Yak'ei haat yigoodee! (Welcome in Tlingit!)

The literal translation means “It is good that you have come,” and you’ll soon agree. Throughout your voyage get up-close to the wilderness, wildlife, and fascinating cultures of Alaska—The Great Land.

Here you’ll find important travel information and details about your expedition vessel that will help with your vacation planning. At any time during your adventure, feel free to direct questions to your captain or expedition leader.  

Identification: All guests need legal government-issued photo ID or a valid passport to board the vessel. Submit Identification & Emergency Contact information for each traveler to our office via the Online Guest Forms available on our Guest Portal. 

Passports / Visas: Non-U.S. residents - Passports are required to enter the U.S. Passport and visa requirements are dependent on your travel destinations and nationality. Most countries require that your passport be valid 6 months beyond your arrival into that country. It is your responsibility to verify entry requirements. Failure to do so could result in denial of entry into that country. Make photocopies of important documents, such as passport, or save photos of documents on your smartphone/camera. We recommend making copies of important documents like passports and I.D. and keeping copies separate from originals. Keep essential items with you in your carry-on bags while traveling.

Homeland Security: No one is allowed on board the vessels without prior permission and untagged luggage will be searched; any luggage is subject to search. Please properly tag all luggage and carry-on bags.

Boarding Vouchers: Vouchers/tickets for services are not necessary—your name will appear on transfer and boarding manifests.

Delays & Emergency Contacts:  On embarkation day – Seattle office, regular office hours: (7:00- 4:00 PT/Monday-Friday; 8:00-12:00 PT/ Saturday) at 888-862-8881. For the after-hours number, refer to your final documents. Family/friends can use these numbers for emergencies requiring you to be contacted during your voyage. Our Seattle staff will relay a message to the ship or our land operators.

Dietary / Medical: If you have a physical disability, require on-going or frequent medical attention, take special medications, or have any food allergies or special diets, complete the Dietary & Medical Needs section of your Guest Portal.

While crew members are trained in first-aid and expedition staff are certified Wilderness First Responders, there isn’t a doctor on board. The vessels are equipped with emergency first-aid supplies. Any emergency beyond the capability of the crew will be handled by motoring and/or air services to the nearest medical facility. Any costs for emergency evacuations or service are the responsibility of the traveler.  

Seasickness: In the event of high winds or some open passageway crossings, you may experience seasickness. Seasickness medication is provided on board and is not recommended for children.

Luggage: It is your responsibility to check directly with your airline and departing airports for current regulations concerning prohibited items, luggage allowances, overweight baggage and other airline charges. UnCruise Adventures representatives will handle and transfer your luggage once you arrive for embarkation. However, baggage handling services may be unavailable within restricted areas of airports, so it is a good rule not to pack more than you can carry or wheel yourself.

Fishing Pre-Cruise: FDA and CDC regulations mandate that any fish caught on a pre-cruise excursion cannot be stored or cooked on board an UnCruise vessel, even for charter guests. If you plan on fishing before your cruise please make arrangements to ship all of your catch home prior to boarding.

Transfers: On embarkation and disembarkation days, roundtrip group transfers are provided between the airport/hospitality area/vessel.  

Day-to-Day: Our intimate size gives us access to secluded passages, coves, and wilderness areas—allowing for spontaneity and the ability to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. A day's schedule may change when wildlife presents itself and/or it is the guests’ desire to explore an area beyond a certain period of time. Your captain and expedition leader will keep you informed.

Activities/Equipment: Throughout your voyage guided hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, beachcombing, and skiff excursions are available. You should be able to comfortably walk distances of at least 1/2-mile at a time. A certain amount of agility is necessary when boarding the boats, kayaks, motorized skiffs, or hiking over exposed vegetation and rocks on trails. All vessels carry inflatable skiffs which are used for transfers to/from shore. Tandem sea kayaks and paddle boards are available with instruction provided by the crew. An exercise bike, elliptical machine, and other recreational equipment are also available.  

Public Areas: Each boat has an outer-deck hot tub, lounge, dining area, covered patio deck, an open bow for up-close viewing, and depending on your vessel a kayak launching system or full-beam swim step. An assortment of DVDs, magazines, books, and games are available for your use. UnCruise’s open bridge policy welcomes you to visit with your captain and crew.

Meals: Meals and premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included aboard all our vessels at no additional charge. Charges apply only for super premium wines and spirits. Specific meal times and daily entrée choices will be announced on board.

