Columbia and Snake Rivers Cruise

Pre-Cruise

On our Columbia & Snake Rivers itineraries, we offer of Pre-Cruise options, providing you with a seamless way to board the ship and explore the local area. Choose from our 2-Night Hells Canyon Pre-Cruise Package or our 1-Night Complimentary Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay.

Pre-Cruise Packages and Hotel Stays must be reserved at least 30 days before your cruise date.

Excursions & Entertainment

• 2-Night Hells Canyon Boat Adventure Pre-Cruise Package
  2-Night Hells Canyon Boat Adventure Pre-Cruise Package

  This 2-night package features two nights in Clarkston at a hotel conveniently located near the dock for easier boarding. Enjoy breakfast both mornings, as well as a full day in Hells Canyon. Explore the deepest canyon in North America on Boat Adventure and be treated to lunch at a private ranch located deep inside the canyon.

  Guests have the option of purchasing our Hells Canyon Flightseeing Adventure which takes place the morning of embarkation.

  Pre-Cruise Packages must be reserved at least 30 days before your cruise date. Please call (800) 460-4518 in advance for pricing and availability.

   

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• 1-Night Complimentary Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay
  1-Night Complimentary Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay

  Each Columbia and Snake Rivers itinerary comes complete with a Complimentary Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay, providing you with a seamless way to board the ship and explore the local area. Arrive the day before your scheduled cruise date and American Cruise Lines will handle the rest.

  The package includes a premium hotel stay, where you can enjoy the city at your leisure. 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.

  Guests have the option of purchasing our Hells Canyon Flightseeing Adventure which takes place the morning of embarkation.

  Pre-Cruise Hotel Stays must be reserved at least 30 days before your cruise date. Please call (800) 460-4518 to reserve your space.

   

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Day 1 - Clarkston, WA

On your way to Clarkston, cruise the legendary Snake River. Watch the remote wilderness and canyon hillsides glide by in ever-changing scenic panoramas. Admire the steep hillsides, dotted with white pelicans, osprey, bald eagles, cormorants, blue herons, and more. 

Nestled in a handsome valley surrounded by steep hillsides, Clarkston embellishes the shoreline along the Snake River at the river’s confluence with the Clearwater River. Named for William Clark of the historic Lewis and Clark Expedition, Clarkston’s origin dates back to the late 1890s, tracing its roots to the Nez Perce, the Native American tribe that originally inhabited the valley. Venture to Hells Canyon for a jet boat ride, through the deepest canyon in North America, and let your senses run as wild as the landscapes of grand mountain peaks and vast reaches of remote wilderness.
 

Excursions & Entertainment

• Hells Canyon Boat Adventure
  Hells Canyon Boat Adventure

  Explore the deepest canyon in North America and admire breathtaking scenery, including bighorn sheep, ancient rock formations, and Native American pictographs. Along the way, be treated to lunch at a private ranch within the canyon. 

  Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: No

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• Hells Canyon Flightseeing Adventure (Brand New)
  Hells Canyon Flightseeing Adventure (Brand New)

  Enjoy our Hells Canyon Flightseeing Adventure over, through, and around the Nez Perce's "land of the winding rivers." On this unforgettable narrated experience, soar over scenic rolling hills, crystal clear rivers, and abounding timbered wilderness as you learn about the region’s spectacular ecology, geology, and history.

  On cruises departing from Clarkston, WA, this excursion is available on embarkation day for those participating in the Hells Canyon Jet Boat Pre-Cruise Package and Complimentary Hotel Stay. Also available on disembarkation day for those beginning the cruise in Hayden Island, OR.

  This is a Signature shore excursion and should be reserved in advance. Please call (800) 894-8570 for information.

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• 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.

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Day 2 - Pendleton, OR / Richland, WA

Richland sits at confluence of the Yakima and Columbia River. Our ship docks just steps away from scenic waterfront walking trials, unique shops, and local wineries. Enjoy a variety of guided excursions to area parks and museums, including the REACH Museum where you can discover Eastern Washington’s rich landscape and history, from the Ice Age to the Atomic Age. Admire the beauty of the Columbia and Snake River confluence at Sacajawea State Park and explore the grounds where the Corps of Discovery camped in October 1805 amidst a thriving community of Native Americans. 

