Early Booking Savings with Cruise West

CRUISE WEST OFFERS EARLY BOOKING SAVINGS UP TO $800 ON 2007 JOURNEYS TO
JAPAN AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC; UP TO $900 ON 2006 SAILINGS IN ALASKA

Early Booking Savings are Guaranteed if Booked by February 24, 2006



Seattle, WA, February 16, 2006 - After the successful launch of
South Pacific and Japan itineraries and the continued popularity of Alaskan
voyages, Cruise West is providing even more incentive for guests to book
2006/2007 adventures to these exotic lands before all itineraries are
sold-out. Guests who reserve a 2007 sailing to Japan and the South Pacific
by February 24, 2006, save up to $600, and guests who pay in full by this
same date save up to $800. Savings of up to $400 are also available on
bookings of these itineraries by May 26, 2006. Guests who reserve a 2006
Alaska cruise by February 24, 2006, receive a savings of up to $800 for
cruises before June 15, 2006, and up to $400 for cruises after this date;
all those who pay for the itinerary in full by February 24, 2006, will
realize a total savings of $900.

The epic Asian adventures aboard Cruise West's flagship, Spirit
of Oceanus, provide guests a trip of a lifetime, with journeys through the
remote islands of the South Pacific and the vast cultural landscape of
Japan. The 2007 itineraries include:



Ø Japan Unveiled, a 14-day exploration through time from ancient
traditions to contemporary culture. Guests will visit 17th century Matsue
and Himeji castles, explore the ruins of Shilla kingdom in Kyongju, tour the
memorials in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and stroll through Japan's most famous
gardens. Japan Unveiled departs in March, April, October and November of
2007 beginning at $5699 per person.



Ø Legends of the Pacific, a 18- or 19-day voyage between Guam and
Fiji. On-shore excursions include visits with the native villagers of the
region's remote islands, a tour through World War II sites in Chuuk, the
Solomon Islands and Guam, and trips to marine and bird reserves and
sanctuaries. This itinerary departs on December 18, 2006, and February 15,
2007, beginning at $6,499 per person.



Ø Pearls of Polynesia, a 14-day journey between the legendary
Polynesian islands and the mysterious Melanesian islands. Excursions
include an up-close view of Atiu, the "Land of the Birds," a visit to Beqa
where Sawau tribesman perform their tradition of firewalking, and an
exploration of the rainforests, lava coast, caves and blowholes of Savai'i.
This itinerary is available on January 2 and February 3, 2007 beginning at
$5,499 per person.



Ø Island Sanctuaries, a 12-day exploration of Tahitian culture and
wildlife. Highlights include a visit to the breathtaking island of Bora
Bora, a trip to the Hibiscus Foundation Turtle Reserve to see endangered
marine turtles, snorkeling at various sites throughout the cruise, and a
tour of a black pearl farm and small villages in the Tuamotu Islands. This
itinerary departs on January 14 and 24, 2007, starting at $4,399 per person.



Cruise West pioneered up-close cruising in Alaska and invites
guests to explore this stunning region before the end of the year. The
early booking values range by cruise, providing a savings of up to $900.
The following itineraries are available with the offer:



Ø Cruise West's 2006 Grand Voyages itineraries - In Harriman's Wake,
Coastal Odyssey, and Voyage to the Bering Sea - offer 12- to 25-day cruises.
Guests have the opportunity to trace Edward Henry Harriman's scientific
expedition of 1899 and travel by inflatable excursion craft as Jacques
Cousteau once did through Alaska's wildlife wonderland.



Ø Alaska's Inside Passage, Wilderness Inside Passage, Gold Rush Inside
Passage, and Best of Both Worlds cruises provide opportunities for 9- and
11-day cruises in the legendary Inside Passage. All itineraries feature a
full day in the Glacier Bay National Park, and whale sightings are
guaranteed on Wilderness Inside Passage and Best of Both Worlds cruises.



Ø Glacier Bay Highlights and Daylight Yacht Tour itineraries give
guests the chance to thoroughly explore Glacier Bay National Park, a
renowned park and preserve of ice-capped glaciers and maritime wilderness.
This year, Cruise West received a permit allowing entry for all of its
ships, accounting for a total of one-third of all the entries into the bay
and more than double the entries of any other operator for June, July and
August - the height of the wildlife season in Glacier Bay.



Ø Glacier Wonderland itineraries offer four- or five-day voyages
aboard the Spirit of Columbia and sail through Prince William Sound, a
destination only passable by small ships. Guests will sail through giant
cliffs and more than two dozen roaring glaciers.



At Cruise West, taxes, port charges, fees and onboard services are all
included in itinerary prices. Guests are neither expected nor required to
tip for onboard services.



~ Up-Close, Casual and Personal Cruising ~

Cruise West - a second-generation, family-owned business and the largest
American-owned cruise line - offers the opportunity to explore remote,
worldwide locales by providing distinctive, one-of-a-kind, personalized
itineraries not offered by the traditional larger cruise lines. Cruise West's
smaller ships - ten in all - hold between 70-138 people each, and the casual
style onboard encourages relaxation and congenial interaction between guests
and crew alike. The experience is personally enriching through onboard
narrative and lectures, special local guests from a wide variety of
backgrounds, and the library provided on each vessel. All have forward
lounges and ample outdoor deck space for viewing and photographing wildlife
and scenery.

To make reservations or request a brochure, visit www.cruisewest.com or call
(800) 888-9378. Media can also visit www.louhammond.com for additional
information and images.





Harriet Zois/Terence Gallagher
Gail Manahan Eric I.

Lou Hammond & Associates
Cruise West www.Cruise-Reviews.com

Tel: (212) 308-8880; Fax: (212) 891-0200
Tel: (206) 892-2445 Tel: (888) 516 6306

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