Pre-cruise: We arrived in Memphis a day before the boat was to depart and stayed at the Riverboat Company hotel, the downtown Sheraton. In spite of having read a few negative reviews, we were well pleased with the hospitality shown us by the staff from our first greeting by the bellmen, front desk staff, early check in provided, service in the restaurant for dinner (on our own), and the comfort of the room. We had no issues with noise in our 5th floor, king bedded room. We were on our own for the day and for dinner that night. Tours were offered but we were already familiar with Memphis, so we opted out of the tours. Registration was easy at the hotel. We received our 3:00 boarding passes in the evening for the next day’s sailing. Luggage is picked up between 8 & 9 a.m. from your room. Embarkation: We were picked up at the hotel by the ship’s buses and taken the short drive to the American Queen. Boarding was as simple as walking on board, being greeted by the staff, and directed to our cabin where our luggage was already waiting. This is a great convenience…no waiting for bags to be delivered or milling about in the buffet waiting for the cabin to be readied. Our keys (real keys, not plastic rectangles) were in the cabin where we were greeted by our room steward, Richard, who maintained our room with efficiency and promptness throughout the trip. The Private Veranda Cabin: (# 348) We purchased a cabin with a private veranda for our first US River boat cruise and we are glad we did. As mentioned elsewhere, the cabins are quite small. Being able to open the louvered French doors onto the veranda gave us more space to enjoy the scenery and fresh air. Above the French doors is a screened transom that can be opened for fresh air when the doors are closed. Note that there are limited rooms with private verandas. Also note that the verandas are not entirely private: there is a louvered partition between each veranda which is hinged for opening between two or more cabins, so friends and family can share the space if their cabins adjoin. The is a nice benefit for folks traveling together. Otherwise, it is much like on other cruise ships where conversations flow from one veranda to the next. There is NO smoking allowed from the verandas, so we were grateful our neighbors complied with that. We were told by the steward that all Private Veranda Cabins are identically furnished. Our queen bed had lights directly above it for reading. One side had a small nightstand with a drawer. There were two smallish chairs and a tiny table along one wall. The other wall held a reproduction piece with a small desk and drawers (see pictures). Directly inside the cabin door was a narrow set of 4 drawers below a mirror (see pictures). The closet was open with hangers and a safe. With a little arranging, we were able to stow everything we had in spaces provided along with suitcases under the bed. Note: There are only 2 electrical outlets in the main part of the cabin and they are both on exterior walls—one being hidden by the furniture. An extension cord could be handy. There is no clock or night light in the room. There is no mini-fridge in the room. The Bathroom: Easily larger than a standard cruise ship bathroom, there is a full-sized tub with grab bars and shower, a full-size sink and standard toilet. A two-tiered glass shelf is available for stowing toiletries along with a glass shelf above the sink. Hairdryer and toiletries are supplied. There is a standard outlet in the bathroom rather than the usual shaver-only outlet. Water was plenty hot but the tub frequently drained extremely slow, leaving one standing in a bathtub full of water while showering. Food: Overall, the food is considered ‘southern’ --- fried, gravied, and sweet---with fried seafood and chicken and gravy sauced meats. There is plenty of sugar in the foods, including breakfast bacon that is sugared heavily. At one breakfast a ‘croque Madame’ sandwich was offered made with sweetly battered, soggy French toast..an unusual presentation with ham and cheese swimming in a white, rather tasteless gravy. Breakfast and lunch in both the formal, J.M. White Dining Room and the Front Porch Cafe include extensive buffet items (more in the JM than Front Porch) but similar dishes. Few dishes seemed prepared using fresh ingredients, but rather pre-formed and pre-frozen. Coffee is generally available in machines on both the second and first decks along with room service. We were seated at a table for two for dinner, table #64, which is directly over the engine room…along with two or three other tables that are in the rear of the JM White Dining room (the rear of this dining room is actually in the bow of the boat). This is THE table others have complained about as the noise and vibrations are distracting. Because tables for 2 were at a premium, we kept the table throughout the cruise. Only one of the several servers at our table, Brianna, was cheerful and attentive. She greeted us each night, knew our preferred beverages after one meal, and remained cheerful throughout the week. Others seemed to be looking forward to the end of the year and a possible break. Mike, bartender at the Front Porch, was fantastic! Friendly, knowledgeable, personable…all around great guy! Entertainment: The highlight of the cruise was the group of four young, talented performers (Ashley, Ryan, Glen, and Michalynn), who entertained us most nights along with the piano player (Phil Westbrook) in the captains’ lounge area, and the Syncopators. The Riverlorian is an absolute gem, filling us with so much history and folklore, geology and economy of the river. His talks were some the highlights of most days. Ryan, the Cruise Director, (and also part of the entertainment ensemble) is incredibly energetic, hospitable, informative, and just an all-around great guy. Most, if not all Sundays, and Christmas and Easter Day, there is a non-denominational church service which is generally very well attended. During the week there were pilot house tours, trivia games, river chats, calliope concerts, movies in the small theater on a big screen TV, a couple of bingo games. Excursions: Rhea, the Shore Excursion specialist we dealt with, is a gem. Friendly and knowledgeable. The included hop on hop off bus excursions were fairly simple and short in most locations. Because we were traveling over Christmas Eve and Day, our routes had to be changed because several tour options were closed. This put us in a small casino town of Tunica on Christmas Eve with only casinos available after lunchtime. Included tours were the Tunica Museum (small, not well organized), River Park and Museum (best shot of the American Queen from the walk out on the 3rd floor—not much else there), and the Gateway to the Blues Museum (we found this to be extremely well organized and a good history of Blues for music lovers.) Christmas Day on the river was slow and easy. Vicksburg hop on hop off was okay but the extensive, (4 hour) pay-for tour of the Vicksburg Military National Park was the highlight of Vicksburg. Hop on/off tours included Church of the Holy Trinity (closed at the time), Court House Museum, Anchuca Mansion (quick walk through-this is now a B & B), The Coca Cola Museum (small, 15 minute worthy walk through), Lower Mississippi Museum ( a decently organized and informative explanation of the value and changes of the Mississippi River), the Old Depot Museum (great for fans of model RRs, ships, battlefields, etc. Takes about 15 minutes.) Natchez, Mississippi was the highlight of our trip as we purchased Regina Charboneau’s Kitchen, an up close and personal visit to the renowned chef’s home, Twin Oaks, where we had lessons in biscuit making (unbelievable recipe!) and joined her in her dining room for homemade chicken pot pies. She is delightfully charming, hospitable, and talented. As a bonus, we each received one of her cookbooks…a treasure trove of Southern cooking! The day we took the tour was the last day she was entertaining at her home as she and her husband had sold the mansion and were moving to smaller digs. She is opening a downtown Natchez venue where she will continue to give cooking lessons, but no longer at Twin Oaks. It was a dreary winter day when we toured St. Francisville, Louisiana. The hop on hop off took us to Old Market Hall (tiny market where 5 or 6 women were set up selling mostly handmade jewelry), Greek Episcopal Church (closed for a wedding), a walk along Royal Street including a stop at Grandmother’s Buttons (including a button museum and high-end boutique clothing), and the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum (a portrayal of the history of St. Francisville taking 15-30 minutes). We were given an ‘added bonus’ tour of Myrtles Plantation, supposedly ‘The Most Haunted Mansion in America”. If you believe in such things, it could be an interesting stop. It was a lot of ‘wild imaginings’ to us. That afternoon we took the Plantations of the Back Roads extra tour to Rosedown Plantation (dark, dreary, musty) and on to Catalpa Plantation (privately owned and welcomed by the owner) where we enjoyed a glass of sherry on the porch with Miss Mary, the owner. The boat docks right at Nottoway Plantation. This is the only included tour featured this day and you are free to go, visit, tour at your leisure. There are no hop on hop off buses. The Plantation has been purchased and expanded to a 4 diamond AAA hotel, spa, and restaurant so the tour has been shortened. We spent most of this day on the boat.In the afternoon we went on the pay-for Swamp Tour. BE AWARE: the trip to and from the swamp boat is 1 hour each way…the tour is only about an hour long. If you have ever been in a swamp anywhere, they are all pretty much the same. Save your money on this one. Disembarkation: NOTE !!!! There are no taxis available at the New Orleans port…it is a private, secured area! Cars nor drivers can access this area. We did not know this! When you fill out the disembarkation form on board, if you are NOT going to stay over or take the tour, mark the box that you want the Direct Hotel Transfer. It cost another $10 pp and takes you to the Hilton Hotel where you can then get a cab. We had quite a scramble to get this at the last minute but were able to do so. The Bottom Line This was our first U.S. River cruise. We have taken 20 US, Mediterranean, and Caribbean cruises and 7 European and Egyptian River cruises. It is unlikely we will take another trip with the American Queen Cruise Line. The overall cost is not worth the product. In addition to your base cost, add on beverages (drink package $399 pp), gratuities ($18.50 pp/day), pay-for excursions (running from $79-149 pp/trip), and you are quickly approaching the price of a luxury cruise elsewhere. This is NOT a luxury cruise. Cabins are miniscule unless you have a suite on deck 4 or 5. I would rate the food 2½ out of 5. Staff generally seemed tired and disinterested except for a few as noted. Parts of the boat are incredibly noisy (over the engine room and near the paddle wheel). The plumbing does not always work and there are vile smells at times throughout the boat. Read Less

