I took my 14-year-old on a cruise to Hawaii. Strangers kept telling him how lucky he was to have me as a parent.
A few months ago, I found myself standing in that familiar, painful space many parents of teenagers know all too well — feeling shut out.
My 14-year-old son, all hormones and headphones, wanted nothing to do with me. He was deep in the world of friends, phones, and being "too cool" for anything that resembled family bonding.
But I remembered something he'd said during one of our rare, fleeting conversations: " My dream trip is Hawaii." So, for his 8th grade graduation, I planned a surprise. Not just a trip to Hawaii — an adventure cruise with UnCruise, a small-ship expedition company that sails the islands with a focus on nature, activity, and unplugged experiences.
I booked it hoping, somewhat desperately, that it might be more than just a vacation and that maybe, just maybe, it would bring us closer.
Now that I'm back, I can say: It did.
It wasn't just the 2 of us on a trip
One of the best parts of the trip was that it wasn't just us. Our ship, the Safari Explorer, hosted about 30 other travelers. This built-in community meant we didn't drive each other crazy.
My son could hang back when he needed space, and I could talk with other adults, some of whom turned out to be unexpectedly insightful allies. Meals were communal style, which took the pressure off having to make conversation one-on-one three times a day.
I didn't anticipate how those other passengers would reflect me back to my son in a new light.
People kept telling him how lucky he was to have a mom who kayaked, snorkeled, hiked volcanic craters, and actually kept up. I think he started to see me as more than just "mom who nags" and as someone interesting, even cool.
He also saw me as someone who talked with others and contributed to group conversations. At home, I'm often wrong by default; here, I became someone worth listening to.
We spent time outside
There were moments on the trip that transported us both, like when he spotted an octopus while snorkeling and shouted for me to come see it. His face lit up with pure excitement. For a moment, it was like he was little again, eager to share his world with me.
We were in this experience together, not as a parent and reluctant teen, but as two people seeing something amazing.
Courtesy of the author
The focus of Uncruise is on adventure activities — every day we were out in nature. This almost never happens at home, where my teen would rather do just about anything than spend time with me outdoors. But here, there was no other option. Uncruise is the anti-cruise; it's about the destination, not the ship. That meant every day we hiked, snorkeled, kayaked, and swam. It turns out we both loved it.
There was also no Wi-Fi on the ship, and that turned out to be a blessing. Without the constant lure of his phone, he had no choice but to be present. We played cards, something we hadn't done in years. We talked about girls, sports, friendships — the messy, unfiltered stuff of being 14. I kept my advice to myself and just listened. It reminded me that he still wants to be heard, even if he doesn't always act like it.
Strangers made me notice things I missed
A surprising highlight of the trip was hearing others compliment him. One guest told me he gave up his seat for an older man when I wasn't around. Another said he helped clean up a dropped plate of appetizers. It's easy to get lost in the eye-rolling and one-word answers at home, but here, I was reminded of the kind, thoughtful kid I'm raising.
This trip wasn't a magical fix for the challenges of parenting a teenager. But it was a window — a reminder that he's still in there, and that I am too.
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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
I took my 14-year-old on a cruise to Hawaii. Strangers kept telling him how lucky he was to have me as a parent.
I was feeling shut out by my 14-year-old son, as many parents of teens do. In a fleeting conversation, he had mentioned that his dream trip was Hawaii. I decided to take him on a cruise with no Wi-Fi so we could reconnect. A few months ago, I found myself standing in that familiar, painful space many parents of teenagers know all too well — feeling shut out. My 14-year-old son, all hormones and headphones, wanted nothing to do with me. He was deep in the world of friends, phones, and being "too cool" for anything that resembled family bonding. But I remembered something he'd said during one of our rare, fleeting conversations: "My dream trip is Hawaii." So, for his 8th grade graduation, I planned a surprise. Not just a trip to Hawaii — an adventure cruise with UnCruise, a small-ship expedition company that sails the islands with a focus on nature, activity, and unplugged experiences. I booked it hoping, somewhat desperately, that it might be more than just a vacation and that maybe, just maybe, it would bring us closer. Now that I'm back, I can say: It did. One of the best parts of the trip was that it wasn't just us. Our ship, the Safari Explorer, hosted about 30 other travelers. This built-in community meant we didn't drive each other crazy. My son could hang back when he needed space, and I could talk with other adults, some of whom turned out to be unexpectedly insightful allies. Meals were communal style, which took the pressure off having to make conversation one-on-one three times a day. I didn't anticipate how those other passengers would reflect me back to my son in a new light. People kept telling him how lucky he was to have a mom who kayaked, snorkeled, hiked volcanic craters, and actually kept up. I think he started to see me as more than