Cruise West Fleet

Cruise West is a family-owned small-ship cruise line based in Seattle and headed by Richard G. West, chairman and CEO. The company was founded in 1973 by Charles B. (Chuck) West, founder and former owner of Westours.

Destinations served: Alaska, British Columbia and Islands of the Pacific Northwest, Columbia and Snake Rivers, California Wine Country, Baja Mexico's Sea of Cortés, Costa Rica, the South Pacific and Asia.

The emphasis for all Cruise West destinations is outward on scenery, wildlife, history, local cultures, and shoreside attractions--rather than inward on shipboard activities such as gambling and nightclubs. Each ship features a Cruise West certified Naturalist Guide who is trained in the natural history and lore of the destination. 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, CruiseWest president Dick West, summed up the difference perfectly when he said: "Our ice sculptures are outside."

Ships: The company owns and operates eight small ships--seven cruise ships, with capacities ranging from 52 to 114 guests, and a 90-foot touring yacht. Each of the overnight vessels has a comfortable forward lounge, substantial outside deck space, private facilities in all cabins, and a dining room that seats a full complement of guests at a single sitting. Open seating in dining rooms helps travelers meet and come to know one another. Dining is more sophisticated than is typically associated with small-ship expedition cruising. The motoryacht Sheltered Seas has two carpeted lounges and a beverage bar. The lower-deck lounge converts into a dining room. All ships have bow thrusters for maneuvering close to shore. Passengers are welcome on the bridge. Ships are American-built and registered and are crewed by Americans, except for the line's new flagship, the Bahamas-registered Spirit of Oceanus.

The CruiseWest Experience: With other cruise lines, one chooses the ship-- for its decor, food and amenities. With CruiseWest it is the itinerary that counts. In all instances the exposure to nature is breathtaking. 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.  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.

Fellow Passengers  are well educated, experienced travelers  who wouldn't step foot aboard a cruise ship. Life aboard a CruiseWest ship is very laid-back and unstructured with an easy camaraderie between the young, energetic, outstanding American crews and the  guests. 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. 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  Spirit of Endeavour are a bit grander. 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. Cruise West's  cuisine is "four star cooking," well above par, including the fresh-baked bread each morning.

Cabins on these vessels are generally small with enough storage room for a week's clothing, even for Alaska where one needs to layer clothing and have some rain gear. All have private bathrooms with all essentials. All cabins on  the  Spirit of ‘98 and  the  Spirit of Endeavour have TV/VCR. Smoking is forbidden anywhere below deck.

Shore Excursions are well-run and designed to maximize the experience in each location. The Alaska tours are operated by Alaska Sightseeing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CruiseWest. Motor coaches are small, 36 passenger vehicles. On many sailings, all shore excursions are included. Enrichment programs on all sailings include on-board narrative and lectures, special guests from a wide variety of backgrounds, and the library on board each vessel. Wine Country Cruises with visits to wineries and wine tasting - Annual "Getaway Harvest Cruises", September-December, 3 and 4-night cruises from San Francisco to the California Wine Country including Napa and Sonoma, on board Spirit of Endeavour and Spirit of '98. Wildlife Safari Cruises, February-March, in the Sea of Cortes from Cabo San Lucas on board the Spirit of Endeavour and Spirit of '98.

96 guests - 192 feet in length - Cruising speed of 13 knots - Registered in United States - All cabins feature full facilities. Designed to capture the spirit of an early 20th-century coastal steamer, the Spirit of '98 features carved wooden cabinetry, a Grand Salon with a player piano, and a bar decorated in period theme. In following with Cruise West's destination-focused, intimate style, the vessel has capacity for just under 100 guests. Accommodations range from a spacious owner's suite to single berth cabins, all equipped with TV/VCRs. There's no need to dress up for dinner in the Klondike dining room, as the company's philosophy embraces casual cruising. Take in the surroundings from terraces on the four passenger decks; the top level offers a covered patio.

Wine Country Cruise Pictures

78 guests - 143 feet in length - Cruising speed of 12 knots - Registered in United States - All cabins feature full facilities. Part of Cruise West's fleet of small ships, the Spirit of Alaska provides up-close adventure and sightseeing for up to 78 passengers. The vessel features four passenger decks; the uppermost level has three deluxe cabins that boast two windows each. Guests enjoy meals in the casual Potlatch dining room. The Explorer's Lounge and bar is a welcoming spot for mingling and making friends. Ample outdoor viewing areas -- including a covered space on the Bridge Deck -- allow guests plenty of room for seeing the sights of "The Last Frontier State."

 

Spirit of Columbia

78 guests - 143 feet in length - Cruising speed of 10 knots - Registered in United States - Equipped for bow landings - all cabins feature full facilities. Equipped for bow landings, this vessel can dock at remote places that larger ships cannot access. The Spirit of Columbia accommodates 78 passengers with ease. From double occupancy cabins on the lower deck to the well-appointed Columbia Deluxe stateroom, the ship offers a variety of cabin categories. A large sun deck and bow lookout area are places from which to enjoy views of the great outdoors. The atmosphere on board is relaxed and casual, including at meals. In the Riverview Lounge and bar, enjoy an evening program or a cocktail with your shipmates.

