Alaska Here We Come. UnCruise Adventures Sails Despite New Canadian Big Ship Ban
Seattle, WA, February 5th, 2021 – The award-winning small boat adventure brand, UnCruise Adventures will sail as scheduled despite Canada’s extended cruise ship ban into 2022. The U.S flagged and Alaska owned small boat operator does not fall under the ban, operating vessels with less than 100 passengers and crew. UnCruise Adventures will resume operations in May 2021 with 7–14-night itineraries offered into September. The company may be one of the only cruise lines operating in Alaska in 2021, working to support the many people in the region who rely on tourism.
The company’s CEO held a virtual press conference this morning to address growing questions and concerns about the future of cruising. UnCruise Adventures has spent the past eleven months in preparation for positive progress to resume operations. Including their commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of guests and crew. The company has firm dates to sail in Alaska that include their COVID safety framework implemented in 2020 and their new triple test process. This three-test combination is a required PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival in Alaska, a follow-up antigen (rapid) test on check-in with an UnCruise Adventures representative, and a second antigen test upon embarkation. This provides a high degree of certainty that people will not be exposed to Covid-19 while aboard the 22-86 passenger boats.
This new cruise ban comes on the tail of positive news of vaccination availability that has increased guest confidence in travel again,” states company CEO, Dan Blanchard. “If the ban continues, we may be one of the only boats cruising in Alaska this season. This is a great opportunity to educate people about small boat adventure options, but we would have preferred it without an extended cruise ban affecting so many.”
UnCruise Adventures has the ability to operate due to its small boat nature, providing small groups and a small environmental footprint. It does not require port stops and is foregoing visits to small cultural communities during its 2021 sailing season.
This is another strike to those who depend on travel and tourism for their livelihood,” says Blanchard “While other news would have been favorable and this is painful for all of us, including our big brothers in the cruise industry, we understand the Canadian government is working hard to keep its citizens safe.”
UnCruise Adventures will offer a special deal of $500 off their current bookings for cruisers who have had their 2021 cruise canceled on larger ships, with proof of their cruise cancellation. The offer is combinable with UnCruise's current offerings of $600 per cabin for a combined savings of $1100 per cabin. *New bookings only, offer good through February 28th, 2021.
Guests and travelers can speak with an Adventure Specialist at alaska2021@uncruise.com, 888-862-8881 or find more at uncruise.com
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About UnCruise Adventures
UnCruise Adventures’ is a responsible travel and adventure leader in the small boat industry. They operate boutique yachts and small boats carrying 22-86 guests on voyages in Alaska, Hawaiian Islands, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, Columbia & Snake Rivers, coastal Washington, Galápagos, Costa Rica, Panama, and Belize. In 2019, UnCruise Adventures was picked as the top adventure cruise line by Cruise Critic. Travel & Leisure readers also named UnCruise Adventures in its World’s Best Awards and its list of top 10 small ship ocean cruise lines three years in a row and is in the Conde Nast 2021 Gold List for best cruise worldwide. UnCruise Adventures is a member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association and partners with responsible tourism and sustainable and the Transformational Travel Council.
Media contact:
Liz Galloway | UnCruise Adventures pr@uncruise.com