Taste of the Pacific Northwest

The inaugural Taste of the Pacific Northwest culinary cruise will feature the rich history and delicious flavors unique to this region. Journey along the mighty Columbia River through Washington's Wine Country round trip from Portland, Oregon.

Travel this scenic riverway punctuated by orchards, vineyards, evergreens and imposing bluffs. Throughout your cruise, the Pacific Northwest's respectable wines and other epicurean delights are introduce with a special series of tours, tastings, excursions, and narration and presentations by your onboard Exploration Leader.

Itinerary:

Day 1 - SAIL FROM PORTLAND, OREGON
Upon arrival, transfer to the Cruise West hospitality area in downtown Portland. We’ll welcome you aboard with a taste of Willamette Valley’s signature flavors: a Pinot Noir and a Pinot Gris. Relax on deck, and take in the Portland city skyline as we cruise the Willamette River. BLD

Day 2 - THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
Carved by cataclysmic floods, the Columbia River Gorge is the lifeblood of human development through the ages — a defining beacon of the American West. Slip through the locks of Bonneville Dam at the entrance of the 4000-foot-deep Gorge and admire graceful waterfalls tumbling from steep canyon walls. Enjoy a guided tour of the abundant wildlife and rich history of the area. Cross the Bridge of the Gods and continue to the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center for a presentation on Native foods.

Cruise the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and The Dalles, where pioneers once loaded their wagons onto barges and floated down the Columbia to the mouth of the Willamette River. Transit the John Day Dam, the highest single-lift lock in the free world, at the head of Lake Celilo. BLD

Day 3 - WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON
Note: you may visit today’s wineries in an alternate order. Winery selection is subject to change.

Set on top of a small knoll overlooking the surrounding vineyards, the Three Rivers Winery boasts remarkable views of the Blue Mountains and the Whitman Mission. Winemaker Holly Turner prides herself on producing well-balanced wines with delicate aromas, be they expressions of Chardonnay or Syrah, Grenache or Gewürztraminer.

Next, visit Spring Valley Vineyard, where the Corkrum family first began farming the area for wheat in the mid-1800s. Today, the family livelihood includes wine, and every grape is harvested by hand. Sample Spring Valley’s highly acclaimed red blends, each proudly named after family members who once tended the land.

Enjoy a casually elegant lunch at the extolled 26brix Restaurant, where Chef Mike Davis, recognized for excellence by the James Beard Foundation, creates a mouthwatering fusion of French technique and local Washington fare.

The third winery of the day is the Beresan Winery, home of truly exceptional handcrafted Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah and Semillon wines. Return to your ship for dinner and evening cruising. BLD

Day 4 - HANFORD REACH NATIONAL MONUMENT
Home to the last free-flowing stretch of the Columbia River, the Hanford Reach National Monument is swept with towering bluffs and expansive vistas. Rare flowers and abundant wildlife stubbornly defy persistent drought, wind and heat. Elk, mule deer, coyotes, great blue herons and white pelicans are a common sight. The Monument is also a reminder of our history. Plutonium reactors, now being dismantled, stand in the distance, remnants of WWII and the Cold War. Depart by jet boat for a 4-hour tour of the Monument’s rich history and enduring habitat.

Join a local farmer on a private motorcoach tour of the region. Learn about the abundance of crops and the agricultural heritage of the Columbia River Basin.

A lunch-to-go will be prepared by your ship’s Chef while on your excursions. Upon your return to the vessel, enjoy an exclusive onboard sparkling wine tasting as we relax overnight dockside at tree-lined Howard Amon Park. BLD

Day 5 - HORSE HEAVEN HILLS & RED MOUNTAIN
Today begins at Coyote Canyon Vineyards where you’ll see one of Washington’s newest appellations, Horse Heaven Hills. Enjoy a vineyard tour, exclusive tasting and mouth-watering chocolate dessert personally hosted by the winemaker.

Continue on to a lunch and wine tasting at Red Mountain’s Terra Blanca Winery and Estate Vineyard. Stroll along cobbled walkways past meticulously landscaped courtyards and savor the regional varietals from this increasingly notable viticultural land.

Your final stop is the Hedges Family Estate, a grand French-style chateau built on the slopes of Red Mountain overlooking Yakima Valley. Following your afternoon visit, with a tasting at this first-rate family-owned winery, return to the ship to cruise the Columbia River. BLD

Day 6 - HOOD RIVER, OREGON
The Hood River Valley’s nutrient-rich volcanic soils, pristine glacial waters and ideal microclimate create the perfect fruit-growing environment … which is exactly why the family-run Fruit Company has been harvesting and hand-picking fruit from orchards in the Valley for 65 years. Take a tractor tour of the Company’s orchards, plucking pears and apples along the way, soaking up a breathtaking view of the Hood River Valley. After the tour, treat your taste buds to some samples, and you might just have to take a gift basket home with you.

Tour the Fruit Company’s packing facility and explore an authentic picker’s cabin and historic artifacts at the Fruit Heritage Museum.

Spend your afternoon at the Maryhill Winery, with sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood. Maryhill harvests a wide variety of grapes, including several difficult to grow varietals. Cozy up to the antique tasting bar and let the friendly staff treat you to a tasting. BLD

Day 7 - ASTORIA, OREGON
Delve into the seafood of the Oregon coast. Spend the morning at the Seafood School, to prepare a delectable lunch with the help of Chef Eric Jenkins. Listen and learn as Chef Jenkins shares tips and techniques on fusing seafood with the unique local flavors of the Oregon coast: halibut, salmon, Dungeness crab, oysters, clams, locally-produced artisan cheeses, farmer’s fruits and vegetables.

Your afternoon is free to explore the quaint maritime community of Astoria, perched on the bank of the Columbia River. Visit the nationally acclaimed Columbia River Maritime Museum, shop the historic downtown area or simply meander the streets of the quintessential coastal village.

This evening, enjoy a farewell gourmet dinner onboard. BLD

Day 8 - PORTLAND, OREGON
Return to Portland’s riverfront. After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the Portland Airport. B

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All rates are per person, double occupancy. Port charges, Government taxes and fees are additional. Limited availability and based on minimum fares for select departure dates. Other dates may be higher. These rates are for new, individual bookings only. Not responsible for last minute changes of price or itinerary by cruise line, or any errors or omissions in the content of this site. Some restrictions and cancellation penalties may apply.