Thank you Americam Queen for great week

[60ANDREADY2CRUISE]

June 9-16 2012 I have been on 10 cruises 2 in Europe so I will be comparing from what I personal have experienced, My overall feeling regarding our voyage experience was excellent .Value for money on the high end but I loved the ambiance of the steamboat experience. I would recommend this highly to anyone who has not experienced the southern style of life.So easy and kick back. Accommodations and bedding excellent cleanliness and stateroom maintenance was good. Would have liked my room vacuumed a little more. But she did bring us coffee every morning.The staff was always friendly and hospitable The staff and service get excellent from me. My only compliant is a few of the wait staff in the J.M.White Dining the most elegant place on the ship needs a little more training . Not all just a few.There were a couple of really lazy workers there .White shirts were in desperate need of ironing that could be be remedied with an inspection before the dinning room opens.The complimentary wine selection were excellent.The cuisine was very good, not top notch but very good. The duck and lobster excellent .Our cabin was 430 was in a nice location on the ship.So thank you American Queen Steamboat Company for a wonderful cruise.Even with all the rain and barge problems which you had no control over you managed to give use a wonderful week...Linda and John

[60ANDREADY2CRUISE]

Just back from our first river cruise on the Great American Steamboat American Queen.One of the best cruises we have taken. Friday June 8th We stayed at the Hilton pre cruise. Nice hotel with breakfast included. Took a bus for little tour of the French Quarter. Visited a museum. Had a po boy sandwich (shrimp) Took a walk on the River walk looked in all the shops. Bought a stain glass Fleur dela for my window. Nice remembrance of New Orleans. Saturday the 9th of June boarded the ship around 2:30 to Dixieland Music.Took pictures of our room. Nice fluffy robes and slippers in the closet for our use. Nice size room even the inside cabins I was told were good size. Walked around the whole ship taking pictures. Had safety drill Then back to room to get ready for dinner around 5:15. Piano music and drinks before dinner. Dinner first night was buffet .Prime rib.quail and fish. Wonderful array of salad fixings. Beautiful table of desserts. The show in the Grand Salon theater was Mark Twain then off to bed my husband and I went .There was more late night stuff. Dancing and Music. Then the rain came. Was beautiful to hear the rain and occasional thunder and lighting as we fell asleep.Off to Oak Alley while we slept.

Next day June10th Sunday had breakfast in the dining room.Still raining on and off. Toured the plantation at Oak Alley. Even the rain could not dampen the wonderful time we had. They provide large umbrella's.We hardly melted at all. Came back had buffet lunch in dinning room. Nice hot soup.Still raining off and on. But you could sit and read or visit in one of the many beautiful sitting areas inside the ship or sit outside and watch the world go by or take a nap. Plenty of stuff to do if that's to your liking.There are riverlorians talking about life on the river at different times on the ship. We left Oak Alley around 1:00. The Calliope on the back of ship where the engine bar is plays music as we depart .There is afternoon teatime and music. Plenty to do.And lots of time to just relax and read a book. Dinner at 5:15 this night we had assigned seating and we meet our table mates.We meet the nicest ladies. Sylvia and Virginia.They will forever be one of my fondest memories of our time on the riverboat. After dinner music and dancing. that ends our day

[60ANDREADY2CRUISE]

Tuesday June 12th Natchez.....Woke-up to rain again well at least the rain is keeping the heat down....Went to nice breakfast in the Main Dining room .It is so beautiful I feel special when we eat there. There was a hop on hop off bus but we took a Premium tour Music,Mistress and Marriage Toured the Magnolia House nice southern house but no picture taking.. boo...But they let us in all wet ...that was nice.Went to Frogmore a cotton Plantation and saw a new and hightec cotton operation. Then we toured a small church on the property like the slave would have used there was some singing of songs they would have sung and a reenactment of a slave wedding..We toured the slave quarters really small houses sad but also part of history.The Mistress or Lady of the plantation talked about the slaves and there life on a plantation. Bought a book called " Praying to Be Set Free" very interesting reading. It rained on and off had a good day.Cocktails of the day Pilot House and Americano.Came back had lunch...........watched the river roll by..Read. .Listen to Dixieland Jazz took alot of pictures.There are many of other things to do but this is what we did. Talked with fellow passengers.Had a really nice dinner with the sweet ladies.They were not from England but when I think of them I think of " Rosemary and Thyme" a series on TV.My table mates were so interesting. They love to garden and we talked about that.And the goings on in the world.We really hit it off. Beautiful sunsets( I have pictures but need help posting them)Then there was Showtime in the theater.Songs of Sinatra. Music and dancing till 11:00. Well goodnight........ off to Vicksburg tonight will be there in the morning....................Linda

