Press Release

CRUISE WEST CAPTAIN RECEIVES AWARD FROM HOMELAND SECURITY AND THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD FOR ASSISTING WITH EVACUATION

December 3, 2007

SEATTLE, WA, December 3, 2007 – Cruise West’s Captain Doane Brodie of the Spirit of Columbia accepted an award from The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the United States Coast Guard on November 16, 2007 at the Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle, WA for the evacuation assistance of guests from the ship Empress of the North that went aground in Alaska in May. Captain Brodie touted his crew for their responsiveness and professionalism. Brodie was the only cruise ship Captain of four vessels to receive an award.

It was noted that this was the largest evacuation of passengers in Alaska history and that The Department of Homeland Security and the United States Coast Guard were grateful for the assistance provided by all vessels in the area including Cruise West’s vessels, Spirit of Columbia and the Spirit of Endeavour which responded to the Empress of the North’s distress call . According to commendation, Spirit of Columbia ’s crew exhibited exceptional seamanship and, as a direct result of the careful diligence exhibited by the crew, not a single passenger was injured during the inherently dangerous at-sea passenger transfer.

~ 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. For more information, call (800) 296-8307 or visit www.cruisewest.com.

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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.