Trip started with an overnight stay in Memphis at the Hilton. Hotel was in East Memphis but was within walking distance of a small mall so convenient for picking up last minute items at Target. Food at hotel restaurant was very good and reasonably priced. There was a delay in checking in as they had assigned my elderly aunt and I a king bed rather than two queens - the American Queen staff on-site ( a young lady by the name of Ms. Cruz) was very helpful. Extra AQ staff at the hotel would be a good idea - long line ups to ask questions about information that was contained in the literature provided.

Transfer to ship was relatively smooth. You were able to pick up a scheduled departure ticket. We had to check out at noon but our departure was not until 3:15. The earliest departure was 2:30. We chose to carry our own luggage on board rather than have someone come to our room at 8 am to pick it up.

Public areas on board were comfortable and well maintained. The Grand Saloon was the location of onboard entertainment which was surprising very good. The first night there was a wonderful singer, there were shipboard entertainers (two men and two women) a few nights, a New Orleans "Dixie" band another night and an interesting husband and wife team playing a variety of string instruments. The riverlorian lectures were very interesting and worth attending. Lots of seating but the balconies went first - two balcony sections are reserved for the suite cabins and the other balcony sections were often saved by one person in a group going very early to "hold" seats. Not a big issue as the view was good from all seats. We were on late seating in the J. M. White dining room so our entertainment started 6:30, usually over by 7:30 which left us about 30 minutes for a pre-dinner drink in the Main Deck Lounge (just outside the dining room) with piano tunes by Phil. Read more