Cruise West
Cruise West founder Chuck West established his first tour service in Fairbanks in 1946. He went on to pioneer nearly every element of todays Alaska travel scene. Chuck Wests wife and lifetime companion, Marguerite, has links with Alaska that go back a century. Her parents owned gold dredges in Nome and she herself was Miss Alaska in 1937. As a young bush plane pilot in Alaska in 1946, Cruise West founder Chuck West was convinced that Alaskas natural wonders deserved to be shared with a wider world. Through the decades since, Chuck pioneered the first motorcoach line the first chain of hotels the first modern small-ship cruises in Alaska. Cruise West has continued to seek out new routes, and new ways to explore, ranging ever farther throughout the West. Today, Cruise West is North Americas leading small-ship cruise line, with unique routes from Alaska and British Columbia to Costa Rica and Panama. Cruise West itineraries are tailored to the interests of travelers who want an in-depth experience at extraordinary destinations. Our intimate acquaintance with secluded waterways and local communities allows us to create itineraries that deliver the exploration of your dreams: up-close, casual and personal.
Ships of Cruise West
Pacific Explorer
Maneuverable and versatile, the 100-guest Pacific Explorer is the perfect way to travel in comfort throughout your Central American adventures. The intimate vessel is staffed by friendly, knowledgeable, English-speaking Costa Ricans, with an American Exploration Leader. All cabins are air-conditioned with private baths and showers. Delicious international cuisine with Central American...
Spirit of 98
When producers of the Kevin Costner film "Wyatt Earp" were seeking a turn-of-the-century steamer to carry their hero north to the Gold Rush, they were delighted to find our Spirit of '98. Though she boasts all modern amenities, she was designed to emulate an early-20th century coastal steamer complete with carved wooden cabinetry, plush floral upholstery and a Grand Salon complete...
Spirit of Adventure
Formerly the Spirit of Glacier Bay, this beautiful vessel is one of the newest additions to the Cruise West's fleet. In 2011, it will operate exclusively along the Mississippi River. The decor is sleek, stylish, and quietly elegant with light wood accents. The Observation Lounge features expansive picture windows, a lending library, plus cozy banquettes and conversation circles for getting...
Spirit of Columbia
The Spirit of Columbia is a cozy vessel perfect for shared adventure in the wilderness waterways. With her shallow draft and stately pace of cruising, you wont miss a thing as she lingers among the back channels, bays and wilderness islands. The range of cabin categories is one of the widest in our fleet, ranging from lower-deck inside cabins to Deluxe and AAA categories with picture...
Spirit of Discovery
The first thing guests notice when stepping into the Discovery Lounge aboard the 84-guest Spirit of Discovery is light, air, and views wide picture windows port and starboard, and a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows facing forward. Backing the delightful scene are a bar and library with exquisitely detailed woodworking. This is one of Cruise Wests most popular vessels. Every category...
Spirit of Endeavor
The Spirit of Endeavour is one of Cruise Wests fastest overnight vessels, allowing for maximum flexibility while en route. The decor is sleek, stylish, and quietly elegant with light wood accents and artistically etched glass. The Explorer Lounge features expansive picture windows, a video and lending library, plus cozy banquettes and conversation circles for getting to know your fellow...
Spirit of Oceanus
Cruise West's first oceangoing vessel is also our most spacious and luxurious. Equipped with stabilizers, the Spirit of Oceanus opens up whole new horizons for our style of up-close, casual small-ship cruising. In Alaska, that means the Gulf of Alaska and the remote vastness of the Aleutian Islands and the Bering Sea. Our flagship hosts just 114 guests in comfortable outside suites, each...
Spirit of Yorktown
The Spirit of Yorktown is one of Cruise West's newest overnight vessels, with a year-round cruising schedule that takes her as far north as Alaska and south, through the Panama Canal to the Caribbean. The decor is sleek, stylish, and quietly elegant with light wood accents and artistically etched glass. The Observation Lounge features expansive picture windows, a video and lending library,...