Gratuities: Recommended gratuities for exceptional service are $315 per guest, per week or 7-10% of charter fare for private full vessel charters. Gratuities will be settled along with your boat tab toward the end of your cruise. Personal checks, traveler’s checks, cash, or credit cards are accepted. Shipboard credit cannot be used toward gratuities. Gratuities to shoreside tour guides and drivers are not included and are at your discretion.

Photography: Crew members photograph guests, activities, and wildlife during the cruise. Some images may later be used in marketing materials. Guests who prefer their image not be used should notify the expedition leader on board at the beginning of the cruise. Guests who give images to our on board team are thereby giving. UnCruise Adventures permission to use such images for promotional purposes.

Drones: The use of drones is not allowed from our vessels. We travel in National Parks and remote, protected areas where the use of a drone is prohibited and/or not appropriate.

Smoking / Marijuana: Smoking tobacco products is only allowed on outside aft decks away from doors and windows and is not permitted during shore excursions or on nature trails. Smoking materials are not sold on board and should not be thrown overboard. While marijuana is legal in many U.S. states for medical or recreational use, federal law supersedes state law. Since marijuana is still a federally controlled substance, it is prohibited aboard all of our vessels, in all destinations. (Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act (MDLEA) 46 U.S.C. 70501-70507, prohibiting the illegal transportation of controlled substances by a vessel.)

Special Events: We are happy to assist in celebrating a special event, such as a birthday, honeymoon, or anniversary. Please advise us as far in advance as possible by indicating your occasion on your Guest Portal. 

Laundry: There are no guest laundry facilities on board.

Cabins: All cabins are well-appointed, comfortable, and keyless. The small size and intimate nature of the vessels makes it possible to avoid the inconvenience of keys. You can always lock your cabin from within. Cabins offer a private bathroom with a shower. A collection of eco-friendly toiletries (conditioning shampoo and body wash), towels, hair dryer, and TV/DVD player is provided. The tap water is potable. On our vessels we use marine style toilets. These toilets are designed to receive, retain, and treat sewage. Important to know - the only thing that should go down the marine head is human waste and toilet paper - with no exceptions. Anything other than human waste and toilet paper can cause severe plumbing issues throughout the ship. Only use the toilet paper provided. Standard 110v electrical outlets can accommodate electric shavers, cell phone and camera battery chargers. Check all of your equipment to ensure that you have the required chargers, adapters and converters for safe operation at 110v.

Communications: Please note that internet access is not available on board. Each vessel is equipped with a modern navigation and communications system including a Global Positioning System (GPS), satellite phone, marine radio, and cellular phone. Guests may make or receive emergency calls on the satellite phone at a rate of $10.00 per minute—times are rounded up to the next minute and charges must be paid prior to disembarkation. Be aware that service is often unavailable when using any cell phone or the vessel’s satellite phone.  

We look forward to showing you the amazing wildlife, landscapes and adventure Alaska has to offer. Welcome Aboard!

In an effort to ensure your flights/travel are arranged for your cruise at the correct time, please follow our guidance below. The times are for all itineraries. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

On embarkation day, your flight should arrive no later than.

Anchorage (ANC): 1:00 pm

Juneau (JNU): 4:00 pm

Ketchikan (KTN): 4:00 pm

Seattle (SEA): 2:00 pm

Sitka (SIT): 4:00 pm

Dutch Harbor (DUT): 1:30 pm

*Please note that arriving in Dutch Harbor the day before embarkation is strongly recommended due to weather concerns.

On disembarkation day, yourflightshould leave no earlier than.

Anchorage (ANC): 2:00 pm

Juneau (JNU): 11:30 am

Ketchikan (KTN): 11:30 am

Seattle (SEA): 12:00 pm

Sitka (SIT): 11:30 am

Dutch Harbor (DUT): 11:00 am

Tour: Denali & Talkeetna Wilderness Rail Adventure

At the beginning of your adventure, your flight should arrive by 5:00 pm.

At the end of your Denali adventure, your flight may depart at any time.

If you are doing this adventure pre cruise, see the arrival times above for the required time to arrive in your embarkation port.

Southeast Alaska's weather will be a big influence on your packing plan. Summers are mild. Long days extend to 15-18 hours of daylight. Here in the heart of Earth's biggest temperate rainforest, precipitation is common. May-September, temps range from 55-65˚F (12-18˚C), but can soar to 80˚F (27˚C). Evenings dip to 40-50˚F (4-10˚C). If you're tempted to take the "polar plunge", the water will be mid-40s˚ to low-50s˚F (7-10˚C).

