Natural History: World Explorer Cruises - educational cruises and nature exploration services

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR CASINOS, ROULETTE WHEELS AND black tie soirees, World Explorer Cruises may not be for you. World Explorer Cruises offers adventurous educational cruises in Seward's Folly -- the majestic state of Alaska. Hear about Alaska from noted lecturers. Taste fresh, local delicacies. Get to touch the actual face of a glacier. See wildlife. Photograph and take home handmade local crafts. Advanced programs of on-board lectures, study sessions and shoreside field trips create the perfect environment for the traveler looking for a more focused educational experience.

Now in its 24th year, World Explorer Cruises, is embarking on its 2001 season -- May through August. A new, 26-page full-color brochure details eight, full two-week cruises aboard the SS Universe Explorer--a 731-passenger American-built cruising vessel, All of the 14-night cruises begin and end in Western Canada's largest city, Vancouver. World Explorer Cruises offer Alaska's most extensive itineraries with an average of 11 hours in each port -- more time ashore than any other Alaska cruise operator,

"We are confident that with our widely known imaginative itineraries and educational programs aboard and ashore, as well as our sensible pricing structure we represent the best value-for-money cruising in Alaska," says World Explorer Cruises Dennis Myrick, Vice President Marketing and Sales. "Our guests are able to experience Alaska, not just participate in passive sightseeing. We believe our new Alaska 2001 brochure presents this philosophy in a new, exciting style."

Highlights of the World Explorer's new "Land of the Ancestors" itinerary includes Metlakala, Alaska's only Tsimshian Indian reservation; Kodiak, founded by the Russians and now a busy fishing port and gateway to the Aleutian Islands; Glacier Bay, the gem of Alaska's natural heritage; Seward, a quiet seaport village; Juneau, Alaska's colorful capital city; Skagway, historic Alaskan gold-rush era town, Sitka, capital of Czarist Russia's Alaska; Ketchikan, Gold Rush-era supply depot and now center for Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures; and Victoria, British-flavored, flower-bedecked British Columbia's capital city.

"Route of the Pioneers" tours include Wrangell, a fishing and timber community with an impressive collection of totem poles; Valdez, known as the Switzerland of Alaska; as well as Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Seward, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria, B.C.

The Explorer features the largest library afloat (16,000 volumes), a computer center, art workshops, classical entertainment and a hands-on shipboard museum exhibit.

Since 1978, San Francisco-based World Explorer Cruises has provided meaningful educational travel experiences that focus on culture, history, wildlife and natural wonders. They have a strong commitment to quality, value and responsible, environmentally sound tourism and are noted for their imaginative itineraries and casual shipboard ambience.