If sailing on the big, blue ocean is your thing, but an ocean liner is not, small ship cruising may be just the thing for you. Writer Sherry Spitsnaugle tells us what it’s like to travel, eat, and play with UnCruise Adventures. 

Save this article to Pinterest to help you plan your UnCruise Adventures small ship cruise. Photos courtesy Sherry Spitsnaugle. Graphic by Real Food Traveler.

Hungry for more? Try this UnCruise recipe for Crab Stuffed Salmon.

Small Ship Cruising with UnCruise – Undeniably Delicious

“Buenos dias, Safari Voyagers, and welcome to Agua Verde,” announced UnCruise hotel manager Rigo on the ship’s intercom system. His voice came into our cabin as clear and calm as the turquoise water in the Sea of Cortez.

“It’s 7:30am, and we are serving breakfast in the main dining room,” he continued in a slight Colombian accent. “Get ready for a magical day.”

My friend Donna and I were on day two of an eight-day sailing trip with UnCruise, a small ship cruising company. We had declared a girls’ getaway, left the husbands at home to watch basketball and pets, and caught an easy three-and-a-half-hour flight from Denver to Cabo San Lucas.

We met the other passengers in Cabo, then rode the UnCruise luxury coach three hours to La Paz, where we boarded the ship for a week of cruising, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and superb dining.

Safari Voyager is one of the vessels in the UnCruise fleet.

Small Ship Cruising with UnCruise:
All gourmet—and organic and local-—on Safari Voyager

With the company’s commitment to serving food that is organic, sustainable, and local, even breakfast delighted the foodies. Our first meal of the day included huevos rancheros, eggs made to order, fresh berries, and hot cinnamon rolls made by pastry chef Julia.

UnCruise partners with local families to ensure the freshest fruits, vegetables, and ingredients. Chef Matt, who hails from Soldotna, Alaska, explained that at the beginning of the season he meets with farmers and local anglers. They provide all food on board, from mahi to tomatoes to edible flowers that adorn many of the entrees and desserts.

Local, fresh flowers adorn a crowd-pleasing Key Lime Pie dessert on UnCruise.

“I meet with the families we work with and give them a list of how many pounds I will need…things like purple sweet potatoes, lettuce, and tomatoes,” Chef said.

All food on board comes from a 150–200-mile radius. Even the coffee is from a local roaster in La Paz.

The food onboard UnCruise is local, organic, and sustainable.

Riding burros with the Ramiro family in Agua Verde

After breakfast, eight of us boarded a small skiff while another nine people boarded a second skiff, to head for the beach. Getting into the small boat took help from the crew who had earlier demonstrated the “Viking grip.” This technique is when two people clasp the other’s forearm, rather than the wrist, for maximum assistance.

On the beach, we met the Ramiro family who owns the animals. I was pleased to learn later that when tours were at a standstill during the pandemic, UnCruise helped and supported the family.

No one else other than our group was on the beach, one of the advantages of small ship cruising. Before we set off on our ride, expedition guide Luίs gave basic tips about riding.

“Remember to stay balanced,” Luίs advised. “If you need your water bottle or phone to take pictures, it’s best to put your pack in front so you don’t have to twist around. Drink water. It’s hot out here.”

As the crew had instructed us earlier, we wore long pants and closed-toe shoes, wide-brimmed hats, and sunscreen.

Safari Voyager guests ride burros along a secluded beach.

Fifteen-year-old Roberto Ramiro offered a stool and helped me climb onto my burro, Serillo. Then, we set off for a 90-minute stroll along the ocean. A blazing sun beat down, and I was glad to have my water bottle handy. The strong smell of mesquite and soothing sound of the sea was mesmerizing as Serillo slowly put one foot in front of the other.

Another passenger, Monika, rode in front of me and it was apparent she was comfortable around animals. She gently stroked her burro on the neck, talked to him, and explained to me that when they wiggle ears—which Serillo was doing—they are happy.

