The largest cruise ship on the Columbia River is owned by American Queen and that firm announced a shut down of all operations earlier this year. That leaves Vancouver’s Terminal One cruise ship port empty for the first time in more than a decade. There is another competing cruise line that makes its home port at the Red Lion Hotel on Hayden Island in Portland. American Cruises operates several cruise ships that ply the mighty Columbia. I have not heard any news regarding Vancouver trying to get them to switch ports.
The Port of Camas-Washougal had just recently acquired a contract for American Queen to stop there. They wasted no time in reaching out to another operator and secure a deal to have those ships stop at their port. Kudos to the peeps on the east side of the county for staying on task and minimizing the economic loss of the cruise ship patrons.
What about Vancouver? Has the Mayor reached out to American Cruise Lines? Have our elected port officials done so? They sure haven’t made any announcements. American Cruise Lines ought to be chomping at the proverbial bit to get a shot at Terminal One. Have you been to Hayden Island lately? It’s a mess over there. Unless they are getting a ridiculously cheap deal I can’t imagine them not jumping sides immediately after their current lease expires. These cruise ships hold on average a couple hundred guests that land a couple times a week and spend money at local businesses. The touristy feel of the Waterfront is a magnet for these guests and they don’t drive in so they are not a party to any parking concerns.
We are about to build a brand new terminal one dock at the cost of tens of millions of dollars. Having a tenant lined up early makes getting the funding a whole lot easier. Madam Mayor, pick up the phone, make the call. Port officials, what are you doing? Make the damn call.
Ah the Couv Life; it is good; even when our elected officials are caught napping 😉
The 'Couv' Life 