UnCruise Legacy
ULTIMATE VACATIONS REVIEW OF AN UNCRUISE CRUISE
ULTIMATE VACATIONS cruised on the UnCruise Legacy yacht between Juneau and Sitka, and the wilderness adventures in between. This is our day-to-day review, personal photos & videos of the ship and itinerary from our personal experience.
UnCruise promotes itself as being unlike other cruise experiences. Multiple ports of call, Broadway shows, formal nights and shopping mecca's are replaced by immersive adventures and up close experiences big ships can not duplicate. So I crossed this one off my bucket list and made the plunge. Boy, am I glad.
I can shop or buy tee-shirts anytime. But this week I was able to view whales up close frolicking in their natural environment, witness a family of bears munching on the shore, sea lions going in and out of the water as they please, got right up close to glaciers and waterfalls, spend the night in Glacier Bay National Park, bushwhacked beside and above a 17-mile long glacier, kayaked in unspoiled coves, spent my nights anchored in bays and so much more. This is Alaska!
The big difference is guests on big ships see Alaska (often from a distance). On UnCruise we got to experience Alaska up close and very personal!
Best of all - these activities are included: the use of skiffs, kayaks, paddle boards, and expertise and accompaniment of Adventure Guides on all activities, plus all meals, snacks and even open bar. Nothing better than snacks and your favorite beverage when you return from an exhilarating excursion. Warning: The price tags is bigger than big ships. So is the experience!
Here's my story - and I'm sticking to it.
DAY 1 & PRE CRUISE IN JUNEAU, ALASKA
We flew to Juneau the day before to make sure we did not miss the cruise and to experience Juneau. Glad we did. Stayed at the Driftwood Hotel, maybe a couple miles from the Wharf.
We enjoyed the town of Juneau and the Wharf area, all with our soon-to-be-home-ship in view. There are several great dining spots for lunch before boarding. Juneau is beautiful.
Check out our Day 1 report for our review, photos and videos of the Legacy and our first experience onboard UnCruise, as we learn about our "new" itinerary. Plus our unique experience with Dan Blanchard, the Owner of UnCruise.
DAY 2 GLACIER BAY & OVERNIGHT STAY
Surprise. Today is the first of 2 full days in Glacier Bay, where we will also spend the night. Wow!
We experienced a massive Sea Lion colony on South Marble Island, had 3 fabulous meals, and went out on our first skiff trip - bringing huge kelp onboard. Signed up for an exhilarating (scary) activity for tomorrow. Closed the bar.
Check out our Day 2 report for our review, photos and videos of our first full day in Glacier Bay flush with the smell of Sea Lions and our skiff in the mist.
DAY 3 GLACIER BAY ACTIVITIES & ADVENTURES
Woke up in Glacier Bay on Solstice Day. A busy day at that. 6AM stop at Margerie & Grand Pacific Glaciers. Followed by our skiff breaking ice in route to Lamplugh Glacier for some strenuous "bushwhacking". Spectacular views!
Viewed Mountain Goats, took a skiff into the fjord up close to John Hopkins Glacier, and after dinner we hiked around Bartlett Cove, the entrance to the park where we viewed moose grazing at dusk. What a prefect day!
Don't miss our Day 3 report for our review, photos and videos of our incredible Glacier Bay scenery and experiences.
DAY 4 TAKATZ BAY - KAYAKS, BEARS & SEALS
Woke up in a beautiful, peaceful Takatz Bay. While Jay went kayaking and Carol went on a skiff they met up to view a mother bear and her cubs munching on the shoreline. The skiff traveled deep into backcountry for waterfalls.
After another fabulous lunch we ventured back out via skiff and came upon a Seal and her pups. This scenery never fails to inspire.
Read our Day 4 report for our review, photos and videos of Takatz Bay, bears and our sliver of 10PM sunset.
DAY 5 HALLECK HARBOR & WHALE EXTRAVAGANZA
We anchored in Halleck Bay today. Today's goal is Whale Watching as this is prime territory. And it did not take long. They were all around the ship early. But this was only the beginning.
Jay signed up for another bushwhacking hike but bailed. Great decision. We went on a skiff far from our ship and hit a whale bonanza, frolicking in their environment - flipping, slapping, diving for a good 30-minutes. We were in awe!
Our Day 5 report is full of photos and videos of Whales. You don't want to miss these incredible videos.
DAY 6 DEEP BAY & SEA CUCUMBERS
A rainy day in Deep Bay but we still bravely went on the skiff twice. We're here so lets' soak it all in. No pun intended. Only 4 total guest out this morning to see a sea otter, baby deer and some overhead eagles.
This afternoon we skiffed into Peril Straight, crossed the Alaska Marine Highway and into Big Bear Baby Bear State Park where we made friends with a Sea Cucumber (pictured). For dinner we dinned on All-You-Can-Eat Crab Legs!
Visit our Day 6 report full of photos and videos of our adventures for the day.
DAY 7 FINAL FULL DAY, IN THE MAGOUN ISLANDS
Tried kayaking on a misty day until the winds became wicked and pushed us backwards. Muscled our way back to the ship. Did manage to skiff around the scenic Magoun Islands.
Todays lunch turned into one of those long afternoons with no other plans than to chill and soak in the last day of our Alaska UnCruise. After a busy week of adventures we stayed onboard. After dinner the crew treated us.
Visit our Day 7 report for photos and videos of our last day and night onboard and what the crew did for us.
DAY 8 DISEMBARKATION & SITKA, ALASKA
All good things must come to an end. After a final great breakfast we waved goodbye to our outstanding crew as we exit the S.S. Legacy. This has been an extraordinary experience like no other. Thank you UnCruise and crew!
We spent the day enjoying the beautiful sites in and around Sitka before out flight back home.
Visit our Day 8 report for photos and videos of our disembarkation and day in Sitka. .