Cruise West New Ships and Itineraries!

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from Cruise West and thought it would be
of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings, they are
available on my web site.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


Cruise West Announces Addition of New Ships and Itineraries

Yorktown Clipper and Nantucket Clipper to Expand Line Operations

SEATTLE Jan. 17, 2006
Cruise West, the preeminent American-owned and operated small-ship
cruise line, announced today that it has acquired the Yorktown Clipper
and the Nantucket Clipper previously part of the Clipper Cruise Line
fleet.

The 138-guest Yorktown Clipper and 102-guest Nantucket Clipper have
officially joined the Cruise West family today. Both ships are
U.S.-flagged coastal cruise ships joining Cruise West's fleet of
American-owned vessels, and will significantly enhance the company's
operational reach. The new ships will sail the 2006 itineraries on the
East Coast, Great Lakes, Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico and Central America
that were already published by Clipper Cruise Line, but under Cruise
West ownership and management. Guest amenities will offer the
comfortable and modern accommodations of these former Clipper small
ships with the distinguished exploration approach that Cruise West has
so successfully pioneered.

Cruise West is the largest American small-ship cruise line and will
now be operating 10 vessels accommodating 70 to 138 guests on
itineraries in Alaska, Mexico, Costa Rica, on the Columbia River, in
California Wine Country, the South Pacific, and Japan. This expansion
will also increase the destinations that Cruise West guests can travel
to with the new vessels' previously scheduled itineraries to the East
Coast of the Americas, Great Lakes and Caribbean.

Chairman and CEO Dick West said, "We are delighted to expand our
operations to the East Coast and to offer our guests exciting,
additional itineraries in the up-close, casual, and personal style of
cruising that have branded our ships for over 60 years."

Cruise West - a second-generation, family-owned business - offers the
opportunity to explore remote locales by providing one-of-a-kind,
personalized itineraries not offered by larger cruise lines. The
casual style onboard encourages relaxation and interaction between
guests and crew alike.

The emphasis for all Cruise West destinations is outward on history,
local cultures, shoreside attractions, and personal service. The
cruising style offers flexible schedules allowing intimate encounters
with wildlife, scenery and with like-minded guests. Zodiacs and other
excursion crafts offer access to wilderness shorelines. Each ship
features Cruise West Exploration Leaders who are experts in the
history, biology and lore of the destination. For more information,
contact your travel agent.