If the words "backpacking," "yacht cruising," "hiking" and "wilderness" come up at any point when discussing a vacation plan with your clients, suggest a cruise to the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Several cruise lines offer itineraries to this region, including American Safari Cruises (www.amsafari.com),
Celebrity Cruises (www.celebritycruises.com) and Majestic America Line (www.majesticamericaline.com). 
American Safari Cruises is offering an eight-day/seven-night tour of Washington and British Columbia this fall, which is geared toward luxury yachting aficionados.
For those who have a penchant for nature and history, the tour, which is on the 112-foot Safari Escape, will have your clients experiencing everything from a visit to the Royal British Columbia Museum, to exploring the petroglyphs of Degnen Bay, to partaking in a natural shower at Friel Lake Falls.
Other highlights include a high tea luncheon at the Empress Hotel; a journey through Jervis Inlet and Queen's Reach to trace the path that was once occupied by a glacier; and an exploration of Princess Louisa Inlet.
Departure dates for 2008 include September 19 and 26, as well as October 3 and 10. Rates are as follows: Mariner, $4,295; Admiral, $6,295; Full Yacht Charter, $58,995. 
For more information, agents should call 888-862-8881 and an American Safari Cruises travel counselor will assist you.
Wine and Water
For a more relaxed, traditional voyage, Celebrity Cruises offers a nine-night wine cruise from Vancouver, B.C., to San Diego aboard Celebrity Mercury, which holds more than 1,800 passengers. Mercury makes calls at Pacific Northwest standbys Victoria, B.C.; Seattle; and Astoria, OR, before moving further west to San Francisco, Monterey and San Diego. Rates for the cruise, running from October 13 to 22, range from $799 for inside cabins; $969 oceanview; $2,599 veranda; and $3,099 for suites, which include a veranda, floor-to-ceiling windows/sliding glass door, two lower beds convertible to queen-size, private bathroom with tub and a sitting area with sofa bed and VCR.
The newest of the Century-class of ships, Celebrity Mercury has world-class amenities and services for passengers, including its Navigator Club for cocktails and dancing; Manhattan Restaurant,the two-level dining room featuring the Champagne Bar; Rendez-Vous Square for meeting and mingling, with live music; and the AquaSpa for treatments and massage. 
For more information, visit www.celebritycruises.com or call 1-800-647-2251.
Majestic Voyage
Majestic America Line offers cruises of Alaska, as well as the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the Northwest. The line's 12-night Alaska cruise, which departs in September, will find your clients cruising from Juneau to Seattle on Empress of the North. The ship, which is reminiscent of 19th-century Russia, can hold 223 guests. Stops along the way include a trip to Point Adolphus, where it wouldn't be out of the norm to catch a glimpse of a humpback whale, as well as Saxman Village to see the world's largest collection of totem poles. Stateroom rates range from $5,399 to $10,099. For more information, visit www.majesticamericaline.com or call 800-434-1232.