Cruises: Rollin’ on the river with the American Queen
The 436-passenger American Queen, a steam-powered paddle wheeler built in 1995 for the now-defunct Delta Steamboat Co., was relaunched last year after a four-year absence. Designed to evoke the Mississippi floating palaces of the late 19th century, it offers a full schedule of trips on the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee rivers.
If you crave culture, history and old-time entertainment, this may be your boat. Among its many themed itineraries are the nine-day “Age of Steam,” a roll up the river from New Orleans to Memphis, Tenn., focusing on cities and towns that flourished in the golden age of steamboats. Ports of call include Oak Alley and St. Francisville in Louisiana; Natchez and Vicksburg in Mississippi; and Helena, Ark.
Date: Nov. 1-9.
Price: $2,495 to $6,795 a person, double occupancy, depending on cabin; $3,495 to $4,995 a person, single occupancy. Includes a one-night stay in New Orleans (with transfers to the steamboat); onboard entertainment and lectures, meals, wine and beer with dinner, bottled water and soft drinks; and hop-on hop-off bus tours and use of bicycles in ports. It does not include airfare to New Orleans and from Memphis, gratuities and port charges of $109 a person. Optional “premium tours” ashore are available at extra cost.
Info: American Queen Steamboat Co., (888) 749-5280
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