American Queen – Sail To Scarlett O’Hara, Elvis & Louis Armstrong’s Homeland!
I have been following Cruise with Jane MacDonald on TV, and have been so enthralled with the cruises and ports of call featured. I love that the cruise lines and destinations are so diverse which gives us a taste for every type of adventure to suit us all.
My particular favourite, was the episode featuring the American Queen Paddle Steamer, which cruised from New Orleans to Memphis. My favourite film of all time is Gone With The Wind. Scarlett & Rhett and the whole Southern Belle, Plantations, Civil War story was fascinating and I must have watched this film at least a dozen times. (That and The Wizard of Oz!)
So when I saw a Mississippi Paddle Steamer cruise it really sparked my interest, and has now been added to my ever growing ‘Bucket List’. The American Queen offers a number of different Themed experiences from ‘A Taste of the True South’ New Orleans to Memphis home of Elvis, which was the one featured on the show: Or you could do the reverse from Memphis to New Orleans, visiting Arkansas to learn about the birth of the Blues, Vicksburg to learn more about the American Civil War, Natchez, the oldest city in New Orleans, to Baton Rouge, passing magnificent Plantation houses of days gone by.
The American Queen Steamboat company actually have 3 ships, the American Duchess All Suite Paddle Steamer which carries just 166 passengers , American Empress, hailed as the largest and most elegant riverboat in the Pacific Northwest and of course the American Queen, The largest steamboat ever built! Journeys include St Louis to Chicago, or Ottawa, to follow the early pioneer trail, or Minneapolis to St Paul – Mark Twain country. You can choose Ohio, Tennessee & Cumberland River Cruises,
So what can you expect on board one of these fine examples of American History?
- Included shore excursions in every port of call
- Included deluxe hotel stay before your voyage – including breakfast, taxes, porterage and transfers to the American Queen
- Complimentary cappuccino, espresso, bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage
- Complimentary wine and beer with dinner
- Gracious service and warm hospitality from a friendly, all-American staff
- Daily lectures by the Riverlorian, our onboard history and culture expert
- Acclaimed entertainment worthy of Broadway – spectacular revues, cabaret, jazz and blues, six-piece orchestra and more
- Our own dedicated fleet of deluxe motorcoaches
Here’s a very good review from a past passenger which will hopefully give you a taste of what to expect:
I chose the American Queen for a seven night river cruise itinerary from Memphis to New Orleans.
The theme of any Mississippi cruise is music. Memphis is the birthplace of rock and roll and the home of Elvis. New Orleans is the home of Jazz . In terms of political history, the Southern States and the Ol Man River (the Mississippi) are intrinsically linked with the Cotton trade, slavery and later the Civil Rights movement.
The boat, the river and the local culture all offered a very different experience from ocean or European river cruising.
The American Queen is one of the most attractive vessels that I have ever had the pleasure of cruising on. She feels like a real vintage paddle steamer. She successfully recreates the golden age of paddle steaming in the same way that Cunards Queen Mary 2 recreates the era of the great Ocean Liners.
The American Queen carries more than twice as many passengers than most European river boats do. However she does not feel crowded. Her size gives her the space for a range of public rooms that you normally dont find on-board a river boat.
Her fares are high, even for the cheapest inside cabin. However she was well worth it. She is a unique vessel and command top dollar, although there are more expensive Mississippi paddle-wheelers.
The average age of the clientele was very high and mainly American.
The food and service were excellent and the entertainment was exceptional. Live music was abundant. The European river cruise lines could learn a lot from this.
The lower Mississippi is not particularly scenic. The boats public rooms are not as well-connected with the river as they on-board most European river boats, which have lounges mainly constructed of glass. However most cabins on-board the American Queen do offer a river view.
You get to visit some incredibly scenic small towns on route, which shows a side of small-town America that I had only seen in Hollywood movies.
The American Queen is a good option for those with mobility problems.
River cruising has a reputation for being relaxing (possibly boring, for those than need a lot of stimulation) but the Queen had more activities and entertainment on on-board than most other river boats.
If your bank balance is healthy, you are looking for something unique, enjoy American culture, good entertainment and nostalgia, Id thoroughly recommend the American Queen.
Its certainly whetted my appetite to climb aboard and sail into history!
About Me
I started working at Cruise.co.uk in January 2014 and thought you might like to know a little bit about me..... I was born in London but as a child spent a great deal of time playing in the Hopfields of Kent while my parents worked on the farm. In fact…
Read more
Thank you for subscribing!