Wonderful Christmas Cruise, boat decorated for the holiday season. Cruise was up the lower Mississippi River to Vicksburg MS to see the battle fields between the Union and Confederate soldiers of the civil war, history river boat cruise had a historian commentator on board for the whole trip. Visited cotton and sugar Plantations. All meals had 3 choices on the menu, a lot of times could not make a choice, all 3 were very good. The cabin rooms were spacious and laid out nicely, all cabins had a sliding door out to the balcony. The bathrooms excellent, glass door shower with real soap, not liquid, spacious and a lot of shelf space, cabinet with drawers, there was no step up to enter the bathroom. Entertainment was at the cocktail hour prior to open seating dinner, there was night time entertainment along with cocktails, excellent. Service through out the boat was outstanding, waiters, cabin stewards, house manager, tour director were always asking if you need anything, very friendly crew and friendly passengers. Had a Yankee swap on Christmas day, fun time. Pay one price, everything included, tips, shore excursions and beverages. Excellent Cruise, will do another river cruise. Read Less

American Cruise Lines has been updating their fleet and the new American Harmony is gorgeous! It has an amazing amount of public space for a small ship, large staterooms, beautiful decorating, excellent food and a wonderful crew. The public space included outside decks, which are not so useful in December, but there were also multiple large lounges plus small lounges behind the elevators. Great design. We were warned that, sailing with ACL over the holidays, we should take an extra suitcase. We left one half empty, but it was full when we came home and we bought nothing on the trip. They gave out incredible gifts almost every night (raincoats, fleece jackets, thermal mugs, etc). Other specials in December include better shows and bigger discounts on future cruising. We have been on 85 ocean cruises and 10 river cruises so we have many adventures to compare to. This was one of the best ever. We were so impressed we booked 6 more segments while onboard. This was just lower Mississippi, but they made each stop exciting and all Shore Ex was complimentary. Definitely suggest cruising with ACL in late December. Read Less

