UnCruise Wilderness Legacy: Awesome Kids in Nature Family Alaska Cruise

You know we love doing small ship cruises with UnCruise Adventures, and we have another one to share about. The Wilderness Legacy Kids in Nature itinerary out of Juneau, Alaska is a very unique and awesome way to experience Southeast Alaska. Having lived and worked in Alaska, my own experience in the state was always either on the Kenai Peninsula or in the interior. Getting to do a small ship sailing through the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska was fully brand new to me and such a joy to share with my family. 

I’ve got all the details about the UnCruise Kids in Nature itinerary, which is also called Wild, Woolly and Wow, as well as info about the ship, the Wilderness Legacy, and some great tips for making this the best Southeast Alaska small ship cruise you can do. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. I either send us a note or leave a comment and we’ll provide any information you need.

What to Expect with UnCruise

Whenever I talk about UnCruise I tend to get a lot of questions about what makes this sort of sailing different than a large cruise ship. There are a plethora of reasons this is such a different experience, but I think the main ones are the crew to passenger ratio, the flexible itinerary that is never the same, and the personal connection side of the UnCruise experience.

With each of the sailings we have done, the crew to passenger ratio has been 1:2 or 1:3. It’s pretty special to have a week on board where you have an amazing crew that is very passionate about, not just the travel experience, but the science and learning side of things, spending time with you or being just a few cabin doors away. With each UnCruise adventure we’ve done, we have gotten to become good buddies with the crew and it really makes the experience at sea doing a small ship cruise very special.

When it comes to the itinerary, UnCruise has their areas where they are able to sail their boats, many of which are either narrow passageways or remote bays, so you get to see a different side of Alaska at than others who are traveling on the mega cruise ships. The captain and the expedition leader have the liberty of changing the general itinerary to best fit weather predictions and wildlife migrations, So you could have a sailing that is completely different from one of your friends who also went on the relatively same itinerary. It makes each adventure unique. And I haven’t even mentioned the daily activities and excursions…

The last part of what I think stands out the most about doing an UnCruise adventure is the connection you form with other passengers and also your expedition guides. I am not one to try to make new friends everywhere I go and will be reserved in new company, but when we are on one of the UnCruise ships and exploring with other passengers, the friendships just kind of start up.

With our Kids in Nature sailing, we got to become friends with other families throughout the week and it was wonderful to spend time in remote places of the world with like-minded family groups. Also, the daily expedition guides are such cool people and they really have a passion for the natural world. You want to talk to them continually, and they have such skill at storytelling and educating that they really are some of the most wonderful people to hang around with.

About the Kids in Nature UnCruise Experience

A lot of people, both parents and non-parents, think about an Alaskan cruise as a quiet relaxing sail through beautiful scenery with no kids running around. And there are definitely both mega cruises and UnCruises that fit that ticket. The Kids in Nature sailing is not that. Yes, you are still cruising through beautiful scenery, but kids are welcome and there is special programming to ensure they are both enjoying themselves and learning about what is, to many of them, a completely new world.

There are times a day that are specifically for adults to have the lounge space all to themselves, and there are times where there are educational presentations for everyone of every age. There are activities where kids are collecting specimens out in the wild and then looking at them under microscopes, and then there are family trips ashore for tromping through the woods together. In general, being on an UnCruise Kids in Nature trip means that you get all of the fun and beauty of a normal sailing, but with the added element of extra science and a few more kids on board.

And yes, there are accommodation types to fit families of different sizes. Whether you want to have a cabin just for the kids or you want a cabin that has a trundle for your younger passenger, the Wilderness Legacy ship has quite the variety, and different price points.

Is a Kids in Nature Sailing Good for Adults?

One thing our family enjoyed about both the Kids in Nature sailing and our standard UnCruise adventures is the welcoming vibe from the variety of passengers. The people who are booking trips like this tend to be both adventurous and ready to engage. We had one sailing, when we did the Hawaiian Seascapes trip going island hopping, where our kids were the only young ones on board and it was like getting to sail with 15 sets of grandparents who were all excited to get to know our boys. Even though it was a primarily adult trip, the kids were just as welcome and the other passengers were super jazzed to have them there. 

And it was the same doing a Kids in Nature sailing, even with passengers who booked the itinerary for the dates and the ship and NOT because it was a family-friendly boat. People we’ve met on board have always been genuine, patient with us, and very accepting of our family being a part of THEIR UnCruise experience. If you are an adult who is considering booking a trip like this and really are certain that you don’t want children to be a part of it, then just make sure you book an adults only itinerary date (they have those too).

Wilderness Legacy in Southeast Alaska

I know that when a lot of people are planning a cruise of some sort they are digging into the many different ships that a cruise line has. For some people they will specifically book an itinerary because of the ship it’s on. Well, I have to say that with UnCruise that’s a thing too. You won’t be picking a ship based on how many pools or water slides or restaurants it has, but each ship is different and can do different things. The Wilderness Legacy is the largest of the UnCruise fleet and it is super cool. A replica steamer, the Wilderness Legacy was built in the ’80s and has been updated and renovated to be perfect for luxury expeditions in Southeast Alaska. While each ship does have handicap accessible options, the Wilderness Legacy is even more so accessible with its elevator from the 1st floor to the 4th.

