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UnCruise plans longer explorations in Costa Rica and Panamá

(Photo: UnCruise Adventures)
Kayaking from Safari Voyager, the ship that operates in Costa Rica and Panamá
Ten- and 12-night cruises in Costa Rica and Panamá are new in UnCruise Adventures’ 2019 schedule. A wine cruise on the Columbia and Snake rivers and an 'Alaska’s Glacier Country' itinerary are also new in the wide-ranging program.

'After a year of operating in Costa Rica and Panamá, we’re combining elements of our two itineraries into longer, more in-depth voyages,' said Capt. Dan Blanchard, CEO. 'The cultural experience in Panamá is meaningful; it’s worth the time to explore both countries and makes the trip even more memorable.'

The new 10- and 12-night cruises begin in April 2019 and continue through September. Safari Voyager sails nine departures of a 12-night 'Pure Panamá & Costa Rica' cruise. Panamá highlights include a late afternoon/evening transit of the Panamá Canal, Guna Yala (formerly San Blas) Islands, Fort San Lorenzo, Pearl Islands, visit to an Emberá Village in the Darien Jungle and Coiba National Park. In Costa Rica, travelers explore the Golfo Dulce, Osa Conservation Area and Curú National Wildlife Refuge.

In November and December, five departures on a new 10-night 'Costa Rica & Panamá' cruise visit places detailed on the 12-night cruise minus Panamá’s Guna Yala Islands. The eight-night 'Unveiled Wonders' itinerary will sail between Costa Rica and Panamá 15 times from January 2019 until its last departure on April 12. Rates begin at $4,795 per person, double occupancy.

Rivers of wine

UnCruise is offering a new wine and culinary itinerary on the Columbia and Snake rivers. The weeklong 'Rivers of Wine & Culinary' cruise debuts aboard SS Legacy in 2019 with six sailings planned in November and December. Sailing round-trip Portland, Oregon, the cruise visits wineries in four American Viticultural Areas, a brewery and a cidery and emphasizes handcrafted meals with local ingredients, as well as wine and food pairings. A sommelier and wine expert sail on board for the week; a guest chef joins for presentations.

Areas visited include Astoria, Hood River, Columbia River Gorge, Walla Walla, Palouse Falls State Park, The Dalles and Willamette Valley.

Eight departures on a weeklong 'Rivers of Adventure' cruise sail between Portland, Oregon, and Clarkston, Washington, packing in adventurous explorations of diverse scenery with hiking, biking, skiff excursions, kayaking and swimming in the river. Passengers can hike the Rowena Plateau and Multnomah Falls, raft the Deschutes River and take a jet boat deep into Hells Canyon. Hiking and kayaking are available in Palouse Falls State Park, too. Travelers will transit eight locks and taste local wine at Terra Blanca. Rates begin at $3,745.

New Alaska itinerary

UnCruise has one new itinerary in Alaska, where seven of its small ships sail 142 departures on 11 itineraries. The new 'Alaska’s Glacier Country' itinerary sails round-trip from Juneau. Other UnCruise homeports are Seattle, Ketchikan, Sitka and Petersburg (Alaska) from April through early October. Glacier Bay National Park is a highlight on many cruises with time to explore by kayak and hiking ashore.

In spring 2019, UnCruise will feature 24 'Alaska Awakening' departures in April and May, with sailings starting April 6, the earliest in company history. 'Alaska Awakening' highlights the benefits of spring and encourages visiting Southeast Alaska during the driest months of the year. On every departure, an 'Alaska Awakening Insider' host will share their knowledge. Rates for weeklong Alaska cruises April through October begin at $2,995. Two-week itineraries are available, too.

Mexico’s Sea of Cortés

From January through March and December, Safari Endeavour sails 16 departures of a weeklong 'Baja’s Bounty' itinerary round-trip San José del Cabo with an included transfer to the ship in La Paz. A week of exploring remote islands and waters in the UNESCO World Heritage Site includes a burro ride into an arroyo led by a local ranchero family, snorkeling with sea lions at Los Islotes, desert hikes and marine life searches. Depending on the time of year, passengers can snorkel and swim with whale sharks (gentle giants) or cross the Baja peninsula to Magdalena Bay, board a panga (boat) and see gray whales and calves up close. Rates begin at $3,795.

Galápagos round-trip from Guayaquil

In the Galápagos, UnCruise offers six departures of a seven-night 'Darwin’s Discoveries' itinerary aboard La Pinta, which sails round-trip Guayaquil, Ecuador, and explores seven islands and islets in archipelago—Baltra, Seymore Norte, Isabella, Fernandina, Rábida, Santa Cruz and Floreana. A pre-cruise hotel night in Guayaquil is included along with round-trip air between Guayaquil and the Galápagos. Local guides lead excursions ashore and by sea focused on wildlife. Passengers can snorkel, kayak, swim, hike, ride in a glass-bottom boat, see giant tortoises and visit the Charles Darwin Research Center. Rates begin at $8,345.

Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary

Safari Explorer sails 22 departures of a 'Hawaiian Seascapes' itinerary one-way between Moloka’i and Hawai’i from January through March and November through December. The island-hopping cruise visits Maui, Lana’i, Moloka’i and the big island of Hawai’i. An overnight and full day on Moloka’i explores traditional Hawaiian culture with locals in Halawa Valley, as well as a Pa’ina feast in the evening. Snorkeling and small boat explorations reveal the universe of marine life—dolphins, tropical fish, whales, green sea turtles and a night snorkel with giant Pacific manta rays. Cruisers can watch for whales in the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Rates begin at $4,695.

San Juan Islands

In spring and fall, UnCruise offers 15 departures of a weeklong 'Explore! Olympic Wilderness and San Juan Islands' itinerary sailing round-trip Seattle, exploring Puget Sounds’ shores, the Olympic Peninsula and the San Juan Islands. The 22-passenger Safari Quest tucks into small bays for explorations. Travelers can hike Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, take in the views from Mount Constitution on Orcas Island, kayak off Lopez Island and hike across Sucia, a Washington state marine park. Rates begin at $4,195.