The spectacle of changing foliage, wine harvests, rare oysters and curated food vendors are bonuses while traveling this fall on Pacific Northwest waterways with small ship cruise expert AdventureSmith Explorations.
All of the cruises are accessed through gateway cities in the Pacific Northwest. Two cruises expound on the lore and meanderings of four remarkable rivers, while another cruise explores the beauty of the San Juan Islands and the Olympic rainforest.
“Autumn is a bustling time in the Pacific Northwest, especially along the paths of small ship cruises, which take into account changing colors and local harvests. It’s a special time when travelers can actually experience and taste the bounty on board,” shares Todd Smith, founder and president of AdventureSmith Explorations. Here are three recommended small ship cruises:
Rivers of Wine
Round Trip from Portland, OR
Washington and Oregon vineyards saw their first picks of sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and pinot gris grapes in mid-August. But here, the wine harvest lingers into November, which means that Rivers of Wine cruise departures through the Columbia River Gorge can showcase the behind-the-scenes drama of vine to bottle. Vineyard tours and tastings over eight days are paired with four rivers—Columbia, Snake, Willamette and Palouse—on this wine-focused itinerary aboard the 88-guest replica steamer S.S. Legacy. All wine, premium spirit and microbrew tastings, and the insights of a guest wine expert, are included in the cruise cost. For more information on the Rivers of Wine cruise, including departure dates, visit the AdventureSmith website.
Columbia & Snake Rivers Journey
Sails Between Portland, OR, & Clarkston, WA
This seven-day cruise operated by the renowned Lindblad Expeditions features National Geographic guides and experts on board and comes with a culinary focus. Each meal is harvested from farms along the rivers and through the company’s Food Alliance affiliation. Lindblad Expeditions says they are the only Food Alliance Supply Chain Ally in the travel industry, ensuring that the served is produced by well-treated workers, that meat products come from humanely raised animals and that the regional soil, water and wildlife habitats are protected and enhanced.
The Columbia and Snake Rivers journey pairs the local cuisine with local wines representing the various growing areas along the Columbia and Snake rivers as well as regionally brewed beers. Wine and craft beer tastings are complimentary during each evening’s guide recap and dinner. For more information on booking this cruise, visit the AdventureSmith website.
Olympic Wilderness & San Juan Islands
Round Trip from Seattle, WA
This active (paddle boarding, hiking, kayaking) eight-day cruise aboard the 76-guest Wilderness Discoverer explores the Olympic Peninsula, Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands while celebrating harvest season with a particular taste of the sea. On many departures, guests get to visit with the five-generation family-run Hama Hama Oyster Farm as it enters its peak September through April season. Located on the Olympic Peninsula, Hama Hama’s oyster beds sit at the mouth of one of the shortest, coldest and least developed rivers in Washington, yielding a clean, crisp flavor. Guests sample the farm’s classic, beach-grown Hama Hamas and tumble-farmed Blue Pools.
“I think our oysters are a special local treat,” says Hama Hama’s Lissa James Monberg. “Because our company has been here a long time, we strive to be excellent stewards of the environment and great employers, and we really care about producing a quality product.” Lissa or one of her co-workers joins the 76-guest Wilderness Discoverer to explain how they farm, discuss oyster flavor with tastings and demonstrate how to shuck like a connoisseur. For more information on booking this cruise, visit the AdventureSmith website.
- Top photo: Mark Cappelletti
- Middle photo: AdventureSmith Explorations
- Bottom/feature photo: Rina Jordan
