Press Release

EXOTIC WILDLIFE, TROPICAL RAINFORESTS AND NATURE SANCTUARIES ARE FOCUS OF CRUISE WEST'S SEVEN-NIGHT "GEMS OF COSTA RICA" ITINERARY

Jul 13 2004 12:00AM

Seattle, July, 2004 -- Passengers sailing on Cruise West's seven-night "Gems of Costa Rica" cruise aboard the 100-passenger Pacific Explorer encounter exotic wildlife, white-sand beaches fringed with coconut palms, tropical rainforests, remote islands, mangrove lagoons and coral reefs teeming with colorful fish along 270 miles of Costa Rica's Pacific coastline. Saturday departures, round trip from the port of Los Sueños, near the capital city of San José, are November 6, 13 and 20 (Thanksgiving week); December 4, 2004; and April 9 and 16, 2005. Prices, from $2,099 to $3,499 per person, double, include shore activities, port charges and airport transfers. The small-ship sailings feature seven days of eco-friendly activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, jungle hiking, beachcombing and birdwatching; the ship's inflatable excursion craft provide easy access to seacliff bird rookeries, and secluded beaches and coves for swimming. English-speaking Costa Rican naturalist guides lead walks through the lush, vine-draped rainforests, on the look out for spider, white-faced capuchin and howler monkeys; three-toed sloths; coatimundis; black iguanas; as well as brilliantly colored toucans, parrots and scarlet macaws. Ports of call include the 207-acre Curú Wildlife Refuge, featuring five distinctive ecosystems; Tortuga Island, for snorkeling, kayaking and a beach barbecue lunch; the 100,000-acre Corcovado Conservation Area, a bio-diverse sanctuary home to six types of wildcats and 300 bird species; and Coiba Island, where snorkelers can swim among white-tipped reef sharks and manta rays in the most extensive coral reef in the region. The ship also visits the Orchid House botanical garden at Golfo Dulce; Drake Bay, where passengers ride inflatable excursion craft up the Agujitas River in search of ospreys; and Manuel Antonio National Park, with its long strands of pristine beaches. At Caño Island, a popular diving center, travelers get a rare opportunity to tour the mysterious pre-Columbian archeological site of near-perfect stone spheres, the origin of which continues to mystify experts. The stones, some reaching six feet in diameter and weighing up to 16 tons, lay on the ground entangled in centuries of jungle growth. Every sailing is accompanied by an American cruise coordinator and several Costa Rican expert naturalists who escort excursions, present on-board evening lectures and answer questions about Costa Rica's flora and fauna, cultures, lore and natural history. The highly-maneuverable 185-foot Pacific Explorer is equipped with a fleet of inflatable excursion craft for beach landings on remote shores and up-close exploration. The ship has two lounges lined with panoramic windows, a book and video library, a sun deck with a bar, and plenty of outdoor deck space for viewing and photographing wildlife and scenery. All cabins face outward and are air-conditioned with private facilities, TV/VCR and picture windows that open. Casual dress and open seating in the dining room add to the relaxed atmosphere on board. International cuisine, served in the dining room, on deck or on the beach, includes Central American specialties. 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

### Gillies and Zaiser 110 Riverside Drive New York, NY 10024 CW-13-July, 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.