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American Safari Cruises to Christen new Flagship Yacht on May 23, 2008

SEATTLE, WA – After a 10-month, $3.5 million renovation, American Safari Cruises’ new luxury flagship yacht, the 36-guest, 145-foot Safari Explorer, will be christened May 23, 2008 in Seattle. Two days later, the vessel will depart for Juneau and her inaugural season in Alaska, and will relocate in the fall to Hawaii and offer inter-island yacht cruising and yacht charter mid-December through early May.

In keeping with the company’s focus on luxury in the pursuit of adventure, the Safari Explorer offers elegant accommodations for guests who want to see the waters less traveled for hiking, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking and wilderness exploration by shore boat. Among the new yacht’s features are a wine library for tastings; suites with balconies, master bedrooms and Jacuzzi tubs, and an active spa environment with complimentary massages from a licensed masseuse, sauna, yoga classes, exercise equipment and an on-deck hot tub.

The guest-crew ratio is 2 to 1, with two certified naturalists and an executive chef and assistants who prepare outstanding fare based on fresh, local ingredients. A complimentary bar offers premium spirits, fine wines and boutique as well as traditional brews.

American Safari Cruises has three other yachts that carry between 12 and 22 guests in Alaska, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, Pacific Northwest, Columbia and Snake rivers.

Information: 888.862.8881 or www.amsafari.com.

About American Safari Cruises: Now in its 11th year, the company offers luxury yacht cruises in Alaska's Inside Passage, Mexico's Sea of Cortés, Hawaii, the Columbia and Snake rivers, and the Pacific Northwest. The company has four yachts: 145-foot, 36-guest Safari Explorer; 120-foot, 22-guest Safari Quest; 112-foot, 12-guest Safari Escape; and 105-foot, 12-guest Safari Spirit. ASC was named one of the world's top 5 luxury small ship/specialty cruise lines of 2007 by Virtuoso, luxury-travel agent consortium.