Familiar cruise ship will no longer visit Astoria as company folds

Residents and visitors to Astoria may remember the big red and white paddlewheel cruise ship, the American Empress, that used to dock at the 17th Street dock by the Columbia River Maritime Museum.

The company that owns her, American Queen Voyages, has ceased operations, and that ship will no longer be a familiar sight in Astoria during cruise season.

But lovers of river cruises can take heart: there will still be cruises on the river, offered by other companies. We'll talk about the American Empress, and other cruise options that remain.