Safari Explorer, Prince William Sound Explorer ex Seward return

PrinceWilliam Sound is a truly singular destination, defined by immense tidewater glaciers, thriving wildlife, and layers of maritime and cultural history. This is an itinerary for travelers who want to go deep into Alaska’s backcountry, where encounters with other cruise ships are rare, and the wilderness feels boundless. Days are shaped by exploration, from kayaking among drifting icebergs to hiking a ski mountain outside Cordova, with landscapes constantly changing. Operated and permitted within the Chugach National Forest, this journey offers immersive, active adventures in one of Alaska’s most pristine and glacier-rich regions.

Day 1: Seward, Alaska – Embarkation
Arrive: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC). Your flight should arrive no later than 1:00 p.m. Transfer (included): Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) to the dock in Seward (2.5 hours).

Welcome to Alaska. Fly into Anchorage, where you will be met by an UnCruise representative for your motorcoach transfer to Seward. Upon arrival, meet your crew and tour Safari Explorer, UnCruise’s flagship vessel and your home for the week. After a welcome toast and safety demonstration, enjoy your first farm-to-table gourmet dinner. Adventure is officially underway.

Day 2: Icy Bay Glaciers
Wake up surrounded by the glacial waterways of Icy Bay, where ice flows down from surrounding 4,000-foot peaks, and the ever-changing faces of Chenega Glacier, Tigertail Glacier, and Tiger Glacier may come into view. Explore this dramatic landscape by skiff, and if conditions allow, slip into a sheltered cove by kayak for an intimate look at ice, water, and scale. For those eager to stretch their legs, a hike to Tigertail Glacier offers a powerful on-foot perspective of this dynamic environment. Throughout the day, your expedition team shares how glaciers actively sculpt and reshape the land, as you move through this storied region by kayak, skiff, and ship, immersed in a place long known as “beneath the mountain.”

Day 3: Knight Island
Spend the day exploring Knight Island, one of Prince William Sound’s largest and most scenic islands, where glacially carved shorelines and quiet coves set the stage for adventure. This signature stop, visited under permits from the Chugach Alaska Native Corporation, reflects the classic UnCruise Alaska experience. Scan the water for whales, seals, sea lions, and seabirds, then choose how you want to explore: kayak along the coast, beachcomb, cruise by skiff, or head ashore for a guided bushwhack, a hallmark of UnCruise adventure. With multiple ways to get outside and get active, Knight Island delivers a full day of immersive exploration.

Day 4: Cordova, Alaska
Cordova is a tiny fishing town only accessible by air or sea, and it is quintessentially Alaska. Explore on your own or join a historic walking tour to see the mouth of the Copper River and visit a local museum. Hard chargers can race the guides to the top of the Eyak ski hill on a challenging hike. Take in the landscape before returning to the vessel for a quiet evening on board.

Day 5: Columbia Glacier
Begin the day at Columbia Glacier, the widest and most powerful glacier you will encounter on the journey. Flowing more than 32 miles out of the Chugach Mountains, this massive, highly active tidewater glacier is constantly reshaping itself, calving towering icebergs that fill the surrounding waters. Explore by skiff or kayak only, as shifting ice conditions require distance and careful navigation, with your captain selecting the safest and most dramatic route for viewing. After lunch onboard, continue to Glacier Island, also known as Jackson Hole, one of the few places we offer the full range of afternoon activities including open paddles, kayaking, skiff tours, and a mellow bushwhack ashore. Together, these two stops showcase both the raw power of Alaska’s largest glacier and the quieter beauty of its surrounding wilderness.

Day 6: Unakwik Inlet & Meares Glacier
Today is split between two very different glacier-shaped environments in the heart of Prince William Sound. Spend part of the day at Meares Glacier, a rare advancing tidewater glacier that offers an up-close look at the forces still actively reshaping this landscape. Explore by kayak or skiff or hike up along the side of the glacier for a powerful on-foot perspective. The second half of the day unfolds in a quiet, U-shaped bay nearby, where classic exploration takes over with bushwhacks, skiff tours, and kayaking among steep walls and calm water. In the evening, join your expedition leader for an interpretive presentation, then relax in the hot tub under the fading sun.

Day 7: Barry Arm and Esther Island
The final full day brings a blend of wildlife, culture, and big scenery. Begin the morning at Esther Island, an area rich with life and history. Visit a local fish hatchery to learn about Alaska’s salmon species, with time for skiff tours and the possibility of a short hike if conditions allow. This area is known for dense black bear activity and reliable sea lion sightings, adding to the sense of wild Alaska. In the afternoon, cruise through Barry Arm, where steep mountains and multiple valley glaciers fill the horizon. While this portion is explored by ship only, it provides a fitting visual finale. Back onboard, celebrate the journey with a farewell dinner and a slideshow of the week’s highlights created by your expedition team.

