Pacific Northwest Tours

Accommodations Review

Could have used a few more hooks in the rooms for hand towels, clothes, etc. Our bathroom was usually foul smelling and could have used an air freshener...

Meals Review

BACON was da bomb! I loved the salmon, scallops and ribs; my husband liked the lamb and the raw oysters. Daily different special bar drinks were exciting and fun to look forward to! The only thing we could even possibly give less than 5 stars was that some of the fish dishes at dinner were less than exciting. The desserts were fantastic, though!

Crew & Guides Review

We loved our morning on Spencer off of Lopez Island... with the remnants of the morning fog it was a photographer's dream!

Itinerary Review

Without a doubt, I loved the moonlight kayaking around Lopez Island, a truly spiritual experience when we turned most of the lights out and became very quiet, just hearing the sound of our paddles churning up the bio-luminescent plankton in the water. I loved hiking in the rain and fog through The Staircase area of Olympic National Park. We also enjoyed the morning guided kayak trip in total fog around the Finger Islands around Sucia Island. We also liked the bus trip up Mt. Constitution, the picnic beside the lake as well as the short walk through the surrounding woods on Orcas Island- and so many other activities on this trip...as well as the comradery on the boat...we made so many new friends!

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

AdventureSmith is always terrific and thorough. We have and will continue to [recommend AdventureSmith Explorations], in fact I just did so earlier today!

Traveler Advice

Pack for casual and exciting adventures. Don't expect luxurious quarters-just fun, fantastic food and lots of fun!

Accommodations Review

This was our fourth river trip and the first where we were able to visit the bridge at will. For me, the mechanics of running a boat this size requires a certain management level which obviously existed. I saw lots of teamwork and enthusiasm at all levels.

Meals Review

So maybe a hamburger can be offered at times but you are obviously are on a par with other trips that we have experienced. I would guess that the general client group had no idea how healthy your meals were. You failed miserably to add 10 pounds as requested. 5 was all I could muster. Portion sizes were excellent. No improvement necessary in this category.

Crew & Guides Review

Can't add anything other than great job at all levels. Their wealth of knowledge was amazing. I think they had as much fun as we did.

Itinerary Review

Hard to rate but [I enjoyed most] the Snake River Fast Boat excursion was tops and the Winery Tour was second. Why - Both took lots of people management skills and coordination. Included in all the excursions were the Heritage Guides and your Hotel Manager. These are obviously top notch people who loved their work and did a wonderful job.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Pre-trip information was adequate. We have already recommended AdventureSmith Explorations.

Traveler Advice

The Lewis and Clark theme was a great way to understand how our country grew. When we left the boat we traveled East cross country more or less on their route back to the Missouri. We uncovered new information that added to our base knowledge about Lewis and Clark. Made for an even more interesting experience. Read the book also.

Meals Review

We ate everything placed in front of us! The chef was fantastic in her choices and flavors. It is amazing that all that food was prepared in a relatively small space. Kudos to the Chef and her team. Shannon, our server in the dining room, was spectacular also! With helpful tips at various locations as well as an extraordinary sense of the cuisine, Shannon made each meal-time a special time for us. No request went unfulfilled and nothing was ever a problem or concern. We felt all the wait staff were good but Shannon stood out and we wanted to pass this along.

Crew & Guides Review

Denise was our lead and had us well organized/informed on all the events ahead of us each day. Lilly and Jen were amazing in their knowledge and presentation of material. Each tour was handled so very well; we were most impressed with the whole team. Must add that it was, for us, the perfect balance of information and visits.

Accommodations Review

Our cabin was well appointed and maintained perfectly - we did not spend much time in our cabin but that was the point. However, we slept well and had everything we needed.

Transportation Review

The trip ran like clockwork from beginning to end.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Our Adventure Specialist, Nick, was responsive, informative and very helpful every step of the way. Thank you, Nick!

Traveler Advice

Prepare to have fun!

Accommodations Review

Given tight quarters well done. Slow shower drain, leaving toilet area wet, not my favorite.

Meals Review

Variety, flavors, presentation wonderful.

Crew & Guides Review

The enthusiasm and knowledge of all guides added greatly to the trip.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Baggage and transfer handled smoothly. Over emphasis on the boots. Needed once and ankle high was plenty.

