CRUISE WEST ANNOUNCES SIX CAPTIVATING VOYAGES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

FOLLOW THE ADVENTURES OF ODYSSEUS

Smithsonian Journeys Guest Speakers, Extraordinary Included Excursions, Air Credit or Free Venice Land Tour

and up to 21 Percent Early Booking Savings

Seattle, WA – Six distinct Mediterranean voyages, from Alexandria, Egypt to Honfleur, France, mark the second chapter of small-ship exploration line Cruise West’s epic world adventure, Voyages of the Great Explorers.  Delving deep into the heart of the Mediterranean -- rich in myth and mystery -- guests will journey to many fabled destinations in Greece and Turkey, and savor the cultural richness and sensory pleasures of Tunisia, Algeria, Italy, Sicily, Malta, Spain, Portugal and France.  Guests can enjoy savings up to 21 percent savings if voyage is booked and paid in full by October 15, 2009. 

There is incredible value with every voyage. In addition to an included excursion at every port, each of the six voyages will be enhanced by an extraordinary ‘Ultimate Explorers Experiences’ (UEE) excursion, designed to bring guests into direct personal contact with fascinating peoples, cultures and natural wonders.  Engaging presentations by Smithsonian Journeys experts and local acclaimed authorities on the region’s culture, history and current events will bring each region to life. 

Smithsonian Journeys experts illustrate Mediterranean history
Smithsonian Journeys guest speaker and author Jodi Magnes, Ph.D. in Classical Archaeology injects color into the classics throughout Voyage 5: Alexandria to Istanbul.  Magnes will provide rich insights to the region as guests explore Paphos, birthplace of Aphrodite; Hadrian’s Gate, constructed by the second century Roman emperor Hadrian; and ancient Troy.  A stop at the island of Lesvos offers a tantalizing glimpse of traditional Greek life before the voyage concludes at the gate of the Western world, historic and exotic Istanbul.  Voyage highlights include an exclusive evening concert and reception amongst the ancient Roman ruins on Ephesus (UEE).

The 14-night voyage departs May 4, 2010; prices start at $10,395 per person before savings.  Add-on: post-cruise 3-night Land Tour of Cappadocia.

Voyage 6: Istanbul to Venice features Smithsonian Journeys guest speaker Diane Cline who holds impressive credentials including a B.A. in classics form Stanford University and a M.A. and Ph.D. from Princeton in art and archaeology.  Cline will unfold the mysteries and architectural treasures of the city known over the centuries as Byzantium, Constantinople and eventually Istanbul.  The cruise journeys on to the ancient sites of Gallipoli (site of a famous WW1 battle), Delphi; the beautiful classic Greek islands of Syros, Sifnos, Santorini, Naxos; Katakolon, the site of the first Olympiad; ancient UNESCO site Butrint and Durres, the oldest city in Albania.  The voyage continues to Dubrovnik, with its 13^th-century ramparts; Mljet National Park, and the magnificent old town of Zadar before arriving in Venice. Highlight of note includes a tour of the legendary site of Delphi (UEE) on the slopes of Mt. Parnassus and a four-mile transit through the Corinth Canal. 

The 14-night voyage departs May 17, 2010; prices start at $11,595 per person before savings.  Add-on: post cruise 3-night Gondolas and Glassware Land Tour of Venice.

Smithsonian Journey guest lecturer Glenn Bugh, professor of ancient, Byzantine and Venetian history at Virginia Tech, joins Voyage 7: Venice to Valetta.  This exciting voyage showcases off-the-beaten track ports, villages and towns in Croatia, Montenegro, Italy, Sicily and Malta. Highlights include an overland tour of Croatia from the historical Roman town of Porec (UEE) to Pula to study first hand the influence of Rome and Byzantium; Split, known for its 17 centuries of building, renovating and remo
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