The Queen of the West docked at the Red Lion Hotel at Jantzen Beach in Portland. Boarding was easy with our bags picked up from our room in the hotel. We boarded about 10:30 am and joined our new shipmates in the lounge. Our room was ready about noon and lunch was served at 12;30. The meals are good and include wine or beer at lunch and dinner. They had a cocktail hour every day at 5:30 with free drinks and dinner at 6:30. Most of the cruise passengers are older and well traveled. They were a great group.

The cabins are small, but have plenty of storage space for a weeks cruise. The bathrooms are very compact and there is plenty of hot water. Snacks, coffee and soft drinks are available in the lounges any time you want them. The staff was well trained and a great group of hard working young people from all over the U.S.

There were shore excursions included with the cruise and also premium excursions that cost extra. Debarkation was well organized with most people using the bus transfer to Spokane, WA. ($75/ea) as there are few flights from Lewiston, ID. Rental cars are available at the Lewiston Airport (10am on Saturday) and the cost with drop off fees are about $150. plus gas, for 24 hours. We had local entertainment that was excellent.