Cruise West Re-Traces Famed Expedition With Columbia & Snake River Cruise

SEATTLE, April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Tracing the travels of explorers Lewis and Clark, Cruise West (www.cruisewest.com), the world's leading provider of small-ship explorations to the most fascinating destinations on earth, sails on two of the West's mightiest rivers with the seven-night River Voyage of Discovery from April through October.

Commencing and ending in Portland, Oregon, the cruise traces nearly a 1,000 miles of the famed expedition along the mostly pristine and wild Columbia and Snake Rivers.  From the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge – carved by great floods thousands of years ago – to the towering black pinnacles of basalt to the engineering accomplishments of the locks and dams that make these two waterways vital shipping lanes, the cruise views blend natural wonders with manmade marvels.  

Off-ship adventures beckon

Throughout the cruise, the Pacific Northwest's pioneer history is brought to life with a special series of included excursions, knowledgeable local guest speakers, and narration and presentations by the onboard Exploration Leaders.  In addition, guests can look forward to an enhanced array of delicious food and wine choices through the line's Palate program.

Excursions include a motor coach tour to breathtaking Multnomah Falls, the tallest falls in Oregon; a jet boat up Hells Canyon past 7,000-year-old Indian petroglyphs; wine tasting in historic Walla Walla, renowned for producing some of the finest wine in Washington state; and an excursion to Astoria to visit the Lewis & Clark National Historic Park and the site of Fort Clatsop -- where the explorers spent a hard winter by the Pacific Ocean.

The River Voyage of Discovery cruise offers Saturday departures on the 96-guest Spirit of '98 that was designed to emulate an early steamer with carved wooden cabinetry, plush floral upholstery, and a Grand Salon complete with a full bar and old-world charm.  Sunday departures are on the 84-guest Spirit of Discovery that offers ample outside deck space for optimum viewing.  

For all departures June through August 2010, the line is including a free pre-cruise hotel stay.  Rates start at $2,999 per person, double occupancy.  For further details or to make a reservation, visit www.CruiseWest.com, call 800-296-8307 or a travel professional.

~Up-Close, Casual and Personal Explorations~

Cruise West believes that small is beautiful.  Small-ship explorations allow up-close and personal experiences unmatched by the traditional larger cruise lines. For more than 63 years Cruise West has provided authentic travel experiences where the destination is the focus. The fleet of small ships with guest capacities ranging from 78-148 explores remote and distinctive destinations throughout the globe.  A robust onboard enrichment program further enhances the guest experience through topical guest lecturers, additional exploration by Zodiac and included excursions at every port.  

SOURCE Cruise West