Press Release

SMALL-SHIP OPERATOR CRUISE WEST CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S “CENTRAL-AMERICAN” STYLE

Aug 17 2004 12:00AM

Seattle, August, 2004 -- Local Latin flavors and traditions add flair to Cruise West's 2004 holiday season cruises to Central America. The 100-passenger Pacific Explorer departs December 18 for Christmas and December 27 for New Year's sailings of the nine-night "Between Two Seas" program to Costa Rica and Panama. Passengers save $300 per couple on the Christmas and New Year’s cruise by booking and paying in full three months in advance. Prices include shore activities in every port. For travelers wishing to get away for Thanksgiving, the November 20th departure of the seven-day “Gems of Costa Rica” spends Thanksgiving day in remote Drake Bay and viewing the mysterious pre-Columbian spheres on Caño Island, albeit without any special dinners or festivities.

Christmas and New Year’s holiday celebrations aren’t restricted to the ship; expect to see parades, carnivals, parties and religious processions, including posadas -- the re-enactment of Joseph and Mary’s pilgrimage to Bethlehem -- during port stops. Seasonal decor aboard ship, customary Latin delicacies and desserts such as rompope (eggnog) and tamales added to the dining selections, and popping the champagne cork to kick off the New Year's Eve party round out the festivities.

Both itineraries bring travelers close to nature while hiking, kayaking, snorkeling and beachcombing in search of exotic wildlife through lush jungles, along palm-fringed beaches and in coral reef systems teeming with tropical fish. Howler and spider monkeys, elusive three-toed sloths, coatimundis and brilliantly colored birds such as toucans and parrots will likely be spotted on outings. Shared ports of call are the 100,000-acre Corcovado Conservation Area, a biodiverse nature sanctuary; the beautiful gardens of Casa Orquideas (Orchid House) at Golfo Dulce, the pristine waters of Isla de Coiba, where snorkelers can swim among white-tipped reef sharks and manta rays in the most extensive coral reef in the region, and Manuel Antonio National Park.

The "Gems of Costa Rica" Thanksgiving sailing, from Los Sueños, is one of six departures from November 6 to April 16. Prices are $2,099 to $3,499 per person, double.

The "Between Two Seas" itinerary to Costa Rica and Panama, connecting the Caribbean and Pacific coasts via a Panama Canal transit, offers passengers the unique-to-small-ship perspective of being eye-level with the hustle and bustle of the canal’s round-the-clock operation. Sailings between Los Sueños and Colón near Panama City, run December 18 to March 27. Prices are $3,349 to $4,699.

An American cruise coordinator accompanies each sailing while on-board English-speaking Costa Rican naturalists escort excursions, present evening lectures and answer questions about regional flora and fauna, cultures, lore and natural history.

The 185-foot Pacific Explorer 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 aboard and open seating in the dining room add to the relaxed atmosphere aboard.

Reservations, additional information and brochures can be obtained from travel agents and Cruise West, Suite 401, 2301 Fifth Ave., Seattle, WA 98121; toll-free 1-800-888-9378; fax 206-441-4757; web site www.cruisewest.com ### Gillies and Zaiser 110 Riverside Drive New York, NY 10024 CW-17-August, 2004 Note to editors: Please update your records to reflect Cruise West’s new corporate address, effective immediately.

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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.