A full-day excursion also visits Pendleton, Oregon to enjoy western heritage, Native American history and the network of underground tunnels created a century ago for both legal and illicit activities.  
 

Excursions & Entertainment

• The REACH Museum
  The REACH Museum

  Visit the REACH Museum and discover Eastern Washington’s rich landscape and history, from the Ice Age to the Atomic Age. Explore the featured galleries and rotating exhibits inside, as well as the amazing outdoor area with breathtaking views of the majestic Columbia River and surrounding scenery. Discover the geological impact of the Ice Age floods and basalt lava flows to the area. Learn about the Manhattan Project at Hanford and its continuous influence on the region. Continue to the 9-11 Memorial in Kennewick which is home to a 30 foot 6,000 pound steel column recovered from the World Trade Center Twin Towers, a sobering reminder of the tragic events of the day.

  Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

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• The Pendleton Experience
  The Pendleton Experience

  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.  Next, enjoy lunch at Hamley’s Restaurant, amidst an 18th-century mahogany bar, an original bank wall from the era of Billy the Kid, authentic tin ceilings, and countless Old West artifacts. In the afternoon, travel to the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, for a look into the storied past of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla Tribes. Stop at the Pendleton Woolen Mills, an American textile manufacturing company founded in 1863, known for its blankets and woolen clothing. Visit the gift shop where you can purchase woven goods produced on site. 

  This is a Signature shore excursion and should be reserved in advance. Please call (800) 894-8570 for information.

  Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

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• Sacajawea Interpretive Center - Complimentary Excursion
  Sacajawea Interpretive Center - Complimentary Excursion

  Explore this fascinating destination, located at the very place where Lewis and Clark Expedition camped for two nights, amidst a thriving community of Native Americans. Learn about the activities that took place at the site through interactive exhibits about the Corps of Discovery and Sacagawea, woman known for her helping the Lewis and Clark Expedition Team. Stroll the green, tree-shaded grounds, and read the seven story circle installations by internationally known artist Maya Lin.

  Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

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Day 3 - Cruising the Columbia River Gorge

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.

Excursions & Entertainment

• A Day of Cruising
  A Day of Cruising

  There are a variety of activities scheduled on board when the ship is underway, which vary depending on the itinerary and scheduled date. Enjoy destination-focused enrichment programs with special guest speakers who present topics related to the region and ports of call, including Art Classes, App-titude Classes (Tech Made Easy), Cooking Demonstrations, Mixology (practice of making great cocktails,) Trivia, Game Shows, and more.

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Day 4 - Stevenson, WA

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 - Complimentary Excursion
  Bonneville Dam - Complimentary Excursion

  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

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• 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

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• 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

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Day 5 - 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 Excursion
  Mount St. Helens Experience - Complimentary Excursion

  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, learn about 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.

  Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

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• 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

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Day 6 - 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

• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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Day 7 - Day of Cruising

Continue your journey in this vibrant region with majestic Mount Hood serving as a stunning backdrop. Situated between the waters of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, the area's history is forever entwined with the fortunes of these great rivers. In the golden age of riverboats, sternwheelers crossed the waterfront while steam whistles and calliopes rang out across the water.

Excursions & Entertainment

• A Day of Cruising
  A Day of Cruising

  There are a variety of activities scheduled on board when the ship is underway, which vary depending on the itinerary and scheduled date. Enjoy destination-focused enrichment programs with special guest speakers who present topics related to the region and ports of call, including Art Classes, App-titude Classes (Tech Made Easy), Cooking Demonstrations, Mixology (practice of making great cocktails,) Trivia, Game Shows, and more.

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Day 8 - Portland, OR

Enjoy breakfast on board. As we transport you to the airport to begin your journey home, reflect upon your amazing adventure and the memories and friendships made along the way.

Excursions & Entertainment

• Continue the Journey
  Continue the Journey

  Why not stay an extra night or two to immerse yourself in the spirit of this vibrant city? Ask your onboard Hotel Manager for recommendations on area hotels, attractions, and more.

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