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Should I book my airfare through the cruise line or on my own? |
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America West Steamboat Company can provide air to and from Portland. Please contact The Cruise Authority at 1-800-707-1634 to get air rates. We can either book your air through America West Steamboat company or we can book the air for you. If you book your own air, please read the following carefully:
Passengers that are coming in the day the cruise starts need to arrive into Portland by 12:00 noon.
Check in is from 1:00-3:00 pm at the downtown Embassy Suites. Passengers should arrive there at the latest by 2:30pm. Early arrivers may go have lunch around downtown if they would
like. We do have hors d'oeuvres at check-in but we do not supply lunch.
We will get into Portland around 8:00am and we
provide transfers either back to the airport or to the downtown Embassy
Suites. You will at the Embassy Suites around 9:00am. If they
Departing flights should leave 11:00am or later.
We do provide transfers from the airport to check-in at the
Embassy Suites as long as it is the day the cruise begins and we are
provided with their air schedules. If passengers are doing any pre/post
hotel stays we will only provide the transfers if they book their hotel
stay through America West Steamboat Company.
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What happens if I cancel my cruise? |
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All cruise lines have cancellation penalties which are dependent on when you cancel - the closer to departure date the higher the penalty. Cancellation penalties are the amount not refunded if you cancel the cruise. Each cruise line has these penalties listed on your cruise application. Please read these carefully. |
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Do I need cancellation and medical insurance? |
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We highly recommend the purchase of travel cancellation/medical insurance. With your booking statement, you will receive a specific quote to purchase this policy.
Cancellation insurance protects you if you are forced to cancel your cruise for unexpected medical reasons for your self or an immediate family member.
The medical insurance covers you should an illness or accident occur during your cruise. Note that most individual's medical insurance will not cover you while outside of the United States.
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Onboard Payments/Money |
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Your ship accepts credit cards, cash and travelers checks for payment of on-board extras such as alcohol, shore excursions, gift shop and boutique purchases. The ship is "cashless" aboard, where an imprint of your credit card or a cash deposit is taken at the beginning of your cruise. The last night you will receive a bill outlining your charges. If you are using a credit card your charges will be automatically billed to the card. If you are paying in cash, you must clear your account at the end of the cruise. This can be time consuming, so if possible, use a credit card as it is most convenient. |
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Tipping |
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All tips for dining room personnel and room stewards have been included in your cruise package.
Other personnel, such as bar waiters, bellboys and deck stewards may be tipped as service is rendered. Note that there is typically a 15% gratuity added to all bar tabs.
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What to wear |
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The dress code aboard ship and ashore is informal or casual. During Fall cruises, layered clothing including sweater and windbreaker for morning and late afternoon walks on deck and while on shore excursions are recommended. Walking shoes are a must. Dinner attire aboard ship is informal. Formal attire is not necessary. During the Captain's Farewell Dinner some gentlemen may wear a suit or sport coat and ladies may wear a cocktail dress or dressy pantsuit. |
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Correspondence |
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All future correspondence will go to the address on your confirmation. Address changes must be received in writing. There is a booking number (99-xx) on your confirmation. Please write this number on all checks. It is helpful to include your ship and sail date on any correspondence. A good daytime phone number is important if we need to reach you about your booking. Any changes in your reservation including category, number of people in cabin, names in cabin, additions & deletions to cabin, etc. MUST be received in WRITING. |
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Triple and Quad Cabins |
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Triple and quad cabins are subject to availability, and require a deposit for each person in the cabin. Triple and quad cabin rates are for third and fourth passengers in the cabin travelling with two full-fare paying passengers. |
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Handicapped Cabins |
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Handicapped cabins are subject to availability, and are very limited in number. These cabins should only be utilized by those individuals who are confined to a wheelchair. |
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Dining |
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Our entire group will be booked in late dining - which is dinner at approximately 7:45pm. You may request early dining (approximately 5:30pm), however this seating will conflict with many social events planned for the group. Everyone from the group will sit together in the dining room.
On a typical 7 night cruise, there will be 7 changes of table assignment. This is so that everyone has the opportunity to dine with other members from the group as well as featured speakers.
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Cruise Documents |
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We will receive your cruise documents 2 to 3 weeks prior to sailing. Documents will be sent to the address indicated on your cruise application, via UPS, and require a street address (P.O. boxes are not acceptable). If you prefer to have your documents delivered elsewhere, or arranged to be picked up pierside, please contact The Cruise Authority, no less than 45 days prior to departure. |
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Identification |
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You must have photo ID in order to board the cruise ship. If you cannot provide proper ID the cruise line will have no choice but to deny boarding. No refunds will be offered for passengers who are denied boarding due to insufficient identification. |
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General Cruise Notes... |
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If you consider your cruise ship a floating resort which transports you from one port to another as an added bonus, everything will be placed in proper perspective. If you feel naked without your diamonds and emeralds, or a lot of cash on hand, then bring them along. But place all valuables in the safe deposit box in your cabin or at the Purser's Desk when not using them. If you know you will need a box, see the Purser immediately upon embarkation, as the number of boxes is limited. |
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Motion Sickness |
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Do the boats rock a lot, causing sea-sickness?
