willift

On 3/7/2023 at 3:14 PM, NutsAboutGolf said:

Technically you can bring as many bottle as you want as you get the excess back on the last night

You bring up an interesting point. We’re cruising B2B2B on Reflection in the fall. Could I bring 12 bottles (4 bottles per week) and pick up the next 4 bottles after week1? Really not planning on leaving the ship during the turnaround except maybe for laundry and wine. With the wine covered I could have ship do laundry

John Kingston past connection with the Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center in Nashville might explain why AQV is using that hotel for it's Nashville departure this July.

IMO Opryland is a bad choice for a Nashville Cruise. Downtown Nashville is a better tourist destination and would put us in a great entertainment district. The Opryland choice might be great for business relations but I think it leaves the passengers stranded.

5 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

As for the vendors, give them a firm "No, gracias" and keep walking.

Maybe you haven't been there in awhile.

The polite "No Gracias" often doesn't work and if it does your next step brings you to another and the same abuse all over again. For us, a senior citizen tourist couple, the constant barrage prevented us from appreciating the Old City or relaxing and enjoy the Square.

On 10/13/2022 at 1:48 AM, Turtles06 said:

 

 

 Dora or one of her colleagues will give you an excellent tour of the Old City (and help fend off the aggressive street vendors).

 

 

Just got back from Cartagena and took Dora's Tour. I didn't see any effort on her part to keep back the Vendors. The Vendors in Caragena where the most aggressive and intimidating of all the ports we've been to. We were disappointed with the City and would recommend a tour that avoids any of the Old City areas. We weren't the only guests who complained about Vendors. Dora was nice but don't book her if you think she'll protect you from aggressive vendors. She was twice as expensive as the guys standing outside the port

JMTC

Too late for us, we're going on Celebrity thru the Panama Canal instead. we had booked that AQV Cruise booked back in June 2021 and were looking forward to it, but they never really had much info on the ports or excursions, and expedition things that they had planned. My concern was that it's really a repositioning cruise and they are turning the ship over to another Vendor for it's Antarctic Cruise Season. With the labor shortage and supply chain issues, I envision some version, of end of the season, "I don't care I'm done in a week" kind of thing.

The Free Airfare could be kind of nice the flights coming out of Costa Rica were kind of pricey or left too early. I look forward to some reviews

14 minutes ago, willift said:

Purchased it from the cruise line. I suspect my insurance contract explains it somewhere but I not sure if I have the patience to find it and read thru it, or understand what I'm reading, so I guess that's on me. AQV promised a complete refund of Cruise fair & Insurance. We'll see

Well things have really turned strange. American Queen cancelled cruise yesterday, I talked to a rep about a credit and they assured me they'd issue it. Now they call and say they didn't really want to cancel the trip and if I want to still go they'll give me shipboard credit.

In the mean time, I spent yesterday finding a replacement  cruise on Celebrity, San Diego to San Juan, booked and made first & final payment this morning.

Now American Queen says 30 45 days before credit will be issued.

8 hours ago, bob brown said:

Good question…doesn’t your insurance contract explain that?

I am not sure, but whether you purchased your insurance thru the cruise line, or directly from an insurance company might make a difference…

 

 

Purchased it from the cruise line. I suspect my insurance contract explains it somewhere but I not sure if I have the patience to find it and read thru it, or understand what I'm reading, so I guess that's on me. AQV promised a complete refund of Cruise fair & Insurance. We'll see

Ocean Victory Oct 4 San Diego to Costa Rica. I'm not surprised given the lack of answers I was getting about itinerary and activities. Now I've got pre & post hotel to cancel and misc stuff to unwind.

I purchased trip insurance, anybody have an idea if that become refundable when the cruise get cancelled

American Queen just cancelled this Cruise

Maybe it’s my browser but I do not see a listing for Oct 2022.

Wish they’d produce a simple calendar spreadsheet like listing of their sailings. It would make planning things a lot easier. 

So we are booked on the Ocean Victory October 3 2022 cruise San Diego to Costa Rica but can't find any information on excursions or Hop On Hop Off. Apparently this is kind of like a repositioning cruise, they are turning the boat over to another Cruise Company for Antarctic Cruise in the Fall of 2022. Talked to reservations at AQV and they had no info. Booked it in June 2021 because the itinerary looked interesting now I'm worried that it will not be a typical AQV trip

Anybody got any additional info on this cruise?

Patrick J Flavin

Those are the menus from the last cruiseAmerican Queen  MEM - NOLA Sept 27-Oct4

EXPRESS Dinner ???

Must tell you I really didn't even notice that Title.

