Astoria, Oregon

[Arizona traveler]

Concerning Astoria, does anyone know the dock location for a cruise ship? Are there local tours to Ft. Clatsop(Lewis & Clark Historical Park) or should we definitely look into a ship's shore excursion?

[SadieN]

We were there in June 2009 on the Carnival Splendor, liked the town so much we went back in April 2010 on the HAL Zaandam.

 

Niether time did we see local tour operators or taxis. There is an Arts & Crafts show on the dock. In 2009 our roll call discovered very few taxis in the entire town and one of our group contacted a taxi beforehand about transportation to where they needed to go. They needed to go to a very non-touristy location- The Coast Guard Station.

 

If you decide not to go on the ship's sponsored tour I would recommend the Maritime Museum. The boat on display in the lobby only needs to be 'greased up' to be fully functional. There are also Coast Guard vessels to be toured. The museum is small enough to so that walking there, eating lunch, and walking back is doable.

 

http://www.crmm.org/

 

If you enjoy fish & chips there is a boat parked in a vacant lot across from the museum that serves some of the best we've ever eaten.

 

http://www.bowpicker.com/

 

If you like smoked fish try Josephson's. Expensive but worth it.

 

http://www.josephsons.com/

 

If you do not want to walk there is the trolley. Take it to the end to see how it is turned around. hint---it does not use a roundabout.

 

http://webpages.charter.net/astoriatrolley/

 

Lots of other things to do in town. The restored Theater is very nice, so are the many brewpubs.:)

 

Enjoy Astoria

[SadieN]

The ship docks before the freeway bridge over the Columbia.

[Arizona traveler]

Thanks so much for your information! We're looking forward to being there and your hints will help us.

[SadieN]

You're Welcome.

 

I had fun researching this port.

 

Check out the Pilot's Association-

 

http://www.columbiariverbarpilots.com/columbiariverbarpilots_video.html

 

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/general-boating-discussion/220164-coast-guard-vs-rough-seas.html

 

http://www.uscg.mil/d13/sectcolrvr/ops/groupassets.asp

 

The ship will dock to the left of the bridge.

 

The museum would be on the right of the picture.

 

That's the Astoria Tower in the center of the picture. It was redone in 2009.

There is an observation tower on top. And a diorama spirals up it.

[mtwingcpa]

Concerning Astoria, does anyone know the dock location for a cruise ship?

 

Two ships were in town the day I was there, so my ship had to tender. As I recall, we landed near the Maritime Museum.

[agabbymama]

There is also a Victorian House called Flavel House that has a museum. NCL has a tour there, that includes tea.

 

That's what we'll be doing. I first thought of renting a car and driving to Ft. ourselves, but once we saw the tea, decided on that instead.

 

Check out their website, lots of info.

 

http://www.astoriaoregon.com/

[imola]

It has been many years since we went there on our cruise but I can tell you we loved the town so much we went back on a land trip. DH planned it as a birthday travel for me. He booked a lovely B&B and we went house hunting there but that part did not pan out. Interestingly there is lots to see in this small town. When we were there they had a small trolley system than ran up and down the pier area that was fun and informative to ride. A few movies have been filmed there such as Kindergarden Cop.

 

Whatever you decide to do enjoy your cruise. Wish we could go again.