Back on Deck: Gearing Up for Another Season in the Great North

After a winter away from the water, it’s officially back to work with UnCruise—and there’s no better place to kick things off than Seattle. The past week has been all about getting the boat dialed in and guest-ready. That means plenty of behind-the-scenes effort: organizing gear, deep cleaning, checking systems, and making sure everything is exactly where it needs to be before the first passengers step aboard. It’s not the glamorous side of expedition life, but it’s what makes everything else run smoothly.

Of course, we made time to get ourselves back into guide mode too. Snorkel training was a classic—about an hour to wrestle into gear for what felt like just a few brisk minutes in the water. Later that afternoon, we swapped fins for paddles and jumped into kayak training. Let’s just say, after a winter off, getting back into a kayak (especially after an intentional “unexpected” swim) was a bit more humbling than expected—but we got there. A solid reminder that muscle memory sometimes needs a little encouragement.

We also ran a mock guest day, welcoming office staff and friends aboard for a full trial run. After a great lunch/dinner service, guests had the choice between kayaking or heading out on a skiff. I teamed up with a fellow guide, Jordon, for a double skiff run, and it was an absolute blast—good energy, great conversations, and plenty of storytelling practice. We even squeezed in a “bushwhack” through a local park—more of a scenic stroll than a true bushwhack, but on a bluebird day in the Pacific Northwest, no one was complaining.

Now, with the final checks complete, we’re ready. Our first guests come aboard tomorrow evening, and from there, it’s full steam ahead to Alaska for another season of exploration, wildlife, and unforgettable moments. The gear is prepped, the team is dialed, and the excitement is real—let’s go north.