Un-Cruise Adventures Legacy of Discovery Cruise
Scenic cruising on the Snake River with Un-Cruise Adventures
Un-Cruise Adventures Legacy of Discovery Cruise
WJ Tested: Un-Cruise Adventures Legacy of Discovery Cruise Facts & Itinerary
WAVEJourney joined Un-Cruise Adventures for their 7-night Legacy of Discovery cruise on S.S. Legacy along the Columbia and Snake Rivers – September 26-October 3, 2015
Legacy of Discovery Cruise Map – Photo courtesy of Un-Cruise Adventures
Did we enter a time machine that transported us back to the 1890s? The short answer is no. The long answer? We’re convinced we did indeed step back in time during a week-long river cruise aboard Un-Cruise Adventures’ S.S. Legacy (a replica Victorian-era coastal steamer) as we sailed roundtrip Portland, Oregon.
Un-Cruise Adventures S.S. Legacy in Portland, Oregon
The Legacy of Discovery cruise sailed a total of 1,000 miles and transported passengers through a historical journey of exploration along the Columbia and Snake Rivers – through northern Oregon, southern Washington and southeastern Idaho. Throughout the cruise, three Heritage Team guides wearing period costumes continuously brought life to destinations as they took us back in time via their vignettes, presentations, and with their abounding knowledge of the region.
Legacy of Discovery Cruise – Heritage Team Guides Julie, Bob and Kenne
Although we thought we had extensively explored the western United States vastly over the last few decades (especially the areas that Un-Cruise Adventures Legacy of Discovery cruise covers), reality set in very quickly during our trip that there was still so much more to see and learn in this region.
View of the Columbia River from Maryhill Museum
For us, exploring an area from the unique perspective of cruising along on a river is fascinating and we love only unpacking once! On this Un-Cruise sailing we marveled at the impressive landscape and geology along both the Columbia River and Snake River. Each day we lived the history of these rivers in the Columbia Basin through tales and accounts of: Nez Perce petroglyphs on rocks in Hells Canyon – the deepest river gorge in North America; the Lewis and Clark Expedition seeking an overland route to the Pacific Ocean; the demise of missionaries Dr. Marcus Whitman and his wife Narcissa along the Oregon Trail; the vision and legacy of entrepreneur Samuel Hill with his Stonehenge Monument and road projects; the development of dams and hydroelectric power plants; the necessary installment of navigation locks with fish-passage ladders.
Visiting Fort Walla Walla with Un-Cruise Adventures
WHY CRUISE WITH UN-CRUISE ADVENTURES?
Un-Cruise Adventures’ motto is “Unrushed. Uncrowded. Unbelievable.”. We found that the company completely lived up to these expectations during our Legacy of Discovery heritage cruise.
- Unrushed – Our Legacy of Discovery cruise provided ample time at each destination during our off-ship excursions.
- Uncrowded – With only 56 passengers on our cruise sailing (the maximum passenger capacity is 88) we were never crowded either on the ship or during excursions. Two luxury motor coaches were used with passengers divided into smaller groups for tours.
- Unbelievable – The scenery along the rivers, the history of the region, the atmosphere on the ship, the heritage team and guest lectures, the friendliness and competency of the Captain and crew, the overall value of the cruise – all made for an unbelievable journey of discovery that is worthy of any bucket list.
Wagon on Oregon Trail at the Whitman Mission
WHO WILL ENJOY THE LEGACY OF DISCOVERY CRUISE?
- River cruise fanatics (like us) will revel in the experience of cruising the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Cruising 1,000 miles and transiting 8 locks along the way was smooth going on the S.S. Legacy. Folks apprehensive about motion (seasickness) should have no worries.
- Lewis and Clark history buffs will find it enthralling to follow along parts of the trail which the expedition took through Oregon, Washington and Idaho over 200 years ago.
- If you like on-topic, themed affairs, this themed cruise with an on-board Heritage Team (in 1890s period costumes) explores American history throughout the areas traveled.
- For those desiring a completely different perspective to driving the route, this affords a unique experience to view the scenery while cruising along the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
- Passengers will be hard-pressed to find another river cruise ship that has an “open bridge” policy like that on S.S. Legacy. One can visit the wheelhouse at any time (even when cruising) and observe the skills of the Captain and his crew.
- For travellers that prefer one tab, the Legacy of Discovery cruise is all-inclusive – all meals, beverages (wine, beer, cocktails, spirits, soft drinks, coffee, tea, etc.), excursions, plus a 30-minute massage are covered. So other than paying gratuities to the crew at the end, there are no additional expenses.
