Cruising the Columbia River with Captain Jeff

The Island Spirit is your floating hotel, providing your accommodations, all your meals, as well as all shore excursions
Captain Jeff also hosts a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres each night where you can share your day’s adventures.

Quick Information

• 7 nights on the Island Spirit, expert commentary on board, all rooms with private facilities
• All shore excursions included
• Post-cruise overnight at the elegant Davenport Hotel in Spokane
• Gratuities included for cruise staff
• 24 meals: 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners including libations
• Round trip air to Portland/from Spokane
• 4100/4300 Gold Passport Points

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Fly from Sacramento to Portland, board a motorcoach and travel to Astoria. Upon arrival, board the Island Spirit and meet Captain Jeff and his crew. Freshen up before visiting the Columbia River Maritime Museum located near the dock. On board tbe Island Spirit – 7 nights (L,D)
Day 2

Start your day with a riverfront trolley ride. Visit the Lewis and Clark winter retreat of Fort Clatsop and learn about the trials and tribulations of their journey west. Lunch is back on board the Island Spirit with an afternoon cruise to St. Helens, Oregon. We plan to spend the evening at the island park just across from town. Take a walk or perhaps join us at the campfire tonight? (B,L,D)
Day 3

This morning it’s a leisurely day of river cruising past the communities of Portland and Vancouver. Canyon walls tower above us as we approach the Bonneville lock and dam. After a tour of the dam, cruise the Columbia Gorge to the town of Hood River. (B,L,D)
Day 4

Visit spectacular Multnomah Falls. Enjoy a docent tour at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center. Learn how fish wheels pull salmon from the mighty Columbia. Cruise and transit several locks this
afternoon. By the time your journey has ended you will have gone through eight
locks, four on the Columbia and four on the Snake! (B,L,D)
Day 5

Arrive today in Arlington, and depart the ship for a local tour. Marvel at the local wind farm and get inside a wind generator! Top off the day with a visit to a winery and learn about the wide variety of grapes that are grown along the river. (B,L,D)
Day 6

We’re on the Snake River now. Enjoy the geology of the area; the canyons and bluffs are spectacular. It’s a peaceful day with locks, food and good friends. We transit all locks in daylight and then cruise to New York Island, a quiet anchorage. (B,L,D)
Day 7

Arrive in the area of Lewiston/Clarkston, the twin cities that straddle the Snake River. Today enjoy a special maritime activity, a jet boat ride in Hell’s Canyon. (B,L,D)
Day 8

After breakfast bid farewell to Captain Jeff and his crew. Motorcoach to Spokane and enjoy a hosted lunch and city tour before checking into your hotel. Saved from the wrecker’s ball by a preservation minded local couple, it is one of the most beautiful hotels in the country. The evening is at your leisure to enjoy the luxurious accommodations at this historic landmark. Hotel Davenport (B,L,D)
Day 9

Your mighty Columbia and Snake River journey has come to an end, surely to be a memorable one. Fly from Spokane back to Sacramento. (B)