American Empress- August 15, 2015

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Hello

Anyone out there taking this Columbia River cruise on the American Empress from Clarkston to Portland, starting on August 15th?

If so, let's talk!

Regards

Sheila and Herb:)

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Are we the only ones on the American Empress for this trip? No one has responded yet????

Sheila

[Cincylady77]

Will be on the October 3rd river cruise - so would love to hear from you after your trip, including how much cruisin' on the river is done during the daylight hours. A lot of my fun on these trips is anticipation (and maybe some planning)! Hope you enjoy!! (Our trip is Portland/Vancouver to Clarkston)

[elong312]

Hi Cincylady77,

 

Time Cruising on the river in the daytime will be as follows:

Sunday - 5pm until dark

Monday - 5pm until dark

Tuesday - all morning until 12:00noon (through the Columbia River Gorge)

Wednesday - 5:00pm until dark (leaving the Gorge)

Thursday - all morning until 2:00pm

Friday - 5pm until dark

Saturday - all morning until 12:00noon (morning on Snake River)

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Hi Cincylady77,

 

Time Cruising on the river in the daytime will be as follows:

Sunday - 5pm until dark

Monday - 5pm until dark

Tuesday - all morning until 12:00noon (through the Columbia River Gorge)

Wednesday - 5:00pm until dark (leaving the Gorge)

Thursday - all morning until 2:00pm

Friday - 5pm until dark

Saturday - all morning until 12:00noon (morning on Snake River)

 

A question: we are leaving from Clarkston. Are we going onto the Snake River? We have booked the optional jet boat excursion because we wanted to see the Snake River and Hells Canyon. Do we need this excursion? Look forward to your answer.

Thanks

Sheila

[Calliope]

A question: we are leaving from Clarkston. Are we going onto the Snake River? We have booked the optional jet boat excursion because we wanted to see the Snake River and Hells Canyon. Do we need this excursion? Look forward to your answer.

Thanks

Sheila

 

To see Hell's Canyon, yes, you will have to book the offered shoretour or make some other sort of arrangement. You will be traveling on the Snake River from Clarkston down to Pasco and traversing several locks while on the AMERICAN EMPRESS.

[Calliope]

Hi Cincylady77,

 

Time Cruising on the river in the daytime will be as follows:

Sunday - 5pm until dark----Depart Vancouver head downriver to Astoria, OR.

Monday - 5pm until dark----Depart Astoria head upriver to The Dalles, OR.

Tuesday - all morning until 12:00noon (through the Columbia River Gorge)----Depart The Dalles and head down river to Stevenson, WA.

Wednesday - 5:00pm until dark (leaving the Gorge)----Depart Stevenson and head upriver to Richland, WA.

Thursday - all morning until 2:00pm----Arrive Richland and spend night at Richland

Friday - 5pm until dark----Depart Richland and sail down the Columbia to the mouth of the Snake River and head up the Snake to Clarkston.

Saturday - all morning until 12:00noon (morning on Snake River)----Arrive in Clarkston, WA

----Sunday - Depart the vessel at 8 AM

 

I've added the towns and which river traveled on to original post. I hope this helps!

[Cincylady77]

Thanks to all for information on the times we will be cruising on the rivers! Any input on the premium excursions would also be appreciated. Thanks.

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Ok. We just finished this cruise from Spokane to Portland. In a word --- amazing. The port stops were all great. We did the hop on hop off bus in the morning and took the optional excursions every afternoon. They were worth every penny. The dining staff were sensational! They make quick friends with you and the service was great. The cabin was comfortable. The cruise directors- Lindy and Greg were wonderful. They were also the star performers in the shows in the evening. The boat was really nice and the food---- beyond expectations. Enjoy!

Regards

Sheila

[Cincylady77]

Ok. We just finished this cruise from Spokane to Portland. In a word --- amazing. The port stops were all great. We did the hop on hop off bus in the morning and took the optional excursions every afternoon. They were worth every penny. The dining staff were sensational! They make quick friends with you and the service was great. The cabin was comfortable. The cruise directors- Lindy and Greg were wonderful. They were also the star performers in the shows in the evening. The boat was really nice and the food---- beyond expectations. Enjoy!

Regards

Sheila

 

Thanks Sheila! Hope the Washington forest fires did not affect you all. Which premium excursions did you take and did you have to worry about any of them being full before you could book? Can't decide which ones to take and debating whether to book any online now, or wait until we get onboard. We should be getting documents in 2 weeks - getting excited!

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Thanks Sheila! Hope the Washington forest fires did not affect you all. Which premium excursions did you take and did you have to worry about any of them being full before you could book? Can't decide which ones to take and debating whether to book any online now, or wait until we get onboard. We should be getting documents in 2 weeks - getting excited!

 

Hi

Yes we did premium excursions. You pay onboard on your shipboard account and each can be cancelled up to 36 hours before.

Definitely book whatever you want NOW! Get what you want. Remember, you can cancel once on board the boat. That's what we did.

We did the jet boat, the 4 hour Falls, the Antique Air museum and Lewis and Clark in Astoria. They were great and well priced. We were told that the other premium tours were great too. We did the hop on bus in the morning, quick lunch then out again in the afternoon for premium tours. Grab your passes for the hop on bus early the evening before so you can go at the time you want. Get the map at thee same time to plan your morning.

Enjoy!

Sheila