A coastal ship from Cruise West, this shallow-draft vessel was built in 1979 as the New Shoreham II for Luther Blount's east coast American Canadian Carribbean Line. U.S.-flagged, she is 143 ft long, 28 ft wide and 6.5 ft abeam. She carries an all-American crew of 21 and 78 passengers, cruising at a leisurely 10 knots. Equipped for bow landings, she is highly maneuverable. The young crew is enthusiastic and attentive, although not particularly professional.
Cruise West got its start as Arctic Alaska Travel Service in 1946. Founder Chuck West, a WWII pilot, specialized in flightseeing, motorcoach, hotel and small ship bookings. The firm was sold to Holland America in 1971. Two years later, West formed a second company that would become Alaska Sightseeing Cruise West and is now called Cruise West. His son, Dick West, is Chairman and Managing Director. In 1986 the company bought its first cruise vessel, the 70-passenger Sheltered Seas, and over the years has assembled a fleet that numbers nine small ships, seven of them flying the U.S. flag and two foreign-registered.
Domestic cruising includes Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Columbia-Snake rivers and California Wine Country, while non-U.S. destinations include the Sea of Cortes, Costa Rica and Panama, and the Pacific Rim from Alaska to East Asia, Southeast Asia and the South Pacific.
Passengers are mostly mature Americans, with a sprinkling of Canadian and other English speakers. The atmosphere on this very small vessel is informal and convivial. The passengers like it that way.
From May through September the ship sails on Glacier Wonderland cruises in Prince William Sound from Whittier, Alaska on 3- and 4-day itineraries that take in College Fjord and its numerous glaciers lined up side-by-side. The coastal wilderness is explored in full, and shore excursions are included in the fare. The longer 4-day cruise includes a stop at the town of Cordova, a fishing port. At the beginning and end of the Alaska season, the Spirit of Columbia makes 11-day positioning voyages between Seattle and Juneau including Glacier Bay. These early- and late-season trips are longer and more economically priced.
Passengers gather in the forward observation lounge for knowledgeable commentary on the region's culture, history and wildlife and for cocktails and after-dinner drinks. Casual meals are served at a single open sitting. The food is more than adequate, and hearty breakfasts get guests in gear. Cabins are basic, with air conditioning, sufficient stowage, and miniscule baths with showers. Six deluxe bridge deck cabins and those on the upper deck open onto side promenades. Cabin on the lower deck are considered insides. Many cabins have beds placed at right angles to one another. Passengers are allowed on the bridge when conditions permit.
Experienced older cruisers appreciate this ship's camaraderie, wonderful scenery and lack of pretension. In fact, the atmosphere of honesty that prevails results in no keys for the cabin doors. Most quickly get used to this oddity that would never exist on the big ships.
