From: Ray Goldenberg on
Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from Cruise West and thought it would be
of interest.

--
Ray Goldenberg 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
Lighthouse Travel http://www.lighthousetravel.com
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Cruise West Ventures to Patagonia 2011
By Land and By Sea

SEATTLE, March 9
Cruise West, the world's leading provider of small-ship explorations
to the most fascinating destinations on earth, ventures to rugged and
mysterious Patagonia in 2011 with four departures aboard the spacious
64-cabin mv Via Australis. The new 8- or 10-night journey highlights
hotspots in Chile by land and cruising through renowned channels,
scenic bays and glaciated fjords from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas, by sea.
Save $600 per person by paying in full by April 30, 2010.

Patagonia is like no other place on earth offering impressive
landscapes, beautiful vegetation and a variety of marine mammals and
wildlife. The journey includes two nights in the thriving city of
Santiago where guests will partake on a private walking tour, lively
folkloric dinner show and a full day touring Casablanca Valley, one of
Chile's supreme wine regions, and historic Valparaiso, once the
residence of poet Pablo Neruda. Board the mv Via Australis in Punta
Arenas, an included flight away, and head out to sea on a
custom-designed 5-night voyage, cruising through the Strait of
Magellan and Beagle Channel that separates the islands of the Tierra
del Fuego Archipelago, making a stop at Magdalena Island to visit the
immense colony of Magellanic Penguins.

Continue onto Ainsworth Bay located inside the Alberto De Agostini
National Park that offers a sun-polar Magellanic forest, and if the
timing is right, elephant seals lounging on the beach; explore a
scenic amphitheatre of glaciers via Zodiacs in Brookes Bay; and search
for marine mammals around Carlos III Island and Rupert Inlet, known
for its unique biodiversity. After navigating across Desolation Bay en
route Pia Fjord, explore smaller inlets by Zodiac, stopping to hike to
a look out point offering spectacular views of the entire glacier
tongue of Pia Glacier.

Last day of exploration includes majestic 'Glacier Alley;' Cape Horn
National Park, declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2005;
and Wulaia Bay, once the site of the largest Yamana aboriginal
settlement. Disembark in Ushuaia and continue by plane to Argentina's
capital city of Buenos Aires for one last night of fun including a
farewell Tango dinner show and city tour.

The 10-night program includes two extra nights in Puerto Natales with
private escorted tours of majestic Torres Del Paine National Park and
Milodon Cave, where in 1895 the remains of extinct animals such as the
Sabre Tooth Tiger and the Milodon (giant sloths) were found.

Choose from four departure dates: January 26, 31; and February 5 and
10, 2011. Prices start at $6,095 per person for the 8-night and
$6,795 for the 10-night program, before savings, and include internal
flights, all excursions and hotel nights as listed. Save $600 per
person by paying in full by April 30, 2010. Note the journey operates
one-way between Santiago and Buenos Aires or reverse, depending on
departure date. For further details, contact a travel professional.

~Up-Close, Casual and Personal Explorations~

Cruise West believes that small is beautiful. Small-ship explorations
allow up-close and personal experiences unmatched by the traditional
larger cruise lines. For more than 63 years Cruise West has provided
authentic travel experiences where the destination is the focus. The
fleet of small ships with guest capacities ranging from 78-148
explores remote and distinctive destinations throughout the globe. A
robust onboard enrichment program further enhances the guest
experience through topical guest lecturers, additional exploration by
Zodiac and included excursions at every port.