My husband and I took this cruise in December and we were pleasantly surprised. The food in the dining room was good but not always as hot as I would prefer. The same is true in the Front Porch buffet. The servers and staff are very friendly and attentive and our housekeeper was always there for us. The entertainment is good, but the piano player was a little off key at times. The hop on hop off shore excursions are included in every port and operates like a well oiled machine. It really caters to everyone because you get off wherever you want and spend as much time as you like. There are guided tours of plantation homes and docents in most of the museums to walk you through if you want that. You can do all of this while knowing another bus will pick up every 15 minutes and we could not believe it was all included! The premium tours (which are at an extra cost) are all customized for American Queen guests and there are extra special things included in these which makes the extra cost very much worth it! We were surpised and thrilled at the extra things that were thrown in that you cannot get on a regular tour. We did the inside the kitchen tour with celebrity chef Regina Charboneau who invites you into her private home. We actually made biscuits with her and at the end she gave us her recipe. She portrays exactly what you would expect true Southern Hospitality to look like. We also did the Mississippi Music tour which includes a jazz brunch onboard, then the musicians escorted us out with the traditional 2nd Line, where we then boarded the bus and went out to the Grammy Museum and the BB King Museum where BB is actually buried. Again, another surprise with special programs at each that other tours do not get. I highly recommend this. The wrapped buses are clean and comfortable and the drivers are fun and always looking out for the guests. The two ladies who managed the shore excursions and ran the buses were phenomenal. We have taken many cruises all over the world and honestly this was the most well coordinated and flawless system we have ever seen! We had a cabin on the 3rd deck which has open decks and so they are not private. This was really not an issue because we met some really great people and sat outside a lot just watching the river and seeing the sights, not to mention it is super convienent to the Front Porch where you can get 24/7 cookies, ice cream, tea and coffee. The cabins are spacious but we did peek inside one of the inside staterooms when we got onboard and they are tiny. Definitely steer away from these. This was a great experience and now we are looking at the Columbia/Snake River cruise with this company to see if they deliver as well on that one! Read Less

First time ever on a small-ship cruise as well as one just in the U.S. Price included being put up at a nice hotel pre-night with breakfast the next morning, transportation from hotel to ship and from ship to airport after the cruise ended. Never been part of an embarkation or debarkation so seamless. Greeted by staff and crew with friendly smiles from the get-go, which were genuine and did not diminish over the course of the cruise. Ship was gorgeous and spotless the entire time, cabins and balcony very spacious, with nice size bathroom and all amenities you could want. All-balcony cabins and a couple of big suites, and they have a couple of single balcony cabins, which is great. The public areas are lovely and inviting. Regionally inspired cuisine, with other choices if you weren't a fan, and the food was excellent. Beer and wine with lunch and dinner, happy hour every night, and wait staff were super great, as were the rest of the crew and officers onboard. The all-American crew that work on this ship, as I suspect on others of the fleet, work their butts off, and many of them serve one or more roles. They aim to please, and take the time to engage with those onboard. Special shout-outs to Alexis and West in the dining room, whose tables we got to sit at most of the time, Rick and Big Mike and Brittani were lovely when we got to sit where they were, but observing other tables, the wait staff always seemed to take time to engage with the people at their tables and from what we could see, gave great service. Bill and Laura were wonderful, and we'll plan future cruises around when they'll be onboard. A great team, they're as nice as could be, providing entertainment during happy hour and many evenings, and Bill's talks truly brought history alive and provided an invaluable perspective and foundation for some of the places visited during tours. We could have sat and listened to him endlessly, a sentiment echoed by everyone we talked to. If he'd been our history teacher, many of us would have become history majors and/or teachers. It added tremendously to the whole experience - can't say enough about Bill and Laura. Other notable entertainment - Judy Davis, storyteller and comedian, was superb, and great jazz musicians one night. Did not miss the "fancy floor shows" of big-ship cruises one bit. The crew was great, as were the housekeeping staff, security people, and everyone who worked onboard and who we came in contact with. Very friendly and genuine. Had never been to New Orleans, and even though we only spent the one morning exploring before boarding the ship, we want to go back and see more. Heads up on the itinerary - this route is a must-do for Civil War and American history buffs and highlights highlights the importance of the Mississippi in history, industry and trade, then and now, but it's not the prettiest part of the river and you pass a lot of industrial complexes, oil refineries and who knows what else, sometimes overwhelmingly so, along the parts of the route. Do not expect bucolic river scenes a la Huckleberry Finn - if you're used to or were expecting a less developed environment or were picturing endless stretches of pristine river banks, you may be disappointed. Despite that, there were some spectacular sunsets (and likely sunrises, had the weather cooperated), a surprising number of different birds including pelicans, cormorants, egrets, ducks and more, and it was beyond cool sailing under the many bridges and seeing the constant marine traffic along the way. Must be a great place to be a tugboat captain. If you're a photographer, there are a lot of different things to make you happy and we got some great shots. American Cruise Lines caters to mature adults, and there is a lot of accommodation for those that may not be as mobile as they used to be or who have some physical limitations, but who want to get out there and experience things. Golf carts were always available to assist in getting people from ship to the tour bus if where we docked was too hard for people in wheelchairs, or who needed other assistance walking. Some people expressed frustration with the internet connection, which was spotty and didn't seem related to whether you were in a less or more developed area along the route. Personally I wasn't bothered because cell phone service and texting worked fine when we needed to be in touch, maybe it's deliberate because the cruise line is trying to encourage people to unplug, get off their damn devices and just experience the trip, but they may need to up the bandwidth or boosters or whatever, especially if they're trying to broaden the clientele to include a broader demographic and/or people who may still be working or just feel the compulsion to stay in touch more. Overall, we think American Cruise Lines knows what they're doing. They know their market, they have a solid product, and I totally get it why they have such a high repeat clientele. It was a fantastic vacation, and we hope to go on a future cruise with them again. Read Less

