Live music by local bands, including the Brownsmead Flats, Bond Street Blues and Jackson Andrews Band, play on the Cruise Pier from the time the ship docks until departure.  On the ship's inaugural or first visit to Astoria, 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 frequently plays to the delight of cruise passengers.

The "Never On Sunday Market" is a festive, open-air market with up to fortyart, craft and jewelry booths manned by the artists and craftsmen themselves.  Cruise passengers enjoy strolling the pier and getting a glimpse of these special products from the Pacific Northwest.

Passengers and crew members may take advantage of a shuttle service provided by the Cruise Host Volunteers.  For their convenience a shuttle service departs every fifteen minutes that the ship is in port.  Eleven buses convey riders from the pier to downtown Astoria and from downtown to the Astoria Column.  An all-day sticker for only $7 provides for unlimited on and off privileges, including rides on Astoria's Historic Trolley that operates on the rail line along the Columbia River.