If you have added on a land tour into Southcentral Alaska, anticipate high temps similar to Southeast, though daytime highs can occasionally hit the 90s˚F. Evenings are slightly cooler dipping to 25-35˚F. Rainfall is considerably less in Southcentral.

In Southeast and Southcentral, conditions change week-to-week and historic averages are changing. Check the weather forecast via your preferred weather source (such as NOAA's National Weather Service) for your cruise dates before packing.

Liquid sunshine or cloud failure, each day brings adventures—kayaking, hiking, and skiffing about. Bring clothing that layers easily so that you can add or remove layers as conditions change throughout the day. It can be chilly near glaciers and on deck when the ship is underway, then much warmer when you go ashore. While you want to be sure you bring your "Alaskan Tennis Shoes," storage space in your cabin is limited, so pack efficiently. There are also boots onboard our Alaska vessels to use during your week.

The UnCruise style is casual. While on board, that means t-shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, jeans, khakis, even shorts. For outdoor activities, pack clothes that layer: convertible hiking pants, moisture-wicking base layers, and thermal underwear (top to bottom). Multiple thin layers are better than one or two thick ones.

A note on fabrics: moisture-wicking/quick-drying (wool, polyester, etc.) fabrics are most effective in keeping you warm and dry, especially when participating in off-vessel activities. Cotton absorbs moisture and is slow to dry in Alaska's damp environment, so keep cotton to a minimum.

Chances are it will rain and be windy. A heavy-duty, waterproof rain jacket and rain pants with waterproof, taped seams (made of Gore-Tex, Pertex, or a similar waterproof fabric) are highly recommended. Fleece jackets/pullovers and zip-up vests will be good for layering and warmth. Bring a scarf, gloves, and warm, water-resistant hat that covers your ears. If you're travelling with kids, bring an extra pair of gloves—they get wet!

Footwear

Whether it's heavy rain, ankle-deep water, or mud... the "Alaskan tennis shoe" (aka a pair of calf-high rubber boots, Wellingtons, or gummies) is a must.

What exactly is the "Alaskan tennis shoe"? Our daily boots.

Consider replacing the insoles with a padded set for more comfort. Hiking in Alaska is best in rubber boots, but you may also want to bring a pair of waterproof hiking boots. Water socks or multi-sport shoes are handy for paddle boarding. On board, a skid proof deck shoe is a good idea. Bring lots of moisture-wicking, quick-dry (synthetic or wool) socks. (Yes, we do provide rubber boots to use while onboard.)

We recommend that you bring your own rubber boots for your best fit and availability. Youth size boots are not available aboard any of our vessels.

Clothing
 Full-length or convertible hiking pants
 Moisture-wicking long & short sleeve shirts
  (polypropylene, merino wool, etc.)
 Thermal top & bottom base layers
 Sweaters, sweatshirts, cozy long-sleeve fleece
 Casual t-shirts, blouses, jeans/khakis, shorts for on board
 Socks (synthetic or wool) for all activities
 Bathing suit

Outerwear
 Waterproof rain jacket and pants
 Fleece or hooded jacket/pullover
 Scarf, gloves, and warm hat (extra gloves for kids!)
 Water-resistant hat that covers your ears

Luggage
 Dry bag for camera, binoculars, snacks, etc.
 Collapsible or nesting luggage recommended to
  maximize cabin storage space
 Daypack for hiking and skiff rides

Footwear
    For wet landings & walking in mud:
 Calf- to knee-high rubber boots (we do have a limited supply of rubber boots onboard to borrow)
  For hiking:
 Waterproof hiking boots with tread
 Or, your favorite hiking shoes with tread
  For onboard:
 Comfortable walking shoes

Optional Items
 Travel binoculars with safety strap
 Camera, memory cards, extra batteries/charger,
  safety lanyard
 Paddling / waterproof gloves
 Water bottle (also available on board)
 Sunglasses & retainer strap
 SPF-rated lip protection
 Insect repellent
 Adventurous spirit!

*Please note: if you are going on a pre- or post-cruise land tour, be sure to
bring your own refillable water bottle, sunscreen, and insect repellant.

Your cabin comes complete with a hairdryer, towels, eco-friendly shampoo/conditioner, and body wash.

