Oregon has more than 360 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline. There also are many miles of rivers, lakes and other waterways that provide locations from which ships can set sail. Hour-long cruises can combine a meal with a show or sightseeing near the port, while week-long cruises can focus on a theme such as wine or follow the path of early American explorers to give passengers a look at natural wonders and historic sights.
American Safari Cruises offers two sailings from Portland. Cruising aboard a luxury yacht, both trips are eight days and seven nights and end in Lewiston, Idaho. The "Rivers of the West" cruise follows the path of explorers Lewis and Clark and travels the Columbia, Snake and Palouse rivers. Day four of the cruise goes into Walla Walla, Washington, where passengers go ashore for wine tours and tastings. On day six of the cruise, the boat drops anchors and passengers can take a kayaking excursion into a Palouse River canyon formed during the ice age. The cruise also passes Hells Canyon and Multnomah Falls. The "Rivers of the West Wine and Culinary" cruise includes stops at Bonneville Dam and Palouse Canyon, but the main focus is wine. On board, passengers can visit the wine library, take a class in wine tasting or just enjoy various wine tasting events. On-shore excursions include tours and tastings at five regional wineries and vineyards. Winemakers also help passengers blend their own Merlot. The cruise also includes culinary arts presentations by guest chefs.
National Geographic Expeditions has a seven-day cruise out of Portland called "In the Wake of Lewis and Clark." Offered in September and October aboard the Sea Bird, the cruise travels the Columbia, Snake and Willamette rivers as it traces the path of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Passengers can take a jet boat ride along the Snake River that goes over rapids and gorges and past abandoned gold mines. Stops along the cruise include some of Lewis and Clark’s old campsites and Fort Clatsop, where the explorers made their winter headquarters.
Adventure Cruises has an eight-day trip from Portland to Clarkston, Washington. June through October, passengers can ride the Queen of the West along the Columbia, Snake and Clearwater rivers. Shore excursions include trips to Cape Disappointment State Park, the Columbia River Maritime Museum, Fort Walla Walla and Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Passengers can include transportation back to Portland in their cruise package.
Portland Spirit River Cruises and Columbia River Adventures offers a variety of dining and sightseeing cruises aboard four ships and one jet boat. Cruises journey along the Columbia and Willamette rivers, Milwaukee Basin, Lake Oswego, Bonneville Dam and Cascade Locks. Brunch, lunch and dinner cruises last two to three hours and include live entertainment. Dining cruises are open to passengers who want to see the sights without dining. Some cruises are strictly for sightseeing, including cruises of the Columbia Gorge and the Willamette waterfalls. Portland Spirit also offers Friday night concert cruises with live bands, cruises to famous Portland bridges and a Christmas cruise with characters, music, storytelling and magic.
Brown, Serena. "Cruises Out of Oregon." Travel Tips - USA Today, https://traveltips.usatoday.com/cruises-out-oregon-34640.html. 15 March 2018.