Pacific Catalyst II, Inc.

"A Memorable journey on Glacier Bay with our two 13 and 14 yr old grandsons on a historic wooden boat built in 1924……the Westward. Outstanding crew!! Tracie prepared Amazing , Delicious meals with wine pairings and Captain Bill knows the waters and conditions like the back of his hand. Fascinating nature hikes and kayaking. This is a must see to experience the glaciers and all of the wildlife…..Highly Recommend! Patti Day"

"Captain Bill, Tracie, and Liam are top notch! They made our 8 day trip from Sitka to Juneau a true trip of a lifetime! Bill kept us safe and enthralled by stories and animal sightings. Tracie coaxed my picky husband to try sushi, s’mores, and an amazing variety of boat made delicacies. Liam taught us how to paddle our kayaks and how to identify grizzlies. In a world where dedicated, personalized service is rarely experienced, this adventure was exceptional. Gather your friends and charter the West Ward. You will not be disappointed!"

"My wife and I and six friends had an amazing trip to Alaska this summer, which included a one-week small boat cruise from Sitka to Juneau on the Westward. Our group of eight can’t believe we actually got to do and see what we just got to do and see. Alaska is a truly beautiful, uncrowded place and we’re glad we were able to visit! The Westward crew was outstanding, making sure everyone was comfortable, showing us incredible sights, and preparing and sharing wonderful meals with us. All of it was incredible - kayaking up to stunning waterfalls led by our naturalist, Liam, seeing grizzly bear mamas and their cubs, Dall porpoises swimming along the bow of the Westward, humpback whales bubble net feeding, bald eagles everywhere… We can’t believe how beautiful it was and how much fun we had. We feel so fortunate to have taken this trip. Thanks, Westward crew, for a trip of a lifetime!"

"Amazing!!! We took a 10-day trip with Bill and Tracie up to Glacier Bay aboard the Westward. Every day was a real treat - from kayaking around peaceful bays, to wandering through meadows, to exploring glaciers, activities were varied and there was always a wealth of beauty to immerse ourselves in. Since cruise ships are still absent from the landscape, we had the park nearly to ourselves, and had the opportunity to see a ton of wildlife (humpbacks, bears, a bazillion sea otters, sea lions, seals, martens, mountain goats, eagles, puffins, etc.). The naturalist, Caroline, was a fountain of information about the plants, animals, and landscapes that we encountered, and truly added a lot to the experience. A few of our days got rained out and kept us from straying too far from the salon, but we still had fun! Food was beyond fantastic - Tracie is a marvel in the kitchen and delighted in telling us the crazy ingredient lists for the meals she had concocted (the ingredient list was somehow never as expected). Bill, Tracie, and the rest of the crew were great, handling anything that came their way with grace and keeping things fun while doing it. And the Westward itself is wonderful, with comfortable cabins, private bathrooms, and ample space for both hanging out (dining room, salon, foredeck, etc.) and for storing your stuff. Amazing that it's almost a hundred years old! Could not recommend this company enough for a truly unique Alaskan experience! Loved it!"

"FIVE STARS AND LOUD APPLAUSE. Details abound aboard the MV Westward--whether those of this beautiful wooden motor yacht from yesteryear or the fine crew that made the 11-day cruise in the Sea of Cortez a truly unforgettable trip. There were 5 guests and 3 in crew. Captain Bill guided us through the numerous islands; his right hand, Staci created magnificent meals paired with wines, as well as being on call for just about every nautical chore. Carlos, the naturalist, kept us on our toes with tours to the mangroves, sharing geological wonders of the region or guiding us on our snorkeling expeditions. Hiking to a 500 year old mission, swimming with sea lion pups at Las Ilotes and Whale sharks in La Paz Bay were highlights for this spectacular March trip. In case you want to skip an activity, a fine nautical library on board is available."