In The News

Cruise West eyes Port Townsend as port of call

March 17, 2006

Peninsula Daily News  2006-03-08
by JEFF CHEW

PORT TOWNSEND -- Seattle-based Cruise West has named Port Townsend a port of call for its Spirit of Endeavor, the result of the city's historic downtown walking tours, quaintness and pedestrian friendliness.

The white 217-foot-long, 102-passenger cruise vessel will be tying up at City Dock downtown for three Fridays, beginning April 14, said Jefferson County Historical Society officials.

The historical society is contracting with Cruise West to provide historic walking tours in which four guides dressed as historic Port Townsend figures will entertain and educate passengers.

Karen Kuest, Cruise West programs manager, said Port Townsend was chosen over La Conner because it is on the historic register, is charming and quaint, and has a lot to offer to pedestrian traffic.

"We just wanted something that has something to offer year-round, and with kayaking options,'' said Kuest, who grew up in Sequim.

Marsha Moratti, Jefferson County Museum coordinator, and Historical Society Director Bill Tennent tackled the two-year contract with Cruise West, which will pay for the tour-guide "interpreters'' out of passenger fees. The fees go to the museum's ongoing operations.

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Cruise West – a second-generation, family-owned business based in Seattle – offers the opportunity to explore remote, worldwide locales by providing distinctive, one-of-a-kind, personalized itineraries not offered by the traditional larger cruise lines. Cruise West’s smaller ships – ten in all – hold between 70-138 people each, and the casual style onboard encourages relaxation and congenial interaction between guests and crew alike. The experience is personally enriching through expert Exploration Leaders providing onboard narrative and lectures, special local guests from a wide variety of backgrounds, and the library provided on each vessel. All have forward lounges and ample outdoor deck space for viewing and photographing wildlife and scenery. All vessels are also equipped with inflatable landing boats for close-up exploration of remote areas and shore landings.

Destinations served include: Alaska and the Bering Sea, British Columbia, Columbia & Snake Rivers, California Wine Country, Mexico's Sea of Cortés, Costa Rica & Panama, The U.S. eastern seaboard, the Caribbean, Japan, the South Pacific, the Kuril Islands, and the Great Lakes