American Safari CruisesAmerican Safari Cruises specializes in intimate, active, deluxe cruises on three yachts. Itineraries focus on close-up viewing of wildlife, fine dining, and activities such as kayaking, beachcombing, hiking, snorkeling, sailing, and exploration by motorized Zodiac inflatables. Each ASC yacht cruise is offered at one inclusive price, so all premium wines and liquors, exclusive shore excursions, and off-yacht meals and activities are included. American Safari Cruises offers an alternative to traditional large- and small-ship cruises by taking guests into areas that are not accessible to most larger ships, and on excursions and to activities that are exclusive, private, and unavailable to most other travelers. ASC was founded in 1996 to provide up-scale luxurious yacht cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage. The first season was in 1997 with a single yacht. In 1998, the company added a second yacht and a second Alaska itinerary. In 1999/2000, the company completed major refitting and interior redesign, adding staterooms on both yachts. The total cost was approximately $1 million per yacht. A third yacht was added to the fleet in 2001. American Safari Cruises main office is located in Seattle, Washington, at historic Fishermen's Terminal. American Safari Cruises operates yachts in Alaska's Inside Passage, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, In the Pacific Northwest's Columbia & Snake Rivers, and the islands and fjords off the coast of Washington and British Columbia. Their yachts travel only during the day so guests miss nothing along the way. They anchor every night in pristine coves or dockside in small villages so guests can explore by water and on foot. In Alaska and Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, daytime cruising to secluded islands and seldom-visited areas yield unique opportunities to experience, by kayak, launch or on foot, a rich variety of wildlife and local cultures. In the Pacific Northwest, guests enjoy unique art tours and wine tastings. The crew includes a professional naturalist/expedition leader who organizes activities and provides presentations on the day's sights and activities, and a gourmet chef who serves up fine food and fresh-baked goods. With so few guests, the itinerary is flexible and can be altered at a moment's notice to maximize wildlife and scenic viewing opportunities. The YachtsEach of the yachts, the 22-guest Safari Quest, the 12-guest Safari Spirit, and the 12-guest Safari Escape embodies an ambience of luxury and rejuvenation. The sleek and nimble yachts allow easy access to the most intricate and remote passages. We're free to wander into unnamed coves, unsung vistas, and passages less traveled. An air of elegance meets and complements one’s expectations when stepping onboard, and the relaxed comfort of feeling welcome settles in with each passing moment.Our yachts provide a unique, casual, personal and inclusive vacation experience. Included Features
The CrewAt American Safari Cruises, some things are easy to express. We can tell you about magnificent sunsets illuminating the sky over the Sea of Cortés while pilot whales swim effortlessly beside the yacht. We can describe the moments of breathless wonder as we stand hushed in front of an age-old glacier in Alaska, listening to, and even feeling the thunderous calving of ice from its face. We can give you a list of wildlife you’ll see that anyone would envy.What is more difficult to express is what you will gain from interacting with our staff and our yacht crews. Our Captains, chefs, stewards,expedition leaders and engineers are all individually selected not only for outstanding customer service and safety skills, but for their genuinely welcoming and enthusiastic personalities. Our office is staffed with individuals who have come predominantly from the yachts. Each season we hear one recurring sentiment from our guests, and that is their surprise at how "marvelous" their crew was. Why Yacht Cruising?The sleek profile and maneuverability of our yachts gives you unparalleled access to Alaska's many wonders. You come so close to pristine waterfalls that you feel the invigorating spray. Your itinerary is flexible enough that your captain can change course when word of whale sightings comes over the radio, or slow the engines and linger in a tidal inlet if bears are out foraging on the beach. Maybe all the guests agree they want to spend extra time kayaking, hiking, or beachcombing. It's your trip.We call it yacht cruising. We've plotted a course, set the menu and hired the crew. You get the pleasures of yachting without doing any of the work.
Lasting Friendships Expert Guides, Friendly Captains You also become familiar with your crew and staff, whose goal is to make every aspect of your journey a pleasure and to facilitate your adventures ashore. Most times, you're welcome to visit the bridge and discuss navigation with the captain. Throughout your voyage, you're accompanied by a knowledgeable expedition leader who offers timely narratives about the local history and wildlife, introduces you to local indigenous peoples, and keeps a lookout for wildlife. Humpback whales abeam while you're in the lounge? Your guide will sound the alert! An Inclusive Experience Maybe you remember other cruises where you had to pay extra for tours and your drinks at the ship's bar. Not with us. With the exception of a gratuity for the crew--which we believe is a very personal elective--everything is included on our cruise. From your arrival at the airport to a fond farewell, you're a pampered guest aboard our yacht. Everything's included from the first to the last:
Gourmet Dining, Casual StyleDining is a true delight, a cornucopia of fresh local seafood, just-baked breads, hearty soups, exquisite entrees, sinfully delicious desserts. Everyone is served at one seating, family-style; dress is always casual. Of course, we're happy to plan for any special dietary needs, and if there's something you've got a craving for, let us know.The ItinerariesASC's itineraries are all on the West Coast of North America. There are so many variations, primarily of length, that we can't detail all of them here. There are several examples below to give you an idea of what they do and their prices.Alaska's Inside Passage - Juneau to Sitka - 7 nights Pacific Northwest - sailing through the islands and bays of Canada - 7 nights Sea of Cortes - 7 night cruise through Mexico's Sea of Cortes.
Columbia River
- 8 night trip up the Columbia river.
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