As more and more of our customers return for their second and third cruises, we are finding our availability increasingly limited. If you are considering booking a cruise with us for the 2006 season, now is the time to act. Staterooms for our annual Seattle to Alaska cruise are currently available, as are Inside Passage cruises during the beginning, middle, and end of the season. As always, we would love to hear from you, to start planning any accommodations that you and your companions may desire.

Although a good deal of our cruising itinerary is booked solid, the month of May still has several openings. May marks the beginning of the season, and is especially enticing for several reasons. May has some of the longest and sunniest days of the Alaskan calendar. Visitors in May often marvel at the moderate climate and amiable conditions. Comfortable temperatures and sunny afternoons aren’t the only May attraction, however. Because the peak tourist season doesn’t begin until mid June, May visitors can avoid the crowds that can sometimes detract from their experience. Small numbers especially enhance wildlife viewing - both Brown and Black Bears are coming out of hibernation, whales are returning to Alaska from their annual migration to Hawaii with their newborns, and millions of birds are beginning to return from their summer migration.

As many of you know, when not operating in the waters of Alaska, the Sikumi is docked in Seattle. This arrangement allows us to offer a unique brand of cruise popular with those looking to see some of the most gorgeous scenery in North America. The 2006 season’s inaugural cruise will take passengers from Seattle north to Alaska, via the famed inside passage. Likewise, the final trip of the 2006 season will travel south, from Alaska to Seattle. Perhaps the most impressive facet of these trips is the sheer volume of scenery that will confront passengers. Traveling very near to Canada’s shore, stops at places like Victoria are not uncommon. Whale watching is very prominent along this cruise, with places like the San Juan Islands and Canada’s Inside Passage along the way. Click here if you are interested in embarking on one of these one of a kind adventures.

Tom Manos and Jody Liddicoat sold the M/V Sikumi to new owners in the fall. Please read the message below from the new owners.

Dear Valued Sikumi Clients and Friends,

The opportunity to purchase the M.V. Sikumi and Custom Alaska Cruises is a very exciting new business commitment for us! As owners, we represent 3 families, 30+ years of Alaska fishing, sports, and travels. We share with you endless possibilities in appreciating, exploring, and experiencing unique small custom adventures.

It is our goal to continue to offer the same high quality cruise you've come to expect and have experienced in the past. We have been working very closely these last few months with tom and Jody to make the transition as smooth and thorough as possible. Our main concern is the safety of our clients. We've recently purchased an AED unit to have on board should we need to handle any serious medical emergency on board. We continue to update our safety equipment and procedures. As you know, our crew is strategic in meeting our client's needs and expectations. We're so pleased Mercury our captain and Carlee our chef/naturalist will continue to operate the Sikumi. In addition to our Alaska adventures, we are working on plans to expand summer offerings in the Puget Sound and San Juan Islands.



Thanks for your past support on the M.V. Sikumi, and we look forward to a partnership with you full of opportunities and adventures.

Wes and Meg Swimelar
Bart and Toni Eaton
Tony LaRussa