After months of financial struggle, Cruise West has shut down.
The legendary small ship line founded by the late Chuck West was a pioneer in Alaskan tourism, where he was known as “Mr. Alaska.” Many employees have been with the company for decades.
In what was called a final statement, Dick West attributed the move to “the most recent dip in the markets and the continued lack of economic confidence.”
The son of founder Chuck West said in a statement that he is “heartbroken” at the demise of the family business.
The statement said that the company had actively tried to find partners to maintain cash flow and ongoing operations, including selling assets.
"We have done absolutely everything to maintain operations, but with limited resources and the current tight financial market, we simply cannot continue," he said.
Cruise West operated more than half a dozen small cruise ships that sailed in Alaska and on the Columbia River in Washington State. The company also sold passage on a handful of other line’s small ships in Europe, the Galapagos and other destinations.
By David Wilkening