Love American Queen Steamboat Company and the American Queen Steamboat. Cruised many times with this company and it remains our favorite. The American Queen is a classic riverboat giving you the feel of the old steamboat days, but with all the conveniences of a modern cruise ship. The boat has a elegant theme with a casual, easy going and relaxed atmosphere. The cabins are comfortable with ample storage. The front porch cafe (buffet) and the formal dining room are open at all meal times. At breakfast and lunch, the dining room offers menu service and an extensive buffet. The food quality and selection is wonderful. Nightly entertainment in the Grand Saloon is excellent and the talent of the singers and the band is amazing. The shows on board the Queen rival if not exceed any we have seen on any cruise. The daily riverlorian talks are interesting and educational about the history of America, the American Rivers, riverboats and navigation. The service from the crew to the stateroom attendants to the dining room waiters is awesome. All are friendly, pleasant and welcoming. Excursions with the company HOHO buses is a huge plus. You can schedule when you want to leave the boat and tour aboard the narrated bus, get off at the points of interests and return at your convenience. Several buses drive the daily HOHO route, so your wait for the next bus is no more that 10-15 minutes. Very east and a good way to see each port. Another big plus to cruising with the American Queen Steamboat Company is that you are traveling in America out of American ports, seeing historic American river towns, interacting with Americans and can easily return home if an emergency arises. Cruising with AQSC is our favorite way to travel and we always look forward to our next trip with them. Read Less

We selected this cruise becasue we wanted to see more of the US. This is a new ship with all American crew. So much exceeded our expectations ... the size of the cabin, the onboard entertainment and activities, the shore excursions and, of course, the fabulous food. NOTE: There was lots and lots of storage space in the cabin. Tons of drawers and good-sized closet. Also, a large bathroom with nice amenities. The cruise included a pre-night hotel stay in New Orleans. We boarded before noon, and had a fabulous seafood buffet with the most incredible desserts! We knew our waistlines were in trouble!! Each port had included shore excursions that were both interesting and informative. The onboard entertainment and enrichment programs were extremely well done. Loved the size of the ship ... enought lounges and places to sit and enjoy, while being intimate and easy to meet fellow travellers. This is NOT a cruise/ship for children. Another reason we selected it. Would we go again ... ABSOLUTELY! Would we cruise with American Cruise Lines again ... ABSOLUTELY! Read Less

We had been wanting to try a river cruise, especially after watching the size of ocean-going cruise ships balloon until some can carry more than 6,000 passengers. The American Empress beautifully accommodates just over 221, with an attentive crew of 88. Our Category C cabin--212--was cozy, but well laid out so that we had plenty of closet space and storage, even in the bathroom. Yes, the shower is small, but it worked just fine for us. Ours was a late-season round trip from and to Vancouver, Washington, rather than the more common one-way trip from Vancouver to Lewiston, Idaho, or vice versa. We knew that there was a high probability of rainy/cloudy/foggy weather in the Pacific Northwest in November, and we were proved correct. We did have two sunny days, and only two really rainy days, so we were content. Our fellow cruisers were, in the main, like us--Baby Boomers and older. There were a few 40-50 somethings, but we were in the majority. I would not recommend this as a honeymoon cruise, unless your other passion is Lewis and Clark. As for the Empress herself, she is a delightful home away. The food was very good, particularly the fish entrees, and of those, particularly the salmon. The lobster was also quite good, and more moist--less chewy--than on many past ocean cruises. The River Grille, on the top deck (#4), offered buffet-style cuisine at breakfast and lunch, and becomes a stylish alternative (no extra cost) dinner house at night. I was captivated by the masses of fresh berries and bacon available for breakfast, along with made-to-order omelets and other breakfast fare. Lunch was equally tasty, with hamburgers cooked to order. The Grille also offered 24/7 access to coffee, sodas, soft-serve ice cream, and cookies. The cuisine was a big two thumps-up on the Empress. The ports consisted of Vancouver, WA, Astoria, OR, te Dalles, OR, Stevenson, WA, and Portland, OR. The Hop-on-Hop-off (HOHO) buses were a wonderful included extra in every port. We opted for two optional excursions--Fort Clatsop in Astoria and the Maryhill Art Museum outside of the Dalles. I recommend both. Back to the boat . . . The entertainment was passable, but we didn't take this cruise to be entertained. The "Riverlorian" was well-intentioned and knowledgeable, but a bit dry. The lounge singer provided guitar and vocals in the Paddlewheel Lounge, and was especially effective with James Taylor covers. The staff was unfailingly cordial, professional, and attentive. Bottom line: This was a great experience, and I recommend this cruise. The only negative was the lack of soundproofing between rooms. This was not a deal-breaker, but it could be improved. A definite plus was the binoculars, robe, and slippers provided (you get to keep the slippers!). It was such a positive experience that we are hoping to book a future cruise on the lower Mississippi with American Queen Steamship Company. Well done, AQSC! Read Less

