We had been recommended the American Queen by a close friend, who is quite choosy so we felt confident all would be prefect! Not quite! Disappointed with quality of some of entertainment. Particularly the lounge singer- we felt very poor, could have been much better. Sadly dinner service was lacking, although did improve so I guess someone at a neighbourung table may have said something? We were served wrong meals repeatedly, had to ask for drinks to be served and the attitude of some staff was very off hand. Front porch cafe- always great service and choice- both at breakfast and lunch. Top deck bar- likewise, always good. This isn't a cheap trip and expectations were so high and I have to admit we were disappointed with these areas! In other areas they excelled, organistaion around trips, both additional and standard were excellent- we did both. Ease on and off at ports was great- never been so easy! The 'Hop on/Hop off' bus service fab! In terms of value for money- depends on your point of view - I know some of my fellow dinner partners felt it wasn't. However if you use all the facilities, all the trips provided as part of package, along with buses it does feel like you know what you are paying for. I think the poor service at dinner and 'not so good' entertainment in places left it feeling wanting. We , for insatnce , seldom ate lunch- but suited ourselves and made a sandwich which we took with us when on shore for a trip. Had fruit etc to eat during the day so we gained in other ways. Satff in general really great, helpful, friendly. Staterooms as expected- really clean, comfortable and well serviced- we had a private verandah which was great. Read Less

We (my wife, myself, my daughter and her spouse) had always wanted to try a US Cruise Ship on the Mississippi River, We started at New Orleans and traveled to Menmphis, the hotel the ship chose was a part of the pre trip was excellent and we actually booked it via separate reservations a day early, The room on board was nice, however our steward was at best poor, in fact the ship changed him out after the 3rd night of almost no service. The staff, were all USA residents, and the lower staff, were often indifferent to most. They seemed to get better as the trip neared its end. Food, was at best, medium. On the first night I ordered a baked potato, it was cold and would not melt the butter. They brought me a second "15 minutes later", it was colder then the first, they then sent the assistant head waiter over, he went and found a 3rd baked potato, again this took "15 minutes", by then I had finished my meal. It never got better.... The value for $$$ was far below what I expected. The dining room chairs were broken and most had extremely stained seats. Not at all what I expected for a US cruise line. Read Less

This was a wonderful trip. Captain Garth and his crew were excellent and fun to be with. They really made the trip great. The Lewis R French is a great boat and was fun to sail on. We would do it again. The perfect trip to get away from it all and enjoy nature and the fun of sailing. The food was excellent, it's amazing what Jason could do on a wood burning stove. We had a wonderful Lobster bake on an island that was a lot of fun and all the lobster you can eat, really. The weather was perfect and we only had a small amount of rain as we were docking. It is best to bring a jacket and as usual, follow the advice they give you on what to pack. It was a very well run trip and all went very well. We would do it again. Read Less

I have always wanted to travel up the River in a paddlewheeler, and my DH and I decided to take a trip up the Mississippi River, for an 8 day cruise. We selected the "Round Trip" from New Orleans, and went up as far as Vicksburg. He had previously done this cruise, many years ago, so he said all good things about it. It was a lot of fun, cabin was spacious, lots of room, king size bed, with balcony; bathroom was nice, with ADA compliant features. Shower had good water pressure. We were only a short walk to either one of different lounges, plus 1 floor above dining room. All very convenient and never got lost. This ship had 5 decks. Staff was exceptional, and always willing to help, and the Captain invited groups to tour the pilot house, where he explained what happens, while steering up/down the river. He was very informative, and we learned a lot. Dining room was always nice, clean, pretty linens/napkins, and our waiter, Jonathan, was OH SO GREAT!!! and AWESOME!!! and HELPFUL, friendly, and saw to anything that was needed, during the meal. He was also knowledgeable about foods and aimed to please. Entertainment nightly, was the flavor of New Orleans jazz and blues; All entertainers we saw were very professional, and they put on great shows for us, lasting about 1 hour 30 mins. Had good variety of onshore excursions to pick from, mostly plantations and a battlefield, in Vicksburg. Plantations on this trip were Oak Alley, Rosedown Plantation, and Houmas House, with couple of city tours, too. Only "negative" was the Vicksburg bus tour, through the battlefields, tended to be a bit drawn out, (long time to sit on bus), with narrator being a bit long winded. Most of tours were built-in to price of cruise, but had a few extra ones, that had an additional charge. Embarking and disembarking was a cinch -- so easy, with no waiting in lines!!! This is definitely the main reason why small ships are best. No MEGA SHIPS for us!! Read Less

