Columbia River Gorge Cruise

Arrive in Portland and settle into your hotel room. Explore the city between the Columbia and Willamette Rivers and learn about the pioneers who traveled through the region during the westward expansion of the United States.

On the morning of your river cruise, gather in the hotel lobby after breakfast for an excursion to Multnomah Falls, followed by transportation to the ship. Your hotel luggage is delivered to your stateroom before you arrive.

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

 

After breakfast at your hotel, your luggage is delivered to your stateroom. Board the vessel, settle in, and join fellow travelers for a welcome reception before beginning your journey along the Columbia River.

Hood River stands where the Columbia River Gorge meets the Cascade Range, shaped by centuries of life along the water. Established in 1854, it remains tied to the Native American tribes who first called the region home. Lewis and Clark passed through in 1805, and the town’s riverfront location soon made it vital for trade and agriculture. 

Today, Hood River beckons with a tapestry of delights, from quaint shops showcasing local artisanal treasures to some of the Pacific Northwest's finest wineries and breweries. Embark on a guided kayaking expedition through the Gorge's breathtaking waters or visit the fascinating exhibits of The Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum.

Hood River Local Loop – Complimentary Excursion
Explore the area at your leisure with the convenient shuttle into Hood River. Stops include:
 
The History Museum of Hood River County – Discover the rich history of the Columbia River Gorge, from Native American heritage and pioneer settlement to logging, agriculture, transportation, and tourism.
 
The Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum (WAAAM) – Explore one of the USA’s largest collections of still-flying antique aircraft and still-driving vintage automobiles, with more than 3.5 acres of exhibits celebrating the Golden Age of transportation and aviation.

Downtown Hood River - Explore downtown Hood River on your own. Take time for shopping and strolling through town.  
Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

Welcome to The Dalles, the final frontier of the iconic Oregon Trail. With the towering Mount Hood and Mount Adams as your stunning backdrop, each reaching over 11,000 feet, this stop possesses all the natural beauty the Pacific Northwest is known for.

Visit Multnomah Falls, the largest waterfall in the state of Oregon, a true wonder of nature. The 620-foot fall fills the world with its rushing sounds. Or paddle on the quiet river on a guided Gorge Kayak Tour where you can be one with the vast nature that calls this river home. Don’t forget to participate in expert-led wine tastings at Maryhill Winery and sample the finest wines from the fertile Columbia Valley.

The Dalles Local Loop - Complimentary Excursion
The convenient Cruise Coach provide a continuous loop with stops at the following locations:
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center - Discover the 10,000 years of indigenous native history that makes the Columbia Gorge one of the oldest areas of human habitation in the Western Hemisphere. Learn about early explorers like Lewis and Clark and the Oregon Trail pioneers, as well as energy and natural resources and early transportation along the Historic Columbia River Highway. Explore many outdoor exhibits, activities, and native plantings surrounding this architectural gem.
Grand Theater - This historic venue, built in 1929 in a Spanish Revival architectural style, hosts a variety of performances in an intimate setting, including concerts, films, and live shows. In its early years, the theater was a popular stop for major stars, including  Judy Garland, known for her iconic role in The Wizard of Oz and her incredible vocal talent.
Neon Sign Museum - Imagine a simpler time. From streets that were fan faired with smaltz and glass beaded signs to windows dazzled from the glow of full storefront neon, America was booming. Suburbs were born and families were buying automobiles. Comics were a nickel and the good guys always won. Hamburgers were a dime and no one had sold a million. The National Neon Sign Museum captures the vibrant history, craftsmanship, and culture that shaped America as seen through the evolution of pre-electric vintage signage and advertising. From the turn of the century through the 1960s, The National Neon Sign Museum displays early ephemera, scientific equipment, industry machinery and spectacular examples of pre-electric and full store front neon signs. View, explore, and engage with signage and advertising from the turn of the century through the 1960s.  
Fort Dalles Museum - Housed in the former Surgeon's Quarters, the Fort Dalles Museum is the only remaining officer's quarters of the 1856 Fort Dalles military complex. Explore the unique collection of pioneer and military artifacts, as well as antique wagons at one of the Old West's most pivotal places in history. 
Anderson Homestead - There are three buildings that make up the Anderson Homestead: the log house, the granary, and the barn. Built in 1895 by Swedish immigrant Lewis Anderson, the house with its hand-hewn logs was the social center of Pleasant Ridge in the late 1800s. The construction of the barn, with its careful fittings and the use of wood pegs in corners and at other intervals, reflects a high order of craftsmanship. 
Downtown - Take time to explore downtown The Dalles at your leisure.  Admire the murals throughout town and take time to browse the local shops.
Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

Enjoy the day on your private balcony and watch the Columbia River Gorge develop. The dynamic landscape is truly magnificent, and you can catch the best views up on the sun deck. Engage in destination-focused enrichment programs featuring guest speakers and onboard activities.

The private dock in Kalama, Washington, allows you to go where most cruises can’t. Take in the stunning Cascade Mountains as you drive to view the nearby stoic Mount St. Helens. Guided by a knowledgeable local, delve into the gripping tale of the volcano's cataclysmic eruption in 1980.

Right off the ship’s dock, learn more about other wonders of the region at the fascinating interpretive center. Shop like a local for fresh produce, seafood, and artisan snacks at the Mountain Timber Market. Or try for a bullseye at Castle Rock Axe House. 

Mount St. Helens Scenic Drive - Complimentary Excursion
Enjoy a scenic ride to Mount St. Helens. Mount St. Helens, located in southwestern Washington about 50 miles northeast of Portland, Oregon, is one of several lofty volcanic peaks that dominate the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest. It is the youngest of the major Cascade volcanoes, in the sense that its visible cone was entirely formed during the past 2,200 years. Take in the beautiful views of the landscape and the crater left behind from the eruption.
Activity Level: Moderate | ADA Accessible: Yes

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

Mountain Timber Market – Complimentary Excursion
The name “Mountain Timber Market” is a tribute to the town’s history and the original Mountain Timber Company that was a staple in the early 1900s. Nestled between two breathtaking parks along the shores of the Columbia River, this location is ideal for a day of meandering and experiencing the true essence of Kalama. Steps away from the ship, this vibrant marketplace serves as a hub where neighbors come together and create lasting connections. Immerse yourself in a world of locally sourced food and finely crafted goods, all thoughtfully curated to reflect the rich tapestry of the community.

The two-story atrium of the Mountain Timber Market also showcases a suspended 140-foot totem pole previously displayed in the nearby park. For nearly five decades the totem pole, created in the early 1960s by Chief Don Lelooska, towered over the port waterfront until weather damage forced officials to take it down in 2019 for restoration.
Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

After the final breakfast on board, you bid farewell and prepare to head homeward.