Press Release

Cruise West Announces Retirement of President & CEO Jeff Krida ~Eight-Year Company Veteran To Pursue “Voluntourism” Passion~

January 28, 2008

SEATTLE, January 22, 2008 - Dick West, Chairman & Managing Director and Jeff Krida (62), President & CEO, jointly announced Krida’s retirement effective February 1, 2008. Krida joined Cruise West as President and COO in 2000. Since then, the company expanded itineraries to include Asia, the South Pacific and Panama & Costa Rica, and acquired three ships ─ the Spirit of Oceanus and two ships from the former Clipper Cruise Line. “We are stronger than ever, both financially and operationally, and are enjoying the highest repeat guest factor in our history,” said West.

“I am energized with my new plans to develop ‘Voluntourism’ experiences for travelers who want to make a difference for the people and places that they visit, while enjoying great vacation experiences,” said Krida. He has been a strong advocate and energetic member of Cruise West’s “Our Bear Cares” program, which actively contributes to people and communities in the destinations Cruise West serves. The program allows travelers to personally participate, from helping local children with medical and educational needs in Baja to funding marine mammal research in Alaska. Dick and Leslie West initiated this program by supporting a Children’s Home in La Paz, Mexico over a decade ago and it has now expanded to all Cruise West destinations.

Dick West said, “We have accomplished a great deal together, and our future in bringing ‘up-close, casual and personal’ destination experiences to our guests has been made even stronger by Jeff’s leadership.”

Krida remains a consultant to Cruise West and looks forward to his new venture in expanding volunteer tourism opportunities.

~ Up-Close, Casual and Personal Cruising ~

Cruise West offers the opportunity to explore remote and distinctive destinations throughout North and Central America, Asia and the South Pacific. Small-ship cruising allows for personalized experiences not offered by larger cruise lines. Guest capacities aboard Cruise West’s nine ships range from 78-138. Guests may expect personal enrichment through onboard narrative and presentations by local experts. The ships’ forward lounges and ample outdoor deck space provide outstanding viewing opportunities, and inflatable boats allow for up-close exploration and shore landings.

---

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 – nine in all – hold between 78-138 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, Japan, the South Pacific, and the Kuril Islands.