For an entire day about half the passengers were expected to sit on the boat in the middle of the inner waterway outside of Fernandina Beach, FL. We were told that we will not be taken ashore due to the outboard motor on the launch boat being unreliable to keep running. Half the passengers were taken ashore earlier today so they could go on their shore excursion tour. After they were delivered ashore, we were told the launches were cancelled for the day - - however they were running them to bring the shore excursion passengers back to the boat at the end of their tour. An entire day of our six day cruise was lost and wasted because the Captain and crew did not aggressively pursued resolving the problem. Anyone with simple problem solving skills and a little motivation would know that the problem of an unreliable outboard motor can be overcome with other solutions. Instead we are expected to just sit on the boat all day and believe that because it's a Sunday NOTHING can be done. We had no other option but to remain sitting on the boat. I discussed my dissatisfaction and voiced many suggested solutions numerous times today with the Captain, Tour Director, and several other staff. All fell on deaf ears and I was told to voice my concerns with the main office of the cruise company. I called the 800 number, spoken to customer service and was then told to voice my issue in an email, send it to customer service, and it will be taken from there. After three weeks of my continuing to follow up on my complaints, ACL has now told me that if I take another cruise with them they will give me a 20% discount. Why would I choose to waste my time and money on another cruise with this company? This was an expensive cruise, the last thing I expected was for a situation such as this to have arisen and to be dealt with in such a unsatisfactory manner. In further notes, the ship is old, worn and terribly in need of updating and refurbishing. The so-called "management" on the boat are immature, very poorly trained and not at all suited for their jobs. Messages left for "management" on the boat were never answered. The Captain and "management" chose to make any announcements during the cruise at the nightly Happy Hour. I guess they assumed that everyone on board would be their drinking and would hear their announcements. Either that or they didn't care whether the announcements were heard by all the passengers or not. At the time of booking this cruise I specifically asked about signing up for shore excursions prior to the cruise. I was told that all signing up for shore excursions are handled on the boat during the cruise. Much to our surprise, when we started the cruise we learned that this was not the case and there were indeed shore excursions that had to be signed up ahead of time online. Those excursions were all filled by those passengers that happened to be lucky enough to get the correct information. I've cruised many times before with other cruise lines and have never had problems such as I have had with American Cruise Lines. Save your money, time and frustration - - book a cruise with another company! Read Less

lots of fun on this cruise! although the ports don't look like there is much there, if you take time to explore they are very interesting! service is fine-not exceptional, but adequate. Ship is not luxurious, but fine. Food is great! really a very fun week! Hop-on bus system is great, although you can also walk into and around these ports. Entertainment is fun! Fairly relaxing-can venture out and return whenever you like. Really enjoyed exploring this area of our country. paid excursions were good although not necessary. Really enjoyed excursion to angola prison-very enlightening. Ship is very nice. Some parts a little dated, but in general nice. Crew is very helpful. Enjoyed dining at The Front Porch. Dining room is okay, although service is slow. Huge variety of items offered each evening. Definitely an older crowd, but we took our 17 year old daughter and she was fine. There is a nice pool kept very warm-like a hot tub almost. Overall a fun week! Read Less

Chose this cruise for the ports we were stopping at. Knew ahead of time that the ship was old and rooms would be small, but older and smaller than expected. Limited water usage made washing hands/shower difficult. It is at the Captain's discretion if the itinerary changes due to "weather" and we missed one of our stops. Also cancelled one of our tours at one of the major ports, then promised there would be something else "nice" to replace it, but no there wasn't. Internet access is a joke and there are no TVs anywhere on the ship. No real entertainment, just a lecturer and photographer. Very boring evenings and long days. On the positive side, staff was great, helpful and hard working. Food was good and enough at each meal. Chef baked fresh breads and deserts which was something to look forward to. Our stop at Mackinac Island was delightful. However, Sturgeon Bay (cancelled tour), Beaver Island (didn't stop weather), St. Ignace nothing there, Manitowoc, same thing. We booked our own tours in Chicago and that helped to salvage an otherwise disappointing cruise. Do not think I would cruise with Blount again. Read Less

