Exploring Frederick Sound and Stephens Passage

Un-Cruise Adventures’ striking Safari Endeavour at anchor on September 5, 2014. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

September 5, 2014

Some people start their mornings off by enjoying a hot cup of coffee. Here onboard Un-Cruise Adventures’ Safari Endeavour, many guests did the same – but a few hearty folks started their day by jumping off the stern of the ship.

The Polar Plunge was offered here in Gut Bay this morning, at 9:45am and 11:00am. But with mild temperatures and relatively warm water (for Alaska), most who participated in the plunge said the water was actually quite refreshing. I nearly did the plunge myself – but stood on deck with a cup of coffee and watched instead.

Guests aboard Safari Endeavour take in a polar plunge this morning from the stern of the ship. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

Were there any takers? Oh yes. Don’t think for a second that small-ship cruise passengers don’t know how to have fun. Roughly a quarter of the guests onboard went for a mid-morning dip in the ocean.

The reasoning behind the staggered plunge times was so that those who had signed up for this morning’s open kayaking would have a chance to participate. In fact, so many people signed up to go kayaking today – over 60 in total – that kayaking had to be arranged in two separate ‘waves.’ The first of these would be conducted from 9:00am until 10:15am, and the second from 10:30am until 11:45am.

Admiring the view from Safari Endeavour’s bow this morning. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

The term ‘open kayaking’ essentially means that this is not a guided experience; all that Un-Cruise requests is that you stay within sight of the vessel at all times, and they even had several expedition team members located farther up-bay that were there to ensure that everything went as planned.

The kayaks onboard Safari Endeavour are two-person kayaks that are equipped with rudder pedals for steering and ‘skirts’ fitted around your waist to keep you dry inside. They’re different than the single-person kayaks I am used to. Fortunately, one of my fellow guests also went with me, so solo travellers need not fear missing out on this activity.

Kayaking around Gut Bay. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

Safari Endeavour, up close and personal. Photo © 2014 Aaron Saunders

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Our Live Voyage Report onboard Un-Cruise Adventures’ Safari Endeavour continues tomorrow as we begin our final day of Alaskan adventure in Fords Terror and Endicott Arm. Be sure to follow along on twitter by following @deckchairblog or the hashtag #LiveVoyageReport.