just "mom who nags" and as someone interesting, even cool. He also saw me as someone who talked with others and contributed to group conversations. At home, I'm often wrong by default; here, I became someone worth listening to. There were moments on the trip that transported us both, like when he spotted an octopus while snorkeling and shouted for me to come see it. His face lit up with pure excitement. For a moment, it was like he was little again, eager to share his world with me. We were in this experience together, not as a parent and reluctant teen, but as two people seeing something amazing. The focus of Uncruise is on adventure activities — every day we were out in nature. This almost never happens at home, where my teen would rather do just about anything than spend time with me outdoors. But here, there was no other option. Uncruise is the anti-cruise; it's about the destination, not the ship. That meant every day we hiked, snorkeled, kayaked, and swam. It turns out we both loved it. There was also no Wi-Fi on the ship, and that turned out to be a blessing. Without the constant lure of his phone, he had no choice but to be present. We played cards, something we hadn't done in years. We talked about girls, sports, friendships — the messy, unfiltered stuff of being 14. I kept my advice to myself and just listened. It reminded me that he still wants to be heard, even if he doesn't always act like it. A surprising highlight of the trip was hearing others compliment him. One guest told me he gave up his seat for an older man when I wasn't around. Another said he helped clean up a dropped plate of appetizers. It's easy to get lost in the eye-rolling and one-word answers at home, but here, I was reminded of the kind, thoughtful kid I'm raising. This trip wasn't a magical fix for the challenges of parenting a teenager. But it was a window — a reminder that he's still in there, and that I am too. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business Insider
I took my 14-year-old on a cruise to Hawaii. Strangers kept telling him how lucky he was to have me as a parent.
A few months ago, I found myself standing in that familiar, painful space many parents of teenagers know all too well — feeling shut out. My 14-year-old son, all hormones and headphones, wanted nothing to do with me. He was deep in the world of friends, phones, and being "too cool" for anything that resembled family bonding. But I remembered something he'd said during one of our rare, fleeting conversations: " My dream trip is Hawaii." So, for his 8th grade graduation, I planned a surprise. Not just a trip to Hawaii — an adventure cruise with UnCruise, a small-ship expedition company that sails the islands with a focus on nature, activity, and unplugged experiences. I booked it hoping, somewhat desperately, that it might be more than just a vacation and that maybe, just maybe, it would bring us closer. Now that I'm back, I can say: It did. It wasn't just the 2 of us on a trip One of the best parts of the trip was that it wasn't just us. Our ship, the Safari Explorer, hosted about 30 other travelers. This built-in community meant we didn't drive each other crazy. My son could hang back when he needed space, and I could talk with other adults, some of whom turned out to be unexpectedly insightful allies. Meals were communal style, which took the pressure off having to make conversation one-on-one three times a day. I didn't anticipate how those other passengers would reflect me back to my son in a new light. People kept telling him how lucky he was to have a mom who kayaked, snorkeled, hiked volcanic craters, and actually kept up. I think he started to see me as more than just "mom who nags" and as someone interesting, even cool. He also saw me as someone who talked with others and contributed to group conversations. At home, I'm often wrong by default; here, I became someone worth listening to. We spent time outside There were moments on the trip that transported us both, like when he spotted an octopus while snorkeling and shouted for me to come see it. His face lit up with pure excitement. For a moment, it was like he was little again, eager to share his world with me. We were in this experience together, not as a parent and reluctant teen, but as two people seeing something amazing. Courtesy of the author The focus of Uncruise is on adventure activities — every day we were out in nature. This almost never happens at home, where my teen would rather do just about anything than spend time with me outdoors. But here, there was no other option. Uncruise is the anti-cruise; it's about the destination, not the ship. That meant every day we hiked, snorkeled, kayaked, and swam. It turns out we both loved it. There was also no Wi-Fi on the ship, and that turned out to be a blessing. Without the constant lure of his phone, he had no choice but to be present. We played cards, something we hadn't done in years. We talked about girls, sports, friendships — the messy, unfiltered stuff of being 14. I kept my advice to myself and just listened. It reminded me that he still wants to be heard, even if he doesn't always act like it. Strangers made me notice things I missed A surprising highlight of the trip was hearing others compliment him. One guest told me he gave up his seat for an older man when I wasn't around. Another said he helped clean up a dropped plate of appetizers. It's easy to get lost in the eye-rolling and one-word answers at home, but here, I was reminded of the kind, thoughtful kid I'm raising. This trip wasn't a magical fix for the challenges of parenting a teenager. But it was a window — a reminder that he's still in there, and that I am too.
