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American Cruise Lines

American West

Intimate ship Bliss scored

The 120-passenger American West, formerly Queen of the West, cruises the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest.

  • 120guests
  • 2,115gross tons
  • 2cruises now

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The 120-passenger American West sails the Snake and Columbia rivers in the U.S. Northwest from Clarkston, Washington, to Portland, Oregon.

At a glance

American West is an intimate-size cruise ship operated by American Cruise Lines, in service since 1994. It carries 120 guests and 37 crew (3.2 guests per crew member) at 2,115 gross tons. It is the 13th largest of 20 American Cruise Lines ships by guest capacity. On Cruiseable's Bliss scale it scores highest for dining and staterooms (8/10) and lowest for romantic (2/10). It has 2 cruises on sale.

Builder's plate

Specs

Guests
120
Crew
37
Gross tons
2,115
Decks
4
Length
232 ft
Beam
50 ft
Maiden voyage
1994
Refurbished
2022
Space ratio
3.2
Gross tons per guest
Guests per crew
3.2
Speed (mph)
14
IMO
8642957

Bliss scores

What American West is best at

Ten dimensions scored by our editors on a 10-point scale. The Cruiseable app ranks every cruise against the mix you care about.

  1. Active 6.0
  2. Adventure and nature 5.0
  3. Cultural 6.0
  4. Dining 8.0
  5. Entertainment 6.0
  6. Family friendly 4.0
  7. Party 5.0
  8. Romantic 2.0
  9. Spa and fitness 4.0
  10. Staterooms 8.0

Our review

American West: Trailblazing in the Pacific Northwest

A veteran of the Columbia and Snake Rivers, American West from American Cruise Lines, formerly Queen of the West, underwent a major renovation in 2022, with new color palettes, luxurious textiles and linens, new furniture and carpets, artwork and other flourishes.

On board you’ll find an intimate atmosphere with multiple lounges and cozy staterooms, just a smaller than other American Cruise Lines ships. Sharing the ship with just 120 passengers allows for exceptionally camaraderie among passengers, and lets the attentive, personalized service of American Cruise Lines shine.

Who will like sailing on American West

Travelers who like small towns and dramatic vistas will enjoy cruising on American West.

Where American West sails

American Cruise Lines' American West sails the Snake and Columbia Rivers in the U.S. Northwest from Clarkston, Wash., to Portland, Ore.

Read the full review

Retrace the journey of Lewis and Clark

Seven day cruises take you between Clarkston, Wash., and Portland, while others include the Columbia River Gorge, following the route of Lewis and Clark. 

Stateroom features

  • Spacious staterooms 
  • Most staterooms have private balconies
  • Large opening picture window
  • All interior entrances means that every stateroom has a private view
  • Complimentary wi-fi in all staterooms
  • Satellite TV and DVD player in all staterooms
  • Twice-daily stateroom service
  • Individual climate control system
  • Writing desk & stationery
  • Hair dryer
  • Spacious closet
  • Four-drawer dressers and night tables
  • 110-volt outlets

Amenities on this ship

Note: There's no pool, fitness center, spa facilities or casino on American West. Passengers get their exercise by going ashore and walking around the port towns.

Your take

Have you sailed on American West? What was it like? Please share a story, tip or discovery. What was the highlight? We'd love to hear about your experience — please share!

Help improve this article. See anything wrong? What did we overlook? Be a co-creator!

Interested in a cruise on this ship?

 

