InnerSea Discoveries

InnerSea Discoveries is a sister brand to the award-winning American Safari Cruises, named one of the world’s Top Five Luxury Small-ship/Specialty Cruise Lines by the Virtuoso luxury travel consortium. Founded in 1997 to provide up-scale, luxurious yacht cruising in Alaska's Inside Passage, the company is passionate about delivering life-enriching yacht adventures.

Headquartered at historic Fishermen’s Terminal in Seattle, Washington, InnerSea Discoveries and American Safari Cruises offer an alternative to traditional large- and small-ship cruises by taking guests into areas that are not accessible to most larger ships and on excursions and to activities that are exclusive, private and unavailable to most other travelers.

Other American Safari Cruises include Alaska’s Inside Passage (including Glacier Bay National Park), Mexico's Sea of Cortés, the Pacific Northwest and the Columbia and Snake rivers.  And in November 2011, Hawaiian inter-island cruising begins on the 36-guest Safari Explorer through Maui, Molokai, Lanai and the Big Island.

Our Mission Statement

To provide our guests a high quality, casual and intimate travel experience to unique destinations, offering superior service and experience, while promoting awareness and the necessity to protect and preserve our native cultures and environment.

Our Executives

The InnerSea Discoveries executive team of Dan Blanchard and Tim Jacox offer a combined 60 years of experience in yacht and small-ship cruising. 

Dan Blanchard, Principal/CEO

A captain with a master's license since 1981, Dan began his marine career as owner/operator of Blanchard Marine, a small shipyard and yacht importer in Everett, Wash. Dan later was named captain for sightseeing vessels based at Glacier Bay Lodge in Alaska.  Dan worked for Alaska Sightseeing/Cruise West for 12 years, beginning as captain in 1987 and soon after was promoted into the position of Director of Marine operations.  Dan led the acquisition and renovation of 7 passenger vessels during his tenure at Cruise West.  Dan was promoted to acting vice president of operations before leaving the company in 1999 to join American Safari Cruises.

“Tim and I are extremely excited to be back at the helm of a product we love and to build on the strong name of American Safari Cruises,” Dan says. “Showcasing nature up-close has been our true passion for decades, and we are looking toward new opportunities for bringing people closer to nature in small-group comfort.” – Dan Blanchard, Principal/CEO

Tim Jacox, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing

A 30-year tavel industry veteran, Jacox worked for Alaska Sightseeing/Cruise West for 20 years.  Positions included local summer operations in Fairbanks, Alaska and winters as Director of Sales and Marketing at the headquarters in Seattle, culminating in a 12-year term as vice president of land and marine operations. Prior to joining American Safari Cruises, he was Vice President for AAA Washington. Jacox was a board member of the Southeast Alaska Tourism Council and legislative chairman of the Passenger Vessel Association. He is an honors graduate of the University of Montana and served in the US Navy.