Recommend March 2014 - (Page 46)

ERIC LINDBERG cruise Un-Cruise Adventures offers cruises through historic and stunning waterways. UN-CRUISE ADVENTURES' vivian holley S.S. LEGACY It's something many of us murmur about but rarely accomplish- cutting the connection. Raise your hand if you can't quite recall the last time you hit the OFF button and really relaxed. For clients with a hand held high-and whose isn't?-Un-Cruise Adventures beckons with an easygoing vibe, zero pressure, and crews as accommodating and friendly as you'll ﬁnd. While styles vary somewhat in the 8-vessel ﬂeet, casual is the operative word throughout and the dress code largely favors jeans. Think wildlife over nightlife. Book clients aboard S.S. Legacy and they'll travel storied waterways once plied by pioneers sans WiFi, TV and cabin phone; getting their news ﬁx from a port daily, and not even a cabin key to keep up with. Once the leap is made, it's easy and fun to fully immerse in a time trip on the Columbia River and its tributaries, tracing the epic journey of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Westward expansion, and the colorful steamboat era, when communities transformed from Indian villages to bustling boat landings. Passengers cruise the stunning, 80-mile-long Columbia River Gorge and jet-boat into Hells Canyon, where golden eagles soar and bighorn sheep teeter atop cliffs. They'll explore singular museums, and sample vintages in Washington Wine Country. Along with a transit of eight sets of locks, stops are made for a variety of escorted visits, including towering Multnomah Falls, the Columbia River Maritime Museum, and the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. American history and the narrative of the Nez Perce Indians come to life at sites such as Fort Walla Walla and Fort Clatsop-the last encampment of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery. 46 march 2014 46-47 CR Uncruise.indd 46 the legacy layout The 88-passenger vessel itself sweeps passengers back in time. Freshly renovated and re-launched in 2013, it's a replica of a yesteryear coastal steamer, complete with period decor (carved wood cabinetry, rich colors and patterns). Cabins, which come in six categories including twin, double, queen, and king beds, are cozy rather than luxurious, with a bathroom (small or large, depending on category) and a shower, plus an iPod docking station and DVD player. Additional contemporary amenities are at hand, most notably in the form of deliciously up-to-date cuisine, with excellent wines, beer and spirits included. After a day of shore touring (like the beverages, tours are included in the fare), clients might opt for the ﬁtness equipment and sauna, a soak in the on-deck hot tub, a complimentary massage, and, thus revived, a spin on the dance ﬂoor. Public areas encompass a spacious dining room and-action central-an airy, big-windowed lounge where passengers soak up the changing mountains-to-rainforest-to-desert vistas; gather for a tasty buffet breakfast (eggs cooked to order are served in the dining room); mingle at the bar; pick up a DVD or a book; and catch a timely chat by a knowledgeable guide or historian. There's also the Pesky Barnacle Saloon, with a bar and tables for chess and poker. Here and all about the S.S. Legacy are compelling antique photos of the hazards and highlights of the trek West. A handy elevator connects the three public decks, and the hospitable bridge is open to visitors. Of particular note-and delightfully well done-are the tales and skits presented by a group of costumed performers who re-create recommend.com 2/20/14 8:51 AM http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend March 2014

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: ME by Melia
Tour Talk: MLT Vacations
The All-Inclusive Rundown
Iberostar's Rose Hall Resorts, Jamaica
RIU Palace Mexico
What's New in Cancun & Riviera Maya
Great Britain Travel Planner
Turkish Delights
Cosmopolitan South Africa
Riveting Rhode Island
Okinawa: To Visit is to Love It
Un-Cruise Adventures' S.S. Legacy
Alaska

Recommend March 2014