InnerSea Discoveries/American Safari Cruises Acquires Two New Vessels

I am a die-hard fan of InnerSea Discoveries, owner of American Safari Cruises. ASC strikes the right balance of luxury, edutainment, and exploration. Last week InnerSea Discoveries announced that it acquired two new vessels, the 69 guest, 157-foot Wilderness Adventurer and the 84-guest, 170-foot Wilderness Discoverer.

Captain Dan Blanchard, president and CEO of InnerSea Discoveries, announced the purchase in an email to crew and friends of the company. Minor work and upkeep on both ships will take place over the next few months but the major project to retrofit Wilderness Discoverer won't begin for about a year.

The new ships will not be marketed under the American Safari Cruises moniker. Instead, a new small ship adventure brand will be established. It's expected that cruise fares will start at approximately $300 per person per day.

According to Captain Blanchard, "Alaska will be the prime destination with operations starting in May of 2011. We are working with true pros in the branding of this new product and have high expectations that the enw brand will appeal to a broad spectrum of younger minded and experiential travelers...like you and me!"

LuxuryCruiseBible.com will pass along more details as they become available. In the meantime, you can sail aboard any of American Safari Cruises' yachts—Safari Explorer, Safari Spirit, and Safari Quest—right now. Itineraries include Alaska's Inside Passage, Mexico's Sea Cortes, the Pacific Northwest, Columbia & Snake Rivers, and Washington Wine Country.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact American Safari Cruises at 1-(888) 862-8881.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com