Press Release

‘PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES’ CONNECT CRUISE WEST’S EXPLORATION OF PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND WITH STAYS IN DENALI PARK WILDERNESS LODGES

Apr 30 2004 12:00AM

SEATTLE, April 2004 -- Cruise West’s 10-night “Glacier Wonderland” cruise-tour package explores the remote regions of Prince William Sound and Denali Park by way of ship, bush plane, wilderness van and luxury domed railcar. Included is a four-night Prince William Sound cruise on Cruise West’s 78-passenger Spirit of Alaska, two-night stays at two of Alaska’s finest native-owned wilderness lodges -- Kantishna Lodge and Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge -- a night at the Sheraton Anchorage, all transportation, most meals, Cordova sightseeing, bush plane flight deep into Denali Park and two fjord country kayaking excursions. Weekly Tuesday departures run from May 25 to August 17, 2004 at prices from $3,699 to $4,849 per person, double.

 

Abounding with wildlife and cut off from the rest of Alaska by a ring of sawtooth mountains, Prince William Sound boasts more glaciers than Glacier Bay and a perimeter so carved with fjords that its 3,000 square-mile expanse requires nearly 4,000 miles of shoreline to enclose it. The Spirit of Alaska focuses on wildlife and on islands and fjords inaccessible to large cruise liners, including the inner reaches of Blackstone Bay, site of the largest concentration of individual glaciers in Alaska. Sightings often include humpback and orca whales, sea otters, sea lions, Dall sheep, porpoise, bears, eagles, and huge colonies of seabirds.

 

The itinerary also explores Esther Passage, Icy Bay, College Fjord, and the Knight Island-Chenaga Glacier region. Escorted kayak tours include a morning in Prince William Sound, gliding past waterfalls and visiting a bird rookery before landing at a secluded beach for a hearty picnic lunch, and sea kayaking near the tiny fishing village of Cordova with a special snack of Cordova’s famous Copper River salmon.

 

A three-hour journey aboard the Midnight Sun Express’ deluxe glass-domed rail car, between Anchorage and Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge, offers travelers panoramic views amid the vast scenery of the glaciated Alaska Range peaks ringing Mt. McKinley. Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge, with its 56-foot-tall river rock fireplace in the lobby, boasts luxury facilities and fine dining as well as a variety of optional wilderness soft-adventures -- whitewater float trips, jetboat river rides and Mt. McKinley flightseeing. Nearby Talkeetna, population 772, originally the site of a Tanaina Athapascan Indian village, then a prospector trading post in 1896, is the departure point for McKinley climbing expeditions and a major checkpoint along the Iditarod Anchorage-to-Nome sled dog race. Thirteen of the town’s 26 buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

At native-owned Kantishna Roadhouse, set deep in Denali Park and reached by bush plane, naturalist guides escort hikes and horseback trail rides; or guests may hike on their own, pan for gold, canoe on local rivers or fish for Arctic grayling. Rebuilt in 1993 the roadhouse has evolved during the past 100 years from a gold rush tent camp to a wilderness resort with modern facilities and a rustic flavor. Family-style meals are served in the main lodge dining room. A short wagon ride away is Wonder Lake, set just 30 miles from McKinley summit, the subject of noted photographers like Ansel Adams

 

Equipped with bow-landing gear, Cruise West’s 78-passenger Spirit of Alaska gives access to uninhabited islands for shore walks and tidepool exploration. A large forward lounge and ample outside deck space provide plenty of room for viewing and photographing wildlife and scenery. Dining room menus emphasizing Alaska seafood are more sophisticated than is typically associated with small ship cruising. Open seating in the dining room encourages travelers to mix and form new friendships.

 

Reservations, additional information and brochures can be obtained from travel agents and Cruise West, Suite 401, 2301 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121, telephone (800) 888-9378; fax (206) 441-4757; web site www.cruisewest.com

 

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Gillies and Zaiser 110 Riverside Drive New York, NY 10024 CW-09-May, 2004

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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 – 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.