Fall departures: September 13-October 18
This 8 day epicurean cruise on the Columbia River will feature the rich history and delicious flavors unique to this region. When it comes to the art of wine, Washington State knows its “terroir”-the combination of soil, climate and geography that makes wine distinct. You will be welcomed aboard in Portland with a taste of Willamette Valley’s signature flavors: a Pinot Noir or Pinot Gris. To get a feel for the culture and industry of this area, we will visit the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center with a focus on Native foods and the agricultural history of the Columbia River Basin. A jet boat tour to the Hanford Reach National Monument will evoke memories of WWII and the Cold War era.
You will be treated to tours and tastings at two of Washington States AVA’s while exploring four of the Columbia Valley’s finest wineries: Coyote Canyon, Terra Blanca, Three Rivers and Beresan. The Fruit Company, where orchards have been hand-picked for 65 years, will take you by tractor into the field for fresh picked fruit. Before returning to Portland, we’ll visit the Seafood Consumer Center at Astoria, where you will help our Chef prepare lunch, fusing the freshest seafood with the unique local flavors of Oregon’s fresh fruits, vegetables and cheeses. Join us and see for yourself why Washington State is ranked among the top wine regions of the world.
To learn more about this luxurious river cruise, please contact Rhonda Sand at 1-800-975-7775 for more information.
The Columbia River Gorge: A natural wind tunnel cutting it’s way through the Cascade Mountains to deliver the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean. This was the final destination of the famous Lewis & Clark Expedition in 1806, the discovery of the Northwest Passage. Traversing the mighty Columbia today is quite a different experience with its engineering marvels of locks and dams, but the adventure is still the same. Rich in Native American culture, quaint port towns, breathtaking waterfalls and exquisite scenery make cruising this American river a very rewarding vacation in so many ways.
First, lets explore the beautiful small ships that make this amazing journey! With maximum occupancy of 84-96 guests, these ships offer a much more intimate experience with up close proximity to the wonder of the Columbia River and it’s canyon. With floor to ceiling windows for inside veiwing and ample outside deck space to enjoy the fresh breezes, your comfort is a top priority. The onboard Exploration Leaders are distinguished experts eager to share their passion and insight for the history and culture of the Columbia River Gorge and it’s people. Read More…
For fans of classic cruise vessels, nothing quite gets the pulse racing like Queen Elizabeth 2. As the world’s most famous ocean liner, she was always admired for her sleek silhouette, her powerful grace, and her war-time contributions.
Unfortunately, Cunard had to retire the liner in November 2008 because of stringent guidelines set forth by SOLAS which take effect on October 1, 2010. Now in Dubai, the QE2 will be sliced, diced, and gutted before being reopened as a luxury floating hotel, docked on the manmade, tree-shaped Palm Jumeirah island.
Second chance scenarios such as the QE2’s seem to be rare. Many of the owners of ships built before 1980 (when different safety rules applied) have some tough choices ahead. Replacing all the combustible materials is incredibly expensive. Most of these classic ships are loaded with fine woods, and unfortunately, this makes the scrap yard the favored option for most of them.
Below is a list of many of the classic ships that seem doomed for the scrap yard:
- Regal Empress, an ocean liner of polished wood and burnished brass that enjoyed some 50 years in the business, retired in March 2009. For Regal, there was no buyer and the ship was quietly sold for scrap and made its final journey to the notorious breaking beaches of Alang, India.
- The same fate has been met by the venerable Maxim Gorkiy, built in 1973. The ship was sold to Orient Lines and was scheduled to launch as the Marco Polo II in spring 2009. Unfortunately, Orient Lines closed before the first cruise and the ship was sold for scrap.
- Meanwhile, like the QE2, it appears as if Fred Olsen’s Black Prince will be spared. While the line has chosen to retire the vessel later this year, rather than spend the money to make the ship SOLAS compliant, it has found a buyer, Servicios Acuaticos de Venezuela CA (SAVECA). Initial plans are for the vessel to be used as a cruise ship in Venezuelan waters. Read More…
Have you ever thought about taking a year off from your hectic schedule and just traveling? Well, here’s one exciting, amazing way to see the world in a year!
One of TMI Tours’ cruise partners and a fellow member of Virtuoso has created a 335-day circumnavigation of the world. This amazing voyage will depart Singapore on March 6, 2010, with their 120-guest, all-suite luxury ship and will sail westward, following the sun, to return to Singapore on February 3, 2011. This journey includes visits to 242 ports of call in 59 countries and 85 UNESCO World Heritage sites while crossing 14 seas and oceans, transiting three canals - Port Suez/Port Said (Suez Canal transit); Corinth Canal/ Corinth (Mycenae/Nafplion); and the Colon/ Panama Canal.
Following the major routes inspired by history’s great ocean explorers, this new world voyage is a collection of 24 individual voyages which will feature the exploits of the legendary seafarers. Each distinct voyage, ranging from nine to 18 nights, will offer historical insights into the sea commanders who first made history along the same routes. Read More…
Never been on a cruise before? Then you probably have lots and lots of questions…and that’s OK! TMI Tours & Cruises has been involved in the cruise industry for decades. We have an unbelievable amount of experience and knowledge about everything related to cruising. Please feel free to ask us questions! Ask us anything, whether it’s about a personal cruise, partial ship charter, or managing and creating a customized cruise itinerary using the entire ship. We are always eager to answer questions from people interested in cruise adventures. We love travel and enjoy creating cruise vacations for people; whether they are seasoned cruisers or first timers!
Please feel free to leave a comment here in the blog with your question, call us at 1-800-975-7775, or email us with your questions. We look forward to the opportunity to be of assistance to you!
