Roses will adorn the ship as we arrive in Portland, also known as the “City of Roses.” In the morning, our guide will meet us at the ship for a fun-filled, narrated tour of the city. Explore the popular downtown area, considered to be one of the “top 10” most livable cities in the world. We will cross many of the notable scenic Portland bridges including Hawthorne Bridge (1910) and Broadway Bridge (1913) as we make our way to the Rose Garden State Park. Our final stop will be to the popular International Test Garden, which features over 6,800 rose bushes representing 557 varieties. Here, you can stroll the lush grounds or visit the Rose Garden Store, offering hundreds of rose-themed items.

*Tour only offered on cruises ending in Portland, OR.

Step back in time to Fort Vancouver, established in 1825 along the banks of the Columbia River. Now a national park, Fort Vancouver was once the headquarters of the Hudson Bay Company, a workshop for fur trading. Columbia Barracks, also on the grounds, was a U.S. Army base which provided housing and work for thousands of American soldiers. Visit the beautiful home of five-star General George C. Marshall on Officers Row where the houses of former U.S. Military Officers stand. Built in 1886, The Marshall House has been fully restored to its original glory.

*Tour only offered on cruises ending in Portland, OR.

In the morning, you can take a trolley or a leisurely 5-minute walk to the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Here you will meet with our guide for you a personalized tour of the facilities. We will examine the history of crossing the bar, known as one of the toughest and most treacherous routes in maritime history. You will explore actual ships that were destroyed during the river crossing, discover artifacts and learn what makes this specific area so dangerous and feared by even the most experienced sailors.

The evening before you tour Astoria, our onboard lecturer, often Todd Weber, will provide an entertaining and historically accurate portrayal of the city and the Lewis and Clark expedition here during the 1800s.  At Fort Clatsop, a Park Ranger will meet with our group to explain its significance and begin a personalized tour of the grounds. You will witness live demonstrations, tour the museum and explore the exact replica of the fort where Lewis and Clark wintered in 1806. We will then depart through the city of Astoria on our way to the Astoria Column. This majestic tower perched high on a bluff overlooks the city and river, providing outstanding views of the landscape below and our ship as it rests in port. If you are up to the challenge, you can walk the 164 steps up the tower to the observation deck for a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity.

The duo of David Duthie and Bo Ayers will entertain guests with a set of songs from the “Great American Songbook,” a collection of the most important and influential American popular songs of the 20th century. These familiar melodies are principally from Broadway theatre, musical theatre, and Hollywood musical film from the 1920s through the 1950s.

In the morning, take a scenic tour through Astoria as we journey to Cape Disappointment State Park. Here a Park Ranger will greet us and serve as our guide through the impressive Lewis and Clark Interpretive exhibit. Situated on the cliffs 200 feet above the Pacific Ocean, the center commemorates the Corps of Discovery’s 1804-1806 expedition. Witness live demonstrations, an interactive film, and a variety of exhibits dedicated to Lewis and Clark. The impressive mural-sized “timeline” panels guide you through the exhibit while featuring many of the actual sketches, paintings, and photographs of the Corps members. This tour blends perfectly complements Todd Weber’s onboard Lewis and Clarks lectures.

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 Johnston Ridge Observatory, your tour guide will provide engaging commentary regarding the eruption, how it affected the landscape and surrounding communities, and how the environment has responded naturally to the disturbance. The Observatory itself sits on a bluff near the crater, offering spectacular views of the pumice plain and blast site.

Will Keifer picked up a guitar at the age of six, and has been a one man show with his banjo ever since.  He has worked with several great Jazz artists, including Stan Kenton, and has won several “Best Show of the Cruise” awards. Will’s amazing talent and enthusiasm always makes his performances a fun-filled evening.
*Entertainment times, days, and performers are subject to change

A highlight of any trip to the Pacific Northwest, Multnomah Falls is sure to leave you in awe. After breakfast, our private guide will meet you at the ship’s dock right in the middle of the Columbia River Gorge, and your journey to the majestic waterfall begins. As you wind through the thick forest you will cross the impressive “Bridge of the Gods,” before finally reaching Multnomah Falls. Upon arrival, you will have time to explore the Falls on your own, and walk the famous Benson Bridge to get the best vantage point for your photo opportunities.

