By Gerry Barker
Where do you want to go on your next cruise? The Caribbean? Europe? The Baltics? Have you thought about Idaho?
Honestly, neither did I. But Idaho does indeed have a port at Lewiston, located 465 miles from the Pacific Ocean at the end of the Columbia-Snake Rivers system. And it’s about to get busier.
Starting this spring, American Cruise Lines, which operates ships throughout the country, will be calling on the Port of Lewiston as part of their highly popular Columbia-Snake Rivers cruises, as well as their 15-day National Parks and Legendary River cruises. The port and ACL have formed a partnership, with ACL managing the dock facilities.
The port noted that “the Port of Lewiston dock will bring added capacity to the expanding industry presence in the Lewis and Clark Valley, ensuring an increasing flow of tourist dollars to local retail, recreational and hospitality businesses.”
“This partnership fits perfectly with the Port’s mission to foster job creation and industry growth that ultimately enhances the quality of life for area residents,” Port General Manager Scott Corbitt said on the port’s website. “We are excited to get started.”
Tourism is big business in Idaho, famous for its scenic beauty and potato production — over 13 billion tons a year, in fact. Michelle Peters, the president and CEO of Visit Lewis Clark Valley. talked to Splash about cruises in Idaho:
Q. Taking a cruise in Idaho is a novel concept. How have the communities and towns embraced the idea?
A. Lewiston’s tourism industry is looking forward to the development of the new cruise ship dock. The Lewis Clark Valley is Lewiston, Idaho, and Clarkston, Washington. Cruise ships have regularly called on the Port of Clarkston, WA, since 1993. The cruise industry continues to grow, and more dock space is needed to accommodate all of them. The Port of Lewiston, ID, will develop the new dock in stages and is partnering with American Cruise Lines on this exciting development.
Q. What are the benefits to towns that host cruise ships?
A. The Lewis Clark Valley is the turnaround point for all the cruise lines; they are all one-way trips from Portland to Lewiston and vice-versa. This means that when the cruise passengers arrive here, it’s their final day and night; they go on a jet boat tour, winery tour, and shop downtown. The following morning, they fly home, with the majority flying out of our local regional airport on Delta or United Airlines. The next group of passengers going downriver to Portland will arrive at the local airport and stay at our local hotels before boarding their cruise. The two cruise lines, American Cruise Lines and Lindblad – National Geographic had 21,114 passengers in 2024.
Q. Cruise ship stops offer an opportunity for passengers to experience what Idaho has to offer. Do you expect an increase in shore excursion business?
A. The majority of the passengers go on the Hells Canyon jet boat tour, which is North America’s deepest river gorge, making it an excursion you can only experience here in Idaho. Some opt-in for a local wine tour in the Lewis Clark Valley American Viticultural Area, designated in 2016. The cruise ships have a number of staff on each trip. Most have the day off while all the passengers are on excursions and they shop, golf, and eat at local restaurants. Their favorite is the local coffee shops.
Q. What role will cruise ships play in Visit Idaho’s long-range tourism plans?
A. The Marriott Courtyard is currently under construction in Lewiston, Idaho. It’s a 117-room hotel with 16 long-term stay units with a restaurant and lounge and will be complete by July 2025. I am sure they know that American Cruise Lines is adding another ship, the American Encore, in Spring 2026 on the Columbia-Snake River cruises, making it a total of six ships with ACL.
Q. If you haven’t vacationed in Idaho, what are some of the “must see – must do” bucket list items?
A. In the Lewiston area, that’s Hells Canyon, North America’s deepest river gorge. You can also go wine tasting with a tour or on your own. Visit the Nez Perce National Historical Park in nearby Spalding to learn about important sites and Nez Perce culture; visit Hells Gate State Park and the Lewis Clark Discovery Center to get a better understanding of Lewis & Clark’s exploration and connection with the Native American Tribes in Idaho.
Q. What are a few things people who haven’t visited should know about what the state offers?
A. Overall, Idaho is probably best known for its outdoor recreational opportunities. Popular activities include rock climbing, fishing, lake/flatwater recreation (cruises, paddleboarding, canoeing), whitewater rafting/kayaking, camping, hiking/backpacking, UTV/off road riding, mountain biking, downhill/Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, star gazing, hot springs soaking, waterfalls watching, wildlife watching, birding, golfing, wine tasting in Lewis Clark Valley and Snake River Valley (close to Boise), arts and history, natural attractions, jetboating, horseback riding and more.
The state has Oregon Trail, Lewis & Clark and Native American history; several national monuments, around 30 state parks, the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve and other designated dark sky locations, 31 scenic byways, small towns, vibrant downtowns, local wines and craft beers, and a growing culinary scene. Rivers, lakes and mountain ranges dot the landscapes. Idahoans are friendly and proud of our beautiful state.
Q. What’s the best time of year to visit?
A. Spring and Fall in Lewiston are the best when it comes to mild weather, but Idaho has a lot to offer year-round (including dozens of world-class ski resorts in winter).
Another Idaho event of note is Boise’s Jaialdi Festival, which translates to “Big Festival.” It brings Basque people from all over the world to Boise and will take place for the first time in a decade (thanks to Covid cancellations), July 29-August 3, 2025. Idaho has the highest concentration of Basques outside of the Basque region that borders Spain and France.
For more information go to Visit Lewis Clark Valley.
For more information on American Cruise Line Columbia-Snake River sailings, visit here.
Splash Magazines
Be the first to comment