LEAFEATER Posted February 25, 2017 #1 Share Posted February 25, 2017 My husband and I want to do a river cruse on the Columbia/snake rivers. We heard that the better way to go is Clarkston to Portland. We have looked into the American Queen and are wondering if Sept. or Oct. would have better weather. What have been others experiences on this cruise? We are in our 70's but active and my husband is a foodie. We have done Viking cruises in France and loved them, and are hoping for a similar experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmark4 Posted February 25, 2017 #2 Share Posted February 25, 2017 Hi Leafeater, We just signed up for the July 1st 2018 from Clarkston to Vancouver, We are from the St.Louis area with high humidity so we thought to spend July 4th on the river would be cooler than being on the river under the Arch. You might google for the average temp in Sept/Oct. I'm thinking no matter what time you will need to layer your clothing. Good promotions going on for 2018 Later in Life, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinCan782 Posted February 27, 2017 #3 Share Posted February 27, 2017 We did the American Empress last October...weather was mixed but not terrible. Some showery days but no long periods of heavy rean; several beautiful clear and comfortable days. Our day in Astoria was cancelled due to storm and wind warnings for that day. We spent that day in Vancouver and AE provided bus tours of Portland and Vancouver. We will definitely do it again...the Mississippi next time! Don't know how AE compares to Viking - we had a great experience being on a smaller boat/ship. The food and service was great. We sailed Clarkston to Vancouver as it was a better fit to the Amtrak schedules in Spokane and Vancouver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEAFEATER Posted February 27, 2017 Author #4 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Thanks for the info TinCan. We also wonder about the dining times. one seems so early, but the later 7:45 seems too late Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskanb Posted February 27, 2017 #5 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Thanks for the info TinCan. We also wonder about the dining times. one seems so early, but the later 7:45 seems too late We would love to do a September sailing --maybe in 2018. A few questions however: where is the nearest airport to Clarkston? Does the company provide a transfer to the boat? Are there tables for two in the dining room? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinCan782 Posted February 28, 2017 #6 Share Posted February 28, 2017 We would love to do a September sailing --maybe in 2018. A few questions however: where is the nearest airport to Clarkston? Does the company provide a transfer to the boat? Are there tables for two in the dining room? Thanks Fly (or other) into Spokane...AQSC puts you up for one night in the Historic Davenport Hotel and then busses you down to Clarkston to begin the actual cruise. The cruise "check-in" takes place at the Davenport. The Davenport was really nice! Yes, there are tables for two. We had 7:45 dinner seating. Although we would have preferred early, dinners worked out well. One evening we had dinner (reservations required) in the River Grill and Bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinCan782 Posted February 28, 2017 #7 Share Posted February 28, 2017 BTW...here are the photos from our river cruise last October 8-16. We were in Category "C" Cabin 210. https://www.flickr.com/photos/frensicpic/collections/72157675314886241/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEAFEATER Posted February 28, 2017 Author #8 Share Posted February 28, 2017 Beautiful pictures. We just made reservations for the Sept. 10th, 2018 cruise. Have never booked that far in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruze4Ever Posted March 8, 2017 #9 Share Posted March 8, 2017 I am looking into booking a cruise in Sept. 2018 and would like to know if anyone booked this cruise privately either through a travel agent or website and received a better price than the cruiseline is offering. Thanks so much! Carol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djett Posted March 8, 2017 #10 Share Posted March 8, 2017 We've taken two cruises on the American Queen and have booked the Columbia River for May, 2018. Always book thru our travel agent who provides onboard credit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruze4Ever Posted March 11, 2017 #11 Share Posted March 11, 2017 BTW...here are the photos from our river cruise last October 8-16. We were in Category "C" Cabin 210.https://www.flickr.com/photos/frensicpic/collections/72157675314886241/ Great pictures! Thanks for sharing them. From Cabin 210 did you see the sunsets? I am looking to book very soon and I was told the even numbered side of the ship is best for sunsets from Clarston to Vancouver. Do you agree? Thank you! Carol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinCan782 Posted March 11, 2017 #12 Share Posted March 11, 2017 We were on the port side of the boat which faced south. As we cruised in October, the sun tended to be toward the south which may have helped the view of sunsets. Our balcony, facing south, was warmed by the sun on clear days and quite nice. If you do a mid-summer (June-Juy) cruise, the sun will be more overhead. The American Queen is not that large so, its easy to head to the other side if you don't mind leaving your cabin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruze4Ever Posted March 11, 2017 #13 Share Posted March 11, 2017 We were on the port side of the boat which faced south. As we cruised in October, the sun tended to be toward the south which may have helped the view of sunsets. Our balcony, facing south, was warmed by the sun on clear days and quite nice. If you do a mid-summer (June-Juy) cruise, the sun will be more overhead. The American Queen is not that large so, its easy to head to the other side if you don't mind leaving your cabin. Thanks so much!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinCan782 Posted March 11, 2017 #14 Share Posted March 11, 2017 We were on the port side of the boat which faced south. As we cruised in October, the sun tended to be toward the south which may have helped the view of sunsets. Our balcony, facing south, was warmed by the sun on clear days and quite nice. If you do a mid-summer (June-Juy) cruise, the sun will be more overhead. The American Queen is not that large so, its easy to head to the other side if you don't mind leaving your cabin. Whoops...should be American Empress, not Queen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruze4Ever Posted March 11, 2017 #15 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Whoops...should be American Empress, not Queen! I knew that you meant American Empress from reading your previous post. Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K9pal Posted March 14, 2017 #16 Share Posted March 14, 2017 I am looking into booking a cruise in Sept. 2018 and would like to know if anyone booked this cruise privately either through a travel agent or website and received a better price than the cruiseline is offering. From what I understand, AQSC prices are pretty much set. and are not discounted. Whatever specials they might offer are passed along to travel agents. However, a travel agent can offer on board credit. I'm not sure if we can mention travel agencies by name, but if you message me I'll be happy to pass along the one we used - they are located in the Columbia River area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K9pal Posted March 15, 2017 #17 Share Posted March 15, 2017 John, thanks for posting your photos! One question - do you have any suggestions for transportation from the airport in Spokane to the hotel? I understand the hotel's shuttle can be pricey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K9pal Posted March 15, 2017 #18 Share Posted March 15, 2017 Anyone cruising on the American Empress this year, please join our roll call over on the Roll Call board: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2394180 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinCan782 Posted March 15, 2017 #19 Share Posted March 15, 2017 John, thanks for posting your photos! One question - do you have any suggestions for transportation from the airport in Spokane to the hotel? I understand the hotel's shuttle can be pricey. I can't comment on airport transportation. We arrived by train in Spokane and it was a very short shuttle ride (free, provided by the Davenport Hotel). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jandcinpa Posted March 15, 2017 #20 Share Posted March 15, 2017 BTW...here are the photos from our river cruise last October 8-16. We were in Category "C" Cabin 210.https://www.flickr.com/photos/frensicpic/collections/72157675314886241/ GREAT Photos. Well done. Captures the area and boat perfectly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor@cruisecritic Posted August 10, 2017 #21 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Hi, Leafeater, have done the Columbia from Spokane/Lewiston to Astoria. Fantastic experience -- and plenty to see and do. If you liked Viking in Europe you'll enjoy this, too. I'm heading out (again!) this weekend, doing the same direction, from Lewiston (which is about a 2 hour bus ride from Spokane through the most unexpectedly gorgeous country). Happy to answer any questions. One interesting thing about the route from east to west is how different the terrain is. It's a lot like a Douro River cruise in Portugal. When you start at the Snake/Columbia in Lewiston, it's very barren and desert-like. As you go west, it gets more lush every day (and then you go through great wine and food farming country), until you end up in misty Astoria. Lovely! Carolyn Carolyn Spencer Brown Chief Content Strategist Cruise Critic My husband and I want to do a river cruse on the Columbia/snake rivers. We heard that the better way to go is Clarkston to Portland. We have looked into the American Queen and are wondering if Sept. or Oct. would have better weather. What have been others experiences on this cruise? We are in our 70's but active and my husband is a foodie. We have done Viking cruises in France and loved them, and are hoping for a similar experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K9pal Posted August 10, 2017 #22 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Hi, Leafeater, have done the Columbia from Spokane/Lewiston to Astoria. Fantastic experience -- and plenty to see and do. If you liked Viking in Europe you'll enjoy this, too. I'm heading out (again!) this weekend, doing the same direction, from Lewiston (which is about a 2 hour bus ride from Spokane through the most unexpectedly gorgeous country). Happy to answer any questions. One interesting thing about the route from east to west is how different the terrain is. It's a lot like a Douro River cruise in Portugal. When you start at the Snake/Columbia in Lewiston, it's very barren and desert-like. As you go west, it gets more lush every day (and then you go through great wine and food farming country), until you end up in misty Astoria. Lovely! We are doing the same route in mid-October, Carolyn. It's very hard to find reviews or details from folks about this cruise, so your info is much appreciated! Would love to hear more when you return. Maybe some suggestions of what shops, attractions, etc. are on the 'don't miss' list in each port? We've also done the Rhine with Viking, and booked this one last year due to unrest overseas. So we are hoping for a similar experience. Safe travels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtncruiser1 Posted August 11, 2017 #23 Share Posted August 11, 2017 Have to agree that available information is sparse. Unfortunately, the cruise line is not much help. We are scheduled for October 1, 2017. Was looking at the list of add-on excursions and it does not come close to matching the list that is on the purchase list. The excursions are apparently developed/handled by another (related?) company. The cruise line unconvincingly says that the (buy) list is the correct one. I am finding that the AAA travel guides provide the most complete local information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K9pal Posted August 12, 2017 #24 Share Posted August 12, 2017 Have to agree that available information is sparse. Unfortunately, the cruise line is not much help. We are scheduled for October 1, 2017. Was looking at the list of add-on excursions and it does not come close to matching the list that is on the purchase list. The excursions are apparently developed/handled by another (related?) company. The cruise line unconvincingly says that the (buy) list is the correct one. I am finding that the AAA travel guides provide the most complete local information. Yes! Noticed the same difference in shore excursions. Seems like when I checked some months ago, there were a lot, including a beer tasting one that really interested my hubby. When I checked again last week to actually book them, the list had shrunk considerably, and the beer tasting is gone. Disappointing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1901Phil Posted August 13, 2017 #25 Share Posted August 13, 2017 We cruised last September from Vancouver to Clarkston. Had a great trip. The included jump on jump off bus service was run very efficiently. We were given maps of each town with bus stops and points of interest stated. The optional excursions were good value. Each port had enough of interest for the time spent but we are glad we were only there for a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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