No. With our calm water river cruises the water is generally flat, so sea-sickness is very uncommon.
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Shipboard Facilities
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Is medical care, laundry, dry-cleaning and beauty/barber shop services available onboard?
These services are not available onboard the vessel. As the ship makes port-calls nearly every day to ports where such services are provided, the ship's personnel can direct guests to any available facilities.
Is there a coffee pot in my room?
No. But there is free coffee available 24 hours a day in the Calliope Grill.
Are there televisions onboard the vessels?
Yes. On the Empress of the North each has a TV/DVD. Each vessel has selection of movies available to borrow from the Gift Shop. An onboard satellite receiver enables each stateroom TV to receive several stations for news, sports and classic movies. TV reception may be interrupted while traveling through dams.
Are items such as aspirin, cold medicines, and toiletries available for purchase in the gift shop?
Yes. All these items are available in our gift shop. If you need these items outside of gift shop hours, you can ask the Purser for assistance. You may also purchase these items in many of the ports we visit.
How do I get money onboard?
Is there an ATM? There is not an ATM onboard. However, our vessels have a no cash policy. All charges incurred onboard will be charged to your room, including gifts, sundries, film and bar tab. Most gift shops on the shore excursions also take credit and debit cards. You may also find several ATMs onshore. You can also write a check to the Purser's office for cash. Tips are paid at the end of the cruise and can be put on a credit or debit card.
Do you have an exercise room?
No. But many passengers get their exercise by doing laps on our top deck.
Are there hair dryers onboard?
Yes, the Empress has one in each stateroom.
What is the electrical current onboard?
Staterooms are equipped with 110 volt, 60 cycle alternating current (AC) with standard U.S. plug fittings. Electric razors, toothbrushes, hair dryers and other small electrical appliances may be operated from stateroom/bathroom outlets.
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What is the weather on the Columbia River like? |
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It's variable since you travel through several climate zones. The average temperatures in Portland is 69 for the high and 40 for the low temperature in October. |
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How much luggage can I bring? |
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There is no restriction on the amount of baggage you may bring aboard. However, airline flights suggest not more than two checked pieces per person and may have size and weight restrictions. Check with the airline you are flying.
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Where can I find the times we arrive in each port? |
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We do not publish port-call times because they vary by departure. Various local conditions can also cause schedules to change slightly.
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Can my family or friends come on board to look at the boat? |
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Unfortunately due to security measures, only passengers are allowed on the vessels.
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Do you have wake-up calls? |
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Yes, but most passengers do not request them. There are alarm clocks in each room. Also if you leave your music system on the historian/narration channel, you will be woken up by the theme music of the day an hour or so before breakfast is served.
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Are there smoking areas on the vessels? |
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Smoking is limited to outer deck (outside) areas only. Smoking is not permitted in the interior lounges, dining room or passenger staterooms. Smokers may want to consider a stateroom with a verandah in order to smoke just outside your stateroom on your own private outer-deck.
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Do we have to go on every included shore excursion?
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No. You may stay onboard. However, we don't usually offer organized onboard activities while the passengers are ashore. |
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Are the meals included in the price of the cruise?
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Yes, we do not charge more for fine dining. Also, the CalliopeBar and Grill is available 24-hours a day with a self-service selection of continental breakfast, freshly brewed lattes and cappuccinos, yogurt sundaes, popcorn and hot dogs, as with all meals, these items are complimentary. |
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How large are the staterooms?
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American West Steamboat staterooms are some of the most spacious in the small-ship category. Stateroom size varies by category and you can visit our Our Ships section for stateroom
sizes and photos. With generous closet and drawer space as well as luggage storage, you can easily move about your stateroom.
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What level of emergency medical assistance is available?
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A medical officer is on board and trained in basic emergency first aid and the captain would contact the appropriate authorities for immediate care. Passengers requiring special medication should bring an ample supply with them, as it may not be possible to get the medication while in port. Along the Columbia and Snake Rivers, our vessels are never far from shore and in an emergency, the Captain may bow land along the river's edge. |
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Is it possible to accommodate people with special diets?
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Absolutely. Special diet requests should be made at the time of booking or not less than three weeks in advance of sailing. If you are a vegetarian, there is usually a lunch or menu item that does not contain meat. Half portions of many entrees are also available.
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If a situation arises that requires me to leave the vessel before the cruise is over, is it possible to get help arranging transportation?
