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Captain Jeff

Captain Jeff Behrens and his ship, the M/V Island Spirit, provide unique Small Ship cruises for 32 passengers in both SE Alaska and the Columbia and Snake Rivers. The M/V Island Spirit, which Captain Jeff has owned and operated since 1990, is quite unique.  It is the only one of its type and passenger count to run all ships electric on batteries in the evenings (they have 6,000 lbs. of batteries to accomplish this).  This allows passengers to experience very quiet evenings.  Whether in secluded bays, inlets or dockside in small towns, you’ll always get a great night’s rest, probably the best in the small ship cruise experience. The onboard experience is always comfortable, with fine meals and included beverages, as well as all-inclusive tours and a naturalist/interpretive guide,.  You’ll never pay for the extras.  There are spacious lounges inside and out for viewing and binoculars on board for guest use. Maybe you’ll try one of the ships 8 kayaks?

Captain Jeff offers 2 Cruising itineraries aboard the Island Spirit:

SE Alaska 9 day programs between Sitka, Ak. and Petersburg, AK. – May-August

These trips feature tours and attractions in both cities.  You’ll enjoy traditional meals and young dancers in Petersburg, a wonderful Scandinavian fishing community.  Take a walk on the Muskeg Forest Trail and learn about native Flora and Fauna, or enjoy the tour of a local Cannery and learn about the lifeblood of the community catch. In Sitka, visit the Raptor Rehabilitation center, Totem Park and the local heritage museums, while learning about the Russian culture and history of the town.  You’ll also visit a truly Alaskan Village, “Tenakee Springs”.  A town of 90 folks or so, (depending on the season).  See the Real Alaska that big ship passengers only dream of. The Island Spirit is the largest vessel to be welcomed in this small community.

You’ll also visit Juneau where the Captain buys you a cold one at the famous Red Dog Saloon! Then see whales and spectacular hidden coves.  You’ll visit Ford’s Terror.  A magical place to relax and kayak among 5,000 foot canyon walls, sleep to the sound of a waterfall and forget about life’s cares. The Island Spirit is the only passenger vessel of her type to transit this narrow waterway to enter famous Fords Terror!

Trips start at $4495pp/dbl.

Learn more about this cruise | Contact USA River Cruises about this cruise.

Columbia & Snake River Cruises: Operate in the fall for the best cruising Weather!

These cruises cover both rivers from the mouth of the Pacific Ocean at Astoria, Oregon to Lewiston, Idaho.  Gateway airports are Spokane, Wa. and Portland, Ore. where a Cruise host and complimentary motorcoach shuttle meet you to welcome you aboard.  Cruises are either Westbound or Eastbound, so all cruising is done during daylight hours and you see all of the river scenery.

All meals, cocktails, attractions and exhibits are included in the program price.  You’ll visit Maritime Museums, Lewis and Clark Heritage museums, vessel locks and powerhouses, wind farms and their generators, waterfalls, wineries and more.  Even enjoy an included Jet boat ride up into Hell’s Canyon.  Cruise the historic Columbia Gorge Corridor with us and learn about the formation of this scenic River Canyon. Further upstream see and learn about the Cataclysmic Missoula Ice Age Floods. There’s history all around us.

These trips are a wonderful combination of cruising and touring.  We might cruise in the morning, then take a break and visit a local town in the afternoon or evening.  The next day we may cruise all day, and then tie up by a park for the evening.  It’s a comfortable informative vacation.  And the ship’s owner is onboard and accessible to visit his bridge!

Trips start at $2899pp/dbl.

Learn more about this cruise | Contact USA River Cruises about this cruise.

Astoria appeared in the distance on our port side, laying peacefully against the early evening sky as we motored Westward from Portland on the Columbia drawing near to the Pacific and the voyage end for Lewis and Clark. The picture marked the last hours of our 8 day adventure river cruise up the Columbia and Snake Rivers, which included a jet boat ride through Hell’s Canyon and visits to the towns of Walla Walla, Pemberton, and especially the wonders of Mt. St. Helens. . It was a great trip, marking the start of the 40^th anniversary summer of Barb and myself, and one we had long dreamed of making.

USA River Cruises and Cruise West did a great Job of meeting our expectations for exploration, learning about the settling of the northwest, and the history of this great area. The meals were great and the talks about local history met everything we had looked forward to. Our crew became good friends, as did many of the passengers on similar adventures of exploration, and we returned feeling very fulfilled at having had this wonderful experience.

So thanks to all those who made this happen, especially Marcy and Kieron, we will long remember you and the adventure as we share our story (and pictures) with family and friends.

-Carl and Barb Debevec

Aboard the Spirit of ’98, July 2009