When one of the animals stopped to do his business, Monika mentioned she was pleased to see that the animals are well-cared for and well-fed.

“You can tell by their pee?” I quizzed. I learned later Monika owns horses where she lives in Arizona and is well-versed in animals.

After a half-hour of riding next to me, Roberto shyly asked, “What…is…your…name?”

I smiled and said, “Sherry. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Very nice…to meet you,” he replied with the politeness of a young person who has learned manners and the uncertainty of someone who has been practicing this phrase.

Roberto wore a long-sleeved denim shirt, jeans, beautifully embossed leather chaps, and boots. He and his brothers and cousins all help with the business, with the senior Ramiro leading the ride and making decisions.

Roberto Ramiro, our guide, wore embossed chaps on the burro ride on the beach.

After an hour and a-half (plenty of time when you’re not used to being in a saddle) we returned to where we started. Roberto carefully helped me off the burro.

The teenaged brothers joked around with one another and tended to the animals. When I asked to take a photo of the two of us, Roberto seemed surprised but politely posed and then returned to laughing with his family.

Riding the burros gave us a chance to meet local people who make their living in the area as well as the chance to get to know our fellow passengers better.

A woman selling jewelry made from shells displayed her wares on a table. This was the only time throughout the cruise where we “shopped,” which suited me. We boarded the skiff again and returned to the ship, which took about five minutes.

Small Ship Cruising with UnCruise: Lunch on deck with “best ever baby back ribs”

The crew served lunch on the aft deck rather than the interior dining room. Sitting in the shade with an ocean breeze and eating Chef Matt’s ribs, which two people declared “best I’ve ever had,” was one of my favorite dining experiences on board. The complete menu was BBQ chicken, baby back pork ribs, veggie skewers, BBQ baked beans, pasta salad, green salad, and Chef Julia’s brownies.

UnCruise served a lunch buffet on deck.

One passenger gushed about the juicy tomatoes, and requested a plate of her own, which a staff member promptly delivered. “I would come on this trip again just for the tomatoes!” she said.

After lunch, we boarded the skiff again, and returned to the same beach for an afternoon of kayaking, paddle boarding, beach combing, and relaxing. The crew had transported the kayaks, boards, beach chairs, umbrellas, towels, and iced beverages, including sangria.

On the skiff, heading to a secluded beach.

Passengers’ level of experience for water activities was all over the board. One couple had kayaked extensively in their home state of Alaska; for others, this was their first time. The same was true for paddleboarding. One woman who lived in La Paz was at home on a paddleboard, but for most of us, this was the first time to try the sport.

Ocean kayaks at the ready on the beach.

What’s it like to take a small ship cruise?

Small ship cruising, I quickly learned, is much different from cruising on a large ship with a thousand or more passengers. With its capacity of 66 passengers and 34 crew, the Safari Voyager felt like a private yacht.

Our cabin was cozy but large enough for twin beds; we had space to store luggage, clothes, and toiletries. None of the cabins on Safari Voyager had a balcony, but each of our rooms had a large window.

One of my favorite aspects of small ship cruising was the informality. Crew and passengers all knew one another’s names, favorite beverages, and hometowns, within a couple of days. The crew had our names down perfect the first evening.

About the fanciest thing anyone wore to dinner was wearing a sundress. The guys didn’t come near a suit or tie, which Donna and I agreed our husbands would have loved.

I also loved the spontaneity of small ship cruising. One morning as eight of us were on a skiff heading to our snorkeling spot, a crew member spotted a pod of dolphins. We changed course and motored slowly alongside the dolphins as they put on a show, frolicking and cavorting near our boat.

We watched a pod of dolphins playing.

After a day of activity, it’s time for happy hour and dinner

 We always made it back to the ship by 3:30 or 4, with time for a shower and quick nap before 5 p.m. happy hour. Each evening when I walked into the lounge, bartender Katie greeted me as if I had strolled onto the set of Cheers.

