Astoria Cruise Port Guide — Ships, Excursions & Tips

Currency

US dollar -- cards accepted everywhere; Oregon has no sales tax.

Language

English.

Time in Port

Ships typically dock 7am-5pm at the Port of Astoria's West Mooring Basin; downtown is walkable from the pier.

Pier Location

Ships dock at the Port of Astoria on the riverfront -- the Maritime Museum is steps away; downtown shops and restaurants are a flat 10-minute walk east along the waterfront.

Best For

Pacific Northwest history, film locations, lighthouses, and craft beer

About Astoria

Astoria, perched at the mouth of the Columbia River where it meets the Pacific, is the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains -- a Victorian river town of steep hills, painted Painted Ladies, and a working waterfront that feels a world away from the standard cruise port. The 125-foot Astoria Column caps the tallest hill and surveys four states; the Columbia River Maritime Museum on the waterfront is one of the finest of its kind; and pilgrimage-ready fans know the city as the filming location of 'The Goonies.' It's an unpretentious, genuinely interesting small city where craft beer culture, Pacific Northwest seafood, and Pacific exploration history layer beautifully.

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Insider Tip

Oregon has no sales tax -- anything you buy in Astoria (including at the excellent downtown vintage shops and seafood markets) costs exactly the sticker price. Stock up on Tillamook cheese and smoked salmon at the waterfront market before boarding; they travel well.

Highlights

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Columbia River Maritime Museum
One of the top maritime museums in the Pacific Northwest, tracing the Columbia Bar's treacherous history (the 'Graveyard of the Pacific'), Coast Guard rescues, and the Lewis & Clark expedition's arrival at the river's mouth -- the lightship Columbia moored outside is itself a floating exhibit.

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Astoria Column
A 125-foot painted column on Coxcomb Hill depicting the history of the Pacific Northwest from the Lewis and Clark expedition to the arrival of the railroad -- the 164-step spiral interior walk rewards you with a panoramic view spanning four states, the Columbia, and the Pacific.

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The Goonies House & Film Locations
The Victorian house from the 1985 film is at 368 38th Street, about 2 miles from downtown -- a pilgrimage for fans; the Flavel House Museum, Astoria High School, and the county jail from the opening scenes are all nearby.

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Fort George Brewery
Astoria's anchor craft brewery occupies a full city block in a converted auto garage downtown; the daily-changing tap list includes Pacific Northwest hop-forward IPAs and the year-round Vortex red ale -- tours run on weekends.

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Fort Clatsop National Memorial
Five miles south, the reconstructed winter camp where Lewis and Clark spent the miserable winter of 1805-06 before the long journey home -- rangers in period dress demonstrate daily life and the 4-mile Astoria-Megler Bridge frames the river views on the drive there.

Local Food & Drink

Dungeness crab -- the Pacific Northwest's prized crustacean; steamed whole and served with lemon and drawn butter at the pier-side seafood stands. Astoria Crab & Seafood Co. near the port is the go-to.
Smoked salmon and salmon chowder -- Columbia River Chinook salmon is justly famous; smoked strips from the market or a bowl of cream-based salmon chowder at the Wet Dog Cafe on the waterfront are essential.
Fort George Brewery IPA -- the Vortex IPA or whatever is on the rotating tap at Fort George pairs perfectly with a Dungeness crab basket; the pub food (fish tacos, clam chowder) is as serious as the beer.
Tillamook cheese and ice cream -- the Tillamook dairy cooperative is 45 miles south; their sharp cheddars and rich ice cream (the Mudslide flavour is legendary) are sold at every shop in Astoria and at the remarkable creamery itself.

Shore Excursion Ideas

1 Astoria Column & city panoramic -- drive or taxi to Coxcomb Hill, climb 164 steps for a four-state view, then roll one of the wooden bi-planes from the gift shop off the top.

2 Columbia River Maritime Museum -- 2-3 hours in one of the finest nautical history museums on the West Coast, including the lightship Columbia.

3 Goonies & Victorian house tour -- self-guided walk to the film locations; the Flavel House (1885 Captain's Mansion) is also open for tours.

4 Fort Clatsop National Memorial -- the reconstructed Lewis & Clark winter camp, 5 miles from the pier; rangers in period dress demonstrate daily life in 1805.

5 Fort George Brewery tour and lunch -- the best craft beer in Astoria, with a full kitchen and the brewery building itself worth seeing.

Sailings to Astoria

Upcoming Royal Caribbean & Celebrity cruises that visit Astoria

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Royal Caribbean

Pacific Coastal Cruise

Serenade of the Seas · 5 nights

Vancouver · September 27, 2026

From $500/pp

Royal Caribbean

Pacific Coastal Cruise

Serenade of the Seas · 7 nights