American West Steamboat Cruises

American West Steamboat Cruises is a small cruise line based in Seattle. It re-introduced the concept of luxury sternwheeler cruising in 1995 to the great rivers of the West. The three great rivers are Columbia, Willamette and Snake Rivers.

At that time, the Queen of the West was the first an only paddle wheeler to sail on the Columbia River in 85 years till American West Steamboat Cruises expanded to include the Empress of the North.

Empress of the North is the first sternwheeler to sail Alaska's Inside Passage in over a 100 years. American West Steamboat Cruises launched the sternwheeler in 2003. After its introduction, American West Steamboat Cruises became one of the most unique Alaska tour companies. American West Steamboat Cruises still carries on the paddlewheel tradition with its fleet of two modern sternwheeler cruise ships that combine the ambience of the 1800s in 21 st century style.

Cruise destinations offered by American West Steamboat Cruises are primarily two. You can opt for the Great Rivers of the West package or Alaska Inside passage aboard the Empress of the North . The Great Rivers of the West Cruise package offers some exciting destinations. The Columbia River Gorge Cruise gives you a chance to admire the natural beauty of the Pacific North East . American West Steamboat Cruises take you along the Columbia, Snake and Willamette Rivers . You can also take a roundtrip tour from Portland which is nearly a thousand mile long cruise. Observe the natural beauty of the landscape surrounding the rivers on this cruise.

The second package offered by American West Steamboat Cruises is the Alaska Inside Passage Cruise . The Empress of the North gives you the chance to discover Alaska . Experience the wildlife from as close as it gets and the wilderness waterways of the Inside Passage . You could also feel the ice on your face while viewing Endicott Arm and the twin Sawyer Glaciers .

American West Steamboat Cruises are designed to give you unparalleled vacation opportunity combined with dramatic scenery, fine dining and fascinating itineraries. There is show boat style entertainment provided to the passengers. There are large staterooms on board with impressive artwork for maximum passenger comfort.

American West Steamboat Cruises gives you the unique experience of sailing on luxury sternwheeler cruises in the 21 st Century.