Nostalgia, Luxury, And Breathtaking Views Aboard The American Empress

Cruising aboard the American Empress feels like being transported to a different time: watching the largely untouched scenery along the Columbia River go by while listening to the on-board Riverlorian recount the expedition of Lewis and Clark and that of other frontiersmen, and visiting ports each with their own unique history and the part they play in this history of this country.

The American Empress evokes the "glory days" of the early 1900's when steamboating was a "gracious, romantic way to travel through a growing nation," reads a promotional brochure written by the American Queen Steamboat Company, which owns the American Empress, American Queen, and, making its debut in 2017, the American Duchess, an all-suite paddlewheeler.

The vessel boasts "gracious service and warm hospitality from a friendly, all-American staff." Cruise directors Greg and Lindy Pendzick learned most, if not all, of the names of the 222 passengers on board before the end of the first day, and many servers were on a first-name basis with passengers by the end of the trip. Hotel manager Terry Lunder regularly checked in with guests throughout the trip, and Captain Ron Gray occasionally took time to dine with guests in the Astoria Dining Room and watch some of the evening musical performances.

Exploring the Pacific Northwest aboard the American Empress is a unique and educational experience. Watching the majestic landscape unfold as it did for Lewis and Clark in 1805, visiting some of their old campsites, and seeing the landmarks they described in their journals is a wonderful and humbling experience.