SEATTLE, April 2, 2008 -- Majestic America Line's 7-day round-trip Juneau cruises on Empress of the North offer a rare perspective on Alaska's Inside Passage, thanks to the ship's small size and special status as a US-flagged vessel.

The line offers the following reasons travelers should choose Empress of the North for an Alaska cruise:

1. Small Ship Experience -- 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 that most Alaska cruises miss. The captain is always at liberty to pursue the day's most promising viewing opportunities. And, nearly 90 percent of the staterooms feature private verandahs from which guests can enjoy a private, up-close view of Alaska's dramatic glaciers and landscapes.

2. Unique Ship -- Empress of the North was built expressly for exploring the narrow passages and coastal inlets of Alaska. She is equipped with 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.

3. Itinerary -- All 2008 itineraries, which begin April 28, 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. Because Majestic America Line's ships are US flagged, they are not required to visit a foreign port, and so can spend all their time in Alaska. 7-day itineraries visit Petersburg, Wrangell, and Dawes Glacier as well as the more typical destinations of Juneau, Skagway, Sitka.

4. Luxury -- In the spirit of a boutique hotel, every stateroom features elegant furnishings including rich mahogany wardrobes and luxurious velvet draperies. Guests enjoy five-star comfort, luxurious amenities and award-winning service; including decadent pillow-top mattresses, high thread-count linens and thick cotton towels. Empress of the North also offers exceptional live entertainment and elegant fine dining.

5. Award-Winning -- In 2007 Conde Nast Traveler listed Empress of the North in the Top 10 for "Best Small Ships" and Travel & Leisure named Majestic America Line among the "World's Best Small Ship Cruise Lines" in their 12th Annual Readers' Poll.

6. Enrichment Programs & Included Shore Excursions -- Expert naturalists, cultural representatives, historians and wildlife experts elevate the Alaskan experience for guests. The full-time onboard Discovery Guide highlights sites, recounts local legends and answers guests questions one-on-one. Enrichment programs and select shore excursions are included in the cruise price.

7. Hospitality -- Empress of the North's all American crew was awarded a perfect score for service in Conde Nast Traveler's 2007 Readers' Poll.

7. Art and Design -- Empress of the North's interior designs reflect a Russian Alaskan theme, decorated in royal jewel tones of red, green, gold and black. Expansive art collections throughout the ship display unique Native American artwork and artifacts and Russian antiquities such as nesting dolls and beautiful and rare Faberge eggs.

8. No Crowds -- A perk of cruising on a small ship with only 223 guests is that it has unique access to remote locations and often no one else is there. No huge crowds competing for the same photo opportunity or sightseeing experience.

9. No Passports and Exchange Rates -- Forget the hassle of passports and exchange rates if you're an American cruising to Alaska aboard Empress of the North.

A special Alaska cruise aboard the Empress of the North departing Juneau, May 24, 2008, will be hosted by distinguished sports leader and business entrepreneur Peter Ueberroth. Ueberroth served as sixth commission of Major League Baseball, president of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and was named 1984 Man of the Year by Time Magazine.

For more information, contact a travel agent, call 1-800-434-1232 or visit http://www.majesticamericaline.com/.

About Majestic America Line

Majestic America Line is the premier river and coastal cruising company in the United States, offering uniquely American cruise itineraries that provide an extraordinary travel experience.

With a fleet of six U.S.-flagged and built ships, Majestic America Line travels America's great rivers and coastal waterways from Alaska and the Pacific Northwest to the Heartland and the Lower Mississippi. The company's specially designed ships deliver an unequalled boutique cruise experience that combines an unmatched attention to quality with deluxe comfort and warm, attentive service from an American crew.