Press Release

TRAVEL THROUGH HISTORY ON CRUISE WEST’S ALASKA GOLD RUSH VOYAGES From Seattle to Juneau: Discover The Route of The Original Stampeders

Jan 5 2005 12:00AM

 Cruise West, the largest American-owned cruise line, is offering history and wildlife enthusiasts the opportunity to trace the exciting path of Old West settlers on Gold Rush Inside Passage cruises. Offered in the spring and early fall, the Gold Rush Inside Passage voyage is a 10-night exploration between Seattle and Juneau, visiting temperate rain forests in British Columbia and navigating the Peril Strait and Sergius Narrows to view towering totems in Sitka. It can also be taken as a 15-night excursion, including an additional stay at Denali National Park.

The Gold Rush Inside Passage traces the path of many earlier adventurers who traveled north seeking (and sometimes finding) a dream of riches. The first big gold strike occurred in Juneau in 1880 when two prospectors found and collected 1,000 pounds of ore on their first trip. In 1896, gold strikes in Klondike brought more fortune hunters to Alaska in search of their dreams. Later, in 1899, gold found on the beaches in Nome encouraged dreamers such as Wyatt Earp to venture to “The Great Land.” Today, major gold mining operations continue in the Fairbanks area.

Considered one of the most fulfilling cruises that Cruise West has to offer, the 2005 Gold Rush Inside Passage offers guests extensive wildlife encounters and sceneries unrivaled in beauty, including waterfalls formed by glacially-carved granite at Tracy Arm, active tidewater glaciers that are home to thousands of harbor seals in LeConte Bay, and vibrant wildflowers and lush terrain nurtured by the Tongass Rainforest in Juneau. Cruise West passengers who choose to extend their voyage to 15 nights also make additional stops beyond Denali National Park at Hurricane Gulch and Broad Pass while ascending into the Alaska Range.

Other destinations on the voyage include Glacier Bay National Park, where a National Park Service Ranger offers insightful narration and helps guests spot harbor seals, mountain goats and brown and black bears in rare regions, and the Frederick Sound, where whale sightings are prevalent.

The 1,000-mile voyage starts at $3,099 per person and the Denali National Park option starts at $5,299 per person. Those who book Gold Rush Inside Passage cruises for departures on June 15 or earlier can save as much as $200 per person if a deposit is made by February 25, 2005. An additional savings of $50 per person is available if paid in full by February 25, 2005.

 ~ Up-Close, Casual and Personal Cruising ~

As the largest American-owned cruise line, Cruise West -- a second-generation, family-owned business -- 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 – 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.

---

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.