Rivertripper

Hi everybody,  

If you go to the AQVoyages website and click on "Health and Safety", you will see the following statement:  "Pre-cruise Covid 19 testing is no longer required or provided on all River Experiences (AQ, AE, AD, and AC) beginning August 1, 2022.  This applies to Rivers trips only. Check it out.

Hi Rick.  My husband and I are on the same cruise, arriving one day early.  We have been on previous AQ trips on this itinerary during the fall and winter, and I can suggest that whatever the weather prediction is, be sure to pack a raincoat, scarf and gloves.  Even if New Orleans is warm, it will be cooler the further north you go.

Be prepared to walk or Uber a lot in New Orleans, as driving and parking will take all the fun out of your holiday.  I see you like music.  For something different, you might look into the live Cajun music (and food) at Mulate's.  it is within reasonable walking distance from our AQ pre-cruise hotel, Riverside Hilton.  

Here’s the answer to my original question about Halloween on the American Queen:  A table was set up containing scissors, paper, markers, glue, and other supplies so that if we cared to, we could participate in a contest to make Halloween themed door decorations for our cabins.   Some people really got into it and made great spooky decorations and others kept it simple.  You could tell people had fun with it.

Halloween night the featured entertainment was a special “Monster’s Ball” with live music and a performance of a number from “Rocky Horror”, very well done.  There was also dancing to the predictable Halloween music.  Some people wore simple costumes they had brought in their luggage.  Others had hats they either made (with supplies from the table) or brought with them, as hats don’t take much space.  Several members of the crew seemed to have raided the Dollar Store for costumes.  Lots of smiles all around.

One thing to note is that the Cruise Director (Ryan) said the celebrations of holidays depend upon where in the cruise the holiday occurs.  In our case, we embarked on Monday and Halloween was Thursday. We were ready for it.  In general, the first night of a trip people are tired and getting settled, and not prepared for over-the-top festivities, so that if a holiday occurs on the first night or early in the trip, it is more low key. If it is later in the trip passengers are much more enthusiastic and look forward to the holiday celebrations.

So there you have it. If a holiday occurs on your planned trip, enjoy it.  

Just curious. We have been on several American Queen trips that occur during a holiday and we have enjoyed participating in the fun.  For example, at Christmas, using materials supplied by the boat, we made tree and door decorations and prizes were awarded.  Mardi Gras: make your own mask and wear it to the Mardi Gras ball in the Grand Saloon.  Now we are booked on a trip that will take place during Halloween this year.  Have any of you out there done a Halloween trip on the AQ? How was it celebrated?

Hi Carolyn,

We are on the American Queen the week following your trip. We board in Cincinnati the day you leave the boat and travel to St. Louis. This will be our 11th trip on the AQ and we love steamboatin'. Friends have enjoyed the European river trips and suggested we try one. We took a Rhine cruise earlier this year, but missed the paddlewheel. I guess we are just addicted to steam. Since this is your second AQ trip, we know you understand.

Along with you, we also would appreciate a suggestion on a favorite St. Louis restaurant from those who know. Any type of cuisine. Any good places within walking distance of the Hilton at the ballpark?

While we look forward to your reports from the boat, please don't let your desire to post a report take time away from simply enjoying the boat and the river. But if you must write, know that it will be appreciated.

Rivertripper

Pat and Rich (Kite Man)

Thanks, Rubysue, for letting us know. I have always enjoyed Mr. Horner's reviews and advice and would have been puzzled if they suddenly stopped. He will be greatly missed by those of us on this board. I never met him, but judging from his participation here I am sure he was a great guy. My sympathy to his family.

Rivertripper

Hi ttalbcr,

On our American Empress trip last year, they did not offer the Richland Wine Tour. We never found out why. Oh well, it's river travel, be prepared for anything. We are definitely signing up for it this year. We did not sign up for the jet boat either and regretted it when everyone we spoke to that evening said it was great. Now we are signing up for that too.

In the past we haven't taken the premium excursions because the hop-on/hop-off bus at river towns is so good for exploring, whether you are on the Columbia or the Mississippi. At every town the people are happy to see you and do what they can to help you enjoy your visit. People with special interests (history, etc,) always give the premium tours good reviews when we talk to them. We just get so busy during the short time we are in the towns we can't do both the premium tours and the hop-on/hop-off bus, so independent exploring usually wins. It's all good.

Keep smilin'

Rivertripper/pd

Hi TTALBCR,

Last summer we were on the American Empress Portland to Clarkston, and had such a nice time we decided to do it again, Clarkston to Portland. Food, entertainment, scenery, all top notch. We really like riverboat trips, having taken the American Queen (and even the beloved Delta Queen) many times.

I see you have also had numerous ocean cruises. It's nice to see a "blue water" traveler who also appreciates river trips. Riverboating is different. I know that people can't help but compare the two types of experience. My advice to them is you can like both; its not either/or.

Keep smilin'

pd