Cruise West, the leading small ship cruise line, and PENTAX, a leader in digital photography, have created a partnership that will bring PENTAX photography experts and equipment onboard six Cruise West itineraries in 2008. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in onboard presentations and special field events with PENTAX sponsored professional photographer and cruise co-host, Kerrick James. Whether novice or seasoned photographers, and regardless of the camera brand used, guests will receive valuable, hands-on instruction on everything from equipment use and digital image management and composition to tips on how to the get the right shot. Guests onboard these cruises also will enjoy access to a variety of the newest PENTAX products.
Guests who book passage on the Whales & Wildlife itinerary through Mexico’s Sea of Cortés departing January 19, 2008 will be the first to benefit from the new partnership and the workshops with Kerrick James. Guests will keep their cameras focused for shots of common and bottle-nosed dolphins and numerous species of whales. The Whales & Wildlife itinerary is round trip from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and a Copper Canyon land extension may be added post-cruise. Pack a camera (any brand) and see Alaska thru a lens on two departures of Alaska Whales & Wilderness cruises on May 23 and July 4, 2008. These itineraries are roundtrip from Juneau and include Glacier Bay National Park, Sitka, a port call at a small Alaskan village, and Frederick Sound, where guests will be on watch for the gentle and majestic Humpback Whale. Guests may add-on a fully guided land tour to Denali.
The Pacific Northwest Coastal Escape itinerary round trip from Seattle on April 27, 2008 gives guests the opportunity to hone their photography skills while cruising the majestic waters of Puget Sound and British Columbia’s Strait of Georgia. Stops in the beautiful cities of Vancouver and Victoria, B.C. and in the picturesque San Juan Islands will be ideal for trying out PENTAX gear.
The landmark sights of the Panama Canal and exotic Costa Rica will round out the partnership with PENTAX, with departures on the Between Two Seas itinerary on March 26 and December 2, 2008. The March 26 cruise departs from Panama City, Panama and ends in Los Sueños, Costa Rica where guests transfer to San José to return home. The December 2 cruise originates in Los Sueños and ends in Panama City. A five night Costa Rica land tour may be added pre- or post- cruise. To round out the partnership, PENTAX is sponsoring a photography contest to win a free 2008 Cruise West Photography cruise. To learn more about the contest and enter a favorite travel photo, visit: www.pentaxphotogallery.com/travelphotocontest between October 15, 2007 and January 31, 2008. Second and third place entrants will receive free PENTAX photo equipment. The contest is open to non-professional photographers and the winners will be announced in March 2008.
For additional information or to book a Cruise West cruise, call us at 888-286-9827.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Cruise West Posted by Michael on 08/27/07
Cruise West, the leader in small-ship cruising, will refurbish and upgrade the 138-guest Spirit of Yorktown in fall 2007. Four Balcony category cabins will be created that will include private teak-floored balconies with enough room for a café table and chairs for two. Numerous additional upgrades will be completed throughout the ship, including redecoration and renovation of public corridors, lobby areas, and the panoramic Observation Lounge, the ship’s Living Room. Updates will be completed in November and December, just in time for the first Sea of Cortés Holiday cruise departing December 22, 2007.The combined cost of all renovations is approximately $2 million.
The four Balcony cabins located on the sun deck will undergo an extensive remodel that includes a new layout and the addition of queen beds, mini refrigerators and private balconies, which will provide sweeping views. New cabinetry, fixtures, carpet, and lighting will be installed in the cabins as well. Discerning guests will enjoy the added comfort and privacy. Several upgrades were implemented spring 2007 to guest areas aboard the Spirit of Yorktown, including new mattresses, carpeting, soft goods and deck furniture.
Additional upgrades to the lounge, where guests enjoy lectures, beverages and congregating with fellow travelers, will be completed in conjunction with the Balcony cabin remodel. The Lounge will receive new and reupholstered furniture, and new carpeting, bookcase, ceiling and lighting. All cabins will also receive new bedspreads and window treatments, and the beautiful original watercolor paintings by renowned artist will be reframed to better display each piece.
The 5-week wetdock begins on October 23, 2007 in Alameda, CA. The ship will welcome guests back on its December 22, 2007 Sea of Cortés Whales & Wildlife cruise round trip from Cabo San Lucas. The Spirit of Yorktown is the first ship to receive new art and upgrades, and others in the Cruise West fleet will follow in the next two years.
