Press Release

TRAVEL INDUSTRY VETERAN DIETMAR WERTANZL JOINS CRUISE WEST AS NEW PRESIDENT & CEO

April 8, 2008

SEATTLE, WA, April 7, 2008 – Dietmar Wertanzl has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer for small-ship cruise line Cruise West. He joins the cruise line from Tauck World Discovery, where he served as chief operating officer. Wertanzl replaces Jeff Krida who retired in January 2008.

As President and CEO, Wertanzl will be responsible for overall performance of Cruise West’s business, and will help execute the company's short- and long-term strategies. Richard (Dick) West will continue as Cruise West’s Chairman & Managing Director.

“Dietmar’s depth of knowledge will be extremely valuable to Cruise West,” said West. “The company has grown substantially in the last few years and Dietmar’s leadership and seasoned experience will be invaluable in bringing the company to the next level.”

Wertanzl comes to Cruise West with more than 25 years experience in the cruise and hospitality industry. He served as senior vice president, fleet operations at Celebrity Cruises and managing director of Xpeditions, where he oversaw the line's entire marine and hotel operations and co-created the cruise concept in the Galapagos. He also managed the overall cruise experience and all new-build and refurbishment projects. Before joining Celebrity, Wertanzl held a number of key management positions with Crystal Cruises, Royal Viking and hotel properties in Switzerland.

For more information about Cruise West visit www.cruisewest.com.

~ 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. For more information, call 1-800-689-1783 or visit 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.