This spring, you are cordially invited to be one of just 60 people to join Kim and I for a one-week cruise of Washington waters. We will leave Seattle on May 3rd and return on May 10th. We will proudly serve as your hosts for Whales, Trails and Ales, a beer-themed cruise aboard the Wilderness Adventurer.
The cruise will take us from Seattle to Hood Canal to the San Juan Islands and beyond. Along the way, we’ll enjoy select Washington-brewed beers, special tastings, brewery tours, and food & beer pairings. Kayaking, skiff adventures, shore walks, day hikes, bird watching, whale watching, and beach fires. Or just sit on the deck and stare at the sea. What could be a better way to spend a week?
Whales, Trails and Ales is a unique, 7-day adventure aboard the 160-foot Wilderness Adventurer. We have teamed up with local cruise line Un-Cruise Adventures to make this vision a reality. Forget about all the things you associate with a normal cruise. This will not be a carnival-like booze cruise or a screaming Disney cruise. We’re talking about a smaller boat, less people, and real opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty and wonder of Washington.
And did I mention the beer? Among the beers we’ll have aboard the ship, a unique, one-off beer that we will brew with Schooner Exact Brewing. The original Schooner Exact was the ship that delivered the Denny Party to the shores of what would eventually become Seattle. For this cruise, it seemed only fitting that we make a beer with the brewery bearing the name of that historic vessel.
The Wilderness Adventurer.
We’ll have more information for you in the coming weeks, click here for more info, see the official press release below.
Whales, Trails and Ales: Un-Cruise Adventures’ Craft Beer Theme Cruise Explores Coastal Washington
60-guest Wilderness Adventurer sails roundtrip Seattle
Seattle, WA, January 21, 2014 –Outdoor adventure and beer lovers unite for a one-week brouhaha on Un-Cruise Adventures’ craft beer theme cruise on its new itinerary, Explore! Olympic Wilderness & San Juan Islands. The 60-guest Wilderness Adventurer expedition vessel explores Washington’s Puget Sound and Salish Sea from South Hood Canal to Olympic National Park and the San Juan Islands.
The craft beer theme cruise sails roundtrip Seattle departing May 3, 2014. The Active Adventure cruise includes all meals, beer tastings, transfers, adventure activities, hot tub, sauna and yoga on deck. Rates begin at $1,895 per person, double occupancy (before savings). Travelers booked from January 1-February 28, 2014 save $100 per couple.
“Exploring the Puget Sound area by boat lets us access scenic areas for kayaking and hiking without traveling too far each day,” said Captain Dan Blanchard, CEO. “Adding in craft beer tastings for those who are interested adds a little extra hoppiness to the week.”
The craft beer theme cruise features guest experts Kendall Jones and Kim Sharpe Jones, authorities on the Seattle craft beer scene and media partners for the Washington Beer Commission. An exclusive WAVE ale, named after the boat’s nickname, brewed by the Jones’ with Schooner Exact Brewing Company will be on tap. Guests will enjoy nightly happy hour tastings of select craft beer from nearby breweries, presentations by the Jones’ and beer recommendations matching the evening’s dinner menu. A brewery tour and tasting will be offered at both Port Townsend Brewing and Island Hoppin Brewery on Orcas Island. A Sucia Island beach bonfire on the last night sets the stage for a session on Beach Beers and the virtues of craft beer in aluminum cans.
Highlights of the itinerary include hiking in Olympic National Park, Mt. Constitution and Washington State Parks. Waterborne expeditions by kayaks, skiffs and paddle boards explore glacial fjords and the San Juan archipelago. In Quilcene Bay, a local family hosts a home-grown oyster and clam tasting. Guests enjoy free time in scenic Friday Harbor and discover Native cultures in Port Townsend.
Travelers spend the week searching out and seeing marine life and seabirds up close. Gray whales, orcas, seals, sea lions and bald eagles are all found in the area. A knowledgeable team of expedition guides leads excursions and provides interpretation along the way. Guests enjoy a full complement of adventure gear for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking and skiff excursions. A custom made kayak launch platform allows four kayaks at once to quickly and safely launch off a stable platform.
After a full day of adventure, guests may enjoy a soak in the hot tub. Yoga classes take place on deck each morning. The vessel has fitness equipment, a resource/DVD library and massage is available for a fee. An underwater camera mounted on the ship’s bow streams video from the underwater world to flatscreen televisions in all guest rooms and the lounge. Healthy and hearty meals feature fresh ingredients including locally sourced produce and seafood.
Charters and group incentives are available. To book or to request additional information, contact your travel agent or Un-Cruise Adventures at 888-862-8881 or sales@un-cruise.com.