editor@cruisecritic Posted July 3, 2016 #1 Share Posted July 3, 2016 (edited) Curious about life aboard a Mississippi River paddlewheeler? Join us as we post live from American Queen Steamboat's American Queen, July 10 - 18. Our itinerary is a bit unusual -- we're cruising from St. Louis to Cincinnati and it's the company's annual bourbon-themed cruise, but we've been onboard before, and are happy to answer any questions we can about cruising on the Mississippi and also about American Queen. And as always, we value your input -- please feel free to share your own cruise insights and experiences. As we're bourbon neophytes, if you're an aficionado please give us your tips! We'll start posting around July 10, but please don't hesitate to ask questions, give advice, etc. anytime. Carolyn Carolyn Spencer Brown Editor in Chief Cruise Critic PS For more details on this particular cruise, click here: http://www.americanqueensteamboatcom...is-cincinnati- Edited July 3, 2016 by editor@cruisecritic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydrokitty Posted July 3, 2016 #2 Share Posted July 3, 2016 (edited) Last time I cruised with ACL everything was wonderful except the dining room...it was poorly run and there were unchilled dairy products set out at breakfast..it took 45 minutes to get a cup of fresh blueberries to go with my room temperature cottage cheese; the dining room manager combed his hair over a tray of clean glasses; and I waited almost an hour for a hamburger at lunch time because I didn't want the heavier lunch selections and was told if I requested the burger at b'fast when we filled out our choices for lunch and dinner it wouldn't be a problem. I would really love to do the cruise you're on but am concerned about food service. Edited July 3, 2016 by Hydrokitty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimmy52 Posted July 3, 2016 #3 Share Posted July 3, 2016 I hope there will be pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted July 3, 2016 #4 Share Posted July 3, 2016 Last time I cruised with ACL everything was wonderful except the dining room...it was poorly run and there were unchilled dairy products set out at breakfast..it took 45 minutes to get a cup of fresh blueberries to go with my room temperature cottage cheese; the dining room manager combed his hair over a tray of clean glasses; and I waited almost an hour for a hamburger at lunch time because I didn't want the heavier lunch selections and was told if I requested the burger at b'fast when we filled out our choices for lunch and dinner it wouldn't be a problem. I would really love to do the cruise you're on but am concerned about food service. OMG.....seriously?...that is just gross:eek::mad::(......who combs their hair in the dining room? On a ship, on land, etc......that sounds like something from an old greasy spoon diner and even then, those folks probably knew to wear a hair net around their head....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor@cruisecritic Posted July 3, 2016 Author #5 Share Posted July 3, 2016 There will be pictures, mimmy52. Promise. Carolyn I hope there will be pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor@cruisecritic Posted July 3, 2016 Author #6 Share Posted July 3, 2016 Can't speak for ACL, Lois R -- though we cover American Cruise Line and it has big fans at Cruise Critic. Hope you'll follow along.... Carolyn OMG.....seriously?...that is just gross:eek::mad::(......who combstheir hair in the dining room? On a ship, on land, etc......that sounds like something from an old greasy spoon diner and even then, those folks probably knew to wear a hair net around their head....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Solent Richard Posted July 4, 2016 #7 Share Posted July 4, 2016 Now this is something I really fancy but I need a few nights in New Orleans as well. We do see The American Queen advertised over here in the UK. Looking forward to more information and pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted July 4, 2016 #8 Share Posted July 4, 2016 Curious about life aboard a Mississippi River paddlewheeler? Join us as we post live from American Queen Steamboat's American Queen, July 10 - 18. Our itinerary is a bit unusual -- we're cruising from St. Louis to Cincinnati and it's the company's annual bourbon-themed cruise, but we've been onboard before, and are happy to answer any questions we can about cruising on the Mississippi and also about American Queen. And as always, we value your input -- please feel free to share your own cruise insights and experiences. As we're bourbon neophytes, if you're an aficionado please give us your tips! We'll start posting around July 10, but please don't hesitate to ask questions, give advice, etc. anytime. Carolyn Carolyn Spencer Brown Editor in Chief Cruise Critic PS For more details on this particular cruise, click here: http://www.americanqueensteamboatcom...is-cincinnati- Hi Caroyln,:) I have tried clicking on the link several times but nothing is coming up (page cannot be found) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phabric Posted July 4, 2016 #9 Share Posted July 4, 2016 Will be looking forward to your review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_T Posted July 4, 2016 #10 Share Posted July 4, 2016 Watching with interest. I hope there will be some in-depth comments on the dining arrangements, because no matter how good the rest of the ship is, if things remain as reported by Hydrokitty then this is a ship and a line we would never even consider... