American Safari Cruises
“It is not down in any map; true places never are.”
—Herman Melville
Getting to Know American Safari Cruises
Their Motto: Luxury in the Pursuit of Adventure
Itineraries: Alaska • Hawaii • Mexico (Sea of Cortez) • Pacific Northwest, including the Columbia and Snake rivers
Cruise fare includes: airport ground transfers; shore excursions; all meals aboard the yacht; premium wine, beer, and liquor; kayaking and skiffing; services of onboard naturalists; taxes, port charges, and fees.
Gratuities: Add 5–10% of your cruise fare for gratuities.
History
American Safari Cruises, based in Seattle, is a success story in the world of luxury cruise lines. While more and more companies are betting their futures on megaships, ASC knows its loyal guests prefer a more intimate experience. Three travel industry veterans are at the helm: president/CEO Dan Blanchard, VP of sales and marketing Tim Jacox, and chairman Dean Weidner. Dan, a captain with a Master’s license himself, and Tim both worked with Cruise West for many years while Dean was an executive for several Alaska travel companies, including Alaska Airlines.
Founded in 1997, American Safari Cruises started with just one 12-passenger yacht cruising the icy waters of Alaska’s Inside Passage. A second vessel, the 22-passenger Safari Quest, was added the following year and also focused on Alaska. The Safari Spirit, accommodating 12 guests, came online in 1999 and split its time between Mexico and Alaska. The newest and largest yacht, the 36-passenger Safari Explorer, was launched in May 2008 and spends its time in Alaska as well.
Onboard Vibe
When you step onboard an American Safari Cruises yacht for the first time, it will actually feel more like a homecoming. Crewmembers are genuine with their welcome and will explain that you should think of the yacht as if it belongs to a good friend of yours. You’ll do just that in very short order.
There is very little formality onboard and you’ll become so comfortable that you’ll find yourself leaving your book in the salon, your laptop in the library, and your rain pants slung over a chair out on the aft lounge.
Days are packed with sightseeing from the deck, kayaking, hiking, or exploring a port of call. You’ll spend the evenings chatting in the salon before dinner, enjoying presentations from the onboard naturalist, and dining with your traveling companions.
Fellow Travelers
American Safari enthusiasts have at least one thing in common: their thirst for an uncommon adventure. Not ones to settle on a generic vacation, these well-traveled individuals want to actually experience the areas they visit—to get close to the flora and fauna and to talk with locals in a quest to understand what life is like on that little slice of the planet.
You’ll most likely travel with professional couples and active retirees. Ages generally range from 40 to 70. The line is popular with Americans and English-speaking Europeans alike. Every season, certain itineraries are designated as Kids in Nature sailings and that’s when American Safari yachts welcome families. This program is especially popular for family reunions and grandparents traveling with their grandchildren.
Most passengers are in good physical shape and are able to kayak, hike, and transfer in and out of the skiff. That being said, you can be as active or as lazy as you wish on this vacation and the American Safari crew will cater to you desires.
Due to the intimate nature of these vessels, you’ll easily get to know your fellow passengers and are sure to depart thinking of them as friends.
Dress Code
The American Safari experience is an active one, so casual clothing is the order of each day. Leave the suit and tie or cocktail dress at home. If you enjoy dressing for dinner, consider going country club casual. You will not feel out of place.
Food & Wine
Catering to just a handful of passengers, American Safari chefs pull out all the stops at every meal to ensure that even the most finicky eater is sated. There’s an early riser’s buffet of freshly baked muffins, toast, and fruit set up in the Main Salon at 6:30 a.m. to tide you over until the sit-down breakfast of eggs or pancakes, bacon/sausage, and potatoes at 8:00 a.m. The mid-day meal usually consists of inventive sandwiches, salads, and soups. The dinner hour is when the American Safari chefs really show off their culinary talents as they offer two entrée selections, along with a starter course and homemade breads and desserts. The line will cater to your specific dietary requirements and requests…simply say the word and the staff will do all it can to ensure that you enjoy every meal and snack.
Entertainment
If you’re looking for singing and dancing and a roulette wheel, you won’t find them aboard an American Safari vessel. There’s no cruise director hosting afternoon trivia or bingo, although the main salon on each yacht does warehouse a variety of board games for use by passengers. If you prefer active nightlife with glitzy lounges, casino time, and crew shows, American Safari probably isn’t for you.
Smoking Policy
You may not smoke anywhere inside the American Safari yachts. However, you may smoke on the outer decks.
Children’s Program
American Safari caters to an adult crowd, but the very nature of intimate yacht cruising is ideal for multi-generational families. That’s why the cruise line offers its special Kids in Nature program on certain sailings during spring break and summer vacations. Children under the age of twelve travel at 25 percent off the published fare. On these specific dates, the onboard naturalists personalize the activities for children. Each child also receives a backpack filled with mementos of their various explorations: an achievement award signed by the president of American Safari Cruises, a marine chart signed by the captain and expedition leader, a crew T-shirt and cap, a pair of binoculars, disposable camera, and a printed list of all of the flora and fauna observed during the cruise. The Kids in Nature sailings make each American Safari yacht a veritable schoolhouse at sea—one that children and parents alike rave about. This program is available in Alaska and Mexico. (The program is also available during private yacht charters.)
The Ships
For detailed information about each American Safari Cruises yacht, click on the links below:
- Safari Explorer (36 passengers)
- Safari Quest (22 passengers)
- Safari Spirit (12 passengers)
Book This Cruise Line If…
…you’re an active individual who enjoys meeting people, learning about nature, and experiencing out-of-the-way destinations in a very intimate way.
For More Information…
…talk with your travel agent, call American Safari Cruises at (888) 862-8881, or visit the American Safari website.