Our inaugural cruise on the American Constellation was a real standout experience , which is why we have continued to book repeatedly with American Cruise Lines. Smaller cruises afford a better opportunity to engage and meet new friends easily. Them meals are top notch and staff are always friendly and conscientious to all your needs. Having a historian/environmentalist on board adds to the whole adventure and overall educational experience of the various ports. Our Hotel/Cruise Manager " Kyle " was outstanding & always willing to help out and answer any questions. " Kevin " our Tour/Excursion Director (2nd time with him ) did such a great job of being friendly but firm and stern with our safety and timelines. " Drew " Director of Hotel Operations , whom we have cruised with before was such a delight to know. Only one comment regarding evening entertainment== wish it could be enhanced a bit but overall and exceptional cruise. We are currently booked for the Columbia/Snake River cruise in September and for the inaugural Spring cruise of the American Constitution to Grand Historic South in 2018. Read Less

We traveled in a party of 10: 4 boys aged 5-12, parents in their 70s (one w/ memory issues), and two couples in their 40s. We loved the service, delicous food, live music, custom drinks & friendly manner of all the staff. Our rooms were on the outside of the 4th &5th floor decks, so we enjoyed the views as well. We all loved the engine room - you can walk down and see all the working parts when the ship is in motion. We enjoyed the pilot house tour (when the boat is in port) and riverlorian talks. The lady in the gift shop was delightful & gave my 5 year old a box in which to hold his treasures. The bars allowed kids and our kids were free to roam the boat; they truly treasured that freedom. The kids played bingo and chess and even cavassed the passengers to find additional chess opponents (the passengers were quite friendly). On several evenings we found an unreserved box in the Grand Salon (the theater for live entertainment which is modeled after Ford's Theater in DC). For adults drinks cards are available for purchase which allow included drinks and gratuities for the duration of the voyage ($200). Shore excursions were great fun. We opted for hop on hop off which meant we could visit a variety of stops each time the boat docked. I reccomend departing early because the stops are only 3 or 4 hours and the time passes quickly. On each bus for hop on hop off a local guide gave detailed information about the town and its history. You can purchase shore excursions for additional cost ($60 + per person per stop) but we were happy with the bus. For this leg I'd reccomend the Angonla Prison tour (we missed it and were sad) and the Vicksburg Battlefield tour. The New Orleans to Memphis Tour is good for older adults and kids because the boat stops in port during the day. If you're looking for more of a party scene you do Memphis to New Orleans (the boat stops in Baton Rouge in early evening). In short, I'd happily do another cruise with this company. It has been completely relaxing and I've been made to feel completely at home albeit in a luxurious and pampered manner. Oh, and coming in we stayed an extra evening at the Hyatt by the super dome which was lovely. I'd definitely reccomend a additional day in New Orleans and the World War II Museum is fantastic. New Orleans has Uber which is a great way to get around. The streets of New Orleans are beautiful and kid friendly during the day. Read Less

We chose this cruise because we wanted to spend time with our children and their spouses. We all work very hard and live in the same city but thought it was time to spend liesure time together. This cruise was a terrible disappointment as far as service and what we paid for. NCL never again! The entertainment was never available if you didnt "book a reservation " the first day. jThis was impossible to do . We didnt get to our cabin until after 6 pm. We were pretty well contained in the buffet dining area for the afternoon and then had no suitcases to freshen up before dinner. Even the freestyle dining was only attained by reservation! We had most of our meals buffet style because of this. On the last evenig of the cruise we were finally able to see a show the Burning the floor, .Hard to enjoy for the late hour, started at 9:30. We were a party of 10 adults and 2 young adult grandchildren and we were just glad to be able to get an elavator to debark in port. Like I said before never with NCL again!! I would certainly support a class action suit with any other passengers! Read Less

