Highlights of the Columbia River
Cruise Overview
Highlights of the Columbia River
This riverboat cruise, round-trip from Portland, OR, encapsulates everything wonderful about the legendary Columbia River. From beautiful changing landscapes and fantastic wildlife to the rich history along its shores, you will experience the very best the region offers, led by our knowledgeable guides.
Popular visits include Multnomah Falls, the 2nd tallest waterfall, Mount St. Helens and the Johnston Ride Observatory, and Cape Disappointment State Park, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean.
On board, be treated to exceptional service from our attentive crew and travel in comfort aboard the newest fleet of small ships.
Traveling with American Cruise Lines has never been easier. Ask about our flat-rate domestic Airfare option available on our Highlights of the Columbia River Cruise itinerary.
Highlights of the Columbia River Itinerary
Highlights of the Columbia River Itinerary
Day By Day Itinerary
- Day 1 Portland, OR
- Day 2 Cruising the Columbia River
- Day 3 Astoria, OR
- Day 4 Kalama, WA
- Day 5 Stevenson, WA
- Day 6 Portland, OR
Day 1 - Portland, OR
Arrive in Portland and settle into your hotel, located near to the ship’s dock for a seamless boarding process. Situated between the waters of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, the area's history is forever entwined with the fortunes of these great rivers.
Excursions & Entertainment
-
Hotel Stay
Hotel Stay
Each Columbia and Snake Rivers itinerary comes with a Hotel Stay, providing you with a seamless way to board the ship and explore the local area.
On the morning of the cruise, meet in the hotel lobby after breakfast and we will transport you to the ship to begin your cruise. All luggage will be brought directly from the hotel and placed in your stateroom aboard the ship.
https://aclmedia.azureedge.net/cmsmedia/libraries/acl/images/excursions/general/pre-cruise-image.jpg?ext=.jpg
Day 2 - Cruising the Columbia River
Board the ship and enjoy a day with Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens as your backdrop as we cruise to the mouth of the West’s most famous river.
In the golden age of riverboats, sternwheelers crossed the waterfront while steam whistles and calliopes rang out across the water. With its sparkling rivers, stately evergreens, and mild climate, you will understand why this area was noted as exceptional by explorer Meriwether Lewis.
Enjoy the scenery in the company of fellow guests in one of the spacious lounges or on the sun deck.
Excursions & Entertainment
-
Welcome Aboard
Welcome Aboard
As you embark upon your journey, enjoy a Welcome Aboard Reception with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and entertainment. Meet the crew, your onboard experts, and fellow guests. Learn more about the wonderful adventure ahead of you.
https://aclmedia.azureedge.net/cmsmedia/libraries/acl/images/excursions/general/acl_website_welcome_aboard.jpg?ext=.jpg
Day 3 - Astoria, OR
Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. Colorful Victorian homes adorn the hillside that climbs steeply up from the river, earning it the nickname “The Little San Francisco.” Explore this remarkable town on your own or choose from a collection of well-curated excursions.
Step into history on a guided exploration to the National Park Service replica of Fort Clatsop, the 1805-06 winter camp of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Board a local red trolley to ride along the picturesque waterfront or savor the perspective from a bluff high above the city at the picturesque Astoria Column. Peruse the town’s quaint shops, galleries, wineries, and brew pubs. Or simply stroll off the ship to the nearby acclaimed Columbia River Maritime Museum.
Excursions & Entertainment
-
Columbia River Maritime Museum - Complimentary Excursion
Columbia River Maritime Museum - Complimentary Excursion
Experience the Columbia River Maritime Museum on a self-guided excursion. The Columbia River Maritime Museum is the official maritime museum of the state of Oregon and also prides itself as being one of the finest maritime museums on the West Coast.
Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes
https://aclmedia.azureedge.net/cmsmedia/libraries/acl/images/excursions/columbia-snake-rivers/astoria-or/columbia-river-maritime-museum.jpg?ext=.jpg -
Astoria Walking Exploration
Astoria Walking Exploration
Your knowledgeable guide will greet you at the dock to begin your exploration along Astoria's Riverwalk. Enjoy views of the majestic Columbia River with cargo ships at anchor and constant river traffic. Continue along the main downtown street and view several excellent examples of early 20th-century commercial architecture, including the towering Astor Hotel and the highly ornate, terra-cotta clad Liberty Theater. Stroll along city sidewalks to the Garden of the Surging Waves, which celebrates the town’s Chinese history. Enjoy the Beaux Arts-style Clatsop County Courthouse and the former Clatsop County Jail, which is now the Oregon Film Museum. The jail, used from 1914 to 1976 is not only noted for being the longest used, freestanding jail in Oregon, but also seen in the many movies filmed here, most famously, The Goonies. Your excursion will end at the well-known Flavel House. Completed in 1886, it is considered one of the finest examples of Queen Anne Stick style architecture in the Pacific Northwest.
Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes
https://aclmedia.azureedge.net/cmsmedia/libraries/acl/images/excursions/columbia-snake-rivers/astoria-or/acl_website_700x500_astoria_walk_flavel_house.jpg?ext=.jpg -
Astoria Local Loop - Complimentary Excursion
Astoria Local Loop - Complimentary Excursion
Explore downtown Astoria on your own aboard this convenient shuttle which makes several stops on a continuous loop throughout the day including:
- Downtown Astoria - for shopping and exploring
- Heritage Museum - featuring Clatsop County’s rich and exciting history in permanent and changing exhibit galleries
- Astoria Column - a tower overlooking the mouth of the Columbia River, from which you can enjoy the majestic views of the countryside from land
- Flavel House Museum - once the home of Captain George Flavel, this 1885 Queen Anne home features original Eastlake influenced woodwork, period furnishings, and exotic hardwood
Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes
https://aclmedia.azureedge.net/cmsmedia/libraries/acl/images/excursions/columbia-snake-rivers/astoria-or/columbia-river-at-astoria_700x500_3.jpg?ext=.jpg -
Cape Disappointment State Park
Cape Disappointment State Park
Enjoy a scenic journey to Cape Disappointment State Park and visit the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, situated high on the cliffs 200 feet above the pounding Pacific surf. A series of mural-sized “timeline” panels guide visitors through the westward journey of the Lewis and Clark Expedition using sketches, paintings, photographs, and the words of Corps members themselves.
Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes
https://aclmedia.azureedge.net/cmsmedia/libraries/acl/images/excursions/columbia-snake-rivers/astoria-or/cape-disappointment-state-park.jpg?ext=.jpg -
Fort Clatsop Experience
Fort Clatsop Experience
On this excursion, you will learn the history of the area while visiting Fort Clatsop, the site where the Lewis and Clark Expedition wintered in 1806. Explore the Visitor Center and take a walk outside to view the Fort that was built during this famous expedition.
Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes
https://aclmedia.azureedge.net/cmsmedia/libraries/acl/images/excursions/columbia-snake-rivers/astoria-or/fortclatsop_2.jpg?ext=.jpg
Day 4 - Kalama, WA
From our convenient new dock at Kalama, Washington, enjoy the grand landscape of the Cascade Mountains scenic drive to view the remnants of nearby Mount St. Helens. A local guide enhances your understanding and shares the story of the volcano’s 1980 eruption and its impact on the environment and the lives of those in the area. Just off the ship dock, enjoy an expansive city park, unique local artwork throughout an impressive adjacent hotel, and an interesting interpretive center. Or venture out to a nearby family vineyard for an afternoon of wine tasting.
Excursions & Entertainment
-
Mount St. Helens Experience - Complimentary
Mount St. Helens Experience - Complimentary
May 18, 1980 is a day etched into the history of the United States, as the powerful eruption of Mount St. Helens drastically changed the landscape of what is now referred to as the National Volcanic Monument. On your scenic journey to the Mount St. Helens, learn about the eruption, how it affected the landscape and surrounding communities, and how the environment has responded naturally to the disturbance. Admire spectacular views of the pumice plain and blast site.
Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes
https://aclmedia.azureedge.net/cmsmedia/libraries/acl/images/excursions/columbia-snake-rivers/kalama-wa/acl_website_700x500_mount_st_helens_experience.jpg?ext=.jpg -
Port of Kalama Interpretive Center- Complimentary Excursion
Port of Kalama Interpretive Center- Complimentary Excursion
Just a short walk from the ship, explore this new facility that celebrates Kalama’s unique place in Pacific Northwest history as a transportation and commercial hub, and is designed to replicate a traditional waterfront warehouse of the 1800s. Exhibits track Kalama’s first inhabitants, the Cowlitz Tribe, and the settlers that followed over the next hundred years, including renowned Oregon Trail writer Ezra Meeker. Displays illustrate how Kalama’s particular landscape gave birth to a booming transportation system, impacting the area both culturally and economically.
Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes
https://aclmedia.azureedge.net/cmsmedia/libraries/acl/images/excursions/columbia-snake-rivers/kalama-wa/acl_website_700x500_kalama_interpretive_center.jpg?ext=.jpg
Day 5 - Stevenson, WA
From the comfort of your private balcony, admire the magnificent bluffs of the Columbia River Gorge, covered in deep green forest and framed by picturesque hillsides that quickly ascend toward the sky. Windsurfers and kiteboarders adorn the landscape as they drift across the broad, shining river.
Nearby attractions offer a day of diverse options. Stand in awe of the glorious Multnomah Falls as it tumbles 620-feet off mountains and down into the river. Visit the Bonneville Dam visitor’s center to ponder the wonders of hydroelectricity and explore the intriguing exhibits of the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum. Discover the village of Stevenson, easily accessible from our dock, offering small town charm and a unique Northwest flair. Or simply, sit on deck with a beverage and admire the grandeur of nature.
Excursions & Entertainment
-
Bonneville Dam
Bonneville Dam
Throughout your journey on the Columbia River, you will transit 8 locks, lifting the ship more than 700 feet vertically. Building upon the lectures of our onboard experts throughout the week, this excursion provides guests with an in-depth understanding of and appreciation for the engineering that enables the Dam to generate enough hydroelectric power to provide nearly 500,000 homes with electricity.
Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes
https://aclmedia.azureedge.net/cmsmedia/libraries/acl/images/excursions/columbia-snake-rivers/stevenson-wa/700x500_bonneville_dam.jpg?ext=.jpg -
Multnomah Falls - Complimentary Excursion
Multnomah Falls - Complimentary Excursion
Plummeting 620 feet, Multnomah Falls is the second highest year-round waterfall in the nation. Experience the sights and sounds of this magnificent waterfall, fed by rain, snow-melt, and underground springs on Larch Mountain.
Admire the falls from the Visitor Center or take a short hike to Benson Bridge, one of the most photographed pieces of architecture in Oregon, to feel its misty spray and get a great photo.
Multnomah Falls also offers one of the best places in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area to view the basalt rock formations exposed by Ice Age Floods.
Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes
https://aclmedia.azureedge.net/cmsmedia/libraries/acl/images/excursions/columbia-snake-rivers/stevenson-wa/multnomah-falls-fish-hatchery.jpg?ext=.jpg -
Columbia River Gorge Interpretive Center - Complimentary Excursion
Columbia River Gorge Interpretive Center - Complimentary Excursion
Enjoy a self-guided tour of the Columbia River Gorge Interpretive Center, which showcases the area's unique history and cultural diversity. From the Native American tribes that inhabited the gorge to the expedition of Lewis and Clark and 19th-century loggers, learn of the bountiful life on the gorge as you explore this amazing museum.
Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes
https://aclmedia.azureedge.net/cmsmedia/libraries/acl/images/excursions/columbia-snake-rivers/stevenson-wa/bonneville-dam.jpg?ext=.jpg
Day 6 - Portland, OR
End your journey where it began in Hayden Island, an intriguing community that was once home to Jantzen Beach Amusement Park, earning it the nickname of "Coney Island of the West." Today, this tiny island town is a popular place for houseboats, floating homes, outdoor dining, and water recreation and is also known for its spectacular sunsets.
Excursions & Entertainment
Ships
Ships Deck Plans, Staterooms
American Jazz
Deck Plan 1
Stateroom Categories
Select below for stateroom details
- Grand Suite Private Balcony
- Owner's Suite Private Balcony
- Veranda Suite Private Balcony
- AAM Private Balcony
- AAC Private Balcony
- AAL Private Balcony
- AAR Private Balcony
- Single Private Balcony
American Song
Stateroom Categories
Select below for stateroom details
- Owner's Suite Private Balcony
- Veranda Suite Private Balcony
- AAM Private Balcony
- AAC Private Balcony
- AAL Private Balcony
- AAR Private Balcony
- Single Private Balcony
- AAG Private Balcony
American West
Stateroom Categories
Select below for stateroom details
- Veranda Suite Private Balcony
- AAC Private Balcony
- AAL Private Balcony
- AAG
- AA
- A
- Single- Balcony Private Balcony
- Single
Upcoming Cruises
| Start Date | Cruise Name | Prices Starting At |
|---|---|---|