Forbes
24-04-2025
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Cruising Through Hawaii—In An Untraditional Way
Uncruise takes travelers to the parts of Hawaii that are under the radar. Uncruise Most people experience Hawaii by land or, when by sea, aboard a mega cruise ship that sails from port to port, rarely veering off the set itinerary. But for those looking for something more immersive, intimate, and adventurous, UnCruise Adventures offers a completely different kind of Hawaiian journey—one that gets you off the boat and deep into the heart of the islands. Onboard the Safari Explorer, a 36-passenger expedition vessel that sails from November to April in Hawaii, the vibe is more floating wilderness lodge than traditional cruise. Think daily nature talks, kayaking beside sea cliffs, snorkeling with manta rays, hiking through lava fields—and yes, daily cookie hour before happy hour. 'UnCruise—the name really says it all,' says Tiffany McKeirnan, one of UnCruise's eight captains and one of three women in that role across the fleet. 'People think 'cruise' and imagine these massive ships or quick day boats. What we do is completely different—it's an expedition. You're not just looking at Hawaii from a distance. You're in it.' McKeirnan, who has captained in Hawaii for Uncruise for four years and grew up on the islands, emphasizes that UnCruise is the only expedition ship operating in these waters. 'The currents and winds here are no joke, but the company has been doing it for 12 years. Plus, we do it with respect toward the native Hawaiian culture and people and that's why the locals embrace us.' Hikes are offered on different islands in Hawaii. Uncruise UnCruise's Hawaiian itinerary runs between Moloka'i and the Big Island, with stops at Lana'i and Maui along the way. There are no big port terminals or long lines. In fact, you'll rarely even dock. Most days begin by slipping into a quiet cove at sunrise, where you'll launch kayaks, paddleboards, or skiffs to explore pristine waters and shoreline that are inaccessible to larger ships or land-based visitors. Here's a taste of what the weeklong itinerary might include: The exact itinerary for the Hawaii cruise is fluid—by design. 'We adapt constantly,' says Jeremy Saenz, Expedition Leader and 20-year UnCruise veteran. 'Wind, whales, and whimsy—that guides our day. One week we may kayak a hidden coastline, the next we might pivot to watch spinner dolphins or humpback whale mommas traveling with their calves.' Activities on Uncruise include skiff tours. Uncruise Days are structured around multiple excursions, typically offered in both 'soft adventure' and more rugged formats. You might start your morning with sunrise yoga or coffee on the sun deck, then head out for a kayak paddle, snorkel or a hike. Lunch and dinner are back on the ship unless you're on the full-day hike in which you pack a picnic lunch. Everything is included (food, drinks, excursions), and everything is optional. If you want to spend a day with a book on the bow while your partner snorkels that's okay too. Each adventure is led by one of the ship's naturalists, like Mareth Griffith, one Uncruise's Lead Expedition Guides. 'We don't do frills; we do wilderness. We don't do rushed; we do immersive,' she says. 'People come away not just having seen Hawaii, but having felt it.' Passengers and crew quickly become friends, because the group size is so small. Griffith believes the open-bridge policy—where passengers can pop into the captain's chair to chat or learn about navigation—adds to the transparency and trust onboard. 'It's rare in the industry, but it's part of our philosophy. It's all about connection—to place, to people, to purpose.' Don't expect Broadway shows or casinos. But do expect comfort, excellent food, and sincere hospitality. Cabins are cozy but well-equipped, and the public spaces are relaxed and communal. The food, however, is a highlight. 'There's so much love in the food here,' says Toric Vieira, the Safari Explorer's pastry chef. 'Everything is made from scratch—breads, muffins, croissants, plated desserts, and of course, our famous Cookie Hour before happy hour.' Vieira notes that dietary needs are fully accommodated. 'We have gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan, keto—you name it. We make it all work.' And the crew? They feel like family. 'You get to know everyone,' says CJ Leone, Hotel Manager. 'We're not behind the curtain. We chat with you and we adventure with you. Even the most introverted guests open up by the second day.' A big part of Uncruise is seeing wildlife up close. Uncruise UnCruise is especially beloved by adventurous couples, solo travelers, and multigenerational families. Certain designated 'Kids in Nature' sailings in summer, are designed with young explorers in mind. They have kid handlers that works like camp counselors to keep the young ones interested by offering kid-friendly kayaking, hiking, and mocktail parties while parents enjoy grown-up adventures. Kids can also travel on regular sailings, as well. Prefer a quiet adult escape? Adults-only departures are also available throughout the year. 'If your goal is to truly experience Hawaii—not just see it from a balcony—this is the way to do it,' says Saenz. 'Because it's different. Because it's real. Because it gets you to places big ships can't even approach—both physically and emotionally.' 'It starts at the top,' says Captain McKeirnan. 'Dan, our CEO, is full of personality and life. That energy trickles down to all of us. This company has changed names over the years, but what hasn't changed is the passion for what we do.' Not surprisingly, Uncruise has one of the highest repeat visitor rates in the industry. It's not uncommon for couples or families to meet other like-minded people on their first Uncruise and then start traveling together. After nine cruises, the tenth one is free. For some travelers, that's not a hard goal to achieve.
