The Paddle Wheel Lounge offers live vocals and piano for entertainment. The Show Lounge is an activity center during the day, featuring everything from BINGO to magic acts, and is the scene for live musical entertainment every night.
During the past year, the Empress has won accolades from critics for its dining experiences and hospitality.
Lunder takes pride in those reviews because it means the hard work going on behind the scenes is gaining good reports from guests.
“They get to enjoy such beautiful scenic views and we provide them with information about the history of the river and the communities they visit,” he said.
Passengers are provided with Hop-On, Hop-Off shuttles through The Dalles and other towns along the Columbia and Snake rivers. Their local weekly stop includes the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, Fort Dalles Museum, Sunshine Mill and the historic commercial district.
Buses are available in the afternoons to take visitors to the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, Maryhill Museum and Stonehenge, among other locations.
Lunder said a voyage on the Empress can be fun filled or romantic, with balconies off every cabin for star gazing and 24/7 room service, as well as candlelight dining in River Grill.
“People come on cruises for many reasons, some for romance and some to get away and enjoy wine-tasting, sight-seeing and visiting new places,” he said.
Terry Lunder has six hours between voyages of the American Empress to get 212 cabins ready for double occupancy during the next week-long adventure.
“There are a lot of things that have to happen in a short period of time so there is a very high activity level,” he said. “When you come onboard, we are ready to give you a very wonderful experience.”
One of his favorite stops along the Columbia River is The Dalles, said Lunder, because the Floozies are waiting on the dock to greet the passengers and crew.
The Fort Dalles Floozies and Friends dress in turn of the century clothing to promote the historical character of the town that once had brothels on the upper floors of downtown buildings.
“Having the Floozies meet the ship is very impressive,” said Lunder. “They are so friendly and are there in any kind of weather to greet our guests. They do a very good job – it’s very impressive.”
Lunder has a master’s in hotel management and more than 30 years of experience in the field. Some of his past places of employment include Norwegian Cruise Lines and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nev.
He joined the 88-member crew on the Empress for its inaugural voyage in March 2014. Lunder wanted to be part of the sailing adventure that offers elegance from a bygone era.
The Empress is the largest paddlewheel to sail the rivers of the Pacific Northwest and underwent a $1.5 million renovation after being purchased by the American Queen Steamboat Company.
The home port for the Empress is in Portland. The ship measures 360 feet in length and has seven stateroom categories on four decks available at a cost that ranges from just under $4,000 to nearly $7,000.
Voyages that begin in Vancouver, Wash., go first to Astoria and then to Clarkston Idaho. When trips begin in Idaho, passengers sail down the Snake and Columbia rivers to Astoria and then back to Vancouver.
“I think the vibrant nature of this business is very exciting,” said Lunder. “No two days are alike and it’s very people-oriented. I truly enjoy the personal aspect of what I do.”
When guests arrive, he said the larders are stocked with fresh foods, wines and microbrews that have been purchased locally at several stops. Even the coffee served on the boat is a Northwest blend made by the West Coast Coffee Company of Hillsboro.
A new feature that will be expanded upon is sales of handcrafted items made by artists in the area in the ship’s gift shop.
“We want to keep enhancing what we are doing,” said Lunder.
Refreshments are served as passengers arrive to get the celebration going, and a buffet follows soon after. Lunder said every need that someone might have is anticipated to make sure their voyage is pleasant and comfortable.
He said the luxuriousness of the ship sets the tone for passengers – from an original Faberge egg on display to the western-themed paintings that grace hallway walls.
“We have a brochure that explains every piece of art on the boat,” said Lunder.
There are several places for guests to dine on the ship, from the more informal Astoria that features a buffet lunch, as well as seafood sandwiches, to the River Grill and Bar, a more formal atmosphere.
At the grill, diners can enjoy fresh seafood, including lobster tail, and char grilled steak – with everything made fresh. The open air venue during the summer months provides a gathering place for social interaction.
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