Press Release

FROM VIBRANT TOUCANS TO CALIFORNIA WINERIES TO ORANGE SEAHORSES – CRUISE WEST GUESTS SEE ALL THIS AND MORE IN 2006 Americas Itineraries Allow Guests to Venture Through Remote Lands with Endless Possibilities

May 2 2005 12:00AM

Seattle, WA – May 2, 2005

Guests aboard Cruise West’s 2006 Americas itineraries will be given the opportunity to explore a wonderland of lush, tropical forests, spectacular vineyard estates and countless wildlife habitats in Central and North America, while cruising itineraries unmatched by others. In all, the largest-American owned cruise line will offer five breathtaking destination experiences in 2006, including:

Costa Rica & Panama Cruise West will take guests aboard the Pacific Explorer to Central America’s most envied lands. While guests trek the countryside among giant anteaters and brilliantly colored toucans, they will also visit with native cultures, like the Kuna Indians, learning their dances and chants. The Between Two Seas and Coast to Canal itineraries will be available December 2005 through April 2006 and June, July, November and December 2006, respectively. Cruises start at $3,099 per person, double occupancy.

Mexico’s Sea of Cortés Harboring the richest concentration of marine life in the world, including species found nowhere else, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés will provide Cruise West’s guests with an opportunity to become one with the water, performing a water ballet with playful sea lions and gazing eye-to-eye with orange seahorses and gray whales, also known as the “Gentle Giants of Baja.” The Whales & Wildlife cruise will be available December 2005 through March 2006 and starts at $2,199 per person, double occupancy. The cruise can be extended with a visit to Copper Canyon – Mexico’s Grand Canyon – for an additional $1,600 per person, double occupancy. 

Columbia & Snake Rivers Guests have never experienced the Pacific Northwest like they will with Cruise West on the Lewis and Clark River Voyage of Discovery. As the first and longest running cruise line through the rivers, Cruise West has the most extensive and informative itinerary tracing the history of this part of the United States. With inflatable excursion craft, guests will travel onto land to discover the incredible journey of those gone before. The River Voyage of Discovery will sail in the spring, throughout April 2006, and in the fall, throughout September and October 2006. Voyages start at $1,799, per person, double occupancy.

British Columbia The secluded islands of British Columbia will offer Cruise West guests the most incredible scenery and solitude with sandy beaches that are both inviting and inspiring. The Spirit of Endeavour or the Spirit of Columbia will show a side of British Columbia rarely seen by discriminating travelers, including Princess Louisa Inlet, considered one of the most beautiful places in the world by Condé Nast Traveler readers. Hidden inland, secluded inlets and islands will be traveled on the Pacific Northwest Coastal Escape itinerary, starting at $2,049 per person, double occupancy, through April, September and October 2006.

California Wine Country Throughout Sonoma and Napa Valleys, Cruise West will take guests on a voyage into the wine country, showing the history and practices of winemakers, past and present. While touring vineyards and enjoying several flights of local vines, guests will experience a true escape for the senses with the Vintner’s Choice or Culture of the Vine itineraries aboard the Spirit of Endeavour, starting at $1,149, sailing during the height of the 2006 wine season, in October and November. As part of Cruise West’s new itineraries, tax and gratuity are included in all package prices. Guests are neither expected nor required to tip for onboard or land-based services.

~ Up-Close, Casual and Personal Cruising ~ 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 70-118 people each, and the casual style onboard encourages relaxation and congenial - more - CRUISE WEST AMERICAS / 3 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.

To make reservations or request a brochure, visit www.cruisewest.com or call (800) 203-8306.  # # #

---

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.