American Safari Cruises acquires ship for Alaska expansion

This item was written by Fran Golden, a cruise expert and Trip Coach for Budget Travel magazine. Golden is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.

American Safari Cruises

Luxury soft-adventure operator American Safari Cruises will more than double its capacity in Alaska next year with the addition of a ship from defunct Cruise West, the 102-passenger Spirit of Endeavour. The ship will be renamed Safari Endeavour and after an extensive renovation will operate with a capacity of 86 guests.

The line currently offers Alaska cruises with three fancy yachts, the 12-passenger Safari Spirit, 22-passenger Safari Quest and 36-passenger Safari Explorer.

"This is an ideal time to expand our fleet," said Dan Blanchard, American Safari's CEO. "In our 14-year history, our occupancy rates have never been higher, and we are seeing an increase in demand for the type of small-group adventure travel we offer."

Read full story:  http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2011/08/alaska-american-safari-spirit-of-endeavour/414719/1