We were suppose to go to the Bahamas but because of Mattews we had to go to Key West which was great. The Captain keep us away from the storm .I don't think we even had rain . This ship is old but still looks good.The staff was great.The food was okay.The shows are not very good. The Jacksonvlle port was great. I have been cruising since 1989 on all size ships and I have found out you are the one who makes the cruise and you get what you paid for.I have seen people having a great time.on all of them. When you have people waiting on you hand and foot and all you have to do is watch the sun come up and go down it is worth every penny.I can't wait to book my next cruise. We have fun watching roll call and counting down the days PS They should get rid of smoking in the casino .It was so bad you could smell it on the floor below Read Less

Cruised from Cincinnati, OH to Alton, IL. There are various types of cabins to choose from. Our cabin had an outside door an inside door to the hall ( 2 entrances). Nightly entertainment, two dining times for main dining, but there is another casual dining option elsewhere on the boat. Wine included in main dining. Pop, water, coffee, tea, lemonade, ice cream, cookies, and popcorn included all day long. Pool an exercise room, movie theater. Daily river talks, rooms to read or play games and gift store. Shore excursions included along with pay for premium shore excursions. EVERYONE working on this boat is friendly and ready to help you. All ages welcomed. Every night you receive the River News with the next days activities listed. You decide how relaxed or busy you want to be during your cruise. Free wifi. Boat computers are all set up with various airlines to just click your airline and print your boarding pass. Robes and slippers in each room. Elevators and stairs to choose from. Buses for shore excursions run every 15-20 minutes with hop on/hop off option an are included. Step on guides from the local area on the buses to give information about the city you are in. The American Queen is a steamboat paddle wheel. Read Less

This is our second cruise with The American Steamboat Company, the first was on the Amercian Empress, now this one of the American Queen. These are the best cruises I have ever been on as far as food quality, relaxation, attitude of staff and surroundings. Bioth are small vessels... the American Queen holsd around 400 passengers and the American Empress around 300. We stayed in a cabin with a private balcony, which had a bathtub/shower combo. The beds were some of the most comfortable I have ever slept on with nice quality linens. We requested coffee service every mornig at 7:30 and were never once disappointed. I would not reallu recommend this trip for chiuldre, teenagers or hyper people who must keep busy, as that is not what this trip is about. My husband and I are in our early 60's and we were the "youngins'". I highly recommend this cruise! The only negative I have was the hotel we stayed in prior to the cruise, The Downtown Sheradin, was horrendous!!! If required to stay there before another cruise, I would not go..... Read Less

This was a 90th birthday cruise for a long-time Cunard passenger. Embarkation took over two hours(one person fainted) and young children were being held by parents for long periods of time. Dining room service was extremely slow and the servers were not pleasant. Took 20-25 minutes to get a beverage. We were rushed out of the dining room every night. Sheet cake ordered and paid for was not delivered to our party. Dining requests(number and size of tables) that was requested many months in advance was not honored. On July 5th, lunch in the Britannia took 2 hours. Breakfast on the day of disembarkation took over and hour and there was no one in the dining room.Spent hours at the Purser's Desk trying to set up an account for beverages to all be transferred to host. This did not get accomplished until last full day of sailing. Had to sign out for two decks of playing cards and had to return. No recognition for a Cunard World Club Gold member. Lost hot water one evening. The showroom temperature ran close to 80 degrees. Very overpriced cruise. No dining room staff member seemed to care about anything except rushing us out for late dining. Only thing that did not get messed up was disembarkation. On a 1-10 scale, this cruise was a 1. Staff needs training.Having corresponded with Cunard post-cruise, they still have shown indifference to all our issues. And we had 42 passengers in our group in balconies and a Princess suite. Read Less

This was the only cruise line that did a short trip in June. We purchased the extra fast to fun package because I use a walker and we could avoid long lines. Embarkation and debarkation were really with no lines and very little waiting. Our cabin with window was just fine. Our stewards were exceptional and always went above and beyond expectation. Part of the fast to fun fee included getting to our room as soon as we boarded and getting our luggage sooner than most. Both of these amenities transpired for us. Our daughter however, who had the next door cabin, had a difficult time getting her luggage. Her luggage had my grandson's insulin. She decided upon getting to the ship that she did not need to carry to heavy bag the insulin was in because the ship's crew would take it to the ship. Long story short, they lost all of her luggage and for 3 hours we were frantic to find the insulin and if they didn't find it, we were going to have to get off the ship. We could not sail not knowing where the insulin was. Fifteen minutes before we had to get off, the luggage came to the door one at a time by 3 different people. Not a good way to start a cruise. Food was average, rock show was really good, and we had fun celebrating my grandson's fifteenth birthday. Read Less

