Richard,

I know nothing about this itinerary on Cruise West, but we have friends who took an Alaska itinerary on another Cruise West ship and loved it. My understanding is as you stated, that -- at least as far as the Alaska itinerary our friends took -- the line offers more of an expedition experience with an emphasis on "education" provided by lecturers and local guides for the areas visited, perhaps somewhat like the focus of Smithsonian or similar organizations in their travel packages.

So, my impression is that while Cruise West may not be the best choice if the ship is a major part of the "destination," it might be a good option as a way to visit and learn in depth about an area in which you have a particular interest.