The American West Steamboat Company will offer “Lewis &
Clark,” “Big Band” and “Holiday” themed cruises this fall aboard
its sternwheelers Empress of the North and Queen of the West. The
11 themed cruises will depart from Portland, Ore., and travel more
than 1,000 miles along the Columbia, Willamette and Snake Rivers of
the Pacific Northwest.
The line’s seven-night Lewis & Clark cruises will showcase
the route made famous by the Corps of Discovery on its Columbia and
Snake River explorations two centuries ago. Guest historians
sharing facts about the historic journey, and pointing out
landmarks along the Columbia River Gorge will entertain passengers.
Shore excursions include admission to selected Lewis & Clark
bicentennial events. The Lewis & Clark cruises aboard the Queen
of the West depart November 5 and 12, and those aboard the Empress
of the North depart November 6 and 13. Prices start at $2,019 per
person, including savings of $300 per couple if booked six months
in advance.
The Empress of the North will host seven-night Big Band cruises
on October 24, November 27 and December 4. The cruises will
showcase the music of the ‘30s and ‘40s. The 10-piece Russ Morgan
Orchestra will entertain passengers in the ship’s Golden Nugget
Lounge with music made famous by Glenn Miller, Guy Lombardo and the
Dorsey Brothers. Prices for the Big Band cruises start at $1,679
per person, including a savings of $300 per couple if booked six
months in advance.
Colorful decorations and thousands of festive lights will help
passengers get into the holiday spirit during four seven-night
Holiday Cruises on the line’s two sternwheelers. Departures are
scheduled for November 19 (Thanksgiving) aboard the Queen of the
West, and November 20 (Thanksgiving), December 11 and December 21
(Christmas) aboard the Empress of the North. Prices start at $1,040
per person including savings of 50 percent off the December 11
departure, or from $1,679 including savings of up to $400 per
person on all other Holiday cruises.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, American West Steamboat
Company operates the 161-passenger sternwheeler Queen of the West
year-round on the Columbia, Willamette and Snake Rivers. The line
introduced the newly built, 235-passenger sternwheeler Empress of
the North in 2003.
800-434-1232
www.americanweststeamboat.com
