While Cruise West is best known as a small ship Alaska cruise line, the company has announced six in-depth 2010 Mediterranean voyages with Smithsonian lecturers.   The 13- to 16-night cruises are part of the 120-passenger Spirit of Oceanus‘ 334 world cruise. Those who book and pay in full by Oct. 15, 2009 will get a 21% discount off cruise fares.

*** Departing May 4, 2010, the 14-night cruise from Istanbul to Venice starts at $10,395 per person, double occupancy. The ship journeys on to the ancient sites of Gallipoli (site of a famous WW1 battle), Delphi; the beautiful classic Greek islands of Syros, Sifnos, Santorini, Naxos; Katakolon, the site of the first Olympiad; ancient UNESCO site Butrint and Durres, the oldest city in Albania. The voyage continues to Dubrovnik, with its 13th-century ramparts; Mljet National Park, and the magnificent old town of Zadar before arriving in Venice. Highlight of note includes a tour of the legendary site of Delphi (UEE) on the slopes of Mt. Parnassus and a four-mile transit through the Corinth Canal.

*** Sailing May 17, 2010 from Istanbul to Venice, Spirit of Oceanus journeys on to the ancient sites of Gallipoli (site of a famous WW1 battle), Delphi; the beautiful classic Greek islands of Syros, Sifnos, Santorini, Naxos; Katakolon, the site of the first Olympiad; ancient UNESCO site Butrint and Durres, the oldest city in Albania. The voyage continues to Dubrovnik, with its 13th-century ramparts; Mljet National Park, and the magnificent old town of Zadar before arriving in Venice. Highlight of note includes a tour of the legendary site of Delphi (UEE) on the slopes of Mt. Parnassus and a four-mile transit through the Corinth Canal.

*** The May 30, 2010 cruise from Venice to Valetta visits Croatia, Montenegro, Italy, Sicily and Malta. Highlights include an overland tour of Croatia from the historical Roman town of Porec (UEE) to Pula to study first hand the influence of Rome and Byzantium; Split, known for its 17 centuries of building, renovating and remodeling; the UNESCO site Kotor; and Bari with the famous monument Basilica of Saint Nicholas. Cruise West includes a choice of an international air credit (up to $1300) or a FREE pre-cruise 3-night Venice Land extension on the 12-night voyage, which departs on May 30, 2010 (a value of $2,200 per person). Prices start at $9,995 per person before savings.

*** On June 10, 2010 Spirit of Oceanus sails from Malta to Rome on a 13-night segment calling in seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and stops at picturesque ports in Tunisia, Algeria, Sardinia and Rome. Explore exotic Sousee and La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia; and Annaba and El Kala, Algeria. Per person, double occupancy fares start at $9,595.

*** Sailing from Rome to Barcelona, the June 22, 2010 voyage focuses on the Renaissance and medieval archicture of Italy, France and Spain. Port stops include Bonifacio, Corsica; Elba, where Napoleon spent years in Exile; Pisa and Florence, Portovenere and Portofino, Italy; and the Spanish island of Menorca. The ship sails into Villefranche-sur-Mer located in the French Riviera, Port St. Louis-du-Rhone and Port Vendres where guests explore the serene Fontfroide Abbey and the walled city of Carcassonne. Per person, double occupancy fares start at $10,995.

For reservations and additional information, visit Cruise West’s website.