We wanted a small, personal cruising experience. American Cruise Lines gave us that and so much more. There is great attention to detail throughout the ship. The comfort and satisfaction of the passenger is their obvious goal. Staterooms and lounges are tastefully decorated and spacious for a cruising venue. There is a romance attached to a paddle-wheeler. Although it is a new ship your imagination can go to the past when these ships traveled the Mississippi.

The food on the cruise is excellent. There are at least 3 choices at each meal, but you can also make special requests. Service in the dining room is top notch and personalized to each passenger. Since it is a small ship you can get to know other passengers as the dining room accommodates all passengers at once. Your serving staff is also the household staff, so you can easily recognize crew members. It is obvious the have excellent training and receive proper supervision.

Each day there is a cocktail hour where beer, wine and top shelf drinks are included in your passage. Wine and beer are also served at lunch and dinner and this is also included. Dinner follows cocktail hour and then there is entertainment each night that is reflective of the type of cruise. We heard jazz, blues, and comedy. Excursions included plantations restored and maintained and magnificent. Most of the excursions were included in the price of the cruise, not an extra add-on. We visited the battlefield in Vicksburg and learned a lot about Civil War history and the lore of the Mississippi from an on board lecturer daily. Read more