- If you enjoy a personable crew that knows your name, caters to your needs, and offers the very best in service – this is a river cruise for you.
- Not into formal attire? The atmosphere and dress code aboard S.S. Legacy is casual and relaxed. Most passengers wore slacks and a shirt/top, and comfortable shoes/sandals throughout the day and evening. At any time of year it’s wise to pack layers, and a light rain jacket.
- Those who like to disconnect from technology will love this cruise as there are no phones or WiFi. Even passengers that did have a mobile phone or hotspot gadget still had issues connecting along various parts of the cruise – there just isn’t cell coverage in certain areas. And you know… sometimes one needs to disconnect to reconnect in life.
- North Americans that typically fly overseas to get their river cruise fix can skip the long flight(s) and jet lag (maximum 3-hour time difference between the west coast and east coast).
Jetboat ride on the Snake River with Un-Cruise Adventures
INCLUDED CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Cruised the Willamette, Columbia and Snake Rivers
- Transit 8 locks (4 on the Columbia/4 on the Snake)
- Heritage Team on-board
- Tour Bonneville Dam in Oregon
- Visit Multnomah Falls in Oregon
- Jetboat ride on the Snake River through Hells Canyon in Idaho
- Tour Fort Walla Walla in Washington
- Wine tasting in Walla Walla, Washington
- Visit Whitman Mission National Historic Site
- Visit Stonehenge Monument
- Tour Maryhill Museum
- Visit Columbia Gorge Discovery Center
- Visit Middle Village Camp in Washington
- Tour Fort Clatsop in Oregon
- Visit Columbia River Maritime Museum
- Walking tour of Astoria, Oregon
- On-board lectures
- 30-minute complimentary massage
- Transfers to/from Portland International Airport
Bonneville Dam – Army Corp of Engineers
ITINERARY:
- Day 1: Embarkation in Portland, Oregon and cruise Willamette River to join Columbia River and travel east.
- Day 2: Dock in Cascade Locks with morning excursions to Bonneville Dam and Multnomah Falls in Oregon. In the afternoon, cruise the Columbia River Gorge passing by Hood River, The Dalles, and continuing upstream.
- Day 3: A day full of scenic cruising along the Columbia River and joining the Snake River. Craft beading session in the lounge. Docked in Clarkston, Washington at 10 pm.
- Day 4: Jet boat ride along the Snake River through Hells Canyon in Idaho with an included lunch stop at Garden Creek Nature Conservancy. S.S. Legacy had a late-afternoon departure, cruising west along the Snake River towards Walla Walla, Washington.
- Day 5: Morning visit Fort Walla Walla Museum in Washington. Then visit two wineries in Walla Walla with a boxed lunch provided by the ship. Afternoon visit at Whitman Mission. Return to S.S. Legacy and cruise the Snake River west and return to the Columbia River and continue cruising towards The Dalles, Oregon.
- Day 6: Docked at The Dalles in Oregon with a morning excursion to Stonehenge Monument and Maryhill Museum in Washington. Afternoon free to explore The Dalles on your own or take an excursion to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. Cruise west towards Astoria, Oregon.
- Day 7: Docked for the day in Astoria, Oregon. Morning excursion to Middle Village Camp in Washington, then time at Fort Clatsop, Oregon. Following lunch on S.S. Legacy, afternoon excursion to Columbia River Maritime Museum or free time. Afternoon walking tour of Astoria before returning to S.S. Legacy and cruising east on the Columbia River towards Portland, Oregon.
- Day 8: Disembarkation in Portland, Oregon.
Visiting Dunham Cellars with Un-Cruise Adventures
BOTTOM LINE:
During our week-long Un-Cruise Adventures Legacy of Discovery cruise our knowledge of the area expanded tremendously. Our expectations, and those of fellow passengers with whom we spoke, were met or exceeded on this themed cruise. In fact, this is a river cruise we would like to do over – maybe in the spring with its different color palette. While river cruising remains one of our favorite modes of travel, and as we’ve taken quite a few in Europe and Southeast Asia, we were delighted that Un-Cruise Adventures Legacy of Discovery cruise was our first in North America. We were thrilled to not only experience a cruise with Un-Cruise Adventures, but that it sailed along the Columbia River (which divides the western U.S. states of Oregon and Washington) and the Snake River that flows through Washington and Idaho. We look forward to one day enjoying another epic cruise with Un-Cruise Adventures, exploring more of what they offer in destinations around the world.
Sunset on the Columbia River from S.S. Legacy
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Notes: WAVEJourney were media guests of Un-Cruise Adventures from September 26 to October 3, 2015. Read our full disclosure statement to see our review policy.
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