Press Release

CRUISE WEST WEBINARS BRING AGENTS AND GUESTS UP TO SPEED ON UPCOMING ITINERARIES “Know Before You Go” Webinars Designed with the Travel Agent in Mind

August 1, 2007

SEATTLE, WA, August 1, 2007    More than 1,200 travel agents and guests have participated in Cruise West’s new Know Before You Go “webinar” program, in the six- week period since it launched, exceeding the line’s expectations, according to Jeff Krida, president & chief executive officer.

Specializing in enriching small-ship cruises, Cruise West has received rave reviews from both travel agents and cruise guests, who typically have numerous questions before sailing. According to Krida, these product-specific webinars provide the opportunity to garner information and ask questions about the destination and itinerary that the guest is booked on.

“The first Know Before You Go webinar was offered in June 2007 and had more than 225 guests participate,” said Krida. “Since then, we’ve hosted an average of two webinars per week and have found it to be as beneficial for us as it is for our agent partners and guests.”

Guests and travel agents who have booked a guest on an upcoming cruise receive an email invitation to participate in the webinar. Interested guests simply register online and receive a reminder to participate. The only technology required is an Internet connection and a separate phone line. At the given date and time guests log in using the instructions received and enjoy the presentation in the comfort of their own home or office. The webinars typically last 20 – 45 minutes.

Given the positive response to these webinars, Cruise West plans to roll out on- demand “Know Before You Go” webinars in October 2007 starting with the Mexico Whales & Wildlife itinerary. This will allow upcoming cruise guests the flexibility to join a webinar at their leisure and convenience.

In addition to “Know Before You Go,” Cruise West offers an extensive list of webinars including destination specific and sales training offerings, and “Cruise West 101” designed specifically for travel agents. For guests considering booking a cruise or already booked, Cruise West offers “Attend Cruise West Presents” webinars that offer an interactive experience with a Cruise West destination expert. Information about all these webinars may be found at www.cruisewest.com and travel agent training at www.cruisewestagents.com ; then click on Agent Training.

~ Up-Close, Casual and Personal Cruising ~

Cruise West offers the opportunity to explore remote and distinctive destinations throughout North and Central America, Asia and the South Pacific. Small-ship cruising allows for personalized experiences not offered by larger cruise lines. Guest capacities aboard Cruise West’s nine ships range from 78-138. Guests may expect personal enrichment through onboard narrative and presentations by local experts. The ships’ forward lounges and ample outdoor deck space provide outstanding viewing opportunities, and inflatable boats allow for up-close exploration and shore landings.

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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.