CRUISE IN FOCUS
AMERICAN EMPRESS
JANE ARCHER CRUISES THE COLUMBIA AND
SNAKE RIVERS WITH THE AMERICAN QUEEN
STEAMBOAT COMPANY
C R U I S E
THE CRUISE: A seven-night upstream voyage from Vancouver, Washington, to Clarkston, that visited Astoria, The Dalles, Stevenson and Richland. We stayed overnight in Richland and enjoyed some scenic cruising along the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
WHAT YOU SEE: Extraordinary landscape that changes from lush
green in rainy Portland and Vancouver
to desert by the time you reach the Dalles. There are high, gushing waterfalls and interpretation centres that depict the hardships endured by early pioneers.
WHY GO? This cruise follows in the footsteps of US explorers Lewis and Clark, who were tasked in 1803 by President Jefferson to lead an expedition across America to find the the Pacific Ocean. It’s a fabulous story of derring-do over three years. If none of that appeals, there’s the wonderful scenery, wine-tasting excursions in the Red Mountain region of Washington and, for those on the downstream cruise, an optional 40-minute flight over Mount Hood in a Cessna.
PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS: A fun pre-cruise walking tour of Portland, a city just across the river from Washington famous for rain, food and cycling; the views over the Pacific from Cape Disappointment; Lewis & Clark lectures by the on-board ‘Riverlorian’; a woman who counts salmon swimming up a ‘ladder’ in the Bonneville Dam (yes, really!) as part of a drive to increase fish stocks; cycling along the Columbia River in Richland (American Empress carries a stock of bikes); wine-tasting in Red Mountain; and the stark desert scenery along the Snake River.
KEY SELLING POINTS: With its mix of scenery and history and the novelty of travelling on a paddlewheel craft (although the wheel on the back on the American Empress is actually just for show), this cruise will appeal both to seasoned cruise passengers and also clients who usually take land-based holidays. Target customers aged 50 upwards who want to see more of the quaint life that still exists in rural America.
SAMPLE PRICE: From £3,073 per person including flights for a seven-night cruise from Portland to Clarkston departing May 2 or 9. An 18-day flycruise package that includes a ride on the Rocky Mountaineer through Canada is available on selected dates from July to September from £6,395 per person. (01223 568904;
aqsc.com/lightbluetravel.co.uk).
AMERICAN EMPRESS IN DETAIL
CAPACITY: Passengers: 223; crew: 73 CABINS AND SUITES: 112, all outside, most with a balcony. ON-BOARD CURRENCY: US dollars DINING: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the Astoria dining room and River Grill and Bar. Dinner in the dining room is open seating; in the Grill it is by reservation only (but no charge). Wine, beer and soft drinks are served on a complimentary basis with dinner.
22 | Travel Weekly Cruise | February 2015
travelweekly.co.uk/cruise
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