We booked both a pre-cruise stay in Memphis and a post-cruise stay in New Orleans. They were great. We made use of the trolley passes in Memphis and visited several of the included attractions. The Sheraton hotel in Memphis was very nice. We appreciated that we could check in for the cruise at the hotel. Great idea! The cruise started out great. Soon we started to hear that guests were sick with a stomach flu. We got on the boat on Monday afternoon. By Wednesday morning I was sick. The EMT on board was very kind and helpful. He mentioned that he was called in to work because there were several people sick on board. I spent the next day and a half in my room sleeping. Not how I wanted to spend my vacation! My husband also missed shore excursions so he could check on me. I recovered and resumed activities on the boat and shore excursions. As we talked to guests we heard of many people who were sick. The staff increased cleaning and the food service staff were serving all guests, no more help yourself. However, no one was enforcing the use of hand sanitizer. I am used to ocean cruising where every time you enter or leave a dining area or theatre they squirted sanitizer in your hands. We got off the boat after 7 days. On our bus tour of New Orleans one of our fellow cruise passengers vomited on the bus. The next day my husband was sick with the same stomach flu. Obviously not enough was done on the boat to stop the germs. I contacted American Queen guest services when I got home. They only offered me a free upgrade and onboard credit for a future cruise. I requested a partial refund and have not heard from them. Not impressed with their guest services. We did appreciate the Hop on Hop off bus at each of the stops on our trip. American Queen chose stops at interesting and historical places of interest. It was great that we could pick and choose which stops we wanted to visit and how long we wanted to stay at a stop. The Nottoway Plantation on the last day was beautiful and the tour was very informative. We ate most of our meals in the front porch cafe. The staff were very nice and the food was good. We were scheduled to eat dinner at 7:45 pm in the main dining room but find this is too late to eat a large meal. We only at dinner in the main dining room once, on lobster night. The staff were very attentive and the food was good. A highlight on board was the talk given by Lewis Hankins, acting as if he was Mark Twain. I also attended his second talk a couple of days later. I learned more about how funny Mark Twain was and some of his personal life. Excellent! The swimming pool was tiny and it was too cold outside to swim. A better option for a small boat would be a hot tub. Read Less

Entertainment is an interesting historian and an excellent musician. All the typical choices at breakfast along with a fresh fruit buffet, 3 main choices for lunch or dinner. The food was good, better than the larger cruise lines, just less choices. House wine was Woodbridge, so you might want to bring your own or buy. The staff was always helpful, cheerful, and really wanted you to enjoy your trip. There were one or two included tours at each stop and in most cases you could take the morning and afternoon tours if you wanted too. Graceland tour is WAY overpriced. Maybe because it was a cold day and the place wasn’t busy, there were no lines to get ahead of. Walked through all the displays, not crowded. Touring the mansion is chaotic in a small space. You only see the basement and main floor, upper level is off limits. The WiFi was terrible, it was either really poor reception or non-existent. Unless they get this adjusted, don’t plan on iPad entertainment. TV reception was always good. The crowd is definitely senior so if you are looking for party, party call Carnival Cruise lines. If you are looking for laid-back, nice accommodations, and meeting some interesting people, this is a cruise for you. Read Less

Family and friends have all cruised, so we wanted our first one to be on a small boat and on a river. We love Canada and settled on St. Lawrence River Cruises. Customer service was tremendous while we planned a year in advance for our newest adventure. We arrived in Kingston, Ontario, the night before and explored the city the next day before we boarded. We were able to leave our car at the Ambassador Hotel while we were gone and could drop off our luggage early before embarking. We booked one of the larger cabins, but one doesn't really spend too much time in there except to sleep. It was super clean and neat along with the staff tidying up daily. The ship was adorable! We spent most of our time on the back or top deck watching the scenery getting to know our fellow passengers. We met so many wonderful people! The food was great given they had to feed lots of folks. Even got a look at the galley. Don't know how they do it all! Accommodated passengers with gluten-free options and peanut allergies. We were lucky on the last night to sit with a couple who were celebrating an anniversary - a glass of champagne for all of us at the table. The entertainment was great each night - guitar players and a magician. Also served delicious snacks at intermission. Also, fun games each day. We had a fun competition with a fellow passenger. They handed out fun out awards on the last night. Trivial Pursuit was a hoot!! Service was beyond excellent. The entire crew seemed to work 24/7 for everyone. The Purser, Trevor, was amazing along with being entertaining. I am a theatre person, so it is all live theatre and you hope all goes well as planned. But as in theatre, you sometimes have to improv when the situation arises. We couldn't go through a scheduled lock because there would be a 5 hour delay. OK, agree with that. But, we stopped and watched all the amazing ships that come through the St. Lawrence Seaway with narration. Amazing when you think about it all. Huge storm came through, so we bellied up in an interesting place for the night. My favorite picture is of the double rainbow off the stern of our ship. Definitely not for the physically challenged or larger persons as there are many steps, small corridors and bathroom/shower area (as far as we could tell). The crew was extraordinary!! You felt like a huge family together for 5 days as you got to know pretty much everyone. We actually miss our shipmates. Read Less

Pre-cruise at Red Lion Jansen beach hotel,$ 40 cab ride from airport ,very large hotel,nice rooms ,good restaurant,boat docks at hotel,free breakfast on day of embarkation.Some confusion on day of embarkation.Onboard welcome and lunch on boat,crowded. Had room 404 on deck 4 forward,large room, quiet,nice veranda,small but,usable.Was liformed by others that lower deck cabins were noisy at times.Breakfast in morning good,lunch also good ( see menu pics) beer and wine with lunch.Dinners also good,service and food started at level 8,but slipped to level 4or 5 by day 3 of cruise.Some servers inattentive at times,find a good one and stay with them,crew all young and nice and friendly. Food fine first 3 days,but started to be served cold quite often after that,not sure if this was a service problem or cooking one.Snacks available in all lounges all day,cookies,chips soda coffee,tea and specialty coffees. Sometimes beer and wine setup in the Sky lounge after 1:00pm.Lounges very nice,Paddlewheel cuttest,but noisy while under way,Sky lounge best,could move inside or outside as mood or weather dictates.Fith deck nice in good weather.Happy hour in Cascade lounge at 5:30 pm,any drink you want,and interesting appetizers,shrimp,crab claws,cheese ,smoked salmon ,also two servers with other appetizers.Late bar with intertainment,same drink set up ,intertainment ok ( we’re not show people) Shared boat with group from Smithsonion society,nick named them THE ROYAL FAMILY.Had their own section of dining room,own buses,left boat first,etc discouraged from associating with the second class citizens,although some broke the rules.be aware this can happen,enough said.Excursions,some additional charges not mentioned in brochures,Astoria,Fort Clatsop,if you have nothing better to do,Cape Disappointment,beautiful,well worth it,great views,Mt St.Helens very nice ,long bus ride,worth it,Multnomah falls very nice ,beautiful,Bonneville dam interesting,The Dalles ,small town,rest day for us.Cascade Cliffs winery ,small,but nice. Helles canyon boat ride was excellent.saw mule deer,rocky mountain sheep.excellent lunch,long ride ,but fascinating.Scenery on trip beautiful,be aware all lock transitions are at night or early in the morning and can be noisy at times,we could touch the lock wall from our veranda. Transfer to the Spokane airport good,Garden inn by Marriott one mile from airport free shuttle too and from hotel,very nice restaurant across parkin lot,short walk,nice hotel Biggest challenge is flying,no surprise there. in summary a good trip, but expensive compared with an ocean cruise,two or three times as much .Not for young people ,at 70 was one of younger people on board Read Less