That was a picture of the Menu from up on the Front Porch, it would have been some of the same items served in the Main Dining Room but not everything from the MDR. That was Day2 and the last time they served up there

Sorry for the sometimes sideways info

1_Tunica.pdf 2_Terrene_Landing.pdf 3_Vicksburg.pdf 4_Natchez.pdf 5_St_Francesville.pdf 6_Baton Rouge.pdf 7_Nottaway.pdf

Thought I'd post this info as a reference for what your might expect. Things change on river cruises but this was the daily activities most recently

We’re trying to make the best of it. They’ve shifted to all buffet meals which is quicker but not nearly as elegant and enjoyable as in the past.

The shows, boat, and shore activities are pretty much up to standards.

Its a manpower and training thing, maybe by November they will have it under control 

Generator is still there, on the bright side it’s not an eyesore because the Frontporch is closed to all food service, so we’re not out there much.

Dinner went faster tonight but it was under heated buffet style not what I paid for

I think if you answer YES to the precruise health Questioner they will deny boarding and refund your money. Look at the Cruise With Confidence Protocols Addendum not a lawyer but that’s the way it looks to me.

They are not ready to provide the quality product they sold to everyone 

On 9/29/2021 at 3:58 PM, midwestchick said:

What New Orleans hotel did you stay at?  Now I’m concerned about AQSC

We’re on the Queen. We boarded in Tunica and they were hours behind schedule. Manpower and lack of Good Management seems to be the main issue Late seating Dinner has started after 8pm and we haven’t been out before 10:30 yet. Front Porch got closed down on Tues/Wed middle of the day Something Covidy is happen the Crew is wearing mandated masks. I would NOT  book a Cruise this year after this experience and I’d look at the Covid rules for a way to get refund. l have been a big fan of American Queen and bragged their praises and now I’m embarrassed by the product. 

6 hours ago, midwestchick said:

We just booked the NOLA to Memphis, cruising on Nov 15. Riverboat cruising is totally new Toni’s and we’re looking forward to it.  
My booking agent said the food is wonderful. I’m going to see if I can find any type of menus.

I'll try to remember and take some camera shots of the menu.

If your interested in history & museums, NOLA has a great WWII Museum and Memphis has the National Civil Rights Museum, both worth a side trip if you're into that kind of thing

Concerning Portland post cruise. We stayed 3 days in Summer of 2021 and we regretted most of it. We did a Mt St Helen Post Cruise excursion with AQSC and that was good. Overall impression of Downtown Portland was poor. Dirtiest City I have ever seen. The homeless problem is out of control, what's not closed and fenced off is occupied by tents and vagrants.

I don't mean to be disrespectful of the problems but as a tourist destination I would take a pass

5 hours ago, midwestchick said:

I’m not seeing that cruise line on CC like I do the other ones. Thinking about booking a November cruise., would like more information though. Dinner dress code….what is included, etc.

5 hours ago, midwestchick said:

I’m not seeing that cruise line on CC like I do the other ones. Thinking about booking a November cruise., would like more information though. Dinner dress code….what is included, etc.

American Queen Steamboat Company is different from American Cruise Company. We have sailed on a number of American Queen Steamboat Company sailings and they all have turned out enjoyable. Relatively casual dress code, food and service has been great, Daily tours and enrichment type presentation, entertainment during the evening, and kind of an open bar set up. The population demographic is definitely older 60+ probably average at 70, but if you don't mind older people you'll be welcomed and do just fine at any age. It's not inexpensive but we have found it a good value

5 hours ago, Frncie said:

You are correct. We are on board right now, and we’re finally underway after a 28- hour delay. We were told it was due to a problem with the generator. 
 

The itinerary has been altered. We now have two River days instead of one. We are skipping Vicksburg completely. Shore Excursions people are desperately trying to revise schedules. And most significantly, we are now disembarking in Tunica, and they are busing us to Memphis on the last day. I would imagine this has implications for the September 27 cruise. 
 

I will try to keep updating, internet permitting. 

Thanks, I see you're coming up on Baton Rouge. We've sailed on the American Queen before and they do a good job of itinerary adjustment. They've got the buses to get you to the boats so that's good, might have to change our plans in Memphis Monday morning. Any updates will be welcome.

So we're getting excited about sailing on the Queen next week Memphis to New Orleans. I looked on 2 different ship tacking apps and American Queen is still showing itself moored in New Orleans. It should have left port Monday and be well on her way by Tuesday evening.  Anybody have any insight on why it's not heading North?

Hi, we just booked that same cruise this afternoon. Laundry is up on 4 midship. They have had soap available in the past but we always bring a couple of "pods" just in case. Pretty informal and not often crowded.

Looking forward to getting back on the Queen after this whole Covid thing. Sailed on Empress earlier this summer and their Vaccine Policy gave us a sense of safety.