*Fish Hatchery only offered on cruises ending in Portland, OR

Throughout your journey on the Columbia River, you will transit 8 locks, lifting the ship more than 700 feet vertically. During the cruise, our onboard experts will touch upon this complex lock and dam system. The excursion to the Bonneville Dam builds upon the lectures you have heard throughout the week, providing an in-depth view into this most famous of all dams. Here you will gain an understanding of the engineering behind the Bonneville Dam, which enables it to generate enough hydroelectric power to provide nearly 500,000 homes with electricity. After lunch, explore the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center and learn of the bountiful life on the Gorge from knowledgeable locals who have lived in the area for generations.

Kevin Neil is a solo guitar player who brings our ship's voyage to life. His "Songs of the Sailor" performance is a collection of maritime songs and sea shanties inspired by sailors of old, while his Cowboy Kevin show features a country-style twang , reminiscent of the heroic cowboys of the Old West.

As you step off the ship, you will be greeted by members of the local visitor’s center who are dressed in period-specific clothing from the pinnacle days of riverboating. Our guide will meet us at the ship for a short narrated tour of the town before arriving at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. Here, explore the various exhibits that highlight the volcanic upheaval and raging floods that helped to create the gorge. The highlight of the center visit includes a unique raptor exhibition where we will watch birds of prey put on an aerobatic display and learn about the protected eagles that call the gorge home.

Overlooking the gorge sits the Maryhill Museum of Art. Here, Native American artifacts, royal memorabilia from Queen Marie of Romania, outdoor sculptures, and a permanent collection of international chess sets adorn the museum halls. You will not only be treated to one-of-a-kind permanent collection, but also a variety of featured exhibitions. After spending the morning exploring in the museum, we will stop at the Maryhill Winery for a tour of the pristine vineyard and, of course, some wine sampling. Your private tour will be given by one of the talented winemakers on premise. We will visit the vine-covered arbor, world class bocce course, the 4,000 seat amphitheater, and finally the 3,000 square foot tasting room where you will receive samples of Maryhill’s finest wine.

JR Spencer is a Nez Perce Native American who has created an authentic cultural performance celebrating the traditions and history of the Nez Perce people.  Guests will also learn about the most historically significant members of the tribe, and how the Nez Perce played an important role in the journey of Lewis and Clark.

Enjoy a scenic ride through the countryside and witness the striking contrast in landscape as you make your way to Pendleton for the day’s excursions. Upon arrival, be greeted by our private tour guide who will take you to explore Pendleton’s infamous underground city before a complimentary BBQ lunch at the famous Hamley’s Restaurant. In the afternoon, you will visit the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, for a look into the storied past of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla Tribes; also visit the famous Pendleton Woolen Mill where you will have a tour of the mill and the chance to purchase authentic woven goods.

This is a Signature Shore Tour. Please call (800) 460-4518 in advance to reserve this experience.

We have chartered the Hells Canyon Jet Boat to take you through the deepest canyon in America. After breakfast, the jet boat will meet you at the ship for an afternoon of adventure. Here, you will explore places most boats cannot reach on the river and witness the amazing transformation in geography from high desert to alpine forests. View ancient rock formations and Native pictographs while your local Clarkston guide provides interesting stories about the region’s history and canyon formation. Enjoy a catered luncheon at the exclusive Garden Creek Ranch before heading back to the ship, where we will celebrate your return during our nightly cocktail hour.

This is a Signature Shore Tour. Please call (800) 460-4518 in advance to reserve this experience.

* For cruises departing from Clarkston, the Jet Boat Tour is a pre-cruise excursion. Please call (800) 460-4518 in advance for more information

Tour boats will transport you to Garden Creek Ranch for a homemade lunch. After the luncheon, board the jet boats for a tour of Hells Canyon. Enjoy a relaxing day of breathtaking scenery and white water adventure. View bighorn sheep, ancient rock formations, and Native American pictographs as you are guided through North America’s deepest gorge.

This is a Signature Shore Tour. Please call (800) 460-4518 for more information.

The evening before we visit the Nez Perce National Historic Park, we will welcome aboard local Clarkston resident JR Spencer, who is a direct descendant of the Nez Perce tribe. In his interactive onboard presentation, he not only tells the story of the Nez Perce and their history with the region, but he also shares authentic Native American artifacts that hold significant value to his people. His narration provides the perfect background for our visit. In the morning, take a narrated tour to the Historical Park, and be greeted by our guide. Here, you will hear the stories of the Nez Perce tribe, best remembered for having saved the Lewis and Clark Expedition team from starvation following their journey through the Bitterroot Mountains.

 *Tour only offered on cruises ending in Clarkston, WA