Cruise West renames ship for Alaska itineraries
July 17, 2007
Following the announcement that the Spirit of Nantucket will be repositioned to Alaska in 2008, the small-ship cruise line Cruise West has renamed it to befit its new home. Next year, the 102-guest ship will ply the waters of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, and, given this itinerary, the name will be officially changed to Spirit of Glacier Bay. A rechristening will occur in Seattle spring 2008 before the ship sails to Alaska. The ship is currently sailing East Coast itineraries through 2007.
“The name Spirit of Glacier Bay not only reflects the itinerary this ship will be sailing, but also celebrates the history of Cruise West and Glacier Bay. Cruise West was one of the pioneers to take guests by ship into this magnificent park,” said Dick West, chairman and managing director. “In 1990, we introduced the 52-guest Spirit of Glacier Bay that sailed a similar itinerary, and this ship was retired in 2001. It just makes sense to reintroduce this name and get back to our roots.”
For the 2008 Alaska season, the Spirit of Glacier Bay will sail three-and four-night Glacier Bay Highlights cruises that will feature two days in Glacier Bay, cruising roundtrip from Juneau. The 4-night cruise also makes a port call at Haines or Skagway. This cruise was previously offered on the 78-guest Spirit of Alaska that will sail the Alaska`s Whales & Wilderness cruise in 2008.