Embrace your inner pioneer as you travel along the epic route forged by Lewis and Clark more than 200 years ago. View the lush landscapes of the Columbia River Gorge and be awed by the magnificent Multnomah Falls. Visit Mount St. Helens with our local expert and learn how the eruption has affected the landscape and surrounding communities. Enjoy a trip to wine country and stop at a local winery for a tasting of the area's finest varietals. Along the way, be entertained by onboard musicians performing maritime songs, sea shanties, and selections from “The Great American Songbook.”
Situated between the waters of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, Portland's history is forever entwined with the fortunes of these great rivers. In the golden age of riverboats, sternwheelers crossed Portland’s waterfront while steam whistles and calliopes rang out across the water. Today, highlights include the Portland Art Museum, the International Rose Test Garden, and the famous Powell’s Bookstore, filling an entire city block.
Portland, Oregon’s largest city is located at the merging of the Williamette and Columbia Rivers. Two groups of indigenous Chinook peoples inhabited this area long before American pioneers started arriving in the 1800’s. Once the Oregon Trail, a 2,170 mile historic east–west, large-wheeled wagon route connecting Oregon to the Missouri River, opened in the 1830’s, large numbers of settlers started arriving. Portland’s original name was "Stumptown" because so many trees had been cut down to allow for development. Two men owned the land - Asa Lovejoy of Boston, Massachusetts and Francis W. Pettygrove of Portland, Maine. They decided to rename it, but disagreed about the new name. They wanted to name it after their respective hometowns, so they settled this disagreement with a coin toss, which Pettygrove won. Today, Portland is ranked the 26th most populous city in the United States, and is especially known for all its bridges, many of which are historic landmarks.
Day 2 | Astoria, Oregon
A nationally significant historic region at the western end of the Lewis & Clark Trail, Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. In the winter of 1805-06, the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discover Expedition was headquartered at Fort Clatsop. In 1955, a replica of the fort was built near the original site and was eventually named a National Monument. With its steep hills and beautiful Victorian homes, Astoria has been called the "Little San Francisco of the Pacific Northwest" and has a revitalized downtown ideal for shopping and dining.
Day 3 | Mount St. Helens, Washington
Perhaps the most impactful of all landmarks in the region is Mount St. Helens. From high on an overlook, bear witness to the awesome power of the volcano whose eruption in 1980 scorched 230 square miles of forest land and forever changed the landscape. Expert guides will show you the pumice plain and lava dome as they explain the effect the volcano had on the lives of those in the surrounding towns.
Day 4 | Columbia River
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. Today, the area offers a variety history museums and art centers, fine dining, theaters, wineries, many recreational opportunities, as well as some of the most impressive landscapes in the world.
Day 5 | The Dalles, Oregon
Located between Mount Hood and Mount Adams, The Dalles is famous for being the last stop on the historic Oregon Trail. To the pioneers, the terrain was treacherous; to today's visitors, it is simply stunning. Overlooking the Columbia River Gorge is Cascade Cliffs Winery, the ideal place to spend an afternoon with expert sommeliers enjoying the bounty of the fertile Columbia Valley.
Day 6 | Pendleton, Oregon
Pendleton is known for its beautiful countryside, indigenous Native American tribes, and the network of underground tunnels created a century ago for illicit activities. The area is also famous for its lucrative wool trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. Visit The REACH Museum in Richland which illustrates the culture and history of the region through engaging exhibits, artifacts, and tours.
Day 7 | Clarkston, Washington
Nestled at the convergence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers in southeast Washington, Clarkston is the gateway to North America's deepest gorge, Hells Canyon. Named for William Clark of the historic Lewis and Clark Expedition, the town features beautiful scenic vistas, year-round recreation, an inland seaport rich in history. Follow the footsteps of the pioneers before us as you explore Clarkston’s natural bounty and small town charm.
Day 8 | Clarkston, Washington
After breakfast, explore the scenic city of Clarkston at your leisure. If you need assistance with departure travel arrangements, be sure to ask our onboard hotel manager.
Ships
American Song
The American River Cruise Revolution is here with American Song, the flagship in the new series of contemporary riverboats from American Cruise Lines. As the first of its kind ever in the U.S., American Song introduces many pioneering innovations to America’s waters.
With a capacity of just 180 guests, this new ship has the modern design features and contemporary styling that today’s traveler has come to expect. Featured are lounges soaring 40 feet above the water with triple the glass of other riverboats, offering astounding views. American Song also showcases a four-story glass-enclosed atrium with a large domed skylight, which serves as the central gathering point for the entire ship.
Our new suite design allows for unprecedented comfort while traveling, beginning with our Sky Suite, featuring 600 square feet of private space. These spacious suites include two glass walls and a wraparound private balcony. The Grand Suites offer ample space to host small cocktail parties or private dinner events.
