In August, Un-Cruise Adventures christened its newest vessel, the 88-passenger Legacy, near its company headquarters in Seattle. The replica coastal steamer is the eighth vessel in the adventure cruise line’s fleet.
CEO and principal Dan Blanchard and executive vice president of sales and marketing Tim Jacox handed over command of the vessel to Captain Dano Quinn. JeeSook Kutz, company controller, served as godmother of the Legacy, smashing a bottle of champagne against the bow at the event. Blessings were given by Ray Gardner of the Chinook Nation and Joe Williams, a Tlingit from Saxman, Alaska.
“This fine vessel has been refurbished into a coastal steamer from the 1900s, and crew in period costume brings characters from the past alive along the way,” said Blanchard, who dedicated the christening to Captain Kris Strinsky, a recently departed captain and longtime friend.
Legacy has a decidedly turn-of-the-century ambience, with carved wooden cabinetry, a Grand Salon complete with a full bar and dance floor and the Klondike Dining Room with a wine bar — not to mention the Pesky Barnacle Saloon. Less 19th century, but very welcome, are a hot tub, sauna and fitness equipment.
There are educational presentations by onboard Legacy Leaders in the evenings as well as dancing. Dinner includes fine wines, premium spirits and microbrews. Also included in the price are shore excursions, yoga on deck, transfers, taxes, port charges and fees.
The theme of Legacy’s itineraries also recalls life in the Northwest in the 1890s and 1900s. The vessel is launching with 12 weeklong cruises on the Columbia and Snake Rivers roundtrip from Portland. The itineraries will retrace the route of the Lewis and Clark expedition, with sailings starting in April of next year. Highlighted by the Multnomah Falls, the route transits eight locks and tours the Bonneville Dam Visitor Center; guests also jetboat into Hells Canyon and hear the history of the Nez Perce.
Legacy’s passengers can experience early American history with visits to Fort Clatsop and Fort Walla Walla, and explore Victorian Astoria and the Columbia River Maritime Museum. A visit to the eclectic Maryhill Museum traces the colorful influences of the region with collections from the Queen of Romania’s coronation gown to Native American artifacts, and there is also a private tour and tasting at a Washington winery. Rates begin at $3,195 per person, based on double occupancy. Agents can lock in a $500 per couple Adventure Savings for bookings made by Dec. 20.
From June through August 2014, Legacy will sail 10 weeklong Alaska’s Golden History cruises between Ketchikan and Juneau. The season begins and ends with 11-night Gold Rush Legacy sailings.
In addition to glaciers and wildlife in Glacier Bay National Park, Golden History passengers will experience several facets of Alaskan culture, including Tlingit hand carved totems at Chief Shakes Tribal House in Wrangell. Travelers will also experience Sitka’s Russian heritage from the time when Alaska was under Russian control, with guided tours to Castle Hill and St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral, as well as the Scandinavian heritage of Alaska on a Petersburg walking tour. A visit to the Alaska Raptor Center and a ride on the White Pass and Yukon Route railway in Skagway help to round out the Alaska experience.
The longer Gold Rush Legacy route in June and August adds experiences including a Ketchikan walking tour that takes travelers through this colorful town’s history of logging and fishing and visits its infamous — and now charming — Creek Street. There is also a visit to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island and a tour of its Whale Museum. Fares start at $5,195 per person, based on double occupancy, with a $700 per couple Adventure Savings opportunity on bookings made by Dec. 20.
Single rooms, doubles, triples and quadruples can be configured, and all staterooms feature flat-screen televisions and iPod docking stations. Charters and group bookings are available.
The Details
Un-Cruise Adventureswww.un-cruise.com
