Exploring Alaska's Untamed Wilderness: A Week Aboard UnCruise Adventures' Wilderness Adventurer
My internal clock wakes me before the alarm, and I peer out the window above our bed. The captain has anchored near El Capitan on Prince of Wales Island—the first stop on our seven-day cruise aboard the Wilderness Adventurer in Southeast Alaska.
We leap out of bed, eager to immerse ourselves in the stunning scenery and day's adventures.
We selected this UnCruise Adventures voyage over larger cruise lines to access remote wilderness areas inaccessible to big ships. On this 160-foot vessel, we reconnected deeply with Alaska's pristine nature.
Daily Excursions
Each evening, our adventure leader Annie briefed us on the next day's options, including shore walks, hikes, guided kayaking, open kayak sessions, and skiff tours.
After a crew member's expert overview of the area and wildlife, Annie took our dinner-time preferences. She ensured everyone could join their top choice, even if popular.
Activities lasted up to three hours, allowing two per day—one morning, one afternoon.
Our favorite excursions:
- Eagle viewing in Port Houghton—on land and skiff tours
- Open kayak everywhere, especially North Dawes (near Dawes Glacier) and Bay of Pillars, teeming with sea otters
- Bushwhack hike on Kuiu Island—blazing our own trail and spotting a black bear
- Skiff tour in Endicott Arm to Dawes Glacier
- Guided kayak in Patterson Bay—stunning reflections
Meals
Boat food rarely impresses, but the Wilderness Adventurer's cuisine exceeded expectations. Breakfast and lunch were varied buffets, with standouts like exceptional spaghetti and meatballs.
Dinners were three-course seated meals with three mains (always vegetarian options) and surf-and-turf halves. Favorites: scallops in butter sauce, duck, potato curry, and crab legs.
Advantages of Small-Ship Cruising
The 160-foot Wilderness Adventurer accommodates up to 60 guests across four decks—intimate compared to mega-ships.
No cabin keys—a liberating quirk we quickly embraced, avoiding the hassle of unlocking dozens of times daily.
Cabins are always nearby; switching gear during whale watches was effortless, unlike sprawling mega-ships.
Key advantages:
- Flexible itineraries—Captain adjusted for weather, dodging storms
- Intimate group fosters connections with like-minded travelers
- Active itineraries included (extras like camping/snorkeling optional)
- Free rubber boots, dry bags, and seasickness pills
- Affordable drinks: $4.50 beer, $5.50 wine
- Cabin DVD players and shared library
Cruises aren't our default, but Alaska's scale demands one. Regret: not extending for Juneau/Ketchikan. Next: dog sledding or seaplane.
See our Alaska packing list for UnCruise essentials.
Plan Your Alaska Trip
With 10+ years of travel experience, we recommend:
Flights: Momondo—searches hundreds of airlines, price calendar for cheapest days.
Accommodation: Booking.com—best prices, reviews for Seattle stays pre/post-cruise.
Have you cruised Alaska? Share your thoughts!
Thanks to UnCruise Adventures for hosting our Wilderness Adventurer voyage. Opinions solely ours.
