Juneau, Alaska — UnCruise Adventures announced today that its Founder and CEO, Captain Dan Blanchard, received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) Awards in London. The celebration took place aboard the Dixie Queen as she cruised the River Thames with Tower Bridge fully raised for an unforgettable moment.
The ECN Awards recognize outstanding contributions across the expedition cruise community. The Lifetime Achievement honor is reserved for leaders whose vision and dedication have advanced the field and inspired operators, crew, and travelers worldwide.
“I am honored to accept this award on behalf of our crews, guides, and shoreside teams who make small-ship adventures possible week after week. Expedition cruising is about curiosity and care for the places and people we visit. This recognition belongs to our entire UnCruise family and our guests who choose to explore with purpose.”
— Captain Dan Blanchard, Founder and CEO, UnCruise Adventures
Decades of Leadership in Small-Ship Exploration
Captain Blanchard’s maritime story began in Washington State, where he restored his family’s wooden tug and earned a Ship Master’s License at 18. His career includes founding and leading marine operations in Alaska, serving as Vice President of Operations at Cruise West, and guiding American Safari Cruises through its evolution into UnCruise Adventures.
Under his leadership, UnCruise championed an approach to travel that is intimate, flexible, and locally connected. The company’s small vessels bring guests close to wildlife and wilderness while supporting stewardship, science, and cultural exchange.
What This Means for Guests and Partners
- Authentic experiences – Handshake-level travel with expert guides and captains who can pivot plans to follow wildlife and weather windows.
- Stewardship at the core – Low-impact operations and respectful collaboration with communities and Indigenous partners.
- Guest-first innovation – Evolving routes, special sailings, and educational programming that deepen understanding of place.
For the expedition community, the award underscores the value of small-ship operators that prioritize learning, access, and care for wild places. For UnCruise guests, it is a signal that the company remains committed to purpose-driven exploration.
