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CRUISE
CRUISE American Cruise Lines small ship river and coastal cruising in the Pacific Northwest
By Alexa Paolella
American Cruise Lines
Small ship cruising close to home in the U.S.A. has become one of the most popular ways to explore our geographically and culturally diverse nation. Interest in river and small ship cruising continues to grow tremendously year after year, especially in the United States. American Cruise Lines is now the country’s largest alldomestic cruise line with 15 small ships, each accommodating just 100 to 190 passengers. The company builds all their small ships and riverboats new in the U.S. and offers remarkable cruises across the country — along both the West and East Coasts and all the great rivers in-between. American’s cruises follow 100-percent domestic itineraries, without any foreign ports of call, and several of the company’s most popular cruises explore the Pacific Northwest and depart from ports in Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR.
In 2022, American sails in 33 states with four riverboats operating exclusively on the Columbia and Snake Rivers between Hayden Island/Portland, OR, and Clarkston, WA. From Seattle, WA, American also offers two small cruise ships which explore the West Coast in river-cruise style, sailing in Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, and Alaska.
From early spring through fall, guests on American’s Columbia and Snake Rivers cruises can embrace their inner pioneer and retrace the epic route of Lewis and Clark while relaxing aboard one of the Line’s newest modern riverboats or classic paddlewheelers. In 2022, American offers three different itineraries on the Columbia and Snake: a classic eight-day Columbia & Snake Rivers Cruise and a longer
11-day Northwest Pioneers Cruise (both between Hayden Island/Portland, OR, and Clarkston, WA); and a five-day Highlights of the Columbia River Cruise (roundtrip from Portland, OR).
American’s Pacific Northwest itineraries also include amazing domestic coastal itineraries roundtrip from Seattle, WA, along two different Puget Sound itineraries; an eight-day Puget Sound & the San Juan Islands cruise and an 11-day Grand Puget Sound cruise. American even offers a few Alaska
One of American Cruise Lines’ paddlewheelers along a Columbia & Snake Rivers cruise..
cruises from Seattle, following a 15-day Alaska Inside Passage itinerary, which operates between Seattle, WA, and Juneau, AK.
All American’s river and coastal itineraries are done in river-cruise style — destination-focused and always sailing within sight of land, which provides more time for explorations on shore.
American’s new small ships and uniquely curated cruises attract many guests to the Pacific Northwest every year and all of the company’s cruises also offer pre- and post-cruise packages, which include area hotel stays and tours, extending guests’ journeys on land. The company has long enjoyed strong local partnerships with area businesses, local ports, and communities on shore.
In the Pacific Northwest, the Line’s river cruises include complimentary pre-cruise hotel stay in both Portland, OR, and Clarkston, WA, providing guests lots of extra time to explore area attractions, restaurants, and wonderful local businesses. And new for 2022, American has also introduced new National Parks post-cruise packages following select Columbia and Snake Rivers cruises: three and seven-night land adventures which journey through several of the country’s most beautiful national Parks: Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton.
Throughout the region, small ship cruise guests are treated to never-ending views of the Pacific Northwest’s spectacular landscapes. All cruises offer unique shore excursions each day, following a small-group format, led by local experts and guides. At every port, guests have the opportunity to explore towns and local sites to learn about the region’s history, culture, ecology, and geography. From a fun afternoon spent at a Columba River winery to a visit to Mount St. Helens or an active kayaking adventure, guests are immersed in the culture and beauty of the region along every activity each day.
American’s riverboats and small coastal ships are 100-percent U.S.- built, crewed, flagged, and offer the largest staterooms in the industry — nearly all with private furnished balconies and sliding glass doors. All staterooms on American’s coastal ships and riverboats are outward facing providing fresh air breezes and dramatic river and coastal views. All staterooms and interior lounges also offer independent HVAC systems with no shared duct work. American’s ships are appointed with indoor and outdoor lounges, grand dining rooms, casual outdoor cafes, and sweeping top decks with open-air seating and exercise areas.
