Safari Explorer
- capacity
- 36 guests
- year built
- 1998
- remodeled
- 2008
- crew members
- 14-15 crew members
- length
- 145 feet
- beam
- 36 feet
- cruising speed
- 10 knots
- flag
- United States
The luxury motor yacht Safari Explorer embodies an ambiance of refinement and relaxation, with just 36 guests. Her crew of 14-15 takes care of passengers’ every need. The performance-built Safari Explorer primarily cruises the Hawaiian Islands and Alaska’s Inside Passage.
Safari Explorer Review
AdventureSmith Explorations’ Safari Explorer review includes a detailed description of the small ship including deck plans and a photo gallery. Our expedition cruise experts have been aboard the Safari Explorer firsthand. Please read our Safari Explorer ship review below, then contact our small ship cruise experts for more information and to compare the Safari Explorer with other ships offering Alaska small ship cruises, Hawaiian Island cruises, Canada cruises and Pacific Northwest cruises. Find other small cruise ships worldwide with our expertise.
The 36-passenger M/V Safari Explorer is the Goldilocks of small ships; not too big, not too small, but just the right size. She offers the space and amenities of an expedition vessel but maintains the intimacy and efficiency of a smaller yacht. She continually receives rave reviews from AdventureSmith Explorations’ staff and clients, and is a favorite for Hawaii yacht charters and luxury Alaska cruises. While the cabins and common areas are decidedly exclusive, it is her service, programs and cuisine that stand out the most. Choose the Safari Explorer if you are seeking a small ship that feels like a yacht. She has upscale appointments and a yacht-like atmosphere but still feels comfortable and welcoming. Expect as much activity as you wish, with the luxury you would expect from a much larger ship. AdventureSmith’s founder, Todd Smith, has always called this ship the quintessential expedition ship: “I always say that once you cruise aboard the Safari Explorer, you will be hooked on small ships forever.”
Common Areas Aboard Safari Explorer
There are several comfortable and upscale social areas aboard the Safari Explorer, each providing opportunities to relax and mingle with new friends. The spacious wine library/salon features cozy chairs, warm wood accents and a large flat-screen television with DAD player. Large couches and a piano adorn the lounge, adjacent to a full-service bar (stocked with complimentary premium beer and spirits).
Dining Aboard Safari Explorer
The Dining Room, located on the Main Deck, provides a casual atmosphere with open seating that accommodates all guests in one sitting. Meals aboard the Safari Explorer are served over several courses, with particular attention to the personal preferences of diners. Executive Chefs create exquisite meals, using locally sourced fresh ingredients to reflect the flavors of each destination. Each day includes an early-riser breakfast of fresh fruit, onboard-baked pastries and breads and a full breakfast complete with specialty items. Lunches range from pasta salads and sandwiches to homemade soups and ethnic dishes. Elegant plated dinners offer a choice of entrées, including fresh seafood and meats; a split plate is available for indecisive eaters. Vegetarian dishes are available and special dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice. Hors d’oeuvres for the cocktail hour feature a variety of appetizers and desserts are varied and plentiful. Fine spirits, wines and microbrews are included.
Activities Aboard Safari Explorer
Aboard the yacht, three public decks provide plenty of room for mingling, relaxing and enjoying the fresh air. The salon and lounge provide an inviting space to be educated by lectures on the environment, wildlife, history and culture of the region. Local experts are often invited along as special guests to “talk story” and provide insights unavailable to most other visitors. On select departures, onboard expert naturalists and guides are complemented by guest hosts in the fields of ornithology, photography, marine biology, wine and wellness, among others.
Active adventure cruises aboard the Safari Explorer allow freedom to engage in many activities. Adventure equipment on board includes kayaks and stand-up paddleboards; inflatable skiffs; hiking poles; yoga mats and hydrophones for listening to below-surface sounds. And when operating as a Hawaii yacht, snorkel gear and wetsuits are on board for exploring tropical waters. A full-beam swim step makes for easy access to the water from the stern of the vessel.
The open bridge policy provides opportunities to chat with the officers and crew. The Bridge Deck features exercise equipment and space for morning yoga classes, or space to kick back in a comfortable chair for an afternoon cocktail.
Cabins & Safari Explorer Deck Plan
The luxury small ship features 18 well-appointed cabins. There are 6 stateroom categories aboard the Safari Explorer: 1 Single (available as a double), 9 Navigator, 2 Trailblazer, 1 Jr. Commodore, 3 Admiral and 2 Commodore Suites. All staterooms feature king, queen or twin beds (each has a Tempur-Pedic® memory foam mattress), a spacious private bath with heated tile floor, view windows, ample storage space, binoculars, flat-screen TV/DVD, iPod docking station, reusable water bottles, hair dryer, bathrobes, conditioning shampoo and body wash and unique art pieces. View the Safari Explorer deck plan below or contact our crew to find the best cabin for you.
