Inclusive Travel - The Outdoors is For Everyone
By Guest Blogger Valerie Mellema
The great outdoors is meant for everyone. No matter where you’re from or the level of experience you’ve had, nature welcomes you. We’ve sailed with guests who’ve had a lot of experience in the outdoors while others are just starting out, but they all have one thing in common, a love of the outdoors and the curiosity to get out there and learn. Inclusion for everyone has always been a part of the core values at UnCruise Adventures and is part of our desire to provide something different for each of our guests. Regardless of your background, there are wonderful outdoor opportunities in and around Alaska and the Pacific Northwest that could be just what you’ve been looking for. Getting everyone outside helps people develop a greater appreciation for nature and tests our own skills.
We think getting people outside and being inclusive in travel is so essential we even developed an UnCruise Citizen statement of values. This allows travelers to get the best out of their travel with our crew, other curious adventurers, and embrace travel for everyone. A company's culture, core values, and stance on inclusion and how we treat others, matters. At least we think so. Get to know the outdoors and becoming part of the UnTourism movement to travel better and get everyone outside.
What Kind of Activities Can You Enjoy?
One of the common questions that many prospective travelers want to know is what they can expect when they are traveling by small boat to our destinations. Fortunately, you’ll find that there are many different types of trips with a host of active outdoor adventures and plenty of time to take in the flora and fauna of remote places. Nature-based travel continues to grow in popularity for many reasons, and whether you have a week to get away or are taking in a bit of forest bathing in your local neighborhood, the outdoors literally makes you feel better.
Small boat adventure travel offers cozy cabins, small groups, and getting into coves and fjords larger boats can't visit. You may have guessed that glacier watching is a popular choice on Alaska getaways and that snorkeling is a favorite in Hawaii. There is nothing like the sound of a calving glacier in the stillness of Glacier Bay National Park, diving into local marine life or practicing your wildlife photography skills. But that’s just the start.
Consider paddleboarding or kayaking with one of our skilled naturalists through the San Juan Islands, Columbia River or the Hawaiian Islands. You can enjoy daily guided tours that are between one to two hours and help you get out onto the water rather than just watching from the bow. There are also skiff rides, and opportunities to go hiking, or maybe even take a dip into the cold water with a polar plunge or artic snorkeling. There are fun options for everyone, and you’ll have plenty of dinner conversation retelling your stories to boot! One of the most common comments we receive is about the love of camaraderie onboard. You become fast friends with your captain, crew, and fellow guests. Travel chats are an activity too, right?
And lastly, as you have probably surmised, photography is a pretty big deal on board. It’s a good idea to bring along a DSLR camera or Go Pro in addition to the camera on your phone. Get as many shots and videos as possible to look back on because you'll be having so much fun, you'll forget about time. And don't worry is you're not a professional, our guides love capturing you in action and your adventure photo album will be shared with you at the end of your trip.
Responsible Travel
Travel in 2020 is far different than it was just a year ago. It’s different than it was several months ago for that matter. And we understand how important it is to ensure responsible travel is integrated into everything we do. From protecting small communities and tribes we visit and helping pass on their traditions or eliminating long transport chains for our supplies. For many, responsible travel means that when travel returns it will be vital to seek out low impact, small footprint options going forward.
Prospective travelers need to realize that this is a good thing. It means that the companies offering travel are taking the future of travel seriously and ensuring that it is more sustainable for their employees and the places they visit. Once things open up again, you can head out on an unforgettable vacation with a lot more appreciation of a new travel life.
This break in travel has also given nature a little rest, with many places seeing no travelers at all, the wilderness is recovering. And for the UnCruise Adventures travel values that means a lot. Anywhere we go, we maintain a small footprint, use leave-no-trace practices, and educate our guests on the best way to travel sustainably and responsibly.
Start Planning Your Vacation
It also means that right now is a perfect time to start planning that future vacation. Take your time researching locations and options to see what’s available and give yourself time to understand the new travel protocols and testing requirements. Here are UnCruise Adventures we are committed to keeping our safety protocols in place permanently ensuring a better experience for everyone.
Whether its glaciers, wildlife, island hopping, or wilderness hiking, there are plenty of ways to immerse yourself in nature.
Now is the time to get your vacation plans in order, so you can relax and enjoy your trip when the time comes. Make sure you have the clothing and gear you will need for a great trip, stay comfortable, and enjoy your time outdoors!