We love American Cruise Lines and delighted to sail on newest boat Harmony. Absolutely fabulous boat, superior crew and service. Our fourth trip on this line and we signed up for another ACL destination in 2020. Seamless operation from embarkation until disembarkation. Spacious and well appointed cabins, excellent entertainment, service and all around fun time. Immaculately maintained at all times. Crew seemed to enjoy being aboard. Love open seating with cocktail hours and dining left to each passenger. We felt pampered by crew and cannot wait to sail again on ACL. We enjoy fun and casual atmosphere and lack of forced organized activities. Each passenger is addressed by name and crew takes pride in individualized treatment. Our very favorite cruise line by far. Perfect vacation and cannot wait for our next journey. ACL prides itself justifiably on "small boat cruising done perfectly". This is absolutely true and not an advertising ploy. Read Less

We just finished Uncruise's Rivers of Adventure cruise along the Snake and Columbia rivers (departure Oct 12 from Clarkston WA). It was a lovely cruise through a beautiful area of the country, that I think alot of people don't know about, but should. The canyon scenery was really spectacular. Also, this is great cruise for people who like to hike. We did 3 good hikes: the falls at Palouse State Park, the Rowena Plateau, and Dry Creek Falls. There was also a jet boat ride into the Hells Canyon Recreation area that was just great! We saw bald eagles, curly horn mountain goats, petroglyphs, and a fisherman hauling in a huge sturgeon. We also did a white water rafting ride on the Deschutes River that was alot of fun (we had never done this before), and an interesting visit to the Bonneville Dam (Do not miss Herman the Sturgeon at the nearby fish hatchery - ~ 75 yrs old, 11 ft long, and ~500 lbs)!. There was also a free kayak afternoon, in addition to the guided kayak. I really appreciated the free kayak, since I like to paddle around, but am not so good about keeping up, The canyon scenery was just beautiful on this one. The guides are really good at judging what people can do and setting the pace accordingly. The lounge area is very spacious and had nice appetizers every day at 5:30, and interesting cocktails. Its an open bar (included in the fare). Food is very good; nice wine list. Meals are all sit down. Servers are very friendly and accommodating of dietary restrictions. I think there could have been a bit of more variety at breakfast: There is a choice of the Chef's Special, and an omelet, though they are very accommodating about making other things. The special was pancakes once, french toast once, and the rest of the time it was another egg & meat based dish. I would have appreciated lighter specials. This may be a result of the logistics of the kitchen. Once could always get oatmeal (which I did). Overall, I can't say enough good things about the crew and guides: So friendly, knowledgeable,and helpful. This was our second Uncruise Adventure, and virtually everyone on the boat was a repeat customer (up to 7 cruises!). This is the best endorsement to have. We would sail with them again in a heartbeat! Read Less

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This was our 5th cruise with American Cruise Line and was the most disappointing as far as services provided and the lack of knowledge of the program director, Chelsea. On our tours, there should have been an american cruise personnel on each tour. In fact, on one tour a passenger handed out the lunches! The staff was very disorganized and unavailable. Our waiter, Kurk was exceptional and the food was prepared well. The entertainment on board was just satisfactory. The tours were good but not exceptional. We were disappointed with the cleanliness of our stateroom. In the future, we tried to book another tour on board which no one was able to help us with. We tried to booked a future cruise on board, and when we went to leave a deposit we were told that the room was no longer available. We are disappointed with the staff and the Home Office has not been satisfactory with helping us book this new trip. Read Less

We arrived in New York City 5 days prior to the cruise so we could explore the city as we hadn't been back there for almost 15 years. Stayed at Embassy Suites Midtown, great location for walking and taking the subway. Embarkation was easy and quick. Just dropped off the bags and they had pedi-cabs to take us to the ship around the corner. We had an AC cabin with balcony. Had nice amount of space, and of course small bathroom (no bathrooms are big on ships). Food was excellent with lots of lobster, scallops, shrimp even thought this wasn't a New England cruise. The entertainment was low key, with local singers, comedians brought on board as we cruised. Service was excellent and crew really tried hard. The "river historian" or whatever the overall guide is called had emergency gall bladder surgery so didn't show up, can't blame her! In mid cruise we had a new guide, Robert who was excellent. Lots of background on the places we were going and very entertaining. All of the shore excursions were excellent. We did FDR's mansion, Vanderbilt mansion, West Point, Sleepy Hallow and lots more. Good guides throughout. The only negative with this cruise is the price. It's an American built ship, two years old, American Crew, and good American food. So everyone gets paid American wages instead of the low paid crews of the international ships. This was the most expensive one week cruise we've ever done, and we did it for the itinerary. Most all of their other routes, we've done either as a land vacation or big ship experience, so we didn't book a future cruise. We had a very enjoyable time. If you can afford it, we'd recommend the experience. Read Less

