew creates a casual and welcoming atmosphere, and offers exceptional service. The 28 crew members are known to be creative and willing to try the untried, whether it’s unexplored trails and anchorages in secluded bays or a new recipe with locally-foraged ingredients. On select departures, expert onboard naturalists and guides are complemented by guest hosts in the fields of ornithology, photography, marine biology, wine and wellness, among others.