Seven-night river cruises return to the Northwest
American Queen Steamboat Company will bring back seven-night riverboat cruises on the Columbia and Snake Rivers in Oregon and Washington beginning in April, the company announced yesterday.
This will be the first time the cruises have been offered since 2008, when the previous operator, Majestic America, ceased operations.
American Queen purchased the same boat that previously sailed the rivers, the Empress of the North.
The 360-foot boat, built in 2002, will be renamed the American Empress.
With five decks and a capacity of 223 passengers, it will be the largest riverboat west of the Mississippi.
American Empress will homeport in Portland, Ore., and will sail to Clarkston, Wash., with stops in Astoria, Ore.; Stevenson, Wash.; The Dalles, Ore.; Umatilla, Ore.; and Richland, Wash.
More than 32,000 people have sailed on the nostalgic Mississippi River cruises since the American Queen steamboat resumed service there last year.
Cruises are expected to be available for booking within a few weeks, with fares starting at $3,795 a person, double occupancy.
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