Northwest Pioneers: 10-night Columbia River Cruise

Our 7-night Columbia River cruises are popular every year, but so often we want just a little more time to explore! The new ‘Northwest Pioneers’ itinerary affords you that time to dig a little deeper. You’ll board your ship and journey to Astoria, Oregon, near the mouth of the mighty Columbia River. Near Fort Clatsop, where the Corps of Discovery wintered, Astoria is home to the Columbia River Maritime Museum and the Astoria Column, which offers the 2nd best view of the Columbia River. Other trip highlights include a ride on the Mt Hood Railway in Hood River, a tour of the frontier town of Pendleton, a visit to Mt. St. Helens’ Johnston Ridge Observatory, and a jet boat tour of Hells Canyon.

Cruise Details

Clock11 Days & 10 Nights

Double Occupancy from $8,205 pp/do*

CalendarJune 5, 2024 | September 25, 2024 | October 5, 2024

Book Now Request More Info

or call 800.578.1479

*Per person/double occupancy. Special single rates apply where listed. Excludes port fees.
Itineraries may operate in reverse.

Your Itinerary

    1Portland, OR
    Arrive in Portland and settle into your hotel, located right at the ship’s dock for a seamless boarding process. Situated between the waters of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, the area's history is forever entwined with the fortunes of these great rivers.

    2Cruising the Columbia River
    Board the ship and enjoy a day with Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens as your backdrop as we cruise to the mouth of the West’s most famous river. In the golden age of riverboats, sternwheelers crossed the waterfront while steam whistles and calliopes rang out across the water. With its sparkling rivers, stately evergreens, and mild climate, you will understand why this area was noted as exceptional by explorer Meriwether Lewis.

    3Astoria, OR
    You’ll visit Columbia River Maritime Museum, where the American Pride is docked. Other potential places to visit could include the Astoria Column or Fort Clatsop. Local Tip: The easiest tour of Astoria is to ride the Astoria Trolley! It’s $1 for one trip, or pay $2 for a hand stamp and ride as much as you want that day. The Trolley runs from one end of town to the other all day. The conductors are great tour guides, pointing out historical places and interesting Astoria facts. The American Pride will be docked in front of the Columbia River Maritime Museum, and there is a trolley stop right in front of the museum!

    4Kalama, WA/Mount St. Helens
    You’ll visit Johnston’s Ridge Observatory at Mt. St. Helens. Have your cameras ready, because the views of the volcano are stunning. Local Tip: Be sure to watch the video. Listening to David Johnston, the volcanologist for whom the observatory is named, yell out his final warning, “Vancouver! Vancouver! This is it!” is stunning and gives a personal mark to the eruption.

    5Cruising the Columbia River Gorge
    The Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular river canyon cutting through the Cascade Mountain Range with amazing natural contrasts of rain forest and desert, sea-level passage and alpine meadows. As the largest federally protected National Scenic Area in the United States, the Gorge boasts stunning waterfalls, basalt cliffs, lakes, streams, rivers, and fields of wildflowers.

    6Stevenson, WA
    TODAY IS THE DAY that you’ll visit the world-famous Multnomah Falls! It doesn’t matter if it’s the tallest or the 400th tallest – the Falls are still gorgeous! You’ll also visit the Bonneville Dam and the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center. Local Tip: There are signs marking all the falls: Multnomah Falls, Horsetail Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, etc. The sign that says, “Shepherd’s Dell” is also a waterfall! Don’t pass it by without looking!

    7Hood River, OR
    Hood River is a beautiful town, sitting at the base of Mt Hood. The complimentary excursion fo the day is a brewery tour at the local Full Sail Brewery. Or you could take a ride on Mt. Hood Railroad, heading up the mountain for great views of the Gorge and Mt Hood! Local Tip: Hood River has amazing breweries and wineries! Just take a walk around downtown and you’ll find hidden treats on every corner. And a great place for souvenirs (and get a laugh out of your friends at home): get a bottle at the Naked Winery!