Starting at the bottom, you’ll find the large dining room with windows on both sides, and the Pesky Barnacle Saloon. All of your meals happen at the group dinner time together in the large dining room, and then the Pesky Barnacle is a nice hangout (game room) and where you meet to start your daily excursions. For the Kids in Nature sailing they would meet in the Pesky Barnacle for kids hours to play games and do science stuff. There are also interior access cabins on this floor.

On the second floor you’ll find the lounge and bar, as well as the outdoor bow of the ship and the exterior access to second floor cabins. Each morning you could find coffee here in the lounge as well as the early riser continental style breakfast. In the afternoon this is where you will do cookie hour, and then each evening where you’ll have your signature cocktail for happy hour and on some days dessert and expedition presentations. We spend a lot of time in the lounge area because this is also where you’ll find an upright piano, lots of books, games, and come features and couches to relax on. 

On the third floor you’ll find more exterior access cabins and a great balcony around the front of the ship for wildlife watching and enjoying the view. I found that this was one of the best places to perch when we were surrounded by humpback whales or visiting the glaciers. 

Up on the 4th floor is where you can access the bridge. The captain is great about making the bridge available for guests to come and learn about sailing or just enjoy The view, and truth be told, more often than not, this is where we would find our kids. For our Kids in Nature sailing we had the same captain we had for the Hawaii trip so we were all old buddies and hanging out in the bridge felt like old hat.

Also on the top floor is the sun deck where there are lounge chairs and a few tables, as well as two hot tubs and  the fitness space. Well not everybody wants to work out when they are on a vacation, the fitness area has several benches, dumbbells, yoga mats and some cardio equipment. On days when you are sailing between destinations, it’s really easy to work on days when you are sailing between destinations, it’s really easy to fit in a workout while still enjoying the view.

Where Does the Wilderness Legacy Sail To?

As I’ve said, part of what makes the whole UnCruise experience so unique and special is that the itinerary is flexible based on weather and wildlife, so as you read our itinerary, know that if you book the same ship, the Wilderness Legacy, you very well may have a completely different list of stops. The tides may be wrong to access certain bays or there may be other exciting things to check out that we did not get to.

Here is what our summer sailing itinerary for the Wilderness Legacy was (click to see each day’s activities and photos):

Juneau, Alaska departure

We departed Juneau, Alaska in the afternoon and headed through Stephens Passage, getting acquainted with the other guests and the crew. We had a few days in Juneau before our departure on the Wilderness Legacy. We really enjoyed the museums, visiting Mendenhall Glacier and the totem poles all through town. Next time we sail out of Juneau, we’ll spend an extra day at least.

Thomas Bay and Frederick Sound

Woke up on the way to Thomas Bay and Frederick Sound with an announcement about humpback whales around the ship. Made port in Thomas Bay next to a beautiful island before going ashore for a hike at Cascade Creek in the Tongass National Forest.

We ended the day with a sailing through some of the most beautiful icebergs on their way out to the ocean. It was moody and the captain was very skilled at navigating the ice. It was eerie and cool in the best way!

Keku Islands and Halleck Harbor

We started this day in the Keku Islands, and as we arrived in our bay to set anchor, we were greeted by a flock of bald eagles. Once anchored, we boarded our skiff for a shore walk to explore the intertidal zone during a very low tide. Super cool wildlife and the kids were fascinated by all the information and creatures our guide, Raven, was able to share with them.

After our shore walk we enjoyed lunch and hot tub time before heading to our next anchorage, Halleck Harbor. This was a great place for watching sea otters and kayaking. There were otters all around, many bald eagles and plenty of harbor seals to keep us on our toes.

We ended our day with a beautiful tidal waterfall visit. The tides/water level was just right to be able to bring the Wilderness Legacy through some narrow passages and up to Red Bluff Falls. It was truly remarkable!

Takatz and Kasnyku Bays

We pulled into Takatz Bay nice and early, before 7:00 am and started the day with an Alaskan brown bear wandering the shore near the ship. The Wilderness Legacy was parked far enough that we could safely watch him, but not disturb him. Some guests opted for a guided kayak this morning, and they got to observe the bear really well, but we chose to go out on a skiff to learn about geology and wildlife. Our driver and expedition guide were really jazzed about some of the coves we were able to explore, because it was such a mellow day with a lot of the intertidal zone exposed.

After lunch our ship was repositioned to Kasnyku Bay where we were treated to kayaking with another tidal waterfall. Paddling against the fall’s current was a fun challenge, followed by exploring the shoreline and rocky islands. Again, kayaking with so many eagles, otters and seals made for a busy wildlife paddle. This part of Alaska is so special!

Crab Bay

I think spending our whole day in Crab Bay was one of our favorite itinerary days. We watched bears from the Wilderness Legacy before breakfast, and then headed ashore in our galoshes for a bushwhack. Navigating across fallen logs and forest streams, we got to see all kinds of places few humans have been before. We even came across a patch of sundews (carnivorous plants). Bushwhacking became one of our favorite activities.