River and small ship cruising in the U.S. offers more new ships and destinations to explore than ever before. It is one of the most luxurious, seamless, and relaxing ways to travel. Port stops along the eight-day Columbia & Snake Rivers include: Hayden Island/Portland, OR; Astoria, OR; Kalama, WA; cruising the Columbia River Gorge/Stevenson, WA; The Dalles/Hood River, OR, Pendleton, OR/Richland, WA; cruising the Snake River; and Clarkston, WA. Below is a sampling of American’s port visits and onshore experiences available
along the company’s Columbia & Snake Rivers cruises. Shore Experiences are curated to complement the geographical, cultural, and historical themes of this beautiful river region:
Hayden Island/Portland, OR: In the golden age of riverboats, sternwheelers (paddlewheelers) crossed Portland’s picturesque waterfront while steam whistles and calliopes rang out across the water. Today, guests can enjoy some of that same nostalgia by departing from and arriving to Hayden Island/Portland aboard American’s classic paddlewheelers or new modern American riverboats. A complimentary pre-cruise hotel stay is available on all American’s cruises departing from Portland.
Astoria, OR: While visiting the “little San Francisco of the Pacific Northwest” and the oldest settlement west of the Rockies, guests can visit Cape Disappointment State Park or climb the steps at the famous Astoria Column while also shopping, dining, and sightseeing in this gorgeous waterfront city.
Fort Clatsop Experience: Guests can take a tour of the exact replica of the original fort where Lewis & Clark and their Corps of Discovery spent the winter of 1805-06. Includes a personalized guided tour of the Fort and grounds, as well as special live demonstrations. There is also time to visit the museum and visitor center, which offers one of the best collections of Lewis & Clark literature.
Kalama, WA: A picturesque small town nestled between the big cities of Portland, OR, and Seattle, WA, where guests can visit local shops, restaurants, and antique stores; tour local wineries; or enjoy a walking tour of the lush Columbia River landscape, while visiting Kalama’s historic totem poles, a Polynesian-inspired harbor lounge, and McMenamins, a family-owned hotel, brewpub, and music venue.
Mount St. Helens Experience: Guests can enjoy a scenic journey to the Mt. St. Helens Johnston Ridge Observatory and view the gorgeous landscape that was forever changed from the powerful volcanic eruption in May 1980. Along a guided tour, visitors can observe the crater and spectacular views of the pumice plain and blast site.
Multnomah Falls Excursion:
Visit and tour the Pacific Northwest’s second tallest year-round waterfall. American’s ships dock at the Columbia River Gorge, where guests can take a privately guided-hike from the ship through the winding forest until they can cross The Bridge of the Gods, before finally reaching Multnomah Falls. Once there, guests can explore the falls and walk across the famous Benson Bridge for a spectacular overhead view of the falls.
The Dalles, OR & the Columbia River Gorge: The famous last stop on the Oregon Trail was treacherous terrain for the pioneers, but offers stunning scenery for today’s travelers. With views of the Cascade Cliffs and the fertile Columbia River Valley, guests are treated to sights of the ancient river canyon as it cuts through the Cascade Mountain Range providing dramatic
contrasts of rain forest, desert, and alpine meadows. The Gorge, a federally protected National Scenic Area boasts basalt cliffs, waterfalls, lakes, streams, rivers, and wildflower fields.
The Pendleton Experience
(Richland, OR): Guests can enjoy a scenic ride through the countryside and arrive at Pendleton for the day where they can take a private guided tour thorough Pendleton’s infamous underground city. Afterwards there is a BBQ lunch and an afternoon visit to the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute for a look into the culture, stories, and past of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla Indian tribes.
Clarkston, WA: Nestled at the convergence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers in Southeast Washington, Clarkston is the gateway to a unique inland seaport rich in history. It is named after William Clark of the historic Lewis & Clark Expedition and home to Hells Canyon. Guests can explore Clarkston’s natural beauty and small town charm. American offers a one-night complimentary pre-cruise hotel stay as well as an extended twonight Hells Canyon pre-cruise package available on all cruises from Clarkston.