I chose this cruise because the ship was brand new!!! It was beautiful, spacious, clean and the crew was fabulous. All food was great except for a few times. The cabin was large. The entertainment was pretty basic and I would have liked more band music for dancing, more, more, more. One entertainer was on 3 nights which was too much. She was good but more variety would have been better. Singing by an on board person was not great. They should have listened to her before they let her sing two numbers. Very amateur. The service was always top notch. Shore excursions climbing over the levies was hard for some people, rough walking. The Plantation tours were wonderful but the town shuttles were a little bit less than I had anticipated for things to see and do in each town. The towns were small so guess I couldn't expect a lot more. Again, the crew, fabulous!!! Thank you. Read Less

I have never been on such a disorganized cruise that lacked vital communication. Despite the fact that engine trouble caused us to miss 2 ports and be stuck in the dock, most of the crew was brand new, only began 2 weeks prior and it didn’t seem they had much training. The food was 5 out of 10; a great disappointment. If you like being lectured, that was the primary entertainment although a Mark Twain imitator was a very good storyteller. Our suite was very nice and the highlight. On and off was easy. Even though the food was lackluster, I liked the idea that we could order 1/2 orders. I am a light eater and hate to waste food so saw this as something other cruise lines would be smart to emulate. The decor in the public areas is beautiful and comfortable, however, when it rained, none of the cushions were removed from the rain therefore they were “unsittable” for quite some time. Read Less

I chose this cruise line because they had the itinerary we were interested in. The seaside towns and islands visited were quaint and picturesque. Everything we were hoping for. The ship, however, was horrible. I found the crew to be uncaring and lazy. I brought our issues to the attention of the hotel manager early in our cruise, and while she was friendly, and said she would correct our issues, she did not. Our cabin steward did not clean our bathroom, and it was disgusting. I had requested our ice bucket be filled daily, and was told I could fill it in the lounge. The dining room was a total fiasco. The quality of food was deplorable. I suspect the food is prepared and frozen food that is simply re-heated. Not acceptable at all. Service was slow, and totally inept. Not a single order was correct. Not a single meal was hot. Items that should have been cold were lukewarm. When brought to the wait staff's attention they either ignored our requests or in one case, pitched a hissy fit and left the dining room. One explanation for cold food was that the food is prepared when the dining room opens, and then "just sits back there until it is served". WOW! One day the assistant dining room manager argued with a fellow passenger about whether or not her coffee was hot. I was appalled that a crew member would argue with a passenger about anything! The gangway crew did not know where we were docked, how to get into town, how long the shuttles were running, where we could find a map of the port, etc., etc., etc. The cruise director did not appear to understand what her job is. I don't know if this cruise line trains any employees before they cruise. Do yourself a favor, and book a European river cruise. THEY do small ship cruising perfectly, especially Grand Circle Travel. American Cruise Lines should be ashamed of their shoddy service! CEO Charles Robertson - CLEAN UP YOUR CRUISE LINES! So disappointing. Read Less

We spent much more money and had much less value than we have on other cruises. The food was mediocre at best. They charge for WIFI and do not include even house wine during cocktail hour/briefings. The cabins were fine and the ship appeared clean. However, for the cost, the expectation is high. They seem to pin most of their value on the on-board naturalists. They were fine, and the on-board historian was excellent. There was a lock closure that blocked the ship from going up the river. Lindblad/Nat Geo knew about it more than a week prior but did not cancel the cruise or provide a chance to cancel with refund. They sent an email which some did not receive - no phone call - two days prior to embarcation. We had to ride buses for hours and stay in sub-par accommodations. We will never take a Lindblad/National Geographic trip again. Read Less

We took this cruise because it is the only cruise line that goes on the Erie Canal. Cabin -- we were in the largest option -- was small,but not a problem because we knew it would be. Essentially no useful directions to embarkation point in Montreal, which left our cab driver searching for 40 minutes on what should have been a 15-minute ride. The cruise is pretty well for old people, again not a problem as we are old. There were under 40 passengers on a ship that will hold over 80, so we were able to spread out and do our own thing when we wanted. I think it would be a very difficult trip, in terms of feeling crowded, if the ship were full. The best thing, which is typical for most cruises we have been on, was the crew, especially the young people working the cabins and dining rooms. Very hard workers and very sweet. The captain and officers were personable and expert. The cruise director was very efficient if not warm and fuzzy. The "expert" offering lectures and commentary was great. They make a effort to keep you entertained in the evening -- beside the lectures, there were a couple musicians, movies, game night, etc. All were pretty well geared to old people. We thought the food pretty average, but the chef was very responsive to special requests. We were satisfied in terms of our objective -- seeing the amazing canal engineering across New York state. The excursions we took were fine -- a bit overpriced, but you are paying for their service. You are pretty well on your own in terms of exploring locales where you dock. I really don't see going on this line again -- it is expensive for what you get -- unless, as with the Erie Canal, there is no other option. Read Less

