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Why Go?
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 Resembles N. American river steamships of the early 20th century
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Intimate cruise -- encourages interaction among passengers and crew
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Informal and laid-back attitude that extends to the dress code
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Navigates shallow rivers for up-close encounters with nature and wildlife
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Editor's Picks: Best Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers
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Spirit of '98 Review
With its old-fashioned smokestack and Victorian-style decor, the Spirit of '98 resembles the steamships that once plied the rivers and coastal waters of North America in the early part of the 20th century. While most cruise ships nowadays are built in European shipyards, this is truly an all-American vessel, as it is U.S.-built and -flagged and manned by an entirely American crew. The Spirit of '98 was featured in the special centennial celebration of the Klondike Gold Rush in Alaska in 1997, and its authentic look caught the eye of Hollywood producers -- it appeared in the film "Wyatt Earp" as the ship transporting Kevin Costner up the California coast.
The Spirit of '98 adheres to the Cruise West philosophy of providing an intimate cruise experience that encourages interaction among passengers as well as intermingling between passengers and crew.
The Spirit of '98 is a shallow-draft (9.3 feet) vessel capable of navigating shallow rivers and sailing up narrow waterways inaccessible to larger ships. As a result it offers passengers many opportunities for up-close, personal encounters with nature and wildlife. The open-bridge policy permits passengers to visit the bridge and have a chat with the captain at any time during the cruise.
The ship was temporarily out of service in the summer of '99 after sustaining hull damage during an Alaska cruise; however, it was fully repaired and back in service just a little over a month later and completed the remainder of its Alaska season.
Read Complete Spirit of '98 Review
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Cruise West Ships: Pacific Explorer • Sheltered Seas • Spirit of '98 • Spirit of Alaska • Spirit of Columbia • Spirit of Discovery • Spirit of Endeavour • Spirit of Glacier Bay • Spirit of Oceanus • Spirit of Yorktown
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