Provided On Board
 Adventure gear & yoga mats

 Refillable water bottles
 Sunscreen & insect repellant
 Fun and adventure!

Like the landscape, the wildlife in Southeast Alaska is big. You may spot mountain goats patrolling shoreline cliffs, black bears catching their lunch, and moose foraging in marshy tidelands. The mainland and islands of Southeast are ripe for sightings.

Alaska is also known for its rich marine life. Look for sea otters feeding on sea urchins in forests of kelp. Listen for the roaring of Steller sea lions as you approach their haulouts on rocky islands. The most commonly spotted cetaceans are orca and humpbacks that migrate to these waters annually, but there are species under the water's surface you might never suspect.

Our small ships take guests into some of the best places in Alaska for wildlife viewing. They can access secluded coves and quiet corners, taking you deeper into animals’ natural habitat. Flexible itineraries allow your captain to turn, pause, and linger when a whale surfaces or a bear appears on shore. Here are some of the animals that you may see on an Alaska UnCruise.

Land Animals

• Coastal brown bear
• Black bear
• Sitka black-tailed deer
• River otter
• Mountain goat (pictured)
• Beaver
• Moose

Marine Life

• Whales: humpback, gray, fin, minke
• Orca
• Dall’s porpoise and dolphin
• Harbor seal
• Steller sea lion
• Sea otter (pictured)
• Salmon: Chinook, Coho, pink
• Sea stars, sponges, and anemones

Birds

• Bald eagle (pictured)
• Black oystercatcher
• Marbled murrelet and cormorant
• Common and Pacific loons
• Harlequin duck
• Red-breasted merganser
• Surf scoter and pigeon guillemot
• Tufted and horned puffins

We know you're as excited to sail as we are. Discover more about The Great Land by pulling a few books of the shelf... here's our recommended Alaska reading list.

These resources are suggested to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the history, unique culture, wilderness, and wildlife of Southeast Alaska.

Alaska: A Novel - James A Michener
In classic Michener style, tenacity of both the human kind and of the natural world is chronicled in a sweeping epic beginning with Alaska’s geologic creation and its first inhabitants through World War II.

The Sea Runners - Ivan Doig
Celebrated author, Ivan Doig’s first novel, and first crack at fiction, tells the tale of four Scandinavian men who risked their lives to escape indentured servitude in Russian Alaska by stealing a canoe and aiming for Astoria, Oregon, a 1,200 mile journey away.

Travels in Alaska - John Muir
Muir’s last book includes his journals from 1879, 1880, and 1890 detailing the power the wilderness has to heal a person’s body and soul. With intimate descriptions of glaciers and wildlife, this is an essential, classic anthem on the beauty of Alaska.

The Only Kayak - Kim Heacox
This flowing memoir tells the rich coming-of-age story of an Idaho-born man finding his place in the world in Alaska’s rugged Glacier Bay National Park as a park ranger.

Passage To Juneau: A Sea and Its Meanings - Jonathan Raban
The Seattle-based, British travel writer’s account of his solo navigation of the Inside Passage on a 35-foot sailboat weaves together his personal memoir, the histories of native cultures and European explorers, and the incredible impact the natural world can have on the soul.

The Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast: Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, & Alaska - Jim Pojar
Photographs, drawings, descriptions of plants and of their habitat, covering nearly 800 trees, wildflowers, shrubs, lichens, mosses, grasses, and ferns of the Pacific Northwest.

Salmon in the Trees: Life in Alaska's Tongass Rain Forest - Amy Gulick
The story of the magnificent Tongass National Forest is told through the lives of salmon and the crucial connection they bridge between the forest and the sea.

Alaska Park Science: Scientific Studies on Climate Change in Alaska’s National Parks - Alaska Geographic
Published twice a year for the National Park Service, this journal details the most up-to-date information on climate change and its effect on Alaska's wildlands.

Alaska’s Southeast: Touring the Inside Passage - Mike Miller
This guidebook includes history of the region along with recommendations and information on how to get the most from your trip, from learning to interpret totem poles to details on the bays and fjords of the Inside Passage.

Where the Sea Breaks Its Back - Corey Ford
Telling the epic story of adventure, Ford details the struggle and daring of Georg Steller’s voyage aboard the St. Peter with Vitus Bering.

Klondike: The Last Great Gold Rush - Pierre Berton
Introducing some of the most memorable, and oftentimes raucous, characters of the Gold Rush, Berton weaves a colorful and historic account of lawless, wild days in the Alaskan frontier.