Small Ship Tour: Rivers of Adventure and Wine

If there is one thing UnCruise knows how to do, its take their guests on an adventure. This particular cruise has a bit less adventure than some itineraries but I definitely wasn't bored during our 8 day trip and felt like I earned the absolutely incredible meals at the end of each day.

Each day there were multiple options of excursions to choose from. Usually the lead guide would talk through all the options the night before at happy hour and then we'd sign up for what we preferred. Luckily there was no shortage of options to take advantage of.

Hiking
We enjoyed multiple hiking throughout our trip. There was always a more strenuous and less strenuous option so everyone who wanted to hike got a chance without feeling like they might hold back the group or move too fast. Hiking always had a pay off with great views from the surrounding mountain ranges to waterfalls. It was hard to pick a favorite, so why not a tie?

The Sea to Fort trail in Astoria was a great overview of the regions ecosystems taking us from the beach into the forest and ending at Fort Clatsop. The hike was about 6 miles, mostly flat with a short uphill section towards the end. The guides took their time and we ate lunch along the way so there were ample opportunities to stop for photos, catch your breath or admire the scenery. Ending at Fort Clatsop we had some time to explore the small museum before returning to the ship.
The Tom MaCall Point Trail was a shorter but steeper climb with rewarding views. We could see the mighty Columbia below and caught glimpses of Mt Hood and Mt Adams during an exceptionally clear day. This was the most challenging hike we experienced but I loved the views throughout and it was nice to do some work after a few days that had been more relaxed.

Kayaking
By day 5 we had made our way to the Palouse River and finally had a chance to do some kayaking. Though boarding from a zodiac (out of one boat and into another) was a bit challenging, the gentle float through the canyon was the perfect spot for kayaking. We got out early enough that it wasn't too hot and the river flowed gently so even the beginners in the group could manage. Lots of bird life in this region to watch. It was a nice quiet float and I enjoyed the tranquility of the activity

White Water Rafting
The Deschutes River is perfect for a beginner because the water is fun but super safe, the dam upstream controls the river flow so the guides know exactly what each rapid is going to look like. Our local guides were experts and very professional, it was clear they could have easily gotten the boat down the river without us but it was still fun to help a little. More fun though was riding rodeo through the rapids - as long as you're ready to get wet!

The Pacific Northwest has no shortage of incredible wine and I was so glad that UnCruise took the time to focus on this aspect of the local history and culture. Our sommalier Julie was not only a wonderful personality on board but also did an amazing job educating us about the history and making of wine as well as the varietals and the science of tasting. She also wasn't afraid to have some fun!

Every lunch and dinner came with a pairing. Julie would always pair a PNW wine with the meat, seafood and vegetarian options and it was clear she put immense thought into her pairings. They ranged from traditional to "off book" (red wine with fish!) but she always seemed to hit the nail on the head. For dessert we went around the world from France and Italy to Argentina and back again. It was a great assortment and she went the extra mile by providing a full list of our meals and her pairings from the whole week.

One of her many lectures was the science of taste in which we tried different wines but also various flavors including rock salt, sweet candies, fruits and meats to understand how our sense of taste comes together. 

Small ship cruising really is a league all its own. Because of the way these cruises are structured they attract folks from all over the world, all ages and walks of life. During my time on the Wilderness Legacy what I really loved was finding that despite our differences there was a common thread among all the guests on board.

Everyone had an interest in the world around them and wanted to experience the region they were visiting, not just look at it from the ships deck. This is what sets small ship expedition cruising apart from the rest. Though this particular cruise had a more relaxed vibe, we enjoyed new off the ship experiences every day. With no wifi on board and spotty cell service we had the chance to take a true break and disconnect from the outside world while enjoying the company of our fellow cruisers. I most enjoyed sitting and chatting with some of the older guests who were on their third, fourth or fifth UnCruise Adventure and chatting with them about their experiences around the world. Despite our differences we found commonality among our love of travel, our curious natures and our interest in meeting and chatting with folks we might not otherwise encounter.

I've heard people concerned about small ship cruising - its a small group, what if we don't find anyone we like on board? Though you likely won't click with everyone on board you can rest assured that the same reasons you are choosing a small ship cruise are the reasons the others on board are. And that in and of itself gives you some common ground to stand on. You'll be thrilled to find what else you have in common.

I would also be remiss to talk about small ship cruising and not mention the food. WOW. I was blown away not only by the quantity (early riser baked goods, full breakfast lunch and dinner with several options to choose from, afternoon hors d'oeuvres during happy hour and a table with available snacks all day long) but the quality. I had some of the best meals onboard my UnCruise adventure. In fact, I was so enamored with one dish I can home and described it to my husband so he could make me a replica. In particular I want to note the vegetarian options available at all meals which often outstripped the meat and seafood options. There were certainly no corners cut here.