In the Footsteps of History with Cruise West

For those who have discovered the joys of river cruising (it doesn't all have to do with the big mega ships in the Caribbean) Cruise West, the world’s leading provider of small-ship explorations to the most fascinating destinations on earth, sails on two of the West’s mightiest rivers with the seven-night River Voyage of Discovery from April through October.

Commencing and ending in Portland, Oregon, the cruise traces nearly a 1,000 miles of the famed expedition along the mostly pristine and wild Columbia and Snake Rivers. From the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge – carved by great floods thousands of years ago -- to the towering black pinnacles of basalt to the engineering accomplishments of the locks and dams that make these two waterways vital shipping lanes, the cruise views blend natural wonders with manmade marvels.

Throughout the cruise, the Pacific Northwest's pioneer history is brought to life with a special series of included excursions, knowledgeable local guest speakers, and narration and presentations by the onboard Exploration Leaders. In addition, guests can look forward to an enhanced array of delicious food and wine choices through the line’s Palate program.

Excursions include a motor coach tour to breathtaking Multnomah Falls, the tallest falls in Oregon; a jet boat up Hells Canyon past 7,000-year-old Indian petroglyphs; wine tasting in historic Walla Walla, renowned for producing some of the finest wine in Washington state; and an excursion to Astoria to visit the Lewis & Clark National Historic Park and the site of Fort Clatsop -- where the explorers spent a hard winter by the Pacific Ocean.

The River Voyage of Discovery cruise offers Saturday departures on the 96-guest Spirit of '98 that was designed to emulate an early steamer with carved wooden cabinetry, plush floral upholstery, and a Grand Salon complete with a full bar and old-world charm. Sunday departures are on the 84-guest Spirit of Discovery that offers ample outside deck space for optimum viewing.

The line is including a free pre-cruise hotel stay for all departures June through August 2010. Rates start at $2,999 per person, double occupancy.

For more information on Cruise West take a look at the Cruise West profile at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine or visit the official Cruie West web site at www.cruisewest.com/

Around the World in 335 days

Just three days ago, Cruise West’s maiden world voyage aboard the 60-suite Spirit of Oceanus set sail from Singapore on March 6, 2010, with 71 guests (including two solo travelers who are participating on the entire 335-day circumnavigation) and 72 crew.

Not quite around the world in 80 days - but the facilities are a lot more spendid!

At the start of the cruise, guests were welcomed to a special gala at the legendary Raffles Hotel on March 5 that included the hotel’s signature Singapore Sling cocktail, entertainment by a traditional Chinese orchestra, a mystical fortuneteller accompanied by a parrot with ‘divination’ capabilities, a warm welcome by Captains Reidulf Maalen, Malcolm Scanlan and Boris Tsvetkov and a sumptuous dinner featuring Singaporean and Malaysian cuisine. In addition, each guest received a monogrammed fan with hand painted Chinese calligraphy of his or her name, ending the evening with a city tour by night via Trishaws. Concluding the festivities on embarkation day, March 6, was a champagne toast and a colorful, raucous Lions Dance, said to be an auspicious way to begin such an extraordinary series of voyages.

Captain Maalen remarked, “This is truly a grand moment for the Spirit of Oceanus, her guests and her crew. No other line, big or small, has endeavored to circumnavigate the world in 335 days. I am thrilled to be at the helm of five of the 24 voyages and be a part of making history.”

The first of 24 distinct voyages, a Southeast Asian journey, will travel for 15 nights from Singapore to Chennai, India, making stops at Malacca, Malaysia; Georgetown, Penang; Langkawi; Phuket and Kho Yao, Thailand; Similan Islands; Rangoon, Myanmar; and the Andaman Islands en route to Chennai. This is not an ordinary voyage – guests will enjoy exclusive and fascinating included excursions, further exploration of remote islands via Zodiac and presentations by expert guest lecturers.

