By
Rebecca Gibson |
Un-Cruise Adventures’ six small cruise ships will be able to make 102 visits to Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park each year between spring 2016 and 2021.
Granted by the National Park Service, the permits will enable Un-Cruise Adventures to continue operating weeklong cruises to Glacier Bay on its 22- to 84-passenger vessels with the help of a National Park ranger. The first permits were awarded in 2001.
“We’re happy to offer so many adventure days inside Glacier Bay and credit our long-term relationship with the park service,” said Captain Dan Blanchard, CEO. “Few visitors have the opportunity we do to explore the park up close by sea and ashore. It’s a real treat for our guests.”
Guests opting for the ‘Exploring Muir’s Wilderness’ and ‘Northern Passages & Glacier Bay’ itineraries will spend one day in Glacier Bay, while those on the ‘Discoverers’ Glacier Country’ voyage will spend two days in the park. All itineraries include a visit to Bartlett Cove and the park's visitor center and a chance to explore several different hiking trails. The two-day visits will allow guests to enjoy guided skiff, hiking and kayaking excursions.
Glacier Bay will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2016 and cruise guests visiting the park during the week of the 25 August – the actual anniversary day—will be given a commemorative gift and enjoy a special celebration onboard Un-Cruise Adventures’ ships.
In 2016, the 22-guest Safari Quest, 36-guest Safari Explorer, 60-guest Wilderness Adventurer, 74-guest Wilderness Explorer, 76-guest Wilderness Discoverer and 84-guest Safari Endeavour will make a total of 113 departures on seven itineraries in Alaska.