For our first post-COVID adventure, we decided to see more of the USA, and a riverboat cruise down the mighty Mississippi has always sounded alluring. We sailed downstream, from Memphis to New Orleans, on the beautiful and stately American Queen. We spend three nights pre-cruise in Memphis, one of which was included in the cruise fare. The cruise line hotel was The Peabody, "The South's Grand Hotel," according to the hotel's PR department. And it was grand! Although it was mid-March, it actually SNOWED our first night in Memphis!

Boarding was easy. The rooms were not quite ready, so we enjoyed glasses of champagne and explored the boat while we waited--only about 45 minutes. They are somewhat short-staffed, as are many--if not most--businesses, but the service was very good in all realms, gives those constraints. Our servers in the dining room were especially outstanding--Jeremiah and Jessica--along with our stateroom attendant, Courtney. We found the food to be very good--definitely on a par with the 20+ ocean cruises we have enjoyed. We ate in the dining room most nights, but mouthwatering prime rib was carved up every evening in the Front Porch Cafe and was a great alternative for those who wanted to eat at a time other than their assigned dining time of 5:15 or 8:00 p.m.

Ours was an inside room--definitely cozy, but there was ample storage space, and the bathroom was spacious. We spent little time in our cabin--the public spaces are many and inviting. We were only about 20 steps from the Front Porch Cafe, so food and drinks were always close by. Drinks of all types--soft drinks, wine, beer, cocktails--were included in the cruise fare, and that was a big plus. Read more