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Yes. If a situation arises, please see the Purser who will help make all the arrangements needed.
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Can you leave a shore excursion early and come back to the boat? Do you provide an option and way to do this?
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No. Shore excursions are via motorcoach and operate on time schedules. Also, the boat sometimes moves locations after the passengers have disembarked for the shore excursion. However, if an emergency arises, please see the American West Steamboat representative on your motorcoach and they will help make special emergency arrangements.
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Is it possible to meet the Captain and take a tour of the pilothouse?
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Yes. It is very likely you will meet the Captain in the dining room, Calliope Grill or in other public areas. During each cruise, we do try to schedule a pilot house tour. The tour will be announced, and the Purser will be in charge of the sign-up sheet. Pilothouse visits may be restricted in the instance of increased national security.
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Are alcoholic beverages such as wine included with dinner, or is this a separate charge?
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There is unlimited coffee, tea, juice and soft drinks available at each meal, but no alcoholic beverages are included. If you order wine or alcoholic drinks with lunch/dinner, they will be charged directly to your stateroom.
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Can we receive or send mail?
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Can we receive mail or packages while on the boat?
No. However, if you need to receive an emergency package for medical reasons, you can make special arrangements with the Purser.
Can we send mail from the boat?
Yes. You can mail your items by dropping them off on the Purser's desk. Stamps are also available at the gift shop.
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Do you have Sunday church service onboard?
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No. There sometimes is a small non-denominational service performed by a volunteer passenger or clergy.
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Nautical Glossary
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ABBREVIATIONS
MS - Motor Ship
MTS - Motor Turbine Ship
MV - Motor Vessel
TSS - Turbine Steamship
SS - Steamship
USS - United States Ship
HMS - Her Majesty's Ship (England)
RMS - Royal Mail Ship (England)
ABEAM - anything perpendicular to the structure of the ship; off the side.
AFT - toward the rear of the vessel or to the stern.
AMIDSHIPS - in the middle of the vessel.
BALLAST - weight placed in the ship to keep her on an even keel when empty.
BEAM - width of ship at the widest point.
BEARING - compass direction expressed in degrees.
BERTH - nautical term for bed in your cabin or where vessel docks in port.
BOW - the forward part of the ship.
BRIDGE - ship's command center located above and forward of the passenger areas. Passengers are sometimes admitted with special invitation.
BULKHEAD - wall-like construction inside a vessel for subdividing space.
DECK - each floor of a ship.
DISEMBARK or DEBARK - to get off a ship
DRILL - any exercise ordered by the captain, like the lifeboat drill on the first evening out.
EMBARK - to board a ship.
FATHOM - a measure of six feet; used in determining the depth of water by soundings.
FLAGS - ships talk to each other with flags in an international code of signals that all nations understand. While the flag hoisted on a private yacht might say "Come over for a drink," the signals on a large ship leaving port will show if a pilot is on board and what type of cargo is carried. Signal flags are never flown at sea, except when a vessel is in distress. The ship's country of registry is flown from the stern, and her country of destination appears from the yardarms of the foremast.
FREE PORT - a port not included in customs territory, or one that is free from import taxes. St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands is a free port.
GALLEY - the kitchen.
GANGWAY - the bridge between ship and shore. Also called the gangplank as historically it was nothing more than a plank of wood.
GROSS REGISTERED TON - a measure of the size of a ship in terms of displacement. One hundred cubic feet equals one gross registered ton.
HELM - the entire steering apparatus of the ship.
KNOT - a unit of speed. One knot equals one nautical mile (6080.2 feet), or approximately 1.15 land miles per hour. The speed of a vessel is measured in knots.
LEAGUE - a unit of distance. In English-speaking countries, a league is 3.45 nautical miles.
LEEWARD - the direction toward which the wind blows.
PILOT - a representative of the local port authority who comes aboard ship to aid in the final arrival.
PITCH - the rise and fall of the ship in the water.
PORT - the left side of the ship (when looking forward) also indicated by the red navigational light.
PORTHOLE - the round window on a ship.
REGISTRY - certificate of ownership.
ROLL - the sideways motion of the ship.
SHE - ships are always considered members of the female gender.
STABILIZER - a retractable fin extending into the water on either side of the vessel to ensure smooth sailing.
STARBOARD - the right side of the ship (while looking forward), also indicated by a green navigational light.
STERN - the rear section of the vessel
TENDER - a small vessel, sometimes a lifeboat, use to carry passengers from ship to shore and vice versa.
THRUSTERS - many new vessels have propellers mounted in the hull sideways so that the ship can pull away from the dock under its own power.
WAKE - the trail a ship leaves in the water.
WEIGH ANCHOR - to raise anchor and prepare to get underway |
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