Hells Canyon Jet Boat Adventure/
Clarkston: Enjoy a private Jet Boat Tour into the deepest canyon in North America. Your private guide will tell you stories along the way which highlight regional history with a special focus on the canyon’s spectacular and unique geography. Guests will explore and enjoy dramatically changing views of desert canyons, ancient rock formations, high plains, and alpine forests along the way. There are also historical pictographs to view as you enjoy stories about the canyons formation and regional history. This is available as part of American’s pre- or post-cruise packages, which now also include new 2022 National Parks post-cruise packages of three or seven-nights exploring one-to-three national parks — Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton.
There are many other shore tours available along the way, including a visit to the Maryhill Winery (including tour and tasting) at The Dalles, OR; visits to the Western Aeroplane & Automobile Museum in Hood River, OR; and visits to the well-known REACH Museum in Richland, WA (which has the only complete baby Woolly Mammoth skeleton on display).
Following in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark while cruising the legendary Columbia and Snake Rivers aboard the newest riverboats in the region is a once in a lifetime experience. American’s river cruises explore all the history and culture of the American West. Together, with the best local partners on shore, American’s five, eight, or 11-day itineraries have become bucket-list experiences in the Pacific Northwest. American’s journeys throughout the country allow guests to rediscover the exceptional diversity of the U.S., from its history and spirit, to its geography and people, along extraordinary itineraries which illuminate the best that small ship cruising has to offer.
NEW MEMBER PROFILE Law Office of Alan K. Goldstein joins with APP
The Association of Pacific Ports is pleased to welcome the Law Office of Alan K. Goldstein in the San Francisco Bay Area as our newest Associate Member. With an impressive career specializing in maritime law that spans more than 35 years, Alan Goldstein’s expertise in litigation, regulatory and transactional issues will be a welcome resource for APP Members. “Ports and those who do business with them in the 21st Century face many challenges that have important legal ramifications,” he said. “Because this is the industry that I have been part of for more than three decades, I look forward as a Member of the APP to trying to help meet those challenges and offer helpful solutions.”
Beginning his career in the 1980s, Goldstein graduated from Stanford Law School with the distinguished honor of the Order of the Coif. He clerked for the Honorable Thelton E. Henderson, Judge of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, before practicing law in San Francisco and then becoming a member of Goldstein and Price, LC, a maritime specialty firm, based in Saint Louis, Missouri. Goldstein returned to the Bay Area in “Ports and those who do business with them in the 21st Century face many challenges that have important legal ramifications...”
recent years where he continues to specialize in maritime law, including issues affecting ports and companies that do business in them. In addition to numerous published works — for example, Recent Developments in Admiralty and Maritime Law, Demystifying the Jones Act, and The Marine Insurance Doctrine of Uberrimae Fidei or Utmost Good Faith — Goldstein has provided seminars on such issues as “Social Media and the Waterways”, “Environmental Liabilities in Real Estate Transactions”, and “Choosing the Right Commercial Structure for Your Marine Business.”
Accolades for Goldstein’s work are notable. He has been named in The Best Lawyers in America, and as a Super Lawyer in the fields of Transportation/ Maritime and Insurance Coverage by Law & Politics. He has been recognized as both an AV-rated (the highest rating) Lawyer by Martindale Hubbell and an ALM Top Rated Litigator. He was appointed by the George W. Bush and Barrack Obama administrations to serve two terms on the Lower Mississippi River Water Safety Advisory Committee which advises the Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security on navigation safety, including in the Port of New Orleans. He has testified by deposition as an expert witness in federal court litigation involving the meaning and proper application of shipping documents regarding a shipment of tires from China to the United States. Having relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2020, Goldstein is admitted to practice in California, Illinois, Missouri, and numerous federal jurisdictions. He has also represented U.S. clients in transactional and regulatory matters that relate to their international operations.
Whether working on behalf of ports or other companies in the transportation sector, Goldstein’s expertise in litigation, regulatory issues and transactional contracts provides a diverse portfolio. He has acted as General Counsel for maritime clients regarding all aspects of their operations including but not limited to the sale, purchase and leasing of maritime businesses, vessels and equipment, preparing their