[60ANDREADY2CRUISE]

Wednesday June 13th OH NO !!! Had a Senior moment........Not arriving in Vicksburg stayed in Natchez but we were bused to Vicksburg this morning due to the river being so low. This time accompanied with our new friends, Rosemary and Thyme.My secret name for them. Had a really nice day.The weather in fact it was starting to get hot. Went to Vicksburg Waterfront and saw the levee. Its really high wall to keep back the Mississippi from the town Took pictures of the markings on the levee .There were beautiful murals painted on one the side if the levee depicting different scenes of life and times in Vicksburg. On the other side showed the Flood Marks . They passed out boxed lunch's. Not impressed but it was nourishment. Sandwich, chips and piece of fruit and a cookie water..If you wanted you could to eat at a park they would drop you off to eat or you could eat on the bus. We went into town got off the bus walked around went to see the place were they first bottled Coca-Cola and a doll museum and antique shops and such. Then on to Vicksburg where the Confederate Army surrendered to the north. Saw memorial to the men from the different states who fought there. Went into the museum.Shown a reenactment to the battle of Vicksburg. Then back to ship had a good day. Rested and read .Got ready for a lovely dinner with the Ladies. And of course the night time entertainment in the Theater. Hooray for Hollywood. And the usual nighttime fun.And of course more rain. But our day was done. More wonderful pictures.On to Baton Rouge......rolling rolling rolling on the river.

[60ANDREADY2CRUISE]

Thursday June 14th Woke up in Baton Rouge..........Had breakfast took hop on hop off bus furnished by cruise line.It ran every half hrs or so from where we landed in Baton Rouge. They had designated stops thru out the city with marked stops just for us.Easy to get around or just stay on bus to see the city if you don't want to walk at all.There was plenty to see.There is the new State Capital and the Old State Capital. At the Old State Capital ask to see" the movie." They don't promote it but I was told to ask for it.It missed it but you don't have to. The museum with 3 floors about Louisiana early stuff. There is a shrimp boat in there, and a whole section on the Marti Gras.Costumes and part of a float .There is a elevator so be sure to go up stairs.Lots to see and read. After all this went back to ship. Had a snack On the Front Porch of America and a free latte.Took a nap and read some of the books I bought on tours. Then sat out side to watch the barges go by.Taking pictures and just enjoy life on board. After a full day looking forward to a nice dinner with the free bottle of champagne we were presented.Shared with our new friends.We had 3 bottles of champagne between us which we shared all week along with dinner.There was very good complimentary wine served with dinner every night.We had a really nice dinner and talked about our day.Then there was the Show after dinner.New Orleans Jazz All Stars top rate show.Off to bed for us but there was more nighttime stuff. Dancing and Music.......If I could be with you............I be anything but blue.............Night all

[60ANDREADY2CRUISE]

Friday June 15th Our last night.... woke up to Port of Houmas House .. Beautiful morning no rain. breakfast in the dining room... then we were bused to Lauras a wonderful Creole Plantation from the 1700.Great stories about this plantation. tthe plantation came alive thanks to the tour guide . Bought the book titled Memories of the Old Plantation Home.Written by Laura Locoul Gore.The last in the Duparc-Locoul family to live in the house 1891 . Both halves of the plantation were auctioned off. She stipulated that the farm always be called "Laura". Then we came back to tour Houmes house just cross the road from were we pulled over on the Mississippi. The grounds were magnificent.The was a beautiful restaurant on the grounds called Cafe Burnside had a fabulous lunch.Then toured the mansion. We had a wonderful mammy type guide.She even played the piano and sang and told wonderful stories.What a memorable way to end a wonderful cruise.Then of course back on the steamboat.Where there is plenty going on if you choose to stay on board. There is always a movie or Bingo or the Riverlorians tell you about everything river related. And don't forget the Calliope's Concert as the American Queen departs every port. Back on board getting ready for our last night on board. Started packing sad but had a wonderful time.Dinner with our dear friends. Hugs and kisses and good byes but promises to meet again. Just love "Rosemary and Thyme".Pictures with our waiters Ryan Smith and Carl Brown. Nighttime goings on Showtime "The Memphis Music Story"and of course Dixieland Jazz.