To the Cruise Reviewers…Here’s a Breaking News story….The American Steamboat Company’s American Queen is NOT A CARIBBEAN CRUISE FUN SHIP…..That’s the rewarding thing about this wonderful Steamboat…..So don’t disparage this ‘Gem of the Mississippi ‘where you can slow down and take a leisurely cruise on America’s Premiere and Historical River. My wife and I booked the American Queen Steamboat cruise up the Mississippi for the first full week of September 2019 sailing from New Orleans up to Memphis. We’ve been fortunate to have cruised on ships of many sizes and many locations and have even cruised down the Danube River several years earlier but this time we were seeking a trip back through time and history on an authentic Steamboat that still travels the waters of the Mississippi here in the United States. The American Queen is a ship that fits the profile of a slower paced travel and the Mississippi presents a good travelogue of stories about ‘The Old Man River” and adventures in the deep south of the United States. This is not a trip for families with children but a trip for adults of many ages. Ship Features Built in 1995, The American Queen is the largest Steamboat ever constructed at 418 feet long and 89 feet wide with a draft of approximately 8 feet. She’s a true stern-wheeler with and array of modern improvements for navigation on the Mississippi. The beauty of steamboat travel is the slower pace of cruising on a river and how the passengers arrive at the towns on the cruise’s itinerary on the gangways stowed at the front of the steamboat. There’s a wonder steam calliope at the Top Deck River Grill & Bar played by the ship’s Master Pianist and Calliopist Phil Westbrook who hold court nightly at the Main Deck lounge with music and stories to entertain all. There’s a small pool on the top Sun Deck where travelers can also access the small Fitness Center. For late night, guest’s can be entertained at the Engine Room Bar with lively music and dancing, if one desires , lead by two of the ship’s versatile entertainment staff, Norman Bergen and Jim Schweikert. The main guest entertainment is held at the Grand Saloon Theater space, complete with balcony box seats and vaudeville styled main stage. There is also a smaller movie style theater on the Deck 3 – Texas Deck. With that said the ships company of performers and musicians all well versed in their art and provided great entertainment nightly. The Cruise Director, Ryan Faino and his Assistant Cruise Director, Ashley Edwards along with fellow performers Michaelyn Oby and Glenn Springs made evening entertainment a real pleasure for such a small troupe of performers and their equally talented band know as the Steamboat Syncopators. The J. M. White Dining area is a wonderful old world steamboat styled double story dining venue. There is one drawback experience in the dining room which is the ventilation noise that emanates from below deck and at window level due to the ship’s ventilation system on the port side forward of the dining, room. Our dining seating was on the opposite side of the dining room so our dining experience was not impacted by that noticeable mechanical noise. The Buffet dining area known as the Front Porch Café, is located on Deck 3 forward – Texas Deck with dining for guests inside and in a wrap around deck outside this eatery The real masterpieces of the Queen can be found on Deck 2 – Cabin Deck where guests find the Mark Twain Gallery & Lounge along with Men’s and Ladies Parlor Rooms. These spaces or well decorated with period pieces, artwork, photographs, river and steamboat artifact, charts and models an internet café area and a specialty coffee machine with a well stock fresh cookie cabinet. A more unique space in the ship is the areas above the Front Porch Café in a space know as The Chart Room, where Riverlorian, Jerry Hay, weaves the tales of the river and its historic ebb and flow that are an integral part of the heartland of America. Lastly, take some time to walk around all the decks of the ship to a catch a bit of the flavor of what river travel life might have been on some grand stern-wheeler of the 19th Century, like the American Queen, on the muddy water of the Mississippi. Food and Excursions Our food & dining experience on board the American Queen was wonderful. High tech has made its way into dining service in the J. M. White Dining Room with wait staff texting orders to the kitchen for prompt preparation and delivery to the dining guests. The food quality was very good, but don’t hesitate to bring to the attention of the dining room staff anything that is not up to what you, as the diner, might consider substandard. Service was tops and food was well prepared. Food up at the Front Porch Café buffet was also of the same quality and caliber except here’s where self serve ice cream could be found along with a full service bar and guest beverages area. Although the lower Mississippi river does not possess the charm of the enchanting river towns of the European river waterways, you will find the Antebellum South and Historic river towns of Natchez and Vicksburg on this cruise. Vicksburg battlefield is a must trek. The Steamboat Company provides well apportioned coaches that run like clockwork for travel around each the river towns where the ship stops. With regards to the other river town stops on this cruise (St. Francisville and Greenville) they are a look into typical river town life that that have survived the trials and tribulations of the Mighty Mississippi River. Conclusion The American Queen Steamboat cruise may not be a cruise for every traveler but this great ship and cruise does give its guests plenty of river time to slow down and unwind on this Great American River treasure or to pick up the pace to explore the finer elements of Southern Living. Read Less

We had always wanted to do the Mississippi River, but thought it too expensive. We finally decided to do it as our 50th cruise. We started in New Orleans and ended in St.Louis. Our price included an overnight stay in New Orleans at the Intercontinental Hotel. We and all the other passengers were bused from the hotel to the boat.The boat is only 3 years old, but shows signs of needing a paint job on the exterior. Our cabin was a good size with plenty of drawer space, but not a lot of closet space. The boat was nicely appointed in the dining room and the lounges. The food was mediocre and service was spotty. We did end up eating at one table every night with a terrific server.The ports were interesting and the tours were good. The housekeeping was spotty at best. The large mirror in our cabin was dust covered throughout the whole cruise and you could write your name on the lid of the ice bucket.The onboard entertainment was fine; no complaints.Overall, it was not worth the cost.We won't do another cruise with this line. Read Less

I chose American Cruise Line because they have a good single traveler policy. The also have single cabins. The entire staff were friendly, helpful, and professional. No complaints about anything Love it. Room was clean and very nice n I have sail with American Cruise Lines 4 times. I will also cruise with them. I think they are the best small cruise line. The dining experience was great. The food was excellent, the service was good and very efficiency. Very professional. The entire cruise was great. It was called the Cumberland River Cruise from St. Louis, Missouri to Nashville, Tennessee. (7 nights, 8 days). I just love small river cruising especially with American Cruise Lines (the best). The Queen of the Mississippi is a riverboat, total 150 passengers. The ship is absolutely beautiful and is run professional and efficiently. Your get your money worth. It is a beautiful cruise. The ship lounges are decorated beautiful. Read Less