Cruising into Astoria, Jan. 24

The only Port of Call in Oregon for cruise ships is Astoria on the North Coast. The community near the entrance of the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean will receive 14 cruise ships this year according to a report given to the Port of Astoria Commission recently. The Cruise Lines International Association estimates that $125 per couple is spent when cruise ships dock in a port. The association also states that four out of five passengers normally disembark the ships to visit and spend money. Astoria officials are expecting nearly 30,000 cruise ship visitors this year.