Press Release

CAVORT WITH GLÖGG-DRINKING VIKINGS AND DANCE IN THE BEER GARDEN WITH CRUISE WEST AT THE LITTLE NORWAY FESTIVAL -  Cruise West Guests Celebrate in Petersburg on Three Separate Itineraries

Apr 13 2005 12:00AM

The Syttende Mai, or Seventeenth of May, recognized during the third weekend of May, marks the Little Norway Festival in Petersburg, Alaska, where the local residents celebrate the town’s Norwegian heritage with a four-day weekend of street festivals and parades. This year, Cruise West, the largest American-owned cruise line, offers its guests aboard three Alaska itineraries the opportunity to experience a culture rarely emphasized by other cruise lines.

The Spirit of Oceanus, sailing the Coastal Odyssey voyage, the Spirit of Endeavour, sailing the Alaska’s Inside Passage, and the Spirit of Discovery, sailing the Gold Rush Inside Passage, all dock at the Petersburg port during the Little Norway Festival. For these three sailings, cruises start at $6,097 (Coastal Odyssey), $3,925 (Alaska Inside Passage), and $3,879 (Gold Rush Inside Passage). Prices are per person and subject to availability.

The Syttende Mai began as celebration of Norway’s independence marked by the signing of the Norwegian Constitution on May 17, 1814, liberating them from the 400-year union with Denmark. As part of the celebration, Cruise West guests will rub elbows with Petersburg residents who act and dress like Vikings and Valkeries (warrior maidens of Odin, who presided over battles).

While Cruise West’s small ships are in port for The Little Norway Festival, guests will enjoy an array of festivities: a Beer Garden; music and games; an annual production by the Mitkof Mummers, the local theatre group; and an engaging pageant displaying Scandinavian and Native Alaskan traditional dress and dancing. Locals dress up in the traditional Norwegian bunads – their national costume with a personal crest representing the district, valley or town from where their family’s roots stem. Booths filled with delectable goodies like traditional Norwegian pastries, smoked salmon treats, pickled crab tails and fried bread will line the streets downtown, tempting visitors to taste the flavors of the Alaskan heritage. The craft booths will include items such as “rosemaling” (rose or flower paintings), hand-knitted items and other artistic endeavors.

~ Up-Close, Casual and Intimate Cruising ~

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 70-118 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.