 

Spirit of Discovery

This vessel, which accommodates 84 guests, is one of the most popular in the Cruise West fleet. Three passenger decks house cabins that feature large ocean-view windows. Mingle with fellow passengers on the Sun Deck, at the bar or in the Discovery Lounge, which boasts floor-to-ceiling, forward-facing windows that open onto the bow deck. There's also a library embellished with detailed woodworking. Meals are delicious yet casual affairs in the Grand Pacific dining room.

 

Spirit of Endeavour

102 guests - 217  feet in length - Cruising speed of 13 knots - Registered in United States - All cabins feature full facilities. This is a sleek, intimate vessel that accommodates 102 passengers. Every cabin features a picture window or porthole and is equipped with a TV/VCR. The social area -- an ideal place for chatting with fellow passengers -- is comprised of a lounge, video and lending library, and wide windows for ocean viewing. Light wood and etched-glass accents complement the vessel's cozy decor. Enjoy dinner without a dress code in the Resolution dining room. Three outdoor decks provide plenty of space for taking in the scenery and for wildlife watching.

Sea of Cortez Cruise Pictures

This stabilizer-equipped vessel is Cruise West's first oceangoing ship. There are 57 suites that vary in size, but all have ocean views from very large double portholes or picture windows. Passengers are welcomed to their suite with a glass of champagne and a bowl of fresh fruit. Every suite is well appointed with polished wood paneling, book case with TV/VCR, 2 binoculars, safe, large wardrobe or walk in closet with 2 bathrobes, a mini-fridge stocked with complimentary beverages, twin beds convertible to king-size, separate sitting area with a velvet couch, chair and glass table, lamps, a vanity with lot's of mirrors and plenty of storage space, bathroom with marble counters, hair dryer, thick cotton towels, complimentary bath products, and a shower. Twelve suites feature private teak balconies. A pool and hot tub are located on the Sports Deck, and one deck below is the Club Lounge complete with bar, piano, and stereo sound system, a stocked video and book library, computer for sending e-mails, a card room with board games, and an exercise room. The Oceanus Lounge is where onboard briefings and lectures are held. The vessel has 2 venues for meals, the Bistro on the Sports Deck for buffet breakfast and lunches (weather permitting) and the open-seating Pacifica Restaurant for all meals. Meals are casual and offer Continental cuisine and specialties from the region the ship is cruising. Complimentary snacks are always set out in the Club Lunge. Soft drinks are complimentary.

Alaska Cruise Pictures

The Sheltered Seas has all the amenities of a cruise ship, full meal service, an onboard naturalist, and plenty of deck space to view some of the most wondrous natural scenery in the world. The Sheltered Seas is a great choice for travelers who want to cruise, but who also want to explore off-the-beaten-path fishing villages and to mingle with the natives and the townsfolk in Alaska. When he wants a cruise ship vacation, but she would rather bed down in on-shore inns and lodges and get to know the "real" people who live in the area, choose to cruise on the Sheltered Seas. When they are arguing about how to best see Alaska's glaciers and grizzlies, the Sheltered Seas fits the ticket.  Both can have it their way if they choose to cruise on the Sheltered Seas. Accommodating only 70 passengers, cruising during the day, spending the nights at cozy inns and small hotels, you can have the best of both a land and a cruise vacation. Sheltered Seas has a very casual atmosphere and offers excellent meals prepared on board. The crew is young, energetic, extremely knowledgeable, and very friendly.

Pacific Explorer

This ship, which cruises in Central America, has four passenger decks and a 100-guest capacity. The Temptress Explorer accesses remote cays and beaches on itineraries that highlight the natural beauty of the region. Ashore, passengers set out in small groups for exploration, guided by an expedition leader. After evening presentations and the nightly shoe cleaning service, you're set for the next day's adventures. Meals are served in the Quetzal dining room, al fresco on the decks or sometimes even on the beach. On the ship's top level, the Tortuga Bar opens to the Sun Deck, a perfect lookout spot. Two lounges provide places to socialize. Each cabin features a picture window and teak beds.

 Costa Rica Cruise Pictures

SEATTLE, May 3, 2002—Cruise West announced that effective immediately the former M/V Temptress Explorer is renamed Pacific Explorer.

The 100-passenger ship— built in the U.S. in 1995, registered in Honduras, and remodeled in 1998—sails between November and August along the Pacific coasts of Costa Rica and Panama.

Richard G. West, Cruise West chairman & CEO, said "We are at the beginning of a long-term presence in this very attractive destination, in partnership with the Costa Rican owners of the Pacific Explorer. And since Costa Rica and Panama represent a new Cruise West destination, we decided to distinguish the occasion with a new ship's name as well."

He said that Cruise West is now finalizing 2003 departures of three different itineraries, for a combined total of 23 departures January through April, July through August, and November through December. A new Central American cruise brochure will be released approximately June 1, 2002.

The fully air conditioned Pacific Explorer has four passenger decks, private facilities and large picture windows in all cabins, a lecture room and Sun Deck bar.

Cuisine is international with an emphasis on Central American specialties.

Itineraries feature national parks, wildlife refuges, jungle river trips, offshore islands, coral sand beaches and the Panama Canal.

Cruise West is a family-owned small-ship cruise line based in Seattle and headed by Richard G. West, chairman and CEO. The company was founded in 1973 by Charles B. (Chuck) West, founder and former owner of Westours.