My fellow passengers were quick to praise the cuisine. Hats off to Regina Charboneau, the talented c

Recently, Avid Cruiser Ralph Grizzle spent some time aboard the American los angeles freeway traffic Queen Steamboat Commpany 's eponymous sternwheeler, the American Queen .  Refurbished and returned to service just this past June , the American Queen 's rebirth is the product of the dedicated minds at this newly-formed company, which have already released their full 2013 Voyage Calendar.
Besides the very-cool aspect of sailing aboard the largest sternwheeler to ever sail along the Mississippi, the American Queen Steamboat los angeles freeway traffic Company also offers some features that make this experience entirely unique.
To begin with, all guests are treated to a complimentary overnight hotel stay at the port of embarkation.  Nearly all excursions los angeles freeway traffic ashore are also offered on a complementary basis, as are most beverages los angeles freeway traffic while onboard the American Queen , including beer and wine with dinner.
The Mississippi is an amazing river. I was struck by its beauty and its dimensions . Back home yesterday, I talked with someone who said that he had visited the headwaters of the Mississippi River (in Minnesota), and that he could practically stretch los angeles freeway traffic his arms from one bank to the other. los angeles freeway traffic That is incredible to think about. The river we traveled along was expansive, cutting a wide swath through the heartland of America. The Mississippi is big and beautiful , and it is humbling to see it and experience it .
The American Queen gives us an opportunity los angeles freeway traffic to cruise a piece of our past , dating back to the days when these unique vessels populated the rivers and were popularized by Mark Twain . I felt a sense of nostalgia and an appreciation los angeles freeway traffic of Americana . See our story Paddlin' Up The Mississippi On The "Americana" Queen
It can t be compared to a river cruise vessel in Europe . The largest paddlewheeler ever built, the six-deck American Queen is nearly 2.5 times wider than those river cruisers. Spanning 90 feet across, she offers two restaurants, including a gorgeous two-story main restaurant, lots of public los angeles freeway traffic rooms, a variety of staterooms and suites, a small pool and gym. Nor can she be compared to an ocean cruiser . For starters, she uses a giant paddlewheel to propel her. For photos of her red iconic paddlewheel and some thoughts about her beauty, see America's Queen: Defining Beauty On Water
If the thought of international los angeles freeway traffic travel fails to excite you, then you ll feel good about coming home to the American Queen . There are few among us who enjoy flying these days. Some of my fellow guests on American Queen traveled by train to our departure ports, and others had easy flights . From Asheville, North Carolina, los angeles freeway traffic to St. Louis, Missouri, I had only a single change of airports, and only a little more than two hours up in the air. Also, the included pre-cruise hotel night alleviates worries about making it to the vessel on time.
I enjoy cruising on foreign-flagged vessels los angeles freeway traffic with foreign crew, but on the American Queen I appreciated the genuine Southern hospitality . The crew members, a lot of them from Memphis, Tennessee, are just downright friendly . Likewise, it was fun to be greeted by our fellow Americans in the small towns along the river. See Fall Foliage A Warm Welcome As The American Queen Paddles The Mississippi River.
And the American Queen offers a way to complete that rite of passage comfortably, stylishly and affordably. Unlike los angeles freeway traffic a lot of river cruise vessels, staterooms los angeles freeