LEWISTON, ID – The Port of Lewiston and American Cruise Lines have officially opened Idaho’s first cruise boat dock, celebrating the milestone Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Confluence Riverfront facility. The event drew local officials, community members, river stakeholders from across the Northwest, and representatives from American Cruise Lines, with the cruise ship American Song moored alongside the Clearwater River.

American Cruise Lines President and CEO Charles B. Robertson called the dock’s debut a “special honor” and praised the collaboration behind the project, noting its economic, community, and recreational benefits. Port of Lewiston General Manager Scott Corbitt highlighted the partnership’s role in creating “Cruise Idaho” and said the new facility will serve both cruise passengers and the local community.

The ceremony included remarks from City of Lewiston Mayor Dan Johnson, who described the dock as “a gateway to the region’s vibrant culture and rich history.” Members of the Nez Perce Tribe, led by Nez Perce Tourism CEO Stacia Morfin, opened the event with a cultural invocation.

Funded in part by an allocation from Idaho Governor Brad Little in 2023, the dock allows passengers to embark and disembark in Lewiston, the West Coast’s furthest inland seaport. Cruise itineraries include regional excursions such as Hells Canyon jet boat tours, helicopter sightseeing, and local wine tasting.

Plans for the Confluence Riverfront’s next development phase include a potential open-air amphitheater and repurposing a former maintenance shop for community and passenger use. A later phase may feature an RV park and fishing piers.

American Cruise Lines operates the largest river cruise fleet in the United States, offering luxury river voyages in 35 states aboard its exclusively U.S.-built and U.S.-flagged vessels.