From the time that we were greeted on-board at Charleston, to the moment we dropped off our bags at the Jacksonville, we had a 5-star experience! Sure there were bumps in the road along the way, but even those minor complaints paled as we considered the whole. We had an accessible room (213) with plenty of closet and drawer space for our clothes. The ship was well maintained and public places tidy and clean. I wish I could name all the crew members that seemed to be up at all hours anticipating our needs, but here are a few. Lisa, the hotel manager and her assistant, Shannon were whirlwinds of service. Josh, the cruise director was everywhere ensuring that we made each excursion and also functioning at the very important duty as assistant bartender. Chris, in charge of housekeeping but more importantly, our bartender, seemed to be the first up in the morning making coffee in the Chesapeake Room and was there to put us to bed. Happy Hour was “happy” as ACL served premium beer, wine and liquor with the hor d’oeuvres and got us ready for our dinner prepared by Jonathan, the chief who visited very table during the meals to check on us. The meals themselves were outstanding and served by some very attentive waiters. I don’t remember all their names, but Alexis, Ashley, Ivy, and Talil come to mind. Not a bad one in the bunch. Junius was our historian and infused us with knowledge of the intra-costal canal and the history surrounding it and the hundreds of islands forming the Low Country. All in all, with the outstanding weather and excursions in Charleston, Beaufort, Jekyll Island, Hilton Head and Savannah made it a vacation to remember. Read Less

6 days into 7 day cruise up the lower mississippi on the American Queen and very relaxed, full and happy. Started in New Orleans and stayed the Hilton Riverside overnight, very nice and easy to transfer to steamboat. Crew members are so helpful and friendly especially with my Dad. Dad, age 89, toured the engine room since he is a engine person. Mike took him in and explained all about the steam engine and paddle wheel. Also had tour of the galley with chef. Staff were wonderful with wheelchairs, golf carts etc so he could participate in on shore activities. Had Hop on and Hop Off buses to tour on at each city we stopped at and tour guides from the city we were in to give narrations. Made the tours easy and able to select what we wanted to get off and see. Elevators on ship made getting around easy and halls were WIDE. Housekeepiing on ship was excellent. Ivy had room cleaned and bed ready each night. Wonderful trip up the Mississippi from New Orleans to Memphis on a paddle wheel steamboat. Mark Twain style! Read Less

This was the smallest ship I have ever been on, and being in my mid to late thirties I was very skepticle in traveling on this ship, however it was a very enjoyable experience on the Pearl Mist. Cruising on a smaller ship is a much more of a family,homey atmoshphere that being the only way I can describe it and although my cousin also in her thirties who I was travelling with was being asked what are you doing on here with us older folks we were truly happy to be there. Everyone was so friendly, the passengers, the crew, everyone!!! We stayed in stateroom 421, it was spaceous and had everything we could have possibly needed. The food was delicious, great choices all sit down meals. Our shore excirsions were included and it was only one tour in each port on the New England Fall Foliage Cruise. The only thing I wish there would have been more of was more activities on board such as maybe bingo more then one night or maybe organized card games, more entertainment then just the same singers in one lounge every night. That aspect of the ship has the potential to be much better. Overall we met great people on the Pearl Mist and had a great trip. Read Less

