Cruise West Adds Additional Alaska Gold Rush Inside Passage Departures for 2010

Strong Demand, Great Value, Early Booking Savings Through November 20, 2009

          Seattle, WA – Alaska continues to be a “hot” destination for small-ship exploration line Cruise West (www.cruisewest.com).  So hot that the line has added Gold Rush Inside Passage voyages in 2010 to accommodate growing demand and additional guests.

Small-ships, big experience and excellent value

Bookings for Cruise West’s popular Gold Rush Inside Passage have shown an increase of 15 percent over sales for the same time period in 2008.  To accommodate the demand the line added two departures (for a total of 12 departures).  The voyage offers 10-nights for the price of seven with rates starting at $3,599 per person, double occupancy before savings.  More important is the authentic experience and the opportunity that a small-ship offers to get guests closer to wild and sea life – there’s a reason the line’s motto is up-close, casual and personal.

“We are responding to our guests preference for longer cruises embarking or disembarking from a major U.S. port like Seattle.  While the value proposition is tremendous, it’s the small-ship exploration experience combined with a comprehensive itinerary that includes Alaska’s Inside Passage, Glacier Bay National Park, cruising through Northern British Columbia and the San Juan Islands that makes this such a sought-after itinerary,” remarked Richard Genovese VP of Sales & Marketing for Cruise West.

The 10-night itinerary has been revised to include the authentic Tsimshian community, Metlakatla.  Port calls include traditional favorites and many jewels: San Juan Islands; scenic sea and wildlife cruising in the Strait of Georgia, Frederick Sound, Tracy Arm and Sergius Narrows; the Norwegian fishing village of Petersburg, Sitka, Skagway and Glacier Bay National Park.  Twelve departures will cruise between Seattle and Juneau at the beginning and end of the season on the 138-guest Spirit of Yorktown, 102-guest Spirit of Endeavour, 78-guest Spirit of Columbia and 84-guest Spirit of Discovery.

Cruise West offers three additional Alaska itineraries to the Gold Rush including a new seven-night Alaska’s Inside Passage itinerary (25 departures) that highlights more wilderness and Zodiac experiences and authentic ports of call, and four-night getaway voyages, Glacier Bay Highlights (19 departures) and Glaciers of Prince William Sound (19 departures).

As always, Cruise West includes a robust enrichment program, transfers and a shore excursion in every port. In addition, numerous optional excursions are available to further personalize the guest experience. 

Add-on Denali.  Cruise West is the only cruise line that provides a land tour extension featuring a 3-night stay at the six million acre Denali National Park and Preserve.  Guests have more time to explore the park and enjoy included exclusive lectures by naturalists from the Denali Education Center and Alaska Geographic.  For guests seeking an even more in-depth and active Denali adventure, the company offers a more exclusive and intimate experience at two interior park lodges: Kantishna Roadhouse or North Face Lodge.

For maximum value, book and pay in full by November 20, 2009, and save up to $500 per person.  For additional information regarding Cruise West’s Alaska voyages visit http://www.cruisewest.com/destinations/alaska or to book a cruise [Back to Press Releases Main]