I have cruised 68 times, but only once on a riverboat, in France, and never on a traditional steamboat. I had a opportunity to sail on the newly rechristened American Queen recently.

The American Queen was built in 1995, but completely refurbished in 2012 before being reintroduced to service at the end of June 2012. Based in Memphis, the ship carries 436 passengers in 222 staterooms and suites. Six decks high, it has inside single, double, and triple inside cabins, window staterooms, outside staterooms with French doors that open onto the deck or onto a private veranda, and some suites with verandas. All are furnished with Victorian style furnishings, most with bathtubs and showers, and flat screen TV?s. Bedding is ultra-plush pillow top mattresses.

Meals are served in the dining room, either ala carte or buffet for breakfast and lunch, and 2 traditional dinner seatings, 5:15 and 7:45. Meals have a New Orleans influence, thanks to the New Orleans based chef. Five course dinners include a choice of 3 entrees, which included such as prime rib, lamb chops, chioppino, shrimp Creole, and lobster stuffed with crabmeat. Crab cakes were available often. Wine and beer are included at dinner. Bottled water and soft drinks are included. Specialty coffees from machines are available at all hours. In addition to the dining room, the Front Porch serves light breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Another venue, the River Grill is available on deck when the weather is more moderate. Breakfast buffets included alternating waffles or omelets. Food was excellent. Read more