American Empress Review
Rating by category
Additional details
All of my adult life, I have scoffed at the ads on TV and in the media touting cruises and cruise lines. The prospect of spending days on board a boat with 3000+ total strangers, many of whom are out to behave badly, while dodging rugrats and waiting in line for the buffet and stuffing yourself several times a day just doesn't appeal to me.
I want a voyage where the destination is more important than the journey, where you get the opportunity to learn about the port of call, where the locals view you as a guest, not a mark, where you don't have to pay extra for an outside cabin, where you don't get nickeled-and-dimed to death every time you order a soft drink, and on and on. Do I sound like a curmudgeon?
The good news is that I have found the perfect cruise that addresses all of my negatives, while accentuating the positives. The American Queen Steamboat Company's American Empress, which cruises the Columbia and Snake Rivers of the Pacific Northwest, delivers all that it promises and more. Some facts to support my argument:
Cabin Review
The cabin was roomier than I thought it would be; the "C" class cabins are approx. 180 square ft., not counting the veranda. There are two floor-to-ceiling wardrobes, (each with several drawers, one with a safe), a desk and desk chair, one queen-size or two twin beds with a nightstand and a clock/radio/MP3 player, two chairs, a corner unit with a flatscreen TV, several shelves, a coffeemaker, a refrigerator, and a pair of binoculars. The bathroom is small but efficient with plenty of storage space and a curtained stall shower with a handheld shower head attached to a hose.