There’s still time to book one or multiple segments of the 2010 or 2011 world voyages that range from 9 – 18 nights. Each meticulously crafted itinerary from Asia to the Mediterranean, Europe to the Americas and throughout the South Pacific offer the most discerning and well-traveled guests an array of distinctive choices and authentic experiences. Savings are still available. To book a Cruise West voyage for your client or for more information call 1-800-689-1783.

For more information about Cruise West take a look at the Cruise West profile at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine at www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-cruise-west.html or take a look at the official Cruise West web site at www.cruisewest.com/

A new idea in cruise brochures - Cruise West thinks big and introduces a large format "magalog"!

Cruise West, a global leader in small-ship cruising, today unveiled it’s first issue of Explorer – a large format “magalog” that breaks away from the glossy, cookie-cutter brochures that have traditionally dominated the cruise industry.

Starting on January 18th, 400,000 copies of Explorer will land in the hands of customers, prospective cruisers, and travel agents across the United States. When the magalog is received, the outside panel is a teaser visual that provides no hint as to what the reader will discover inside. As the reader unfolds it not once, but twice – a nearly newspaper sized page is revealed, measuring roughly 21-1/2”x 21-1/2.”

“When we spread the competitive brochures out across our conference table, it was hard to tell them apart,” said Dave Remer, Creative Director of remerinc, Cruise West’s Agency of Record. “Not only were the covers and content identical, but the size, shape and slick finish did very little to differentiate their brands. We wanted to break that mold in order to ensure that marketing materials from Cruise West get noticed from the moment they arrive on doorsteps. As readers unfold this magalog, they will become engaged with it on a personal level – something that doesn’t happen with traditional brochures.”

Dietmar Wertanzl, Cruise West President & CEO shared “Our company delivers a clear alternative to mega-ship cruising… a more personal, informative, and interactive experience. This magalog reflects those same virtues.”

Cruise West takes great pride in the fact that their small ships tread lightly on the environment. In keeping with that commitment, Explorer has been designed to print on recyclable paper using soy based ink. And in the coming weeks, Explorer will also be made available online.

If you would like to subscribe to either the print or digital version of Explorer, please visit cruisewest.com to request a brochure.

For a look at Dietmar Wertanzl's "View from the Bridge" at Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine in which he discusses Cruise West's belief that conservation and preservation of wildlife and the environment is not optional - it is obligatory - take a look at www.prowsedge.com/views-dietmar-r-wertanzl.html

Huge Savings on Cruise West's 24 World Wide Voyages

Cruise West, the world’s leading provider of small-ship explorations to the most fascinating destinations on earth, is offering unprecedented savings for all 24 individual voyages (ranging from nine- to 19-nights) that combine to form the epic world adventure, Voyages of the Great Explorers.

Book and pay in full by December 18, 2009, for maximum value-add savings.

Whether guests are eyeing a trip to Southeast Asia, North Africa, the Mediterranean, Greek isles, East Coast, Australia or the South Pacific, there is tremendous value offered in this landmark year. Guests can save up to $1,550 per person ($3,100 per cabin) and receive FREE round trip international airfare from five select US Cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles , Chicago , Washington DC and New York or an air credit of $750 per person.

Additional saving incentives for all 24 voyages (except where noted) include:
· Bring a friend (new booking) and each person receives $500 off the cruise fare
· 50% savings for all children 18 and younger
· Single supplement will be waived on Voyages 1 – 4 in all cabin categories
· Reduced single supplement for Voyages 5 – 24 in Superior, Majestic, Premium and Classic cabin categories

All voyages take place on the intimate 120-guest, all-suite Spirit of Oceanus. Prices start at $4,995 per person before savings and include a pre-cruise hotel night.

For further details on Cruise West’s Voyages of the Great Explorers itineraries, visit http://www.cruisewest.com/world-cruises, or to book a cruise for your client call 1-800-689-1783.

For the Prow's Edge profile of Cruise West visit http://www.prowsedge.com/cruise-lines-cruise-west.html