This was just a weekend "cruise to nowhere," but still we got a pretty good idea of what the Wonder is like. Embarkation was not fun: baggage handlers outside the terminal asking for tips; the hot and stuffy building; the check-in process not allowing you to board the ship when completed, but you are assigned a group number and have to wait until that number is called (resulted in not many people boarding but most sitting in the building); then the computers broke and nobody could board for a time. Being greeted in the entry lobby was nice and the pools and buffet was open. The entertainment was outstanding, from the 2 nighttime stage shows, the outside sailaway party on deck the first night, with fireworks, to the events in the main atrium. The entire ship was decorated for Halloween. We had been notified about bringing costumes for a trick-or-treating event, but not, as seemingly most of the passengers, about wearing pirate costumes the first evening. Disney characters were readily available for photos many times, with minimal waiting times. Ate at the buffet one lunch, one late-night snack following fireworks, and one breakfast. The food was okay to good and service excellent. The assigned dining room meals were fair to very good, the waitstaff very friendly. Meals are staggered so everyone can attend one of the two main evening shows. At the Promenade lounge you can order special coffee drinks- they match Starbuck's beverages. Diversions turns into an adults-only sportsbar at night, we ducked in there to check on baseball playoff games. Hint--at late hours when other eateries are closed, they have a counter with hot dogs, chips and dip, etc. There are pools for all age levels and our grandson, and hundreds of other kids, had a great time. On that deck are free soda and coffee dispensers plus pizza, sandwiches, fruit, soft serve, etc. The two Disney shops got very crowded around show time as they are near the main showroom, but not too crowded at other hours. We didn't use them, but complimentary portable phones were on the desk, so you can keep in touch with others in your party. Disembarkation was also pretty bad. Disney assigns breakfast times to a couple of dining rooms on Deck 3, so hundreds of suitcases lined the hallways from people planning to eat then walk off the ship. Deck 3 is also where the gangway is located so everyone had to walk through this crowded space. The main atrium and Guest Services desk are also located in the middle of Deck 3, so we all had to maneuver past many people and obstacles to leave. Basically, everyone onboard was in the same place at the same time-poor planning. In conclusion, this was a wonderful family cruise. Knowing what to expect, with hundreds of noisy children onboard, we had a great time. All the staff was exceptionally helpful and friendly. We wouldn't take Disney alone though, without children. Read Less

Just returned from above trip and a few observations on the Entertainment Cunard Insights Programme - thought that Robert Gates and Chase Untermeyer on the outward leg were excellent but unfortunately the other speakers were bland and uninteresting. on the return journey Lord and Lady Howard were both interesting and sincere. however, again the other speakers left something to be desired, I heard someone say ' Made an interesting subject boring' Myself and my husband Ron have been travelling on Cunard for 12 years - I think we have now seen La Passionata 9 times. The timing of event in some cases was dreadful with some clashing or wrongly timed for instance RADA Ghost Story started at 10pm while second diners where still in Brittania. Lady Howard's book corner was in the Winter Garden and was sometimes in audible due to the fact it is used as a thoroughfare and food area. Paul O'Loughlan needs to put some effort in rsther than drifting, new shows, new acts , new insight subjects I know enough about Astronomy etc. Overall we did enjoy the crossing, Brittania was as usual very good and the various drinking areas to a high standard. karaoke in the Golden Lion was entertaining so did enjoy our trip but it could have been improved upon with a little more thought from Cunard Read Less

Where to begin??? This was trip number thirteen (yes, 13) for me on American Cruise Lines, so to say I am a charter member of their fan club would be an understatement!! Since I've taken every East Coast itinerary: Golden South (2x), New England Islands, Hudson River, Chesapeake Bay, Mississippi River and Maine seven times, I'll offer a general review of cruising with this company and a specific one of the Maine one. To begin, American Cruise Lines builds each vessel in their own, company-owned, shipyard located in the Chesapeake Bay, so they are all-American right down to the hull. They have developed a trade-mark design that offers very large and comfortable cabins, luxury linens, balconies at almost every price-point, large and airy lounges, and much more. The majority of the ship's stewards and deck-hands are young, college students, if not professionally trained, all smiling and willing. To me, this is an added opportunity to enhance my cruise. Each of the itineraries offers an opportunity to experience the very best of the region...in sights, history and food. Most trips combine cruising and shore visits in agreeable balance so that both of your cruising goals at met. The speakers are excellent, without exception!! You have the opportunity to be informed on the attractions of every port and often the biggest problem you will have is picking which shore excursions to select. And, there are fun activities, too. No one needs to be prepared to enjoy the lobster feast in Rockland, Maine!! And "walking across the bar" in Bar Harbor, ME is great fun. The food is excellent, well served and abundant, and the complimentary evening bar and wines with lunch and dinner add to your dining pleasure. As a disclaimer, there are no night-club shows in the evening, no casinos, no shopping emporiums...so if that is your cup of tea, this is the wrong company for you. The professional members of the crew, from the Captain to the Cruise Director, Hotel and Dining Room Managers will meet and exceed your expectations, and their availability to the passengers is without precedence. I am looking forward to sailing many more times with this unique American company that is just the right size for making new friends, visiting intimate ports and feeding my body and my curiosity. Read Less

