Unforgettable Experiences in the Fjords and Coves of the Pacific, including Glacier Bay
Cruise on historic wooden vessels in the world’s most idyllic coastal regions
About our small ships
MV Westward was built in 1924 and is powered by the original Atlas Imperial diesel engine. She is listed with the U.S. National Register of Historic Places as the first purpose built Alaskan expedition ship. That’s right, she pioneered the Alaska Cruise Industry over 100 years ago and is still doing exactly what she was designed to do. Westward has four private cabins with en suite shower/toilet.
MV Catalyst was built in 1932 and was the University of Washington’s first oceanographic research vessel. Catalyst is powered by the original 6 cylinder 8×10 Washington Estep diesel engine. She has six cabins, four with en suite shower/toilet.
Both small ships feature warm interiors, with decades-old varnished wood paneling, heavy beamed ceilings, and glowing mahogany trim and furniture, that take us back to a time when craftsmanship was the rule rather than the exception.
To read more about Westward and Catalyst, check out the “About Us” page.
Get to Know Us
Our crew is made up of dedicated and well-qualified individuals. At least one member of the crew on each excursion is a trained and certified wilderness first responder.
The chefs aboard Westward and Catalyst are talented and creative, tirelessly and creatively preparing every gourmet meal from fresh, organic, locally-sourced ingredients.
Each small-ship cruise is accompanied by a Naturalist who is knowledgeable and passionate about the wildlife and plants we encounter on our excursions, be it outings on foot or by kayak.
Our captain’s primary focus is to provide a safe, reliable, and marvelous trip for our wide range of guests. To operate a vessel at sea requires a great diversity of talents and skills. In addition to maritime expertise, our captains and crew members come from rich and various life experiences. They are here to share their world with you and to make our boat a comfortable home for your ocean adventure.
What we do
We offer multi-day small ship cruises in South East Alaska, the San Juan Islands (Salish Sea) and the Sea of Cortez in Baja California, Mexico.
Our focus is to provide you with a uniquely authentic experience that creates a lifetime of memories. Our itineraries are carefully crafted to showcase the very best of each region in which we operate.
We love being able to introduce our guests to places we have discovered over our years of exploration. On our classic vessels, MV Catalyst and MV Westward, we are able to provide the perfect conveyance for a return to the age of exploration.
Why should you choose us?