Press Release

PROSPECTIVE PASSENGERS GET A TASTE OF SMALL-SHIP CRUISING WITH CRUISE WEST’S VIRTUAL CRUISE NIGHTS; FROM THE COMFORT OF HOME AND WITHOUT ANY COMMITMENT

Aug 19 2004 12:00AM

Seattle, August, 2004 -- Travelers unfamiliar with the significant differences between small-ship and big-ship cruising may take a free “test drive” with Cruise West’s online Virtual Cruise Nights. In depth and lively interactive presentations give an up-close view of why so many sophisticated travelers are opting for the informal shipboard lifestyle combined with land-based adventures and itineraries not possible for the large cruise ships. A new series of Virtual Cruise Nights are scheduled at 6:00 and 9:00 PM, Eastern Daylight Time, beginning September 21 and running until December 2. Details on how to log into the web-based conference call presentations are available at Cruise West’s web site, www.cruisewest.com, by way of the “Attend Live Presentations” link on the site’s right-hand side.

Enhanced by the stunning images of scenery and wildlife taken by Cruise West passengers and crew, as well as detailed maps and photos of each ship’s facilities, the state-of-the-art presentations are able to respond immediately to participant questions and comments. Each hour-long session (participants can join or sign-off at any point) is hosted by a knowledgeable speaker and allows for questions and comments from the participants throughout. The current line-up offers presentations on the British Columbia Coastal Wilderness Cruise (Sept. 21), Costa Rica and Panama (Oct. 5), Exploring the Inside Passage (Oct. 21), the Columbia & Snake Rivers – Lewis and Clark (Oct. 28), Alaska’s Grand Voyages (Nov. 4), Daylight Yacht Touring (Nov. 16) and Discovering Prince William Sound (Dec. 2). Future sessions, posted on the company’s web site, will include additional Cruise West Alaska itineraries, and California Wine Country.

The award-winning Seattle-based company has a fleet of eight small ships with capacities of 78 to 114 guests. Its focus is always on the destination -- wildlife, glaciers, fjords, indigenous cultures, pristine beaches, remote ports. Using combinations of guest speakers, experienced locals and on-board exploration leaders, passengers gain a deeper understanding of the passing scene, the types of wildlife, natural history, native cultures, and local events. Regardless of destination, Cruise West’s cruising style is the same: close to shore, exploratory, casual, with frequent use of inflatable excursion craft. Every day a new shoreside adventure, every night an easy cruise to another scenic anchorage.

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-19-August, 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.