American Queen Side trips

Does anyone have comments on the American Queen side trips from Memphis to New Orleans? Or, are there independent off shore excursions that can be recommended.

We are doing this trip next week...are you on board too? Haven't arranged anything except a couple ship offered tours and their HoHo bus ...so hope someone out there knows more!

I am going on the April 3 trip from Memphis to New Orleans.

Sam4799, the port stops along the river are somewhat different than what you may be used to on a blue water cruise. By and large the AQ folks have put together the interesting places in the towns along the river and your entrance fees are included on the HOHO. We did the NO to Memphis last March. We are big walkers, so we'd either walk right into the town or if it was up on a bluff, take the bus to stop #1 and walk the rest of the town. They also sell premium excursions that usually extend out beyond right along the river stop. We did the Vicksburg battlefield tour and thoroughly enjoyed it. As I volunteer at a civil war battlefield, I could have spent two days there vs. the several hours. You can walk (or bus) into the city, you cannot access the National Park from the boat.

We are going to be on the March 21 cruise from Memphis to NOLA. I'm curious about the HoHo experience.

Just back...loved the experience. Did the HOHO in every port...they have it down, excellent service and bus runs every 15-30 minutes. They tell you the highlights and have great maps for every port. Local guide on the bus til noon giving you the highlights...very well organized and never a wait or line with their timed boarding.

We did the Civil War theme...included 3 free excursions, so The only extra tour we did was the Angola State Prison in LA. Very interesting and inspiring.

Food and sevvice were excellent. Boat in great condition. Entertainment every night....related to the Area....bluegrass, music, banjo, etc. 4 singer/dancers were very energetic and did 3 small scale production type shows...very well done.