    8The Dalles, OR
    Sitting between Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams, The Dalles was the last stop on the Oregon Trail. Included is a visit to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center – a stunning museum documenting the ancient history of the region to the various groups of people who have occupied the region. There’s even a display about riverboats – makes a great photo op! Local Tip: If you want to adventure across the river, you can visit Maryhill Museum of Art. Take some time to walk around the outdoor sculpture garden and walk over to Stonehenge. Built as a replica of the original, this Stonehenge stands as a World War I memorial, completed in 1929.

    9Richland, WA
    Once upon a time, this was a village known as Chemna, sitting at the mouth of the Yakima River, where Native Americans would harvest salmon runs. The Lewis & Clark Expedition visited Chemna on October 17, 1805. The small farming town of Richland was formed in 1910, until it became a bedroom community for workers on the Army’s Manhattan Project at nearby Hanford. A 5-minute walk from the ship, tour REACH Museum to learn about the creation of the first atomic bomb. Using Hanford Reach National Monument as the focal point, the museum tells the story of the people, the land and the river that connects it all with artifacts and exhibits of the people and the only complete baby woolly mammoth skeleton.

    10Pendleton, OR
    Journey south to the wild west town of Pendleton, OR! The underground city tour is highly suggested, and will introduce you to the secrets of this city and it’s history in the frontier. Or visit the Pendleton Woolen Mill and Museum, famous for the town’s woven masterpieces that they’ve been creating for more than 100 years! Onboard, representatives from the Bernard Griffin Winery will lead our cocktail hour with an exclusive wine tasting!

    11Clarkston, WA
    At the Washington/Idaho border, lies the twin towns of Clarkston and Lewiston (sound familiar?). Our ship will dock in Clarkston, near Hells Canyon. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that everyone take the jet boat tour – nearly every client says its one of their cruise highlights. Hells Canyon is a 10-mile wide canyon, carved 15,000 years ago. The jet boat will take you alongside the canyon walls to view ancient Native pictographs, as well as show off the changes in the geography of the canyon from high desert to alpine forests.

    12Disembark in Clarkston, WA
    You’ll disembark the ship after breakfast.

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Cabin Categories

Cabin Single Price Double Price
Owner's Suite (Private Balcony)$13,350 pp
Veranda Suite (Private Balcony)$11,840 pp
AAM (Private Balcony)$10,095 pp
AAC (Private Balcony)$9,490 pp
AAL (Private Balcony)$9,150 pp
AAR (Private Balcony)$8,625 pp
AAG (Private Balcony) $8,205 pp
Single (Private Balcony)

Ship Read more about the American Song

*Prices may vary due to seasonality

Onboard Experience

The American Cruise Line fleet of ships are the newest and most environmentally friendly small ships in the US. The cruise line prides itself on their hospitable staff, and that you’ll be graciously received no matter which ship you cruise on. The large staterooms with interior entrances ensure you have a relaxed, private area to watch the river from, or visit any of the many onboard lounges. Daily entertainment will be brought onboard, including musicians, historians and naturalists.

Regionally-Inspired Menus

American Cruise Lines uses fresh, local ingredients to show off the culinary glory of the region you’re cruising in. On the Mississippi River, that could mean Andouille Gumbo, a po’boy with red beans and rice, and bourbon pecan pie. In New England, you could find Littleneck clam ceviche on the menu followed by a spiced apple pudding with maple whipped cream. In the Pacific Northwest, you’ll find fresh fish on the menu, including shrimp bisque or Dungeness Crab cake, and a marionberry cheesecake that’ll make your mouth water! Your ship will provide you with a list of all the locally-sourced ingredients when you unpack.

Eagle Society

Once you’ve cruised aboard any American Cruise Line ship, you are an Eagle Society member. It’s free to be a member, but your loyalty to American Cruise Lines is greatly rewarded. You’ll receive Eagle Society luggage tags, and member-only gifts when you board each cruise. After 3 cruises, you’ll receive complimentary premium shore excursions. After 10 cruises, you’ll get a complimentary 11th cruise. There are special Eagle Society cruise dates every year. Plus all Eagle Society member benefits can be used when booking with USA River Cruises, plus you’ll still be eligible for our loyal customer benefits as well.

Book Today

Northwest Pioneers: 10-night Columbia River Cruise

Book Now Request More Info

or call 800.578.1479

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