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor@cruisecritic Posted July 4, 2016 Author #11 Share Posted July 4, 2016 Just to clarify -- Hydrokitty was commenting on a different cruise line. I have high expectations for cuisine on American Queen based on past experiences. In fact, the last time I traveled on American Queen Steamboat Co. -- its American Empress, which does the Pacific Northwest's Snake and Columbia rivers -- the ship's River Grill got my nod for "best meal of the year on a cruise ship" (was looking for the story, couldn't find it). And yes, we'll talk about dining. Thanks for coming along, Mark_T. Carolyn Watching with interest. I hope there will be some in-depth comments on the dining arrangements, because no matter how good the rest of the ship is, if things remain as reported by Hydrokitty then this is a ship and a line we would never even consider... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor@cruisecritic Posted July 4, 2016 Author #12 Share Posted July 4, 2016 Sorry about that, LoisR. I'll try again! http://www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com/river-cruises/ohio-tennessee-rivers/st-louis-cincinnati-2016jul10/ Carolyn Hi Caroyln,:) I have tried clicking on the link several times but nothingis coming up (page cannot be found) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted July 4, 2016 #13 Share Posted July 4, 2016 Sorry about that, LoisR. I'll try again! http://www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com/river-cruises/ohio-tennessee-rivers/st-louis-cincinnati-2016jul10/ Carolyn Thanks:)...works now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydrokitty Posted July 4, 2016 #14 Share Posted July 4, 2016 (edited) Just to clarify -- Hydrokitty was commenting on a different cruise line. I have high expectations for cuisine on American Queen based on past experiences. In fact, the last time I traveled on American Queen Steamboat Co. -- its American Empress, which does the Pacific Northwest's Snake and Columbia rivers -- the ship's River Grill got my nod for "best meal of the year on a cruise ship" (was looking for the story, couldn't find it). And yes, we'll talk about dining. Thanks for coming along, Mark_T. Carolyn OMG....apologies to all...I must have posted before coffee...American Queen is very different from American Cruise Lines and I sincerely regret causing confusion. I am looking forward to your reviews though since I do want to take this cruise. (and pictures) Edited July 4, 2016 by Hydrokitty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted July 4, 2016 #15 Share Posted July 4, 2016 OMG....apologies to all...I must have posted before coffee...American Queen is very different from American Cruise Lines and I sincerely regret causing confusion. I am looking forward to your reviews though since I do want to take this cruise. (and pictures) Ahhhh.....glad things got clarified:)......thank you and Carolyn both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor@cruisecritic Posted July 9, 2016 Author #16 Share Posted July 9, 2016 How do you prepare for a trip? As I'm practicing laundry avoidance before we head out to St. Louis tomorrow, I'm going through photos of my last trip on American Queen, three years ago. They're getting me excited! Carolyn PS Have spent way too much time trying to figure out how to post pix right here in the message box as opposed to the tiny thumbnails. Any advice would be appreciated (have loaded them to Cruise Critic's photo gallery and have a Flickr account). Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted July 9, 2016 #17 Share Posted July 9, 2016 (edited) How do you prepare for a trip? As I'm practicing laundry avoidance before we head out to St. Louis tomorrow, I'm going through photos of my last trip on American Queen, three years ago. They're getting me excited! Carolyn PS Have spent way too much time trying to figure out how to post pix right here in the message box as opposed to the tiny thumbnails. Any advice would be appreciated (have loaded them to Cruise Critic's photo gallery and have a Flickr account). Thanks. Maybe you could bring your experience to the notice of whoever manages the CC website -- it needs to become more friendly to direct posting of pictures (that will be viewable and not tiny thumbs!) Edited July 9, 2016 by Host Jazzbeau Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJBeaglemom Posted July 11, 2016 #18 Share Posted July 11, 2016 We are considering one of these cruises, so I am looking forward to it. Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodogbodog Posted July 11, 2016 #19 Share Posted July 11, 2016 (edited) Maybe you could bring your experience to the notice of whoever manages the CC website -- it needs to become more friendly to direct posting of pictures (that will be viewable and not tiny thumbs!) I suggest you have a look at the Tapatalk mobile application - it makes it really easy to post pictures on CC without having to load them serperately on a hosting site. I suggest you select the Medium size option when posting images using Tapatalk Just posting this one as a sample...in Medium resolution And in Original resolution Or same picture via the Cruise Critic iOS mobile application at the highest resolution it allows - unfortunately it's not as good as the Tapatalk option Edited July 11, 2016 by Bodogbodog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor@cruisecritic Posted July 11, 2016 Author #20 Share Posted July 11, 2016 Working on it.... Carolyn Maybe you could bring your experience to the notice of whoever manages the CC website -- it needs to become more friendly to direct posting of pictures (that will be viewable and not tiny thumbs!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted July 11, 2016 #21 Share Posted July 11, 2016 I suggest you have a look at the Tapatalk mobile application - it makes it really easy to post pictures on CC without having to load them serperately on a hosting site. I suggest you select the Medium size option when posting images using Tapatalk Thanks for the suggestion, but I (personally) tried Tapatalk and deleted it because I didn't like other ways that it works (or doesn't). But maybe Cruise Critic can figure out how to reverse engineer that particular function. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare May B Posted July 12, 2016 #22 Share Posted July 12, 2016 I'm going to try Tapatalk. Terry mentioned it a few posts back (LOVE the Sydney Harbour, Terry), and Kim (BrazilGirl) said she uses the same thing. Terry from Ohio posts really great photos. Perhaps he'll chime in as well. We can always go to one of his threads (very heavily visited!) and ask him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodogbodog Posted July 12, 2016 #23 Share Posted July 12, 2016 LOVE the Sydney Harbour, Terry Even better when viewed from a Crystal ship :D That one was the view we woke up to back in February when Crystal Serenity moored at Athol Buoy in the harbour - some would have preferred to have docked but we were very happy to have the panoramic views - and we even had a submarine come close by and practice submerging for a day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor@cruisecritic Posted July 12, 2016 Author #24 Share Posted July 12, 2016 Hello from onboard American Queen. We headed out of St. Louis yesterday and are this morning docked in Cape Girardeau. A couple of first impressions: *If you’ve only done larger ships, even luxury ships, you will be amazed at the boarding process on American Queen. It’s so easy. You can pre-register at the desk of the designated hotel (in this case the Hilton at the Ballpark in St. Loo), set your luggage outside by 8 a.m. the morning of debark, and just…literally…walk on after 3 p.m. *There’s something just grounding and happy about this ship. It’s large for a riverboat (particularly for those folks more accustomed to the European rivers) and spacious and pretty and elegant. It feels more like an historic inn or small hotel than it does a ship – in fact, American Queen is part of the Historic Hotels of America hotel consortium, which fits. I’ll bet it’s the only member that floats. *We’re not necessarily super social people but we’re loving how friendly passengers and crew alike are. It’s interesting to note that the first two couples we met (our neighbors on either side) both have done European river cruises and wanted to stay closer to home this summer. Another couple just about our age (50s) is on a mission to cruise every part of the Mississippi and this is the last tributary they need. In fact, there are a lot of people onboard who’ve cruised three, four times or more and are really proud of the ship and the experience, whichever part of the Mississippi they’re on. Any thoughts, please share! Carolyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor@cruisecritic Posted July 12, 2016 Author #25 Share Posted July 12, 2016 (edited) Well, this came via TapaTalk, still kind of thumb-nail-ish, but something! Carolyn I'm going to try Tapatalk. Terry mentioned it a few posts back (LOVE the Sydney Harbour, Terry), and Kim (BrazilGirl) said she uses the same thing. Terry from Ohio posts really great photos. Perhaps he'll chime in as well. We can always go to one of his threads (very heavily visited!) and ask him. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited July 12, 2016 by editor@cruisecritic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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