River Cruises in the USA, anyone have an experience with that? (Canada, long distance)
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I’ve heard good things about the Columbia River cruises, but have never done one.
I wouldn’t rule out European river cruises, though. Health care in Europe is fine. You just need to have insurance that will cover you while you are there.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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We hjave had several guests stay with us while doing Columbia River Sternwheeler Cruise, there is a lot to see within 2 hrs of Portland, OR (before and after cruise). Northern OR coast, Mt St Helens, Mt Hood, Rainier NP, Gardens.... lots of gardens!
I think a private LONG distance Columbia / Snake River Cruise would be fascinating.
You might find some unique river cruises on smaller rivers in Midwest. / East (Hudson, Potomac R...)
St Lawrence cruise is another option. (As is eastern Seaboard / Maritime Provinces.)
If you decide to go further from USA, there is always travel insurance ~$100 / month. Air evac for medical care is available on some policies. Much of the world has as good or better healthcare than USA, but no where else is as expensive as USA!. https://www.patientsbeyondborders.com/
Last edited by StealthRabbit; 12-26-2019 at 01:17 AM..
We did the Columbia River cruise, it was an expensive ($8000.00+) joke. The scenery was drab, the few stops were so so, people only got excited when going through the small locks, but after a dozen of them it got boring. Food was good and you sat at assigned tables, some had a view, not so hot crowded seating entertainment with the same people entertaining every night. Cabin was very cramped.
Ocean cruises are far better, cheaper and more entertaining and things to do. Plus not so cramped space everywhere and also there are much better sites to see.
I'm not sure how good the scenery would be for a cruise along the Ohio. Especially in the spring, it tends to be muddy and just not that pretty of a ride.
I've done a couple day rides in sections between Cincinnati and Louisville. I really like the area for a day trip, but I can't imagine doing a cruise there.
My husband and I once did a lower Mississippi River cruise starting and ending in New Orleans. The New Orleans part was great, the cruise itself not so much. Lots of views of fuel refineries, and not-great food.
OP, have you considered a New England-Canada cruise? I did one of those with a friend, and it's like a regular ocean cruise except with stops only in New England and eastern Canada.
Do they still have the Windjammer cruises off the New England coast often in sailing ships like schooners? Those used to be advertised a lot in Yankee magazine.
How about a cruise to Alaska from Seattle? My mother did that at the age of 82.
I know of a disabled woman in her 70s (wheelchair bound) who went there with her caretaker.
Oops, after re-reading the title "River", I guess this does not pertain.
The OP said he was open to an Alaskan cruise, so you're good.
An Inside Passage cruise is an excellent idea. I've done it, what, five or six times now. I never get tired of the scenery and the wildlife. The best itineraries include a day in Glacier Bay.
The OP said he was open to an Alaskan cruise, so you're good.
An Inside Passage cruise is an excellent idea. I've done it, what, five or six times now. I never get tired of the scenery and the wildlife. The best itineraries include a day in Glacier Bay.
We did a 10 day positioning cruise from Seattle to Juneau on a small ship several years ago; there were about 60 passengers. Had a great time as we could duck into places that the big ships could not go and everything seemed more up close and personal. Getting off and on for doing things ashore was a breeze. Our goal is to do the same thing again in spring or autumn of 2021. Looking at a vessel that has about 35 passengers.
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