SEE ALL AMERICAN WEST SAILINGS

Photos

Inside and out

Destinations 12

  • The upper pool at the Japanese Garden in Portland, Oregon.
    The upper pool at the Japanese Garden in Portland, Oregon.
  • Majestic Mt. Hood rises about 50 miles outside of Portland, Oregon.
    Majestic Mt. Hood rises about 50 miles outside of Portland, Oregon.
  • The waterfront in Portland, Oregon.
    The waterfront in Portland, Oregon.
  • A classic building on Puget Sound. See it on an American Cruise Lines sailing.
    A classic building on Puget Sound. See it on an American Cruise Lines sailing.
  • Join American Cruise Lines' Puget Sound Fall Foliage tour and take in Crown Point, the 730-foot-high bluff in Oregon rising from the Columbia River.
    Join American Cruise Lines' Puget Sound Fall Foliage tour and take in Crown Point, the 730-foot-high bluff in Oregon rising from the Columbia River.
  • See the historic lighthouse on Cape Disappointment near the mouth of the Columbia River on an American Cruise Lines voyage to the Pacific Northwest. Built in 1856, it's the oldest operating lighthouse in the West.
    See the historic lighthouse on Cape Disappointment near the mouth of the Columbia River on an American Cruise Lines voyage to the Pacific Northwest. Built in 1856, it's the oldest operating lighthouse in the West.
  • Picturesque Friday Harbor in the Pacific Northwest's San Juan Islands has been used as a setting for books, movies and games.
    Picturesque Friday Harbor in the Pacific Northwest's San Juan Islands has been used as a setting for books, movies and games.
  • Enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Hood and colorful fall foliage during an American Cruise Lines river cruise.
    Enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Hood and colorful fall foliage during an American Cruise Lines river cruise.
  • See majestic Mount St. Helens when traveling through Washington state on an American Cruise Lines voyage.
    See majestic Mount St. Helens when traveling through Washington state on an American Cruise Lines voyage.
  • See stunning Multnomah Falls at Oregon's Columbia River Gorge during a Queen of the West cruise.
    See stunning Multnomah Falls at Oregon's Columbia River Gorge during a Queen of the West cruise.
  • A Native American boy in ceremonial dress at the Pendleton Roundup in Pendleton, Ore.
    A Native American boy in ceremonial dress at the Pendleton Roundup in Pendleton, Ore.
  • See the San Juan Islands on a cruise through Puget Sound on an American Spirit sailing.
    See the San Juan Islands on a cruise through Puget Sound on an American Spirit sailing.

Dining 3

  • Take in the passing landscapes over dinner with family or friends on your American Cruise Lines sailing.
    Take in the passing landscapes over dinner with family or friends on your American Cruise Lines sailing.
  • A dessert dish served on an American Cruise Lines voyage.
    A dessert dish served on an American Cruise Lines voyage.
  • A table setting in the dining room on an American Cruise Lines sailing.
    A table setting in the dining room on an American Cruise Lines sailing.

On board 1

  • Pull up a deck chair on your American Cruise Lines sailing along the Columbia River in Washington and Oregon.
    Pull up a deck chair on your American Cruise Lines sailing along the Columbia River in Washington and Oregon.

Staterooms 1

  • Cozy staterooms aboard the 120-passenger Queen of the West ensure comfortable trips to Columbia and Snake River destinations.
    Cozy staterooms aboard the 120-passenger Queen of the West ensure comfortable trips to Columbia and Snake River destinations.

More photos 7

  • The 120-passenger American West sails the Snake and Columbia rivers in the U.S. Northwest from Clarkston, Washington, to Portland, Oregon.
    The 120-passenger American West sails the Snake and Columbia rivers in the U.S. Northwest from Clarkston, Washington, to Portland, Oregon.
  • American West guests will love looking at scenery punctuated by Mount Hood as the ship sails Oregon's waterways.
    American West guests will love looking at scenery punctuated by Mount Hood as the ship sails Oregon's waterways.
  • See the Astoria-Megler Bridge over the Columbia River, connecting Oregon and Washington, on an American Cruise Lines riverboat.
    See the Astoria-Megler Bridge over the Columbia River, connecting Oregon and Washington, on an American Cruise Lines riverboat.
  • A brown bear tries some mind control over unsuspecting salmon swimming upstream in the Pacific Northwest.
    A brown bear tries some mind control over unsuspecting salmon swimming upstream in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Catch a glimpse of a bear cub and other wildlife during an American Cruise Lines expedition.
    Catch a glimpse of a bear cub and other wildlife during an American Cruise Lines expedition.
  • See the scenic landscapes along the Columbia River Gorge on an American Cruise Lines voyage.
    See the scenic landscapes along the Columbia River Gorge on an American Cruise Lines voyage.
  • See natural rock formations, sweeping landscapes and rivertowns on a cruise along the Columbia and Snake rivers on American West.
    See natural rock formations, sweeping landscapes and rivertowns on a cruise along the Columbia and Snake rivers on American West.

Sailing now

Cruises on American West

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  1. 8 Night Columbia and Snake Rivers and Land Tour 8 nights · from Clarkston Next Sep 27, 2026 Fare on request
  2. 6 Night Columbia River Gorge and Land Tour 6 nights · from Portland Next Oct 18, 2026 Fare on request

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