Press Release

VENTURE INTO REALMS WHERE THREE-TOED SLOTHS REIGN AND LISTEN TO THE CHOIR OF WILD CREATURES THIS SUMMER - Cruise West Offers Seven-Day Family Itinerary To Explore Costa Rica’s Tropical Wonderland

Dec 18 2004 12:00AM

Seattle, WA – December 18, 2004 – This summer, Cruise West, America’s largest American-owned cruise line, offers families a distinctive vacation experience to explore Costa Rica up-close and connect with this tiny Latin American country with the “Costa Rica Family Adventure,” specially designed for children and families seeking an enrichment getaway. Departing June 18 & 25 and July 16 & 23, 2005, the seven-day itinerary starts at $1,799 per person, double-occupancy. Children 12 and under sharing a cabin with an adult can save 50 percent on the cruise and youth ages 13 through 21 can save 25 percent.

The Family Adventure itinerary includes shore excursions, port charges, transfers and taxes, with rates varying according to departure date, itinerary selection and cabin accommodations. Families can save $250 per person on cruises booked with deposits made six months prior to departure and $125 per person with deposits received three months to departure. In addition, these savings increase between $50 and $25 if payment for the cruise is received in full by the aforementioned deadlines. Reservations and brochures can be obtained by logging onto www.cruisewest.com or calling (800) 888-9378.

~ Intimately Connecting With Costa Rica ~

The Costa Rica Family Adventure Package – which features onboard naturalists, a special children’s activities director and American cruise coordinator – creates educational, fun and safe experiences tailored to specific age levels – from beginner’s Spanish lessons to short forest hikes, and from searching for exotic birds and monkeys to family-style barbeque on a remote beach.

After flying into the San José Airport, families are transferred to the Pacific Explorer, one of Cruise West’s small ships that is tailor-made for such an itinerary.

The ship can accommodate 100 guests and maneuver through the region’s narrow waterways. Delicious international cuisine is served aboard the Pacific Explorer, which features the freshest meats, fruits and vegetables. Children can also enjoy their own private dinner hour.

Other family adventure activities include exploring Curú, a private 207-acre wildlife sanctuary on the Nicoya Peninsula that features more than 115 species of land and sea birds; the Corcovado Conservation area, which is home to endangered wildlife and provides ample opportunities to kayak, snorkel and swim in a river; the Casa Orquideas, a family-owned Orchid House, which is accessible only by sea and showcases more than 100 varieties of orchids and Drake Bay, named after Sir Francis Drake, which provides distinctive excursions for the family, spectacular snorkeling in the coral reef and opportunities to see mysterious pre-Columbian artifacts.

~~ Up-Close, Casual and Imaginative Cruising~

As the largest American-owned cruise line, Cruise West – a second-generation, family-owned business, offers eco-adventure seekers 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 – eight in all – hold between 70-114 people each, and the casual style onboard encourages relaxation and congenial interaction between guests and crew alike. The experience is personally enriching through 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.

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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.