After lunch we headed back out onto Crab Bay, but this time for a skiff exploration of the bay and around the mouth into the Tekakee Inlet. There were tons of seals, of course, beautiful mountain views all around us, and even a mama and cub Alaskan brown bear hanging out just off the shore. It was a gorgeous day and lots of fun to be on the water.

Icy Strait and the Inian Islands

We knew this day was going to be epic as we anchored in the Inian Islands of Cross Sound. From the bow of the Wilderness Legacy we watched around 20 sea otters with babies rolling around in the kelp while eagles flew overhead… and then we boarded our skiffs to explore the islands. There were sealions swimming all around us, groups of bald eagles, including lots of juveniles, and it was really just epic in terms of wildlife.

From here we headed through Idaho Inlet to our next stop. On the way though, there were so many humpback whales, dahl porpoises and sea otters. Our captain was really great about adding loops in the wider stretches of water to be able to watch wildlife, especially as the humpbacks and dahl porpoises were all over the place.

For the afternoon activity, we actually got to split up from our kids for a few hours. They went on a shore walk with an expedition guide and we headed up the mountain on a bushwhack. I love how we could have such a diverse day and then all come back together to relax. We ended the day with a bonfire on the beach of the inlet with kite flying, cocktails, and a kickball game. Such a special day!

Glacier Bay National Park

Glacier Bay National Park really is as amazing as we hoped it would be. We woke up sailing through small icebergs on the way to Marjorie Glacier, wildlife and ice watching the whole way. While at the glacier we watched a bald eagle try to steal an enormous crab from a sea otter, we saw seals launching up onto bergs, and just took the whole thing in.

On the way to our next stop in Glacier Bay National Park, it was all about the scenery and more wildlife watching. One of the coolest sights was seeing rafts of sea otters on and around icebergs, twirling, playing and grooming. I never get tired of watching them.

Next up was kayaking at Lamplugh Glacier. There were small berg all around, so we had to be careful and steer clear of them. The kids fished ice chunks out of the water, we watched eagles and harbor seals, and it was just beautiful. For sure the prettiest place I’ve kayaked in Alaska.

And you cannot forget the polar plunge. Did you even visit Glacier Bay National Park if you didn’t jump into the glacial waters as icebergs float by? It was absolutely freezing, and I’m proud to say that the crew all remarked that they’d never seen anyone swim as fast and exit the water as quickly as I did. Seriously, it was like frozen knives, but I’m so glad we did it.

Wilderness Legacy Kids in Nature Activities

By now you’ve seen that we had lots of activities whenever the Wilderness Legacy made anchor in a bay or cove. How it works to choose what you’re going to do is each day, you’ll hear about the following day’s activity options and then you choose what you want to do. Usually there’s a morning and and afternoon activity, and then there are daily presentations and random surprises as you sail.

For the Kids in Nature activities, they’re the same as you would expect with an adults only sailing, but there are extra considerations for kids and additional time apart from adults to talk about science and the days’ activities. The kid stuff doesn’t interfere with the adult stuff, but it goes hand in hand. So, here are the different sorts of activities you’ll have on the Wilderness Legacy:

• kayaking – there are a variety of paddling locations and styles of activity. You can do a guided kayak, a free paddle (on your own with guidelines) or an all day kayak. The guides are great at talking about the daily destination to help you choose good options.
• shore walk – since you get outfitted with galoshes when you start your UnCruise in Alaska, doing shore walks is actually really easy and fun. You get to explore the shore doing a wildlife walk, learning about the ecosystem and seeing what creatures and plants you’ll find. It’s actually way more fun and interesting than I’m making it sound.
• bushwhacking – this is my favorite! Bushwhacking is hiking through the forest, making your own path in a thoughtful way. It’s not trailblazing and damaging the environment, but traversing the forest and hillsides as you see Alaska from a very different point of view. I love it.
• skiff tours – great for any guest, skiff tours are simply that: get onto one of the zodiac with a driver and guide and go out looking for wildlife and enjoying the scenery. Skiff tours are great if you don’t know what you’re in the mood for or if you just want to go along for the ride.

And with all these options, there’s also the choice of staying behind on the ship and just enjoying the views from the hot tub or reading, playing games together or sitting at the bar and chatting with the crew. There’s never a bad option.

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It’s difficult to decide which UnCruise experience we enjoyed more, Alaska or Hawaii. Both were such surprises and left us feeling like we got to see the best side of the destinations. When it comes to the Wilderness Legacy, I really liked being on a small ship that’s large enough to be really stable, but small enough to be very intimate. I could talk about it all day every day.

If you have any questions about our UnCruise adventures we’ve done, about the boats we’ve sailed on or about budget and planning, don’t hesitate to ask. Even though I work with UnCruise on different projects I also am all about budgeting and putting together realistic trips. Please leave a comment or send us a note so we can help YOU plan an epic adventure!