The Port of Astoria understands some cruise passengers are mobility impaired, or simply  may not desire to venture beyond the cruise pier.  To accommodate those passengers, the Port of Astoria and the greater Astoria community are committed to providing a “taste of Astoria”  - Pier side.  These activities do not conflict with scheduled shore excursions, which we understand are essential to cruise business. The activities provided pier side are:

Welcoming & Bon Voyage
Live Music—Local bands including the Brownsmead Flats, Bond Street Blues, Jackson Andrews Band and others play on the cruise pier as each ship docks, and through out the day in port.
On the ship’s first arrival in our port, Port officials and the Mayor of Astoria exchange plaques and gifts with the ship’s captain in an official ceremony.
Upon departure, the Astoria High School Marching Band plays to the delight of cruise passengers. 

Pier Side Throughout the Day
“Never on a Sunday Market” is a festive, open-air market with up to 40 art, craft and jewelry booths manned by the artists and craftsmen themselves.  Cruise passengers enjoy strolling the pier and getting a glimpse of the special offerings available from the area.

Shuttle Services
We have not fogotten those passengers not booking a shore excursion, nor the cruise ship crews. For their convenience a shuttle service is available which departs every fifteen minutes that the ship is in port. Eleven busses will convey riders from the pier to downtown Astoria. An all-day pass for only $5 provides for unlimited on and off priviledges, and even rides on Astoria's historic trolley that operates on the rail line along the Columbia River.