Majestic America Line Joins Wilderness Best Management Practices Program

Majestic America Line Shows Commitment to Natural Resources and Wilderness

Seattle, May 20, 2008 – Majestic America Line, one of the world’s premier river cruise lines and the largest river and coastal cruising company in America, is proud to sign the Wilderness Best Management Practices Program for Tracy Arm and Ford Terror Wilderness. Alaska is well-known for being an unforgettable destination for visitors. Majestic America Line is committed to ensuring that the beauty and natural resources of the region are preserved for future generations.

With just 112 staterooms and suites, Empress of the North’s intimate, small ship experience provides unique access to the vast wilderness and waterways of Alaska’s Inside Passage while adhering to the guidelines set in the Wilderness Best Management Practices Program. A perk of cruising on a small ship with only 223 guests is that it has unique access to remote locations, like Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm. All 2008 itineraries allow guests to explore up close the spectacular glaciers, natural wonders, the majestic grandeur of Alaska’s endless forests, plummeting waterfalls, abundant wildlife, and the rich culture of America’s last frontier.

About the Wilderness Best Management Practices Program:

Preserving Quiet: Operators recognize the importance of quiet and solitude and will minimize vessel announcements and signals while in Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness. Certain signals and announcements are necessary and required by the US Coast Guard for navigational and safety reasons.
Maintaining Clean Air: All vessels agree to comply with the Marine Vessel Visible Emissions Standards (18 AAC 50-.070) and will take all available and reasonable steps to minimize visible stack emissions while in Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness.
Protecting Wildlife: Operators agree to conduct their business in a manner which, whenever possible avoids changing the natural behavior of wildlife in their vicinity including bears, whales, and nesting birds such as terns and oystercatchers. Harbor seals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act that prohibits activities that could injure or disturb seals by disrupting behavioral patterns.
Preserving Solitude: Operators recognize the importance of an authentic Alaskan experience of wilderness and agree to help preserve solitude through the following measures:

Endicott Arm: Vessels with more than 250 passengers agree not to schedule operations in Endicott Arm or Fords Terror Wilderness.
Fords Terror Wilderness: Operators of motorized vessels agree to minimize their speed and wake around paddlers, maintaining a safe and respectful distance. Paddlers acknowledge that use of the marine radio to announce their presence will assist motorized vessel operators in achieving these goals.
Schedules: Operators agree to share their schedules to help avoid crowding any particular destination in the Tracy Arm – Fords Terror Wilderness.

Keeping it Alive: Vessel operators agree to include these guidelines in annual training and respective policies and procedures documentation.

Empress of the North was built expressly for exploring the narrow passages and coastal inlets of Alaska. She has a shallow draft to allow exploration of secluded bays and maneuver close to shore. Empress of the North pays homage to the explorers that have traveled these waterways for hundreds of years with the ship's impressive three-story paddlewheel.

To learn more about Alaska and plan an Alaska cruise vacation of your own,
please visit http://www.alaskacruises.com/ or http://www.cruisecheap.com/; or call 1-800-201-6937 to speak with an Alaska Cruise Vacation Specialist.