Cruise
West's Spirit of Oceanus Nature and culture are its
primary forms of entertainment, not flashy floating
casinos and variety shows.
Top:
The Ritsurin Koen in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture
on Shikoku
island is among the most renowned traditional gardens
of Japan.
Above: the 295-foot Spirit of Oceanus at sea.
This 120-guest ship is the most sumptuous of the Cruise
West fleet, which specializes in small, upscale expedition-type
voyages along the shores of Alaska, British Columbia, Siberia
and Japan. Founded by legendary Alaska bush pilot Chuck
West in 1946, the company pioneered small ships and private
yacht adventures along the Inside Passage and has long been
a trendsetter in wilderness cruising.
The Ship
Launched in 2000, the all-suite Oceanus brings a new level
of comfort and style to the Northern Pacific cruise experience.
High-tech stabilizers ease the passage across open water
like the Gulf of Alaska and the Sea of Japan. The 295-foot-long
vessel can reach a top speed of 14.5 knots. In addition
to two comfortable lounges, the ship boasts a game room
and library, a medical clinic and a boutique. Elevators
ease access to all decks. Internet and e-mail service are
readily available.
The 59 cabins are spread across five decks, including 15
rooms with private teak decks and lounge chairs. All are
equipped with walk-in closets or wardrobes, roomy marble
bathrooms, a lounge area and satellite phone access. The
blue-and-gold-fabric scheme works well with the wood-paneled
walls, lending the cabins an air of seaborne luxury. Most
sumptuous of all is the Owner's Suite, which features
a living room, a bathroom with whirlpool tub, a cutting-edge
electronic entertainment system and sliding glass doors
leading onto a private sundeck.
The Frills
Zodiacs provide quick-and-easy transport to shore in remote
locations where naturalist guides take guests on nature
walks and wildlife encounters. Each cabin comes equipped
with two umbrellas and two pairs of binoculars for shore
excursions. On the beauty and style front, Oceanus is the
only ship in the Cruise West fleet with in-room hairdryers
and laundry service.
The dining room at the back of the main deck serves a wide
range of tasty Continental and regional cuisine. Evening
meals are often preceded by wine tasting in the lounge.
The crew is quick to point out that casual attire is de
rigueur. Their advice: Leave the evening gowns at home,
and the sport coat and tie with them. A tub on the Sports
Deck provides a relaxing venue for an afternoon drink –
adding to the informal atmosphere – as the incredible
North Pacific scenery floats by.
The Cruise
“Japan Unveiled” is a new cruise designed for
those who want to experience the lush culture and chromatic
scenery of northwest Asia. Departing in March, April –
and in September and October when the Japanese foliage is
reminiscent of that in New England – Oceanus sails
between Niigata on the Sea of Japan and Kobe on the Inland
Sea, on a 14-day voyage that gives guests an in-depth look
at the Land of the Rising Sun. Among the highlights are
17th-century Himeji Castle (where much of Shogun was filmed),
the famous shrine at Itsukushima and the UNESCO World Heritage
city of Kyongju in South Korea. Japanese cuisine, traditional
ceremonies and hot springs are an integral part of this
cruise. Extensions to Nara and Kyoto are available. From
$5,699 per person in 2007. (The 2006 cruise was sold out
at press time.)