“Hi, Sherry,” Katie said, with a grin. “The usual?”

Bartender Katie serves up a smile and an IPA.

A transplant from Cape Cod, Katie had the joie de vivre of someone genuinely happy with what she’s doing. “I’ve really never worked a day in my life,” she said while pouring my Peyote IPA, by Baja Brewing Company.

Katie described her lifestyle as, “bouncing around the world” before hiring on with UnCruise.

Happy hour always included an appetizer, such as grilled shrimp with guacamole or shrimp ceviche.

Shrimp and Guacamole on Toast was one of our Happy Hour offerings.

Staff served dinner every evening at 6:30 either on deck or in the main dining room. There were no assigned seats or tables and we mixed it up and sat with different people every meal. No one suggested we do this; it happened organically. Dinner was often an all-hands on deck affair, and Katie would leave the bar and help serve. She placed a beautiful dish in front of me one evening and joked, “Yep, I just made it myself!”

Dinner was a four-course meal with choices such as coconut crusted mahi, duck, and a veggie dish. We could order all three if we wished. One evening, entrees included bacon-wrapped filet mignon with quinoa and Brussels sprouts, Baja-style roasted chicken, or garlic butter prawns with succotash and white beans. Chef Julia’s fresh honey oat bread got rave reviews.

On-board entertainment on UnCruise

 Each night, there was a presentation or game in the lounge following dinner. One night, expedition guide Luίs presented a talk about how to take better photos on our smartphones; another night, Daniel led us in a rousing competition of Mexican bingo.

Daniel passed out cards with photos and words in Spanish, and then called out the word in Spanish as well as English. Donna mentioned that this would have been a terrific way for elementary students to learn the language. Once the card was full, the lucky person yelled, “lotería.”

 After two rounds of Mexican bingo, everyone wanted to play again.

Adios, Safari Voyagers

The night before disembarking, we gathered in the lounge for our final happy hour. Donna joked to Katie, “You mean I’m going to have to make my own drink when I get back home tomorrow night?”

After a week of dolphin sightings, snorkeling with the seals, fantastic food, and new friendships—one passenger organized an email and photo exchange—we disembarked at La Paz, where the cruise had begun.

“We have loved sailing with you and hope to see you again very soon on another journey,” Rigo announced on the intercom, signing off for the final time. “Adios, Safari Voyagers.”

If you go on a small ship cruise

UnCruise Adventures has a fleet of small ships that sail in the Sea of Cortez, Alaska, Hawaii, Costa Rica, and Panama. The ship I was on, Safari Voyager, could accommodate 64 passengers and 30 crew; other UnCruise ships offer a similar number of cabins. Smaller vessels explore nooks and crannies of destinations where the big ships simply don’t fit. The company believes in sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Staff hand out refillable water bottles, and toiletries are also environmentally friendly.

UnCruise consistently wins awards from the industry as well as praise from passengers. Crew are friendly and helpful, and the casual atmosphere makes it feel like family. On my cruise, we didn’t even lock our cabins, a clear indication of the intimate, secure nature of small ship cruising.

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours is another award-winning company that offers small ship expeditions, river cruises, ocean voyages, and escorted tours. Service is five-star, and the company excels at culture immersion and excursions.

Emerald Cruises offers river and yacht cruises to Europe and Southeast Asia. This company’s superyachts, like the Emerald Azzurra, accommodate 100 guests, 64 crew, and are ultra-sleek and modern.

French Country Waterways is American-owned and offers luxury barge cruising along the French countryside. Think vineyards, gourmet cuisine, and relaxing on deck with a glass of cabernet. Pure elegance.

To learn more about small ship cruising with UnCruise, visit their website, here.

– Story and photos by Sherry Spitsnaugle

Please note, portions of the author’s trip were hosted by UnCruise. Per our Disclosures page, this is standard practice in the food and travel writing world but it never influences what is written. Our writers’ opinions are their own, honest assessment.