Experience the ultimate way to cruise the Columbia & Snake River aboard American Anthem, the latest in our groundbreaking series of contemporary American riverboats. These are the first modern riverboats ever in the United States, introducing numerous pioneering innovations to America's waterways.
Designed to accommodate just 180 guests, American Anthem embodies the expectations of today's traveler with its modern amenities and updated décor. Its expansive lounges showcase large glass windows that provide breathtaking views of the passing river landscapes and provide the perfect place to unwind after your day's adventures. Serving as the vibrant heart of the ship is a multi-story glass-enclosed atrium, crowned by a large domed skylight. Also featured is an elegant restaurant, outdoor café, and fitness center.
American Anthem introduces our newest class of stateroom, the Signature Suite, the largest ever in our fleet. This elegant accommodation redefines onboard comfort and style, offering unparalleled space and amenities for an unforgettable journey. Discover a new standard for river cruising with our Signature staterooms, designed to exceed your expectations and make your travels truly extraordinary.
The American River Cruise revolution continues with American Harmony, the second in American Cruise Lines’ highly anticipated series of contemporary, American riverboats. These, the first contemporary riverboats ever in the U.S., have introduced many pioneering innovations to America’s waters.
With a capacity of just 180 guests, American Harmony has the modern amenities and updated styling that today’s traveler has come to expect. Featured are expansive lounges with large glass windows, offering astounding views. This new ship also features a five-story, glass-enclosed atrium with a large domed skylight, which serves as the central gathering point for the entire ship.
Our new suite design allows for unprecedented comfort while traveling, beginning with our Sky Suites, featuring 645 square feet of private space. These spacious suites include two glass walls and a wraparound private balcony. The Grand Suites offer ample space to host small cocktail parties or private dinner events.
Experience the ultimate way to cruise the Columbia & Snake River aboard American Encore, the latest in our groundbreaking series of contemporary American riverboats. These are the first modern riverboats ever in the United States, introducing numerous pioneering innovations to America's waterways.
Designed to accommodate just 180 guests, American Encore embodies the expectations of today's traveler with its modern amenities and updated décor. Its expansive lounges showcase large glass windows that provide breathtaking views of the passing river landscapes and provide the perfect place to unwind after your day's adventures. Serving as the vibrant heart of the ship is a multi-story glass-enclosed atrium, crowned by a large domed skylight. Also featured is an elegant restaurant, outdoor café, and fitness center.
American Encore introduces our newest class of stateroom, the Signature Suite, the largest ever in our fleet. This elegant accommodation redefines onboard comfort and style, offering unparalleled space and amenities for an unforgettable journey. Discover a new standard for river cruising with our Signature staterooms, designed to exceed your expectations and make your travels truly extraordinary.
Explore the Columbia & Snake Rivers aboard the classic paddlewheeler American Pride. With only 180 onboard guests, this ship offers the highest level of personalised service and gracious hospitality.
From the staterooms and suites to the lounges and dining rooms, American Pride features a serene color palette, luxurious textiles and linens, comfortable furniture, and sophisticated artwork and flourishes. The well-appointed American Pride décor features Western and Native American inspired themes, including influences from the region’s celebrated Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Relax in your spacious stateroom with all the comforts of home and admire the breathtaking Pacific Northwest landscapes from your private balcony. Enjoy a daily cocktail hour and evening entertainment in the well-appointed River Lounge. Sit down for an exquisite meal in our elegant restaurant and enjoy the creations of our talented team of master chefs.
Our variety of mid-ship lounges offer the perfect opportunity for reading and reflection. The sun deck is the perfect vantage point to sip a cocktail as you admire the astounding views that stretch out before you.
A veteran of the Columbia and Snake Rivers, American West allows our guests to experience the nostalgia of classic paddlewheeler travel, while enjoying perfect comfort and the most modern amenities.
The paddlewheeler, American West, features a serene color palette, luxurious textiles and linens, comfortable furniture, and sophisticated artwork and flourishes. From the staterooms and suites to the lounges and dining rooms, the décor pays homage to the legendary Columbia & Snake Rivers.
Featured are well-appointed staterooms with private balconies offering unobstructed views of the beautiful Pacific Northwest landscapes. In the elegant restaurant, be treated to menus tailored specifically to the region by our master chefs.
Spend time on the sun deck basking in breathtaking views or practicing your putting on the green. Relax in one of the ship’s spacious lounges with fellow guests and enjoy a nightly cocktail party with live musical performances.
Like her sister ships, American Jazz has the contemporary styling and modern amenities that make river cruising more attractive and comfortable than ever before. Featured is a gorgeous five-story glass atrium, private balconies in all of its spacious staterooms, and spectacular views from everywhere on the ship. American Jazz also features the same advanced opening bow and retractable gangway seen on all our American Riverboats.
Ranging from 250 to 650 square feet, the staterooms aboard American Jazz are the finest on any cruise ship. Guests enjoy ample living space, full-size bathrooms, plush seating, and the ideal place to unwind after an enriching day of discovery.
