ABOARD THE S.S. LEGACY – The book on my cabin desk got me curious. Then I saw the display in a ship corridor with a fur-fringed jacket and some photos and thought I had better look into this man Chuck West, known as “Mr. Alaska.” “He is a legend in Alaska tourism,” said Ryan Downs, heritage leader on the S.S. Legacy. “He fell in love with Alaska as a bush pilot in the 1940s and wanted to …
ABOARD THE S.S. LEGACY – When Kevin Martin was a boy growing up in Missouri, his childhood ambition was to become a marine biologist or an archaeologist or maybe a doctor. In a way, he has become all three. “As a ship captain, I get to do a bit of all of those things,” Martin said. Although he spent his childhood in St. Joseph, Missouri, Martin developed a yearn for distant waterways. “In college, I went …
ABOARD THE S.S. LEGACY – Two aluminum water bottles are lined up on the desk in my cabin. Cloth napkins on the dining table take the place of paper. No Styrofoam or plastic cups are used on this vessel. Daily menus are printed on small pieces of paper, as are daily itineraries so that paper use is minimized. Recycling efforts are everywhere. “We take our commitment to conserve and protect the environment very seriously,” said Patrick Rice, …
ABOARD THE S.S. LEGACY – As a solo traveler for many years, I’m accustomed to finding my way to most anywhere I need to go. So it was a wonderful surprise to receive detailed confirmation information weeks before my cruise on the S.S. Legacy. Seems they are going to take care of all the details from my arrival to my departure – and everything in between. Stepping off the plane in Portland, Oregon, I’m greeted by a …
On my mental map, no locator pins dot Oregon. In all my years of traveling, I have never been to that Northwest Pacific state. However, that is about to change. In a few days, I will be headed to Portland, Oregon, to embark on a fabulous weeklong cruise aboard the 88-guest S.S. Legacy. Built in 1984, the S.S. Legacy joined the Un-Cruise fleet of vessels in 2013. Appointed with period décor, the S.S. Legacy emulates the old-world …
Seattle-based small ship cruise line Un-Cruise Adventures adds more river cruise opportunities in the Pacific Northwest with the S.S. Legacy scheduled for 34 departures on the Columbia, Snake and Willamette Rivers from April-November 2015. The line is also offering a savings on fall 2014 river cruises. An adventure savings of $400/couple is offered for bookings made by June 20, 2014. The savings is applicable for river cruises departing August-November 2014. “The popularity of USA river cruising is …
The American Queen Steamboat Company has introduced a new culinary program onboard the American Empress, which began her inaugural season April 5, 2014. Staying true to her Pacific Northwest surroundings, the culinary team is taking full advantage of the region’s freshest seafood and produce including sustainable fish, free-range chicken and artisan cheeses along with seasonal fruits and vegetables. In addition, guests have the opportunity to taste the top local beers, wines and liquors as the vessel passes …
American Queen Steamboat Company’s American Empress was christened in downtown Portland, Ore. The 223-guest riverboat, the largest west of the Mississippi River, officially joins the company’s fleet with the Memphis-based American Queen. Claudette Waggoner, wife of chairman and CEO John Waggoner, is the godmother of the American Empress and broke a bottle of local sparkling wine on the boat’s hull culminating the ceremonial festivities. Former Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, longtime leader for the U.S. maritime industry …
The American Queen Steamboat Company announces its second vessel, the 223-guest American Empress, which will make Vancouver, Wash. her home port. The largest riverboat west of the Mississippi, she will officially join the fleet’s Memphis-based American Queenon April 5, 2014. In addition, the company is pleased to announce that its Pacific Northwest office will also be based in the southwest Washington city of Vancouver U.S.A., just across the Columbia River from Portland, Ore. “We are delighted to …
If you’re looking for a great domestic cruise, one that visits the Pacific Northwest via the Columbia River should be at the top of your list. AdventureSmith Expeditions has an option that I absolutely love, which is their “In the Wake of Lewis and Clark” cruise. Here are some of the best reasons to consider this cruise: There is no need for a passport… you can fly into Portland, Oregon (many times on a direct flight) …
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