Benefits of Small Boat Cruising, Southeast Alaska

Office with a view

   This summer I have started working as expedition leader onboard one of the high-end small cruise ships that Un-Cruise runs in Southeast Alaska, called the Wilderness Explorer. We max out around 74 passengers and have 26 crew comprising of my expedition staff, the deck staff, hotel staff, and the kitchen staff. It is an incredible way to experience this part of Alaska and many other parts of the world as well.

All Alone with Sunset Colors

   

Some stats on the Wilderness Explorer:

• 74 guests
• 37 cabins
• 26 crew members
• 186 feet in length
• 38 feet wide
• Cruising speed of 11 knots
• Built in 1976; renovated in 2012
• Registered in United States
• 3:1 Guest-to-crew ratio

View from the Bridge

Bowriding Dolphin

  Being on a small boat cruise allows us to get up close to waterfalls, into tight fjords and bays, and through the floating ice fields in front of most tidewater glaciers. Pacific white-sided dolphins and Dall's porpoise swim along side us and in the bow wave, and there are corners of the boat to zen out and soak in the whole view by yourself.

How close can we get

Brown Bear Encounter

Small boat, and smaller boat

Then we get into even smaller boats. We are outfitted with kayak, SUPs, and inflatable skiffs to get a more intimate look at the area and its wildlife. Brown and black bears, mink, otters, sea lions, harbor seals, whales, eagles, and even a couple of moose have been spotted. Whether it is a raging waterfall tumbling out of the old-growth forest, or a cliff hugging bear looking for food near the water's edge Southeast Alaska never fails to deliver. I look forward to exploring the areas more and immersing myself completely into the wilderness.