For additional information regarding the Spirit of Yorktown cruise itineraries to Alaska, California Wine Country and Mexico’s Sea of Cortés or any of Cruise West’s other destinations and ships, call us at 888-286-9827.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Cruise West Posted by Michael on 07/16/07
Another week - another show… We’re still playing with the single show format and are still trying to decide which route we’re going to take.
We start this week back peddling from a story we ran last week. Celebrity had announced prior to our recording last week that even though Millenium had suffered propeller damage that disrupted a sailing there were no plans to cancel the July 12 sailing on the Millenium. Right after we posted the show on Monday - Celebrity canceled the July 12 sailing of Millenium.
Cunard has announced that both Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria will be sailing World Cruises in 2009.
MSC is extending their kids sail free promotion a little longer.
Cruise West will offer 5 cruises to Costa Rica and Panama later this year, and will rename the Spirit of Nantucket to the Spirit of Glacier Bay when she relocates to the West Coast later this year.
Holland America’s 2008/09 Caribbean itineraries are out, while Regent has completed a fleetwide renovation program and also announced changes to their smoking policy.
Crystal has announced their 2008 value collection sailings, and the keel for Seabourn Odyssey has been laid.
For the feature this week we take a lot at the economics of cruising, in particular the economics of cruising the Mediterranean. With the US Dollar so week against the Euro (and even weaker against the British Pound) Mediterranean cruises become a pretty attractive value. Since you’re paying for your vacation in Dollars not Euros, your protected against currency fluctuations, plus the pricing you see isn’t effected by the beating that the Dollar is currently taking on the world currency markets. We talk about it more in detail, and check out our comparison spreadsheet comparing the costs between a land vacation and a cruise.
The Deal of The Week this week is the cruise that we use for reference in our comparison.
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Filed under: Celebrity Cruises, Cruise West, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Podcast, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn Posted by Michael on 07/11/07
Following the announcement that the Spirit of Nantucket will be repositioned to Alaska in 2008, the small-ship cruise line Cruise West has renamed it to befit its new home. Next year, the 102-guest ship will ply the waters of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, and, given this itinerary, the name will be officially changed to Spirit of Glacier Bay. A rechristening will occur in Seattle spring 2008 before the ship sails to Alaska. The ship is currently sailing East Coast itineraries through 2007.
“The name Spirit of Glacier Bay not only reflects the itinerary this ship will be sailing, but also celebrates the history of Cruise West and Glacier Bay. Cruise West was one of the pioneers to take guests by ship into this magnificent park, “said Dick West, chairman and managing director. “In 1990, we introduced the 52-guest Spirit of Glacier Bay that sailed a similar itinerary, and this ship was retired in 2001. It just makes sense to reintroduce this name and get back to our roots.”
For the 2008 Alaska season, the Spirit of Glacier Bay will sail three-and four-night Glacier Bay Highlights cruises that will feature two days in Glacier Bay, cruising roundtrip from Juneau. The 4-night cruise also makes a port call at Haines or Skagway. This cruise was previously offered on the 78-guest Spirit of Alaska that will sail the Alaska’s Whales & Wilderness cruise in 2008. Given the high demand for the Glacier Bay Highlights cruises, the additional guest capacity onboard the newly named Spirit of Glacier Bay offers more guests the opportunity to take advantage of this natural wonder.
Cruise West Alaska cruises are offered May through late August, with three Grand Voyages aboard the flagship, Spirit of Oceanus, four itineraries in Alaska’s Inside Passage, and a cruise in Prince William Sound. The company has more permits than any other line to enter the 3.3-million-acre Glacier Bay National Park. For more information, call us at 888-286-9827
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Cruise West Posted by Michael on 07/10/07
The leading small-ship cruise line Cruise West is offering five specialty cruises in the paradise of Costa Rica & Panama this November and December 2007 onboard the 100-guest Pacific Explorer. Whether a photography or history buff, or interested in environmental issues, Cruise West’s compelling expert lecturers reveal mysteries and offer a uniquely satisfying learning experience. Guests may also enjoy the holidays Central American style on either the Christmas or New Year’s sailings, visiting a warm destination that is family-friendly and offers culture, sea and wildlife. Early booking savings are still available on these voyages with savings of up to $175 for guests who book and pay their trip in full by September 14, 2007.
Call us at 888-286-9827 to book one of these sailings, and click “more” below for additional information.
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