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Cruise West Adds Departures of Popular Columbia & Snake Rivers Cruises

Due to consumer demand, leading small-ship cruise line Cruise West (www.cruisewest.com) has announced 20 additional departures of its Columbia River cruises in 2009, for a total of 35 departures.  Cruise West was the first cruise line to operate cruises on the Columbia River in 1992 onboard the Spirit of Discovery and has been voyaging there ever since.

“Cruise West’s rich 16-year history of Columbia and Snake River cruises demonstrates our commitment to the area,” said Dick West, chairman and managing director.  “This year’s new epicurean-focused itinerary, Taste of the Pacific Northwest, has been extremely well-received.  Like its popular Columbia & Snake River fellow cruises, it offers a robust enrichment program, creating memorable experiences for our guests in an up-close, casual and personal environment.”

With the additional departures and four ships in 2009, the extended season will run later in both the spring and fall.  Guests who choose the Taste of the Pacific Northwest itinerary have a choice of four departures in the spring and six departures in the fall onboard the 84-guest Spirit of Discovery.  Prices start at $3,299 per person based on double occupancy.

The Voyage of Discovery itinerary is offered onboard the 96-guest Spirit of ’98 and two new ships to this itinerary, the 78-guest Spirit of Columbia and 78-guest Spirit of Alaska.  There will be 10 spring and 15 fall departures offered of this itinerary.  Prices start at $2,199 per person based on double occupancy.  Both itineraries are eight-day/seven-night, roundtrip Portland, Oregon.

For additional information on the Columbia & Snake River itineraries visit http://www.cruisewest.com/destinations/columbia_and_snake_rivers/ or call 1-800-689-1783.

~ 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 insightful shore programs, onboard narrative and presentations by local experts from a wide variety of backgrounds.  In addition, destination specific materials and an array of books are provided in the onboard library on every vessel.  Cruise West considers it a privilege to access some of the world’s most pristine wilderness areas and culturally rich countries.  With this in mind,  Cruise West views itself as good stewards and encourages crew and guests to act responsibly with respect to the environment and diverse cultures visited.  For more information, visit www.cruisewest.com.

Jerrol Golden
Cruise West
Tel: (206) 733-5692; (206) 354-5202
E-mail: jerrolg@cruisewest.com

Terence Gallagher/Ella Kenney
Lou Hammond & Associates
Tel: (212) 308-8880; Fax: (212) 891-0200
E-mail: terryg@lhammond.com; ellas@lhammond.com