About the Port
Portland sits at the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, with Mount Hood rising in the distance as a natural landmark for the region. The city's identity has long been shaped by river commerce, from the era of sternwheelers and steam whistles along the waterfront to today's bridges and working port. Compact neighborhoods, public markets, and green spaces make the downtown core easy to explore on foot from the pier.
Nearby Hayden Island, once home to the Jantzen Beach Amusement Park and known in its day as the "Coney Island of the West," now offers a quieter mix of houseboats, floating homes, and waterfront dining. Its riverside setting is especially known for evening light over the water. Together, city and island reflect Portland's layered history as a gateway between river and mountain landscapes.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Portland.
Explore Powell's City of Books
Browse an entire city block of new and used titles in the country's largest independent bookstore, a short walk from the downtown waterfront.
Wander the Old Town Waterfront
Follow the Willamette River esplanade past historic bridges and Saturday Market stalls, tracing the same shoreline once busy with sternwheelers and steam whistles.
Catch Sunset Over Hayden Island
Linger at a floating dockside restaurant to watch evening light spread across the water, a quiet contrast to the island's amusement-park past.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Portland
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 7 | $5,909 | |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 7 | $6,394 | |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 7 | $5,471 | |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Lion | 5 | $3,969 | |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 7 | $5,362 | |
| Sep 29, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Lion | 5 | $3,344 | |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 7 | $6,125 | |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 7 | $5,236 | |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 7 | $5,177 | |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 7 | $5,243 | |
| Oct 11, 2027 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Venture | 7 | $6,500 | |
| Oct 18, 2027 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Venture | 7 | $6,500 | |
| Oct 25, 2027 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Venture | 7 | $6,150 | |
| Oct 7, 2028 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Venture | 7 | $7,500 | |
| Oct 14, 2028 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Venture | 7 | $7,500 | |
| Oct 21, 2028 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Venture | 7 | $7,500 |