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Cruise West, long known for its revolutionary of land-based tourism in Alaska, acquired its first ship in 1989 and has grown to become one of the country's premier small ship companies. It now operates seven vessels accommodating from 52 to 114 passengers and a day-sailing motor-yacht accommodating 70 passengers.
The company changed its official name from Alaska Sightseeing/Cruise West to simply Cruise West as it expanded beyond Alaska in recent years. When Cruise West's ships are not sailing in Alaskan waters they operate itineraries in the the Pacific Northwest, the Columbia and Snake Rivers, California wine country and Mexico's Baja Peninsula. Cruise West has expanded to Central America offering eco-adventure voyages in Costa Rica and Panama aboard the 100-passenger Pacific Explorer. The company acquired the ocean-going Spirit of Oceanus in the Spring of 2001 and plans to expand its routes to Asia and the South Pacific.
From May through late August the primary cruising area is Alaska where the small ships call at rarely visited areas of southeast Alaska like the native island city of Metlakatla, Glacier Bay and offering the only regularly scheduled program in Prince William Sound. Cruise west cruises are very popular with those who want to be up-close and personal with glaciers, whales, eagles, sea lions and mother nature.
Completely casual and unfancy, they attract people who enjoy the outdoors and don't need floor shows, casinos or gourmet meals. And the company commands a loyal following of repeaters. Sailing up to the face of a glacier or the edge of a roaring waterfall cannot be matched on a conventional cruise ship. In fact, Cruise West president Dick West, summed the difference up perfectly when he said: "Our ice sculptures are outside."
Land programs for Alaska have been improved to give visitors more than a passing glance at the state's wonders this has been made possible by cruise west Alaska. Guests will now have two nights in Anchorage, two nights at Denali National Park and one night in Fairbanks, traveling between these areas by a combination of small 36 passengers coaches and the Alaska railroad in order to see the most scenic routes available.
Cruise West has enhanced their California wine country itineraries with a second full Day of exclusive winery tours and an air program has been added to Sea of Cortes voyages. California wine country cruises sail round-trip from San Francisco, September to December. Some of the popular Cruise West cruises in the United States are cruise west midlands, cruise west seattle, alaska sightseeing cruise west and disney cruise west coast. Sea of Cortes cruises include 3, 4 and 7-day cruises from Cabo San Lucas in the winter. In the spring and again in autumn several ships sail round-trip from Portland, Oregon up the Columbia and Snake Rivers. And for a few weeks in April, September and October, one can sail round-trip from Seattle through the magnificent scenery of British Columbia.
The Cruise West Experience
With other cruise lines, one chooses the ship-- for its decor, food, amenities. With Cruise West it is the itinerary that counts. In all instances the exposure to nature is breathtaking. Imagine being next to a glacier that calved, sending hundreds of harbor seals scrambling aboard ice floes, seeing the incredible Aurora Borealis, maneuvering right up to waterfalls that careen in narrow crevices, sailing past huge masses of deep blue ice, formed into fantastic shapes as they melt, coming almost eye to eye with shy otters or watching a whale breach.
Life aboard a Cruise West ship is very laid-back and unstructured with an easy camaraderie between the young, energetic, outstanding American crews and the generally 55+ travelers. There is no floor show, bingo or dressing up for dinner aboard these ships, but plenty of animated talk about topics such as the number of whales spotted that day or how the ship lowered its bow and passengers just walked ashore! There are movie nights with fresh popcorn and a hysterical "fashion show" put on by the crew with casual clothes from the ship's store. The real attractions are outside these vessels: spectacular scenery, flora and fauna and the thrill of being among the privileged few to see the "real" Alaska, Pacific Northwest and Baja.
Public rooms on the four smaller ships are unadorned and functional but comfortable. Each has a small lounge, library with excellent reference books and dining room. These same areas on the Spirit of '98 and the more elegant Spirit of Endeavour are a bit grander. However, when weather is poor (as it often is in Alaska), the public areas on the smaller ships can become claustrophobic when everyone must be accommodated at once.
Pleasant, uncrowded dining rooms on all the ships accommodate passengers at one seating. And with no assigned tables one can sit with new friends every day. While Cruise West's brochures describe its cuisine as "four star cooking," it is well above par, including the fresh-baked bread each morning.
Cabins on these vessels are generally small (one spends little time there) with enough storage room for a week's clothing, especially in Alaska where one needs to layer clothing and have some rain gear. All have private bathrooms with the bare essentials. Larger suites and deluxe cabins have TV and VCR. Some have small refrigerators. All cabins on Spirit of '98 and Spirit of Endeavour have TV/VCR. Smoking is forbidden anywhere below deck.
Fellow Passengers
Well educated, experienced travelers (most wouldn't step foot aboard a cruise ship). On Alaska and Canadian cruises, around 22% are under 50, the remainder 50+. On Sacramento river itineraries, nearly all passengers are 50+. These cruises are not for children or the physically challenged.
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