Rollin' on the River with UnCruise Adventures!

(42 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Ted Blank

Woodbury, MN
Tailor-Made Journeys

You understand that extraordinary vacations aren’t simply a function of dollars and cents, and you know that they certainly aren’t just pulled off the shelf. 

Journeys of a lifetime are carefully designed with imagination, creativity, atten...

An UnCruise on the Columbia River

UnCruise Adventures offers small ship cruises focused on adventure, wildlife, and culture.  Each year, they offer several wine tasting cruises along the Columbia River on their SS Legacy, a reproduction coastal steamer.  I enjoyed one of these cruises, sailing from Portland, Oregon along the Columbia and Snake River system.


The UnCruise visited several of Washington and Oregon's world famous AVA's (American Viticultural Areas), including the Willamette Valley AVA, Columbia Gorge AVA, Walla Walla AVA, Red Mountain AVA, and Yakima Valley AVA.  Each day brought an opportunity to sample premium, locally grown and made wines.  These wine tastings were hosted by winery owners and curated by our own onboard sommelier, who really brought the wines and the winemaking experience alive.


Of course, no trip along the Columbia and Snake would be complete without visiting the area's natural and cultural attractions.  We hiked to Multnomah Falls (near Portland) and Palouse Falls (in Eastern Washington).  We toured the eclectic Maryhill Art Museum, and even enjoyed a refreshing swim in the Snake River - right off the side of our ship!


Our ship was comfortable, with excellent food and a very friendly American staff.  All beverages - including a vast selection of premium spirits and wines - were included in the fare, along with all of the wine tastings and other excursions.


One of the main advantages of a river cruise is that you can see and experience a lot without having to pack and unpack every night, making for a very relaxed, civilized trip.  Adding to the delights were the amazing scenery - from the lush green forests of the Columbia River Gorge to the rugged, arid desert landscape of Eastern Washington.  My traveling companions were also a delight - well traveled and friendly, making for a very convivial onboard atmosphere.


In addition to several wine tasting theme cruises each year, UnCruise Adventures also offers a soft adventure cruise along the Columbia River.  Both cruises include an opportunity to enjoy the region's wines, but the adventure cruise offers a chance to hike, kayak, and engage in active exploration of the beautiful region.


As one of only a handful of Minnesota travel agents who have completed UnCruise Adventures' Adventurist Certification Program and also experienced their cruises firsthand, my expertise and connections can help you make your next small ship adventure cruise the trip of a lifetime! 


 

See more travel stories
Return to my Enjoy Intimate Luxury on a Small Ship Cruise page
©  Travel Leaders Group