UnCruise Adventures is making some big changes in its deployment and river cruise offerings, aligning the company with its identity as an adventure cruise line.
CEO Dan Blanchard said the history content will remain, but the thrust is now definitely into adventure and wine cruising.
UnCruise is compressing its river cruise season, with ships in Alaska from April to August and then on the rivers until early November. UnCruise is eliminating early spring and summer river sailings, opting to instead create more adventure experiences plus four dedicated wine sailings beginning mid-October.
“While the guests like the combination of history and wine, they love the combination of adventure and wine,” Blanchard said. “We’re differentiating our product and reinforcing our identity as an adventure cruise line.”
Because of these changes, UnCruise will have seven ships in Alaska next summer.
“Alaska has been unbelievable, and we’re already seeing 2018 exceeding this year by a healthy margin,” Blanchard said. “And the rivers make for an awesome adventure.”
According to Blanchard, UnCruise surpasses other cruise lines’ experiences on the rivers with offerings such as rafting, kayaking and paddleboarding. This winter, the cruise line will be transforming the Legacy into an adventure ship, capable of carrying all needed gear, offering numerous adventure activities and enabling passengers to get in and out of the water easily.
For both adventure and wine sailings, the line has slowed down the pace of its itineraries.
“People want to be out and about for a full day, not a half-day,” Blanchard explained. “So, we will cruise from the dinner hour to morning and let the guests explore hub-and-spoke, as they have let us know they prefer.”
It is those preferences, in addition to an effort to increase brand distinction and underline the company’s identity, that have prompted the changes, which are also in line with the taste of the UnCruise founders.
“Our guests have made it clear that they want the adventure focus,” Blanchard said. “It’s wonderful when your passion works on the business side.”
The Details
UnCruise Adventures
www.uncruise.com
