Luxury Cruise Bible

Safari Spirit

Itineraries

Alaska’s Inside Passage • Columbia & Snake Rivers • Washington Wine Country

About This Ship

The Safari Spirit is a 105-foot motor-yacht with a beam of 24.5 feet and a 6-foot draft. She was completely rebuilt and redecorated in 2005. It’s perhaps the cleanest and best maintained ship we’ve sailed in years. Everything looks brand new—from the exterior paint job to the carpets and furniture to the condition of the “extras” like binoculars, mustang suits, and sea kayaks.

Staterooms & Amenities

There are six staterooms on the Safari Spirit. Admiral Staterooms, A1 and A2, on the Library Deck feature sliding glass doors at the foot of the king bed (which can be converted to two twins). The balcony is just a small step-out—no room for chairs—but it’s a lovely feature. These cabins include a Jacuzzi tub and shower. Unlike many cruise ships with tiny bathrooms that are hard to maneuver, all bathrooms on the Safari Spirit are quite spacious and have heated floors. That’s a welcome addition when cruising the cold Alaskan waters! The “A” cabins are also outfitted with a comfy armchair.

The next category of stateroom contains just one cabin, C4, the Captain Stateroom. On the lower Cabin Deck, this stateroom boasts a king bed and portholes in the bedroom, and a Jacuzzi tub/shower combo in the bathroom.

The remaining three cabins are Mariner Staterooms. Located just down the stairs from the main meeting area, the salon, the Mariner cabins feature queen or twin beds, portholes, and a Jacuzzi tub/shower.

All cabins are outfitted with 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

Let’s discuss the yacht, deck by deck. As I mentioned, the lower-most Cabin Deck houses staterooms C1–C4. Guests, however, spend a lot of time on the Main Deck that features the salon, the dining room, the open bridge, and the aft lounge (which leads to the full-beam swim step that’s the load-in/out point for the skiff and kayaks). The galley is also located on the Main Deck.

Travelers mingle in comfort in the salon with its sectional sofa, two armchairs, a small game table and two high-back chairs, large flat-screen TV with DVD player, and bar (stocked with soda, water, juice, beer, wine, champagne, and other spirits).

The bridge is open to all guests and is an exciting place to hang out and watch for wildlife in the sea and on the shore. You’ll often find the ship’s expedition leader/naturalist on the bridge or out on deck. On either side of the bridge are doors leading to the forward area of the yacht. This is the other popular place to relax and watch for wildlife. Since all American Safari yachts anchor at night and travel by day, you can always visit the Bridge in the evening when it’s less crowded.

To the rear of the salon is the aft lounge. This half indoor/half outdoor area is the place where you’ll pull on your rain jacket or mustang suit before hopping in the skiff. In fair weather, meals are eaten here at the beautiful wooden table.

Located directly above the bridge on the Library Deck, it’s no surprise that you’ll find the cozy and well-stocked library. This is one of the best locations on the yacht to sit and watch the world go by, especially if it’s raining or cold out and you want to view the scenery while staying warm and dry. You’ll find a bookshelf full of field guides, travel guides, and fiction.

You’ll find the dry sauna just a few steps down the hall from the library. And, outside on the Library Deck you’ll find the hot tub and some exercise equipment (a stationery bike and elliptical machine).

The upper-most deck is the Observation Deck with a “captain’s chair” far forward and a few deck chairs and cocktail tables at aft. It’s another terrific spot for viewing the scenery.

Dining

Each morning from 6:30–8:00 a.m., you’ll find an Early Risers Breakfast set up in the Salon. 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, eggs cooked to order, etc. Several types of juice are offered, as is coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.

The long, rectangular table seats 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 a wine and champagne bar in 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 and often focus on fish and seafood. You’ll start with salad or soup and then your choice of two 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.

The buffet in the dining room is where you can find coffee, tea, and hot chocolate—day and night.

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 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/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 Spirit is outfitted with a small dry sauna and the fitness area consists of several pieces of high-end exercise equipment (stationery bike and elliptical trainer) on the top deck. Next to the fitness center is the on-deck hot tub. No spa or beauty services are offered.

Internet Access

None of the American Safari yachts have Internet access.

Recreation

The Safari Spirit is outfitted with everything needed to enjoy an active Alaskan vacation, including four two-person sea kayaks, a high-speed skiff (like a Zodiac), mustang suits (to keep you warm when visiting the glaciers or out in the skiff; wearing them is optional), two mountain bikes, dozens of pairs of binoculars, fishing poles and gear, and bug repellant and sun screen, and more. If you need it, chances are it’s aboard the Safari Spirit.

For More Information…

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