~Sea and Wildlife Focus; Early Booking Savings~
Dive into an adventure with a rare visit to the Cocos Islands with Cruise West (www.cruisewest.com), one of the world's leading providers of small-ship exploration cruises to the most fascinating destinations on earth. Cruise West is introducing two, six-night Cocos Island voyages and a revised nine-night Between Two Seas Panama & Costa Rica program for the 2009/2010 season. Combine both itineraries for a remarkable 15-night journey aboard the 100-guest Pacific Explorer that includes a full transit through the Panama Canal. Book early and save up to $1,200 per cabin.
The new Cocos Island cruise begins in Los Suenos, Costa Rica and offers three full days of land and sea exploration including guided walks, Zodiac tours, snorkeling and kayaking opportunities. This rarely visited UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts prolific bird life with some 90 species, unusual caverns to explore, the world's largest hammerhead shark population and more. Departures are available on January 24 and April 12, 2010, and may be combined with the January 15, January 30 or April 3, 2010, Between Two Seas departures.
Avoid Holiday stress and enjoy a relaxing Christmas on the December 18, 2009 departure complete with festive Costa Rican and Panamanian holiday activities and traditional cuisine. Or ring in Feliz Año Nuevo on the December 27 sailing with a New Year's bash including a midnight toast and late night buffet.
Highlighting the stunning flora and fauna native to Costa Rica are three diverse Land Tour add-ons: The 2-night Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve known for its butterfly and hummingbird gardens; the 4-night coastal wildlife experience at famed Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast; or the 5-night of adventures in Sarapiqui and Arenal, Costa Rica that includes a visit to Doka Estate Coffee Plantation and the world-class Gold Museum, options to participate on the thrilling canopy zip line tour, a float or river rafting trip or a chocolate and pineapple plantation tour and Arenal Hot Springs.
Rates for Cocos Islands prices start at $2,799 and Between Two Seas begins at $3,999 per person based on double occupancy. Book and pay in full for October or November 2009 departures and save $350/cabin; save $1,200/cabin, double occupancy for departures December through March 2010. The 14-night Between Two Seas Cruise/Sarapiqui Land Tour starts at $5,899.
To book the Cocos Islands or Between Two Seas voyages or for additional information call 1-800-296-8307 or a travel professional or visit www.cruisewest.com.
More information about Cruise West, Cruise West's 2009/2010 voyages to cruise locales as diverse as Alaska, Panama & Costa Rica, Mexico's Sea of Cortes, Japan, Vietnam, Antarctica, the Galapagos, the Pacific Northwest or the romantic rivers of Europe can be found online at www.cruisewest.com or by calling 800-296-8307.