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| · July 1, 2003 · |
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· Newly Added Departures Of Cruise West's Seven- And Nine-Night Central America Itineraries Come With Free Air From Select Southern CitiesSEATTLE - Cruise West announces free air from Houston, Dallas and Miami for passengers booking any of three Central America departures -- two new dates for the nine-night "Between Two Seas" (Costa Rica and Panama), November 6 and 15, priced from $3,045 to $4,095 per person, double, and the December 6 sailing of the seven-night "Gems of Costa Rica," with fares of $1,995 to $3,195. Rates are reduced $150 per person when cabins are booked and paid in full three months before departure. The free air offer is capacity controlled and applies to new bookings only; passengers are asked to mention "Promo Code 10180" when making reservations. Both programs use the 100-passenger Pacific Explorer and include eco-friendly activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, Zodiac excursions, rainforest hikes, bird watching and beachcombing. Every sailing has exploration leaders and English-speaking Costa Rican expert naturalists on board, giving lectures, answering questions and, during nature walks, pointing out howler and spider monkeys, lazy three-toed sloths; giant anteaters, jaguars, black iguana and hundreds of bird species, including blue-footed boobies, scarlet macaws and toucans. "Between Two Seas" is offered 16 times from November 6 to April 15, 2004, in both directions between Los Suenos, Costa Rica, and Colon, Panama. A festive holiday cruise leaves December 20 and a New Year's voyage on December 29. Passengers visit Panama's San Blas Islands, where the traditional hunting-and-gathering lifestyle of the self-governing Kuna Indians has not changed in 500 years; and sleepy Portobelo, home to the ruins of forts Geronimo, Santiago and San Fernando, perched over the harbor. Other highlights include a Panama Canal transit; visits to an Embera village in the Darien Jungle, the Orchid House at Golfo Dulce and Manuel Antonio National Park; snorkeling with white-tipped reef sharks off Isla de Coiba; and using Zodiacs to explore the shores of several of the uninhabited rocky islets of the beautiful Islas Perlas. "Gems of Costa Rica" departs roundtrip from San Jose on December 6 and 13. The ship stops at the 207-acre Curu Wildlife Refuge, featuring five distinctive habitats, from mangrove lagoons to dry hill forest. At tropical Tortuga Island, fringed by turquoise waters and white-sand beaches, guests are treated to a barbecue lunch after spending time snorkeling or soaking up the sun. The cruise also visits expansive Corcovado Conservation Area, a biodiverse sanctuary home to endangered wildlife and 300 bird species; and Cano Island, where the origination of giant jungle-shrouded, near-perfect stone spheres, dating from Central America's pre-Columbian past and ranging up to seven feet in diameter, continue to mystify experts. Cruise West's Pacific Explorer is air-conditioned with picture-window cabins, two lounges, a sundeck with a bar and ample deck space for viewing and photographing wildlife and scenery. Casual dress and open seating in the dining room, serving international cuisine and Central American specialties, add to the relaxed onboard atmosphere. Reservations, additional information and brochures can be obtained from travel agents and Cruise West, Suite 700, 2401 Fourth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121, telephone (800) 888-9378; fax (206) 441-4757; web site www.cruisewest.com. Media Contact: Lizz Dinnigan 212-724-7695 lizzdinnigan@gzpr.com Elliot Gillies 212-724-7783 elliotgillies@gzpr.com |
| Produced by Judi Janofsky, Rich Steck and the Golf Press Association |