[60ANDREADY2CRUISE]

Saturday June 16th Disembarkation Day ....Early breakfast in dining room with the Ladies.Again we talked about how lucky we where to have meet each other.My husband and I really had a good time. We have an early flight so we bought airport transfer all the luggage is beside the ship as you disenbark, you pick yours out or they will help you take it to bus they load on the bus and unload at your airlines stop you handle it from there. I have been on 10 cruises 2 in Europe so I will be comparing from what I personal have experienced, My overall feeling regarding our voyage experience was excellent .Value for money on the high end but I loved the ambiance of the steamboat experience. I would recommend this highly to anyone who has not experienced the southern style of life.So easy and kick back. Accommodations and bedding excellent cleanliness and stateroom maintenance was good. Would have liked my room vacuumed a little more. But she did bring us coffee every morning.The staff was always friendly and hospitable The staff and service get excellent from me. My only compliant is a few of the wait staff in the J.M.White Dining the most elegant place on the ship needs a little more training . Not all, just a few.There were a couple of really lazy workers there .White shirts were in desperate need of ironing that could be be remedied with an inspection before the dinning room opens.The complimentary wine selection were excellent.The cuisine was very good, not top notch but very good. The duck and lobster excellent .Our cabin was 430 was in a nice location on the ship.So thank you American Queen Steamboat Company for a wonderful cruise.Even with all the rain and barge problems which you had no control over you managed to give use a wonderful week...Linda and John.....yoll come back now ...ya hear

[60ANDREADY2CRUISE]

Monday June 11 Before we went to bed last night we knew we would have have to skip Francesville because of the low Mississippi River.But like the river we go with the flow...So we are on are way to Natchez......Woke up on are way to Natchez,Mississippi. But we had to pull over the coast guard had closed all traffic up and down from where we are, due to a large barge blocking the whole river they had been working all night to clear this up . So we are pulled over... We get up-dates all day...so like the Mississippi we just keep rolling a long....Went to Brunch in Dinning room at 10:30 very nice.strolled the deck, read, talked with people , took pictures of where we were pulled over.Saw an alligator come out of the water to get something and go back in the water.Oh! by the way bring binoculars, nice to have once in a while. Still being kept informed.Enjoyed the beautiful day, read for a while. There was Bingo .They opened the Engine room bar for free drinks for 2 hrs. Cocktails of the Day Margarita and Natchez Sunset.... Took a nap. Had dinner with our new found friends.Went to show in the theater USO Big Band Show.We arrived in Natchez around 8:30 pm. There was a casino there not much of a place but we wanted to get off for a couple of hrs. Beautiful night.So we walked on over..Stayed a few hrs when we came out was pouring down rain , I mean buckets.We laughed all the way back about a 2 block walk.We looked like drown rats.Oh well should have brought a umbrella what were we thinking.Time to go to bed.......Tomorrow Natchez for real.... Old man river......

[hondorner]

Really nice reports. But, one quick questio: Several; times you mentioned your delightful table mates "Rosemary & Thyme". I know there are assigned sittings (early and late), but I was under the impression that the actual table seating was open; that is, you could mix and match" with whom you had dinner. Was this not the case? We are NOT fans of assigned tables (or even of specific sittings, for that matter); we much prefer the spontaneity of meeting lots of new folks and dining with them, not getting to know just two others well (no matter how nice). Did you have the option to trade early and late dinner hours with others if you wanted a change of scene?

[60ANDREADY2CRUISE]

Don............ I would ask first thing on board request a table alone by a window.They will do what ever you want,just tell them early on. When we booked they ask early or late ,we did request early. I dont remember anything about open seating. Only breakfast and lunch were.

[hondorner]

Thanks -- great advice!

[TylerRose]

TY so very much for taking the time to post. I think I want to book this cruise!:)