Our clients Jack and Marg just returned from a small ship one way cruise on the Columbia and Snake River. They started in Spokane with a motorcoach to Lewiston, ID where they boarded the jet boats for an exhilarating ride up Hell’s Canyon. They just returned home a day ago. Marg called with these comments:

MV Island Spirit

“We were so pleased. Everybody was very nice. I was a bit nervous about being on a small ship but we all got along extremely well. Captain Jeff very good at what he does as owner and captain. And he’s very nice. The guide is a historian and was very knowledgeable and told us what we were looking at all along the journey. The crew was wonderful, very nice and considerate. Captain Jeff put together a very interesting itinerary without all the touristy, commercialized stuff to fill in the gaps. And, he was very flexible providing the best itinerary for the situation. The food was OUTSTANDING! The chef owns a restaurant in Astoria called Baked Alaska because he’s from Alaska. We had gourmet meals breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
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Columbia River Cruise, October 19-26, 2008

“The cruise was very good.  The weather was beautiful all along the way. We really, really enjoyed it.

Queen of the West

The bus drivers were very informative.
We enjoyed the Astoria museum and the jet boats on the Snake were a lot of fun. “  When I asked him about the Pendleton Woolen Mill he said jokingly, “Yeah, we went there and I had to buy a shirt.”

Island Spirit, October 14-22, 2009

Mt. Hood

“The whole trip was just really terrific.  I was a bit nervous about the trip because my husband has mobility issues but the airline was very helpful.  The Davenport Hotel in Spokane was spectacular.  There are two parts.  We stayed in the Tower across the street which is brand new.  But the other building is very historic and beautiful!

The cruise was very unique.  I liked the fact that everything was included.  Wine with dinner, cocktail hour everyday at 4:30.  There was no nickel and diming like other cruise lines. The bridge was always open and welcome for guests except during difficult navigation, otherwise, we could go in and felt very welcome.  The crew was fabulous, very nice, young people. The historian, Todd, is a walking encyclopedia.  He talked about the history, industry, natives, geography, topography, etc.  It was all very interesting, very unique.

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Spirit of Peoria on Illinois River

The Spirit of Peoria with it’s 21-foot diameter paddle wheel cruises along the Illinois River to the Starved Rock State Park.  The Spirit of Peoria is a full-blown replica of the nineteenth century riverboats that used to inhabit the nation’s waterways.  The paddle wheel is the only source of propulsion on this ship!

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American Queen

My clients just returned from St. Paul to St. Louis cruise in late September.  Their trip was modified due to flooding on the Mississippi.  Despite their disruption, they had a great attitude about mother nature’s bad timing.  Here’s what they had to say:

Hi Chris,

Our trip was a very interesting,  a fun-learning experience.  We didn’t know there was so much involved in navigating the river.  We met lots of great people, made some friendships which I am sure we will continue. (more…)