A reflection of the company's attention to demand from their repeat customers as well as overall travel trends, Cruise West, now the only cruise operator on the river, is extending the Columbia & Snake Rivers cruise season through the summer with a new itinerary on the Spirit of '98. As bookings for the river itineraries continue to rise, Cruise West will stay and operate a new summer itinerary rather than send the Spirit of '98 to Alaska for the summer season.

Cruise West's new, seven-night "Best of the Columbia & Snake Rivers" itinerary will cruise round-trip out of Portland, OR and highlight the native culture, cuisine and history of the region, with tours of the Tamastslikt Culture Institute, Mt. St. Helens and two boutique wineries. Additionally, guests of this Columbia & Snake Rivers cruise will visit the Bonneville Dam, the Pendleton Underground Tour and Pendleton Woolen Mills, plus take an exhilarating jet boat ride into Hells Canyon. The new summer itinerary departs weekly May 15 through September 11, 2009. Prices start at $3,399 per person, based on double occupancy. Guests who book and pay in full prior to December 12, 2008 will save an additional $450 per person, and those who book and pay in full by February 6, 2009 will save $350.

"Our Pacific Northwest itineraries have grown in popularity as we've infused them with our signature ‘Up-close and Personal' touches," remarked Cruise West President & CEO Dietmar Wertanzl. "Cruise West's Columbia & Snake Rivers itineraries are part of our heritage. As the original cruise line on the Columbia River we have been perfecting these itineraries since 1992. We understand that travelers would like to maximize their vacation days by traveling closer to home and our Columbia & Snake Rivers itineraries offer just that opportunity."

The Spirit of '98, along with the Spirit of Columbia, currently operates the River Voyage of Discovery itinerary on the Columbia & Snake Rivers in the spring and fall, highlighting the history of Lewis & Clark. The River Voyage of Discovery itinerary starts at $2,149 per person, double occupancy. Additionally, the Spirit of Discovery will continue to offer its Taste of the Pacific Northwest itinerary, launched in fall 2008, in the spring and fall. This itinerary focuses on the rich culinary traditions and distinctive wines of Washington and Oregon. Prices start at $3,299 per person, based on double occupancy. For all fall 2009 departures, guests who book and pay in full prior to March 27, 2009 will save an additional $350 per person.

For additional information, a complete itinerary or to book a Cruise West Columbia & Snake Rivers cruise, call 1-800-689-1783, contact your Travel Professional or visit www.cruisewest.com/destinations/columbia_and_snake_rivers

~ Up-Close, Casual and Personal Cruising ~

Cruise West offers the opportunity to explore remote and distinctive destinations throughout North and Central America, Asia, South Pacific and Europe. Small-ship cruising allows for personalized experiences not offered by larger cruise lines. Guest capacities aboard Cruise West's nine ships range from 78-138. Guests may expect personal enrichment through insightful shore programs, onboard narrative and presentations by local experts from a wide variety of backgrounds. In addition, destination specific materials and an array of books are provided in the onboard library on every vessel. Cruise West considers it a privilege to access some of the world's most pristine wilderness areas and culturally rich countries. With this in mind, Cruise West views itself as good stewards and encourages crew and guests to act responsibly with respect to the environment and diverse cultures visited.