CATC has committed to the development of a brand new, 150-passenger catamaran for KFT to feature to its 12-vessel fleet, with delivery anticipated in early 2014. Designed by Teknicraft of latest Zealand and constructed by All American Marine in Bellingham, Wash., the hot vessel will join two sister ships, the Aialik and Orca Voyagers.
The ships’ design offers stability, spacious seating, wrap-around viewing decks, oversized, fog-free windows and LCD video monitors. A hydrofoil wing helps lift the catamaran up out of the water, decreasing drag, increasing fuel economy and making a smaller boat wake.
“All of Kenai Fjords Tours’ vessels are custom-built for viewing Alaska wildlife and glaciers,” said Paul Landis, CATC president and chief operating officer. “We desired to develop the optimum vessel combining an unparalleled viewing experience with passenger comfort.”
The investment inside the KFT fleet comes just weeks before spring construction resumes at the rebuild of Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge on Fox Island. Being built by Seward-based Harmon Construction, the lodge could be completed and available for guests beginning June 1, 2013. The recent, 3300-square-foot building boasts immense windows overlooking Resurrection Bay, a spacious dining area and lounge and a redesigned kitchen in order to allow for a brand new culinary program.
“The Wilderness Lodge is an area for our overnight guests to collect, enjoy gourmet meals, and comfy up within the lounge with an excellent book and glass of excellent wine,” said Cathy Martell, general manager of KFWL. “Guests can be ready to enjoy gourmet Alaska cuisine and produce probably the most ‘tips and tricks of the trade’ home to their very own kitchens.”
An evening guided sea kayak tour have been added to other lodge activities including national park ranger-led walks, naturalist presentations and guided daytime sea kayaking. Each stay on the lodge incorporates a wildlife cruise, which are upgraded to a countrywide Park Tour or Northwestern Fjord Tour.
Kenai Fjords Tours and Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge are subsidiaries of CIRI Alaska Tourism Corporation. Alaska Native owned and operated, CATC is the umbrella company for Alaska Heritage Tours, Kenai Fjords Tours, Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge, Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, and Seward Windsong Lodge.
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