Accommodations Review

The Sea Bird is old and cabins are what they are, but still really good.  Get fitted sheets. Easier on stewards and passengers. But vessel was great. We knew what to expect so no surprises. The common areas were more than adequate for the expedition.

Meals Review

Amazing work given the limitations of the galley. Breakfast and lunch were perfect to fuel us up and keep us energized. Appetizers were a highlight. I very much liked the portion size at dinner. Soup needs work. Too much of same dark base. Think miso or chowder, but minor. Great baked goods.  Service was A+++ from Val on down.

Crew & Guides Review

No one better than Rab, Betty Lou and Linda. Gold standard. Rab shared personal experiences and emotions and displayed encyclopedic knowledge of every subject. Clone him. Betty Lou's talk on her career was fabulous. The whole team was knowledgeable, personable, helpful, available, great in crisis and enthusiastic. How can one be with Rab and not get excited about the events or with Linda, Betty Lou, Eryn and not learn? 

Photography staff was first rate. Brian and Drew knew everything and explained it clearly. Divers, Jim and Lynn, added a whole different dimension to our experience. Local guides were essential to understanding Haida and Kwakwaka wakaw cultures. And the Watchmen gave such authenticity to our experience. Loved Ranger Molly. Wow!!!! No weak individual on this team.

Itinerary Review

Haida Gwaii, Gwai Hannas, Old Massett, and Alert Bay were strong cultural experiences which made the whole trip worthwhile. The nature walks were well chosen and instructive. Sometimes after dinner talks were repetitious, but small issue.

Zodiak tours were uniformly outstanding and exciting. The excursion into the sea near the Hobbit Hole was a memory for all time as was Rabs talk about Vitas Bering and George Stellars. Whew, all good!!! Glacier visits were well done, awesome, and sobering to see the impacts of climate change. Potlach dances were highlight also as was the ability to meet Jim Hart and Christian White. Legendary and inspiring. Gwaii Hannas was magical.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

Andrew was, as always, excellent. Made our trip prep easy. We would recommend AdventureSmith to friends and family without hesitation.

Traveler Advice

Embrace the experience. Pack lighter/take less. Read some history like Muir's Travels in Alaska, history of decimation of tribes by European exposure and books on Northwest art.

Accommodations Review

Our cabin on the Legacy was very comfortable and well maintained. I loved having the window view. The only comment I can think of to add would be that being able to adjust the temperature in the dining room and the lounge so that it was not so cold would have been welcome.

Crew & Guides Review

Skiba did a superb job organizing and communicating the activities of the day.  Julie was an informative and enthusiastic leader!  I learned so much from Ryan about the geology of the area.  it added much to our actual visits.  Keka (Ericka) is certainly a special guide.  She did an excellent job presenting the salmon information as well as her knowledge of other naturalist elements of the trip.  Alll of the leaders and guides that I experienced were skilled and attentive making us all feel comfortable regardless of the activity . Although the wine was not my major interest I thought Asher, as sommelier, did an excellent job of creating activities and sharing information for everyone.

Traveler Advice

I would suggest the twin bed arrangement for a couple for ease of movement in the cabin.

Meals Review

I had some dietary restrictions (GF) that were well handled at the meals. The chef , Marcus, frequently provided me with chicken soup when I needed it. And Julie, the pastry chef, made wonderful gluten free bread that I enjoyed at almost every meal. This was facilitated by our server, Quinn. They made the extra efforts to meet my individual needs, not an easy task when you are serving a large group. Kudos to the food staff.

Itinerary Review

[I most enjoyed] The visit to Palouse State Park, the hike at the Dalles, the Maryhill Museum of Art, viewing the dams and locks from the boat, and Fort Clatsop. [I least enjoyed] The Stonehenge replica - not as interesting as a replica. Would have spent more time at the Maryhill Museum.

AdventureSmith Explorations Review

I felt I had the information I needed to plan for the trip. They arranged for us to be taken to the airport to pick up a rental car following our disembarking. I felt that Leslie was easy available for any questions we might have. I think the materials provided really give an accurate picture of the trip.