In just a few days, Mom and I will be heading west for one of the adventures I've been looking forward to all year! We'll be embarking on American Cruise Lines' American Encore for our very first river cruise in the United States! After experiencing the beauty of European river cruising, I can't wait to discover the history, landscapes, and small towns of the Pacific Northwest from an entirely different perspective.
One of my favorite parts of preparing for a trip is studying the itinerary and imagining the places we'll soon experience. Today, I thought I'd share a glimpse of where this journey will take us.
(As with any cruise, ports, excursions, and schedules are always subject to change.)
Portland, Oregon
Our adventure begins with a night in Portland before the cruise officially begins.
We'll spend our first evening settling into our hotel near the airport, enjoying the excitement that comes before every journey. There's something special about that night before embarkation—double-checking the camera batteries, organizing travel journals, and realizing that months of planning are finally becoming reality.
Embarkation Day
The following morning we'll travel to Stevenson, Washington, where we'll board the American Encore at the Port of Skamania and begin our journey along the Columbia River. Embarkation day is always one of my favorite parts of a cruise.
Walking aboard for the first time, finding your stateroom, exploring the decks, meeting fellow travelers, and watching the shoreline slowly drift away never gets old.
Mount St. Helens & Kalama, Washington
Our first destination brings us to the Mount St. Helens and Kalama region. Like so many people, I remember learning about the eruption of Mount St. Helens in school. To finally visit this region and learn more about its history, geology, and remarkable recovery is something I'm genuinely looking forward to. One of my favorite parts of travel is seeing places I've only read about finally come to life.
Astoria, Oregon
Next we'll visit Astoria, one of Oregon's oldest communities and a city deeply connected to the maritime history of the Pacific Northwest. Located near where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, Astoria is also closely connected with the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The Corps of Discovery spent the winter of 1805–1806 at nearby Fort Clatsop before beginning their journey home. As a history professor, visiting places like this always feels like stepping into the pages of a history book.
Quiet Days on the River
One of the things I love most about river cruising isn't actually a destination at all. It's the journey between them. Watching the scenery slowly change from the deck, enjoying a cup of tea as the river winds through the Pacific Northwest, reading a good book, and allowing yourself to simply slow down is exactly the kind of travel I love most. AND there are so many things that American Cruise Lines has planned throughout each day that I can't wait to see what the itinerary offers! River cruising reminds me that sometimes the journey itself becomes the destination.
The Dalles, Oregon
We'll also visit The Dalles, one of the oldest continually inhabited areas along the Columbia River and an important center of trade for Indigenous peoples long before European settlement. This stop is one I'm especially looking forward to because of its rich history and beautiful location within the Columbia River Gorge. Places like this remind us that every landscape has stories waiting to be discovered.
Richland, Washington & Pendleton, Oregon
Our itinerary then continues into the Richland and Pendleton region. By this point in the journey, we'll have traveled through dramatically different landscapes—from lush river valleys and towering cliffs to rolling hills, vineyards, and wide-open skies. I love itineraries that reveal how diverse one region can truly be.
Clarkston, Washington
Our voyage concludes in Clarkston, Washington. Clarkston, together with neighboring Lewiston, Idaho, honors William Clark and Meriwether Lewis, making it a fitting conclusion to a journey that follows many of the waterways explored by the Corps of Discovery more than two centuries ago. There's something wonderfully poetic about ending a history-filled river cruise in a place whose very name reflects that story. I'm sure it will be bittersweet to disembark—but I already know the memories, photographs, and stories will stay with us long after the voyage ends.
Follow Along
Throughout the week, I'll be sharing:
* Behind-the-scenes life aboard the American Encore
* Beautiful scenery along the Columbia and Snake Rivers
* Historic towns and fascinating excursions
* Dining and onboard experiences
* Cabin tours
* Quiet moments on the river
* Our honest thoughts on taking our first river cruise in the United States
After we return home, I'll also be publishing in-depth blog posts, reviews, destination guides, and plenty of photographs and videos from the journey. I hope you'll come along with us. After all, some of the most unforgettable adventures aren't found halfway around the world—they're waiting right here at home.
Have you ever taken a river cruise in the United States? If so, I'd love to hear who you sailed with and where you sailed. And if not, which stop along our itinerary would you most like to visit?
*Current pictures in this post belong to American Cruise Line and is not the property of Caravan Sonnet - after the cruise is complete I will be changing these to my own pictures*
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