This was my Fifth cruise on the AMERICAN QUEEN. Due to high water on the Mississippi River we could not board in St. Louis, as planned. But the company contacted my group to let us know of the change in plans. As a veteran river cruiser, this is part of the adventure. The company then added a different port of call for us, which included unexpected shore excursions. Still a wonderful experience! The crew from bottom to top are top notch. Having cruised previously, many faces are familiar and they seem to remember us. At least they make you think they do! This is one reason cruising on the rivers in the U.S. is so much more enjoyable. No big ship experience for me, where you can't even understand what the crew is saying. Updates to the boat over the last few years are done in such good taste. It is such a relaxing experience. You can do as little or as much as you want. Entertainment in the Grand Saloon is not be missed. What a grand room. A meal in the J. M. White Dining Room is an experience in itself. The food is superb. The staff in the dining room will go above and beyond to meet any request. Plus the other dining option is great for a more casual meal and the food is just as good, if not even better! The Riverlorian provides the most knowledgeable information about present and previous steamboatin' history. Their sessions are lessons in history! I could go on and on. I will finish with a quote from the brochure. "An Affair to Remember". The memories will last a lifetime, as there is no experience/vacation like cruising on the rivers in the United States in the Heartland of America! Don't miss a chance to experience a unique trip! Read Less

Weather was great. Scenery was beautiful. Small towns were nice to walk through. The jet boat excursion and whale watching were two of the favorite extras. Food and accommodations were excellent. Quiet relaxing cruise..not a fast pace cruise. Enjoyed meeting the other travelers during the meal times. The entertainment was average except the young violin player. She was excellent and we could have listened longer to her. The ship itself is showing some age/use in the common areas, i.e. the couches could use some sprucing up. The food and room service was for the most part very good. Overall, we had an excellent cruise...lived up to our expectations! Read Less

Since making our reservations in July 2014 for the Mississippi River Cruise aboard the Queen of the Mississippi our three generation family of six looked forward to May 5, 2015 when we would board the boat in Memphis. Although this was the sixth cruise for us we usually were on larger cruise ships sailing in Europe, Alaska, in the Hawaiian Islands or along the coasts is Canada, the Northeastern US or Northwestern US. We did not know what to expect on the Paddlewheeler. We found out soon enough as we were introduced to the Cruise Directors and the Hotel Directors who gave information for the first timers on a river cruise. We enjoyed selecting from menus for all three meals and strolling to several lounges for coffee, sodas and snacks during the day for no additional charge. The fresh baked cookies were delicious--there is a bakery chef on the boat. The Dining Room and Hotel Staff have multiple duties so they are seen more than several times a day with a smile on their face and a kind word of greeting every time. They are a great group of young adults that you'd like as permanent family members. The shore excursions that are part of the Cruise were well planned with knowledgeable local tour guides that answered all our questions. The talks on board were given by educated experts on subjects related to the area in which we cruised. The entertainment each evening was also pertinent to the area with jazz, blue grass, swing, ragtime, banjo playing and of course singing by some local professionals. One entertainer gave a detailed history of the progression from Ragtime up through Rock N' Roll. This was a wonderful experience for all of us--even the matriarch of the family, our 96-year old Mom who told me two days after the Cruise ended she thinks the next cruise should be on the Columbia River. Read Less

All in all the cruise was a total delight and we were treated like royalty. The Captain and his entire crew went out their way to make this such an enjoyable trip. When my sister in law realized she had left a piece of luggage after debarkation, a quick call to Hotel Manager Drew Godfrey and soon it was found and delivered to her at our hotel. Thankfully we had decided to spend a few extra days in N.O. and had not flown home! While on board, so many gifts were given. For whatever reason, my sister and her husband didn't receive those gifts so when told to Cruise Director Marcie, she made sure they got all the gifts. All the chef's did an outstanding job in food preparation! The pastries were so very good and at each meal the presentation was excellent. It rained almost every day but the deckhands were right there with umbrella's and covered transportation if you needed it. The only thing that really needs to change is proper acoustics in the Dining Salon and the Magnolia Lounge. The noise was unbearable at times which made it impossible to visit with the person sitting next to you. Read Less