Cruise West

Cruise West provides passengers with a small ship experience. “Smaller is better” is their school of thinking, between the size of the ships (designed to get into places that no huge cruise liner could fit into) and the amount of guests on board (meant to feel more like a gathering of friends than a college orientation).

Some of the waterways that are visited by Cruise West liners are off the beaten path. This way, passengers can view communities, people, and sights that would never be available for larger cruises. The key of these journeys isn’t to jump from port to port, squeezing in as many sights in as short a time as possible. Rather, the goal is to enjoy shore excursions, cultivate relationships with local storytellers and innkeepers, and experience the true face of local communities.

Since the largest cruise ship in the Cruise West company holds 138 guests, the crew and guests alike are often on a first name basis within only a few days. Most guests aboard the ships have a passion for travel and learning, and do not necessarily need glitzy nighttime entertainment and buffet lines to enjoy a cruise. There are no formal dinners, and the focus is for nature to be the entertainment.

The dining onboard the Cruise West liners has something for every taste bud, from fresh salmon to shrimp scampi, or a sizzling steak and vine-ripened vegetables. Local beers, delicious wines, and delectable desserts make dining a pleasure, not an event.

The opportunity to take advantage of Cruise West’s excursions is simply too good to be true. With either an activity or chance to sightsee in every port, guests can also add excursions to their itineraries during the stops. Charter a helicopter to soar over the glaciers of Alaska, or raft along icy rivers. Train rides, nature hikes, kayaking, floatplanes, and much more offer passengers a way to see a new side of their destinations.

And the variety of destinations is staggering. From world cruises to more select locations, Cruise West has something for everyone. See penguins in Antarctica, or discover the Galapagos Islands, where Darwin formulated his idea of evolution. The soaring, snow-capped peaks of Alaska’s mountains, and the lush nature and postcard-like beauty of British Columbia beckon. Experience the Sea of Cortez in Mexico, or spy brightly colored birds and swaying palm trees in Costa Rica. Cruise up the rivers of Europe, and experience the ancient cities of Italy, France, Switzerland, Greece, and many more. Brightly colored junkets and limestone cliffs make Vietnam picture perfect, or enjoy the quiet hospitality and gorgeous pagodas of Japan.  Additionally, Cruise West cruises offer Themes, such as Photographer’s Cruise (with field events and onboard workshops specifically for photographers),  Christmas cruises, New Year’s cruises,  and more.

So for those looking to explore quieter communities and get a better sense of what makes a location so special, give Cruise West cruise lines a try. More likely than not, it won’t be the only trip taken with them.