Travel

[World Traveler]

Sometime ago, before the Travel Forum was in effect and we were using the Travel Chat thread as a way to communicate, I mentioned that my sister was going to take the cruise down the Mississippi using the American Queen Steamboat Company, and that I would give a review of her experience. She left today for a 9-day voyage, starting in Memphis and ending in New Orleans, but will not be emailing anything, waiting until she returns to give me all the details. It is referred to on their website (www.aqsc.com) as the one of the Lower Mississippi Cruises.

In talking with her yesterday, however, I was dismayed to learn that because of the flooding in that region, the passengers were being warned that they may end up going back and forth between two bridges, as the water level has risen at such a height that the riverboat may not be able to go under them. In reality, she may be seeing the same scenery for the entire nine days! Understandable, but still a disappointment, especially since she is starting in Memphis and she was really looking forward to seeing New Orleans and staying there a couple of extra nights.

But for now, I thought I would share with you her itinerary, if water levels permits, just in case you may have thought about taking this cruise. And if you have done so, please share your experiences, as this is something I would like to do once I have settled down from all the overseas traveling I still intend to do.

The first night the passengers stay in a hotel in downtown Memphis. The evening is free to venture out and explore the restaurants, boutiques, and entertainment scene.

The second day is at leisure too, with embarkment on the Queen around 5:00pm. They offer a pre-cruise shore excursion, which includes Graceland Mansion.

Day 3 is a stop in Greenville, Mississippi, for a look thru the museums, perhaps going to the Trop Casino, or an excursion to B.B. King's hometown of Indianola.

Day 4 is a stop in Vicksburg, known as the Key to the South by Abraham Lincoln. It delivers a rich history unlike any other Civil War city, according to the brochure.

Day 5 the cruise stops in Natchez, which is the oldest city on the Mississippi. There are tours of the restored mansions of Rosalie, Magnolia Hall, and Stanton Hall available.

Day 6 there is a stop in St. Francisville, Louisiana, where you can visit Old Market Hall, Royal Street, or experience life inside Angola Prison.

Day 7 is a stop in Baton Rouge, where you may visit museums, shops, try the local cruisine, etc.

Day 8 the cruise stops in Nottoway, where you can tour the Nottoway Plantation, the South's largest, most glorious remaining Antebellum mansion with a rich history.

Day 9 is when you leave the vessel by 8am.

Each day there are included excursions or what they call Premium Shore Excursions, paying extra for those. I have no idea what the Premium pricing is, as they mention to call for that information on their website.

The cost of the 9-day cruise varies by the cabin size (anywhere from $1,899-$8,099) and the date you go (with premium pricing in April, May, June, and November; cheapest is in August and December). My sister got a single room with a veranda. Her room size is 140 square feet with a queen bed. The largest room appears to be 348 square feet, with 690 square feet of veranda!

They offer cruises beginning with 5 days all the way up to 23 days. I assume that would go down the entire River.

I do not enjoy humidity, so I am thinking the more expensive pricing is during a time that is not so humid; but maybe I am wrong on that. The rooms have air conditioning.

Again, if you have taken any of the American Queen cruises or know people who have, please post your experiences. I seriously want to do this at some future time.

[Snowpuppy]

Some parts of the Upper Miss are expecting record high levels due to all the rain in the upper midwest.

This will head south eventually. Hope she can complete her trip!

[kaydee50]

A couple of my friends have taken the American Queen.  If fact, they just returned from a cruise from Memphis to Chattanooga, I think.  They are impressed with this line and like river cruising.   DH and I might try it one day.

[Mz iMac]

Before Katrina, I took a 3-4 hour steamship cruise up & down the Mississippi River from New Orleans.

I didn't care for it.  The Mississippi River was very muddy & stinky.  Not much of scenery either.

The only thing I enjoyed about that cruise was the food.

I have no intention of taking that steamship cruise again in N.O.

I was in N.O. 3 yrs ago & I did not notice the steamship cruise.  Unknown if they stopped it or not.  I did not inquire about it nor did I notice it in any brochures.

Hopefully, things have changed.

[ValuSkr]

@World Traveler Thank you for the detailed description.  I hope they're able to get beyond the two bridges.  How awful it would be to spend the week going back and forth between A and B.  I can't imagine the scenery is all that great.

[software]

Spring would be the worse time of year to be on the river.

And those stops are not exactly garden spots.

Maybe because I live in the south I would not be interested at all, either in traveling the river or making those stops.

I'd rather take the train.

But I do hope she enjoyed it.

[World Traveler]

I mentioned in the initial post that my sister might not be able to go all the way from Memphis to New Orleans because of the flooding and the water being too high to go under the bridges. She just texted and said they did not have a problem moving down the river. She did note, however, that they were not docking at the normal places. So some flood adjustments were made. She mentioned that the weather has been great and she hasn’t noticed any humidity. She and I are used to warm, dry heat, and we don’t care for humidity.

She is having a good time, the room is larger than she had expected, having had smaller rooms on the few cruises she has done in the past. It could be because she got a room with a veranda, which may be larger. She did pay extra for that.

She notes the food “is fabulous!” She had Beef Wellington one night, duck another, etc. She has no complaints about the food; in fact, no complaints about the trip at all. She said she is eating “way too much,” but knows that is just part of cruising. They always have lots of food available on cruises.

She was texting from St. Francisville, Louisiana, and was soon going to be leaving for Baton Rouge. They had bad thunderstorms this morning, but it cleared up pretty fast.

She did see Graceland, which had a very long line, but she was glad she went. She has done some “premium tours” that I believe are beyond the basic tours already included in the price. She has done all the “hop on, hop off” tours. She didn’t care for the Civil War tour at all, but that could just be her and not a reflection on the tour itself. She isn’t into that type of history.

When I asked about the age of the people traveling on the boat, she said they are definitely an older crowd. She may be 75, but thinks and acts much younger! She explained that many were in electric wheelchairs, walkers, and using canes.

Hope this is helpful to those who may be considering this type of cruise.

[World Traveler]

I mentioned yesterday that my sister was having a good time and all was well traveling down the river. This morning she sent a picture of where her room is situated. I was surprised to read that the veranda is a shared area; I was thinking more like a private balcony setup when she mentioned having a veranda.

Anyway, here is a photo of outside her room and the veranda. She is on the third level, in the middle of the boat; however, the way the rooms are situated, she only has one room next to her, so it is very quiet and she likes that. She also said that if she was to do the trip again, she would want the same room. I've asked her to send a photo of the inside of her room, so if she does that, I will share that photo too.

[gacat123]

@World Traveler 

Thank you for posting this wonderful information and photos! 

Regarding the same room...I have often  made a card in my address box with hotel name, date visited and ROOM#, brief description  (corner room with big balcony*  for example.  This is a helpful memory jogger.  <G>  

NO I am not posting my favorite hotel rooms, that is top secret information!  LOL 

I think there might be a website with this type of best hotel room information?  

Keep Calm and Travel On, 

CAT

[World Traveler]

Just received a couple more photos. These are of her room. She is staying by herself, so it is not really big. Hope all the information and photos throughout the thread have given you an idea of whether or not you would be interested in taking this same cruise.