Cruise West, the largest American-owned cruise line and a second-generation family owned business, offers soft adventure seekers the opportunity to explore remote and distinctive destinations in Alaska, West Coast, Central America, Mexico and Asia. Small ship cruising allows for up close and personal cruising not offered by the traditional larger cruise lines.

With Cruise West, guests are not just visitors, but participants. Nature provides the floorshow and cultural experiences invigorate the soul. Whether kayaking off a remote island in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico; hiking in a rainforest in Alaska; or strolling through the ancient villages of Qui Nhon, Vietnam; each unique itinerary is designed to an engage all the senses.
 

Cruise West’s small cruise ships – nine in all – hold between 78-138 guests, 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 and presentations by local experts and interpreters from a wide variety of backgrounds. In addition, destination specific materials and a wide variety of books are provided in the onboard library on every vessel. The West family celebrates more than 60 years in the adventure travel business. Chuck West was affectionately referred to as “Mr. Alaska” for his pioneering efforts in developing Alaska into a dynamic, sought-out destination for travelers seeking an exploration experience. Today, Richard (Dick) West serves as the chairman and managing director. As the company’s visionary, Dick West satiates his passion for travel by personally exploring each locale in order to develop truly unique and memorable itineraries. "Our 2005 cruise aboard Spirit of Oceanus convinced us that Cruise West is unquestionably the best way to see Alaska. We have cruised Alaska four times in 3 years and Cruise West just seems to know exactly what to do. No other cruise line we know of takes you "up close and personal" to Alaska's wildlife and spectacular glaciers."

Cruise West’s Alaska itineraries call at 24 Alaskan and Russian ports – more than all other cruise lines in Alaska. Cruises from three to 24 nights explore wilderness regions extending from the southern tip of the Alaska Panhandle to the Arctic Circle in the Bering Strait, including Southwest and Southeast Alaska, Prince William Sound and the Bering Sea, with an emphasis placed on wildlife, fjords, glaciers, natural and pioneer history and native cultures. Numerous land tour options are available including Anchorage, Denali National Park and Fairbanks. Guests also have the opportunity to lodge at select wilderness properties in Denali and remote areas known for wildlife viewing just a floatplane ride away from Anchorage.

Cruise West’s Small-Ship Advantages

Small ships offer more of what Alaska visitors want. Cruise up narrow channels where the big ships can't. Pause to enjoy scenery and wildlife. Experience life-changing moments in the company of naturalist-guides and a small number of like-minded travelers who share a passion for exploration and discovery. Experience small-ship cruising at its best with Cruise West.

CRUISE WEST ALASKA CRUISES
• Choose from a 4 day to a 25 day cruise
• Departures from May to September 2008
• Whales Guaranteed on some Itineraries
• Our expedition-style Small-Ships take you close to whales & glaciers
• Only Cruiseline to Overnight in Glacier Bay
• Extend your Cruise by adding a land tour before or after your itinerary
 

Most Popular Tours

See this Alaska Cruise Video

Alaska's Inside Passage is a voyage entirely in Alaskan waters. Explore the charming ports and scenic waterways between Juneau and Ketchikan including Misty Fiords National Monument, Tracy Arm and Glacier Bay National Park. Whales are guaranteed.

Step onboard for the Alaska's Whales & Wilderness Cruise where you sail round trip from Juneau. Experience the narrow fjords and steep cliffs of Tracy Arm and the wonders of Glacier Bay National Park. Whales are guaranteed.

Sail between Seattle and Juneau on our Gold Rush Inside Passage cruise following the route of the original stampeders of the fabled Klondike Gold Rush. Add a Denali National Park land tour for a complete Alaska experience.

Whales Guaranteed or $250 Back On your Alaska Cruise! Here is a place where you will come face-to-face with wonder. These are the wilderness waterways of Alaska. We'll go deep into the heart of the wilderness, where sights and sounds blend to create an enchanting world. Cruising up-close, you'll stand in awe at the sheer cliffs of Tracy Arm, rising thousands of feet from water level to high snowcapped peaks. Hear thundering waterfalls cascade to the sea as we sail up narrow inlets where no large ship can go. Listen for the roar the Tlingit people call "white thunder" — the calving of glaciers — as we sail the pristine and protected waters of Glacier Bay. Here a National Park Ranger and a Native Cultural Interpreter will board our vessel for a very special opportunity to learn from experts about nature's fascinating array of flora and fauna in this stunning remote world, where we spend more time than any other cruise line. Whales are Guaranteed! Whale sightings are guaranteed on Cruise West's Wilderness Inside Passage. If a whale is not sighted on your voyage, they will refund $250 of your cruise price when you return home. That's a promise they made five years ago, and one they have kept. Happily they never had to make good on their guarantee. They don't expect to on your cruise either. Call a Cruise West Specialist today at 800.365.1445 UNIQUE FEATURES Fascinating insights from knowledgeable onboard Exploration Leaders offered throughout the cruise. Remote wilderness exploration round trip from Juneau. A full day in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve accompanied by a National Park Ranger and a Native Cultural Interpreter. At least one whale sighting is guaranteed or $250 of the cruise price will be refunded. Visit one of the tiny coastal communities accessible only by water. Tour Sitka, a beautiful city thought to be the “ Jewel of the Inside Passage. ” Whales Guaranteed or $250 Back.

Cruise West Itineraries