Luxury Cruise Bible

Safari Explorer

Itineraries

Alaska’s Inside Passage • Hawaii

About This Ship

The Safari Explorer, christened in May 2008, is American Safari’s newest and largest ship and it’s quite a bit different from the smaller Spirit or Escape. While those yachts can both accommodate just 12 passengers at a time, the Explorer welcomes 36 guests per voyage. Since the ship is larger, the Safari Explorer also offers additional amenities such as suite accommodations complete with Jacuzzi tubs and balconies, complimentary massages from the onboard masseuse, and yoga classes.

This ship was actually built to sail Alaska each summer and Hawaii in the winter. Although American Safari has delayed its entry into the Hawaiian market, we’re hopeful that the cruise line will eventually sail those beautiful islands. In the meantime, book the Explorer for your next Alaskan cruise and you will not be disappointed.

Staterooms & Amenities

The stateroom categories aboard the Safari Explorer include:

Commodore Suites* (A1–A2)—king or two twin beds, separate sitting area, sliding glass door overlooking a small balcony, bath with Jacuzzi tub and shower
Admiral Staterooms* (B1, B2, C1, C2)—king or two twin beds, windowed door or viewing window, bath with Jacuzzi tub and shower
Captain Staterooms (B15–B16)—king or two twin beds, viewing window, windowed door, bath with shower

Mariner Staterooms (B3, B7–B14)—queen or two twin beds, viewing window, windowed door, bath with shower

Single Stateroom (B6)—single bed, viewing window, windowed door, bath with shower (pullman berth available)

*Note: Both Commodore Suites and two Admiral Staterooms are available as triple accommodations.

All cabins offer Protera soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion; bathrobes and slippers; a hair dryer; alarm clock; and flat-screen TV with DVD player for viewing only. Broadcast television is not available.

Public Rooms

Unlike American Safari’s other yachts where you spend most of your time on the upper decks, the Explorer‘s lowest deck is the Main Deck. Here you’ll find the full-beam swim step that’s also the load-in/out point for the skiffs and kayaks, the dining room, the salon, bar, galley, wine library, and two of the Admiral Staterooms.

As on American Safari’s other yachts, the salon welcomes you with comfortable furniture, a small game table, large flat-screen TV with DVD player, and bar (stocked with soda, water, juice, beer, wine, champagne, and other spirits).

The Safari Explorer is also the only yacht in the fleet to offer a wine library. This spacious area on the Main Deck beckons guests with its supple leather sofas and chairs. There’s also a wide variety of premium wines and champagnes to select from (at an additional cost). It’s a great place to sit and relax and talk with newfound friends.

The middle Cabin Deck hosts 14 staterooms and the massage room.

The upper Bridge Deck is always a happening place since you can visit the open bridge, enjoy the outdoor hot tub, take a sauna, or just sit soaking up the sun.

Dining

Each morning from 6:30-8:00 a.m., you’ll find an early risers’ breakfast set up on the Main Deck. The chef provides a lovely fruit platter, muffins, cereal, and yogurt—enough to tide you over until the full sit-down breakfast at 8:00 in the dining room. Full breakfast is usually either an egg scramble of some sort with potatoes, bacon and/or sausage, or pancakes. You may also order toast, oatmeal, or eggs cooked to order. Several types of juice are offered, as is coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.

There are eight tables of various sizes in the dining room, seating all guests at one sitting for each meal: generally 8:00 a.m. for breakfast, 12:30 p.m. for lunch, and 7:00 p.m. for dinner.

At about 12:30 p.m., a light lunch is generally served: a soup and salad combo, a sandwich, or something like seafood gumbo. Dessert is always served but if you want something more healthful, you can request a plate of fruit or a dish of sorbet.

Your stewardesses often have freshly baked cookies waiting for you in the afternoon upon your return from whale watching or hiking.

In the late afternoon you’ll find complimentary wine and champagne at the bar next to the salon and at 6:00 p.m., the chef puts out a delectable pre-dinner appetizer (salmon cakes, quesadillas, vegetable dumplings with spicy peanut sauce, cheese and crackers, etc.).

Dinners are hearty affairs and often focus on fish and seafood. You’ll start with salad or soup and then your choice of two entrees. (You may also select half portions of both entrees.) The chef is careful to accommodate everyone’s food allergies and preferences. Dessert is served at both lunch and dinner. You may be treated to a delectable peanut butter pie, berry cobbler with ice cream, a lemon/blueberry pudding, or chocolate cake.

After dinner, guests retire to the salon for a cordial and some chocolate truffles.

Of course, everything aboard an American Safari ship is dictated by wildlife. If whales are spotted in the area or bears are on the shore, your meal will be interrupted by your very enthusiastic expedition leader who’ll give you the opportunity to take a break from the fine dining in order to hop in the skiff for a closer look or at the very least step out on deck for a few minutes. This may happen several times during a journey.

The cruise line serves complimentary premium wine, champagne, and spirits. The selection varies, but here’s a list of what was served during a recent Alaskan sailing:

• L’Ecole N 41 cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and chenin blanc
• Hedges Family Estate cabernet and merlot
• Apex merlot
• Lava Cap petit syrah
• Robert Mondavi pinot noir
• Elk Cove pinot noir
• Maryhill syrah
• Napa Cellars zinfandel
• Edna Valley chardonnay
• Chateau St. Jean fume blanc
• Santa Margherita pino grigio
• Adelsheim pinot gris
• St. Supery sauvignon blanc
• Alexandria Nicole viogner

Entertainment

Unlike larger cruise ships, there is no casino, theater, or ballroom dancing. Instead, enjoy the gorgeous scenery and conversation with your fellow passengers.

Spa, Beauty & Fitness

The Safari Explorer does not have an onboard gym, but you will find a few pieces of high-end exercise equipment (stationery bike and/or elliptical trainer) on the top deck next to the hot tub. There is also an onboard masseuse.

Internet Access

None of the American Safari yachts have Internet access.

Recreation

The Safari Explorer comes equipped with everything you’ll need for an action-packed nature-focused vacation, including two-person sea kayaks, two high-speed skiffs (like a Zodiac), mustang suits (to keep you warm when visiting the glaciers or out in the skiff; wearing them is optional), mountain bikes, dozens of pairs of binoculars, fishing poles and gear, bug repellent and sun screen, and more.

Accessibility

There is no elevator on the Safari Explorer. Getting in and out of the skiff can be difficult for those with limited mobility. This yacht is not recommended for those with physical disabilities.

For More Information…

…talk with your travel agent, call American Safari Cruises at (888) 862-8881, or visit their website, www.amsafari.com.