We had a balcony cabin on deck 4. It was equivalent to a ocean balcony cabin, not as big as a mini-suite. Bathroom was adequate but not large, balcony was the same.

ACL began itinerary notification just 4 days before cruise start, notification process haphazard at best, no details provided, no assistance offered

Few notified as late as 24 hours before embarkation, at least one cabin never notified (they caught up on their own half way through the cruise)

Suspect late notice to minimize cancellations and insurance payouts

Many further last minute itinerary changes once on board although river conditions remained unchanged (high)

Disappointing choices of alternative ports

Missed St Paul & Red Wing MN, Dubuque & Davenport IA, La Crosse WI, Hannibal & St Louis MO

Added New Madrid MO, Chester Il, Paducah KY, Greenville MS, Houmas House LA

Cape Girardeau added and dropped

No ACL representative at Memphis airport/hotel, no information provided on pre-embarkation times or meeting locations

Guests from two ships (ACL & American Queen) staying at Peabody and hotel staff not informed about ACL guests 

As you can imagine, the timing and manner of the last minute change was a steady conversation subject throughout the cruise

Corporate Hotel Director Steve Benson sailed with us for three days, yet he only spoke to scattered groups of guests during that time, and he took NO NOTES

Promises made by corporate telephone sales staff never transmitted to ship, sales staff requested our drink choices, kept information in folio, but never passed on information, also said on board staff would do guest laundry, they don’t

On board Hotel Director/Cruise Director/Tour Director staff inexperienced, unresponsive, unprofessional, untrustworthy, unable to make decision without asking corporate 

High on board staff turnover, many visibly unhappy

Poor inventory management aboard, on 14 night cruise, with daily port stops, ran out of butter, cream cheese, bananas, yogurt, selected beers, etc.PROS:

Very good meals, always fresh, lots of variety, minimal repeated menu items, good regional selections, and great pastries/breads/desserts

Great dining room service

Cabin service very good

Beer, wine, happy hour very well done

First guest lecturer excellent, both educating AND entertaining

Guest musicians very good to great

Memphis pre-embarkation Hotel (Peabody) excellent

Ship generally very clean with many public areas 

Really enjoyed the limited daylight sailing time on the river

CONS:

Highest per night price paid in our 60+ cruises

ACL definitely did NOT live up to slogan “Small Ship Cruising Done Perfectly” 

Bad Business practices at corporate:

Embarkation changed from St Paul to Memphis due to high water levels

However, Mississippi River levels were high all summer

Per Tour Director on board, ACL did only one cruise between July & October to Upper Mississippi River 

Therefore, change at the very last minute was unnecessary.

American Splendor (formerly America) Review

Disappointing Yet Expensive!

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