Press Release

CRUISE WEST GUARANTEES WHALES ON 'WILDERNESS WATERWAYS' ITINERARY OR PASSENGERS ARE REFUNDED $250; SHIPS GO WHERE LARGE VESSELS CAN'T - WILDERNESS BEACHES, HIDDEN INLETS, INTER-TIDAL ZONES AND A RARELY-VISITED TLINGIT VILLAGE

May 8 2004 12:00AM

Seattle, May 2004 -- Cruise West is guaranteeing whale sightings on its “Wilderness Waterways” itinerary, a relatively new eight-night cruise package that offers an unspoiled view of Alaska, reminiscent of its early cruising days, or it will refund $250 to passengers. The itinerary combines Southeastern Alaska’s two most magnificent fjords, Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm, and two of its most interesting ports, Juneau and Sitka, with access to a backwater wilderness, bypassed by almost all other cruise ships, large and small. Passengers are introduced to a world of hidden inlets, waterfalls, boardwalk hamlets, islands, islets, rain forest trails, wildlife refuges, inter-tidal zones and a rarely-visited Tlingit Indian community.

Cruise West’s 78-passenger Spirit of Columbia and 84-passenger Spirit of Discovery sail roundtrip from Juneau, focusing on the northern half of Alaska’s 1,000-island Alexander Archipelago. The package (seven nights on the ship, one in Juneau) has 19 departures, July 7 through August 30. Double-occupancy cruise rates range from $2,999 to $5,349, port charges, taxes and fees included. Single travelers can book a category “B” or “C” cabin for themselves on the Spirit of Columbia at the twin rate with no supplemental charges.

A highlight of the cruise is the opportunity to go “gunk holing” -- a form of exploration by ship that lets curiosity be the guide. The cruise schedule and size of the ship allows the captain to go almost anywhere he thinks might be interesting for the passengers and to idle the engines when wildlife such as whales, bear, deer, sea lions, seals, porpoise, eagles and mountain goats are spotted.

The ship explores the coves, coastline and inlets around the perimeter of Admiralty Island National Monument, where the only inhabitants are vastly outnumbered by bears. Passengers tour Kake on Kupreanof Island, a village of 700 Tlingits, whose livelihood still derives from the forest and the sea, welcome guests ashore with a dance performance in traditional costume. Kake is also home to the world’s tallest totem pole -- 132 feet high -- standing on a bluff above the village. Other activities include whale watching in Frederick Sound; walking through an inter-tidal zone, habitat for sea anemone, jellyfish, sea stars and other species.

The cruise takes in glaciers in both arms of “Sum Dum Bay,” explored in 1880 by John Muir escorted by Tlingits in their 40-foot dugout canoe and known today as Tracy and Endicott arms, using Zodiacs for close-up views of the icebergs, and transits Peril Strait and Surges Narrows, channels only accessible by small ships and so narrow that it seems like cruising through the forest.

Travelers spend a day in Sitka-by-the-Sea, Russia’s Alaskan headquarters from 1804 to 1867, and site of St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church, the Raptor Rehabilitation Center, Sitka National Historical Monument, and local museums of Russian artifacts and native Alaskan art. A pre-cruise day and night of leisure in Juneau, Alaska’s capital city, can be spent visiting the many museums, galleries and public plazas or doing optional activities that include riding a mountaintop tram, ‘flightseeing’ to the Juneau Ice Cap and salmon fishing.

The American-flagged and crewed Spirit of Columbia and Spirit of Discovery have forward lounges and plenty of deck space to view and photograph the wildlife and scenery. Open seating in the dining room, which specializes in Alaskan seafood and continental cuisine, and a casual dress code contribute to a relaxed atmosphere, encouraging cruise guests to become acquainted.

Cruise West specializes in small-ship voyages into rivers and other regions along the west coast of North America, providing a closer experience of the destination than is possible by large cruise liners. Besides Alaska, destinations include British Columbia, the Columbia and Snake Rivers, California wine country (from San Francisco), Baja Mexico's Sea of Cortés, and Costa Rica and Panama.

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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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.