CruiseWest Announces 2010 Itineraries

August 3, 2009 - Explore new destinations and new itineraries with Cruise West (www.cruisewest.com), the world’s leading provider of small-ship explorations. The line has announced 38 worldwide itineraries, of which 29 are new for the 2010 season, with stops in 75 countries and more than 300 ports worldwide. The voyages will include 175 departures throughout all seven continents with visits to 92 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Cruise West’s small ships (with capacities ranging from 78-148 guests) allow for the company’s trademark “up-close, casual and personal” style of cruising. Cruises range from four nights/five-days to 19-nights/20-days, and start from $1,199 per person.

“Two thousand ten is truly an exciting year for Cruise West given all the new itineraries that we have very thoughtfully designed that include numerous new destinations,” said President & CEO Dietmar Wertanzl. “We’re making history by introducing an industry first – the Voyages of the Great Explorers, an epic worldwide cruise offered in 24 distinct voyages, each of which can be purchased separately. This exciting itinerary takes full advantage of what the Spirit of Oceanus does best, which is to really explore small ports and narrow waterways where few ships go. We get you closer to the really extraordinary sites.”

NEW 2010 ITINERARIES
· Voyages of the Great Explorers will circumnavigate the world in 335-days traveling westward from Singapore on March 5, 2010. The kick-off inaugural cruise is also a Chairman’s cruise hosted by Dick & Leslie West. Offered in 24 distinct voyages, true adventurers will be wowed by the included “Ultimate Explorers Experiences,” that take shore excursions to a new level. The action takes place on the 120-guest all-suite Spirit of Oceanus. Voyages may be purchased individually, in multiple segments, or all together as an entire circumnavigation of the globe.

· The six-night Cocos Island adventure onboard the 100-guest Pacific Explorer offers a rare visit to the tropical UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its large population of hammerhead sharks, 90 species of birds and outstanding kayaking and snorkeling opportunities. Offered January 24 and April 12, 2010, the cruise can be combined with the January 15, January 30 or April 3, 2010, departures of the popular Between Two Seas cruise that includes a transit through the Panama Canal.

· The 18-night ultimate Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands itinerary departs February 7, 2010, during the prime season for visiting Antarctica, and includes the Orkney Islands, a panoply of penguins including King and Rockhopper, and a rare visit to the Palmer Research Station. The 114-guest Corinthian II, sister ship to the Spirit of Oceanus, offers gracious accommodations and welcoming comforts.

· A new seven-night Alaska’s Inside Passage itinerary highlights more wilderness and Zodiac experiences and authentic ports of call including Sitka, Wrangell and Petersburg. Twenty-five weeklong departures, roundtrip Juneau, will operate May - August 2010 onboard the 138-guest Spirit of Yorktown and the 102-guest Spirit of Endeavour.

· Two new cruise itineraries join the European river line-up. Venture down the Danube and Rhine Rivers on October 3, 2010, traveling for 10-nights from Vienna to Cologne; and, departing on October 13, 2010, cruise from Cologne to Basel for 10-nights on the Rhine, Main & Mosel Rivers. All European river cruises take place on the elegant 148-guest Amadeus Diamond.

2010 ITINERARY UPDATES
· Alaska: The four-night Glaciers of Prince William Sound and Glacier Bay Highlights itineraries that include one port call will become the standard; the three-night cruises have been discontinued. The 10-night Gold Rush Inside Passage itinerary has been revised to include Misty Fiords and the authentic Tsimshian community, Metlakatla.

· Galapagos: During the 2010 season, the nine-night itinerary will journey throughout Darwin’s inspiring islands on the elegant, 100-guest Galápagos Explorer II, sister ship to Cruise West’s Spirit of Oceanus.

· Columbia & Snake Rivers: The seven-night River Voyage of Discovery itinerary will include a stop at historic Pendleton, Oregon, along the route used by the Oregon Trail Pioneers. The cruise will operate April through October on the Spirit of ‘98 and also the Spirit of Discovery in the fall only.

Favorite itineraries including the seven-night Sea of Cortes Whales & Wildlife operating weekly December-March; the nine-night Panama & Costa Rica’s Between Two Seas operating November-April; the seven-night San Juan Islands and British Columbia Pacific Northwest Coastal Escape operating spring and fall; and the 11-night Danube River Bucharest to Vienna departing September 23, 2010 return status quo. As with all Cruise West voyages, through the lines’ Spirit of Distinction program there is an included excursion at every port, engaging topical lectures designed to entertain and educate and an enhanced array of delicious food and wine choices.