denmor428

We are previous American Queen cruisers but took our first American cruise over Christmas. The wifi is better on American and they also have free self service washers/dryers. American has complimentary excursions at each port. We often chose these and were satisfied. The specialty excursions were fairly priced and enjoyable. I was very happy with our large, bright room. I suggest you learn what included excursion will be offered in the departing city. We went into the departure city days early and ended up doing the included excursion on our own dime because we didn't know it would be included. As previously noted, American ships are smaller so the menus are smaller, the entertainment is smaller but they have nightly happy hour with beautiful appetizers and the staff tries hard to make sure everyone has a good cruise such as hosting a hot chocolate bar on the top deck on Christmas day.

The food was fine. There were as many hits as misses and I don't remember anything as the best I ever had. The menus are sometimes unclear and the philosophy seems to be "if you want it, ask for it" so if you want toast or fruit with breakfast, ask for it since it is not listed on the menu. I learned to ask how something is prepared after ordering the seafood salad (shrimp, crab and scallops on a bed of greens) and receiving an emulsified concoction of jelled seafood, wrapped in a cucumber slice. The alternate dining was much simpler and the description matched the food received. We ordered the burger and the pizza and were happy with both.

We were on ACL for a Christmas cruise on the Mississippi. Differences from American Queen that I noted were: ACL has open bar included all day, ACL has junk food snacks available all day (chips, cookies, etc.), ACL brings two cookies at evening turn down, ACL has open seating in the DR so only one show at night at 8:30, ACL has limited menu in the DR and bare bones in the "alternate" dining upstairs, ACL has free washers/dryers, ACL rarely had anyone at the "front desk" to answer questions. I very much preferred American Queen but will have to adjust since American Queen is gone and we still need one more leg of the Mississippi to complete. So sad.

Has anyone been onboard over Christmas when they had the Yankee Gift Exchange? Can you tell me some of the gifts that were given? Our guidance from American is $35-$50, maybe a souvenir from the trip. I think it should also be easily packable for the giver and receiver. Any suggestions welcome!