Day 8: Seward, Alaska – Disembarkation
Transfer (included): Seward to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC). Your flight should leave no earlier than 2:00 p.m.

Enjoy one last breakfast with new friends before disembarking in Seward. Transfer back to Anchorage along the scenic Seward Highway for your flight home.

The Safari Explorer, our flagship, is a 36-guest luxury yacht perfectly designed for “luxury in the pursuit of adventure.” Features include an intimate Wine Library and spa area including a large on-deck hot tub (Alaska), sauna, fitness equipment, yoga classes, and a complimentary massage.

Aboard the yacht, three public decks provide plenty of room for mingling, relaxing, and enjoying the fresh air. And a full-beam swim step makes for easy access in the water. Adventure equipment onboard includes kayaks and stand-up paddle boards; inflatable skiffs; hiking poles; fishing poles and tackle; yoga mats; and hydrophones for listening to below-surface sounds.

There are six stateroom categories aboard the Safari Explorer: Navigator; Single; Trailblazer; Admiral; Jr Commodore; and Commodore Suite. Depending on the stateroom, singles, doubles or triples can be accommodated.

CHOOSE TO UNCRUISE Wilderness, wildlife, and exploration; or history, tours, and wine. Our innovative adventure and river cruises provide an unbeatable combination of activity, expertise, service, and exclusive encounters. Uncover your small ship cruise, then pack, go, and discover! Alaska, Columbia & Snake Rivers, Central America, Galápagos, Hawaiian Islands, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, and the Pacific Northwest. Unrushed. Uncrowded. Unbelievable.

Adventure Cruising Focused on experiencing life on the outside—rain or shine—we offer different destinations, a mix of price points (some generously inclusive), and an exciting range of multi-sport activities. Kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), hiking, snorkeling, inflatable skiff excursions, and cultural encounters top the agenda. Our experiential cruise vacations are delivered from a variety of platforms, and depending on your choices, will accommodate from 22 to 84 like-minded guests. We provide the adventure, equipment, opportunities, fun, expert crew, expedition guides, and the vessel—the rest is up to you.

Equipped for action, adventure cruises are delivered from aboard our expedition vessels and yachts: Wilderness Adventurer; Wilderness, Discoverer; Wilderness Explorer; Safari Endeavour; Safari Explorer; Safari Quest

River Cruising Traveling nearly 1,000 miles upriver and down, our inclusive river cruises provide the best value available on the Columbia, Snake, and Willamette Rivers—included shore excursions, a complimentary massage, wellness program, onboard historians and guest experts, living history programs, visits to boutique wineries, exclusive one-on-one interactions with locals, no long lines or hours on a bus, and you’re never far from the riverbank. While exploring the cultural traditions, unspoiled lands, and the history and evolution of life along the rivers, you’ll enjoy a stimulating heritage voyage of colorful places and fascinating people.

Traveling aboard our 88-guest replica turn-of-the-century steamer—a style of vessel that has been on these rivers for over 100 years—offers you the conveniences of today with the feel of yesteryear. Enjoy the old-world charm of our newly-refurbished: S.S. Legacy

Select the Deck to view detail.

Safari Explorer - Main Deck

Safari Explorer - Cabin Deck

Safari Explorer - Bridge Deck

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Commodore Suite

Cabins A1 and A2. Separate sitting area with a step-out balcony. King / twin beds, view window, private bath with shower. Your cabin comes complete with TV/DVD player, heated tile floor in the bathroom, hairdryer, bathrobes, and eco-friendly hair and body products.

Trailblazer Stateroom

Cabins B15 and B16. Queen / twin beds, view window, private bath with shower. Your cabin comes complete with TV/DVD player, heated tile floor in the bathroom, hairdryer, bathrobes, and eco-friendly hair and body products.

Admiral Stateroom

Cabins B1, C1, and C2. Queen / twin beds, view window, private bath with shower. Your cabin comes complete with TV/DVD player, heated tile floor in the bathroom, hairdryer, bathrobes, and eco-friendly hair and body products.

Navigator Stateroom

Cabins B3 and B7 – B14. Queen / twin beds, view window, private bath with shower. Complete with TV/DVD player, heated tile floor in the bathroom, hairdryer, bathrobes, and eco-friendly hair and body products.

Single Stateroom

Cabin B6. Fixed queen bed, view window, private bath with shower. Your cabin comes complete with TV/DVD player, heated tile floor in the bathroom, hairdryer, bathrobes, and eco-friendly hair and body products.

Jr Commodore Stateroom

Cabin B2. Queen / twin beds, view window, private bath with shower. Your cabin comes complete with TV/DVD player, heated tile floor in the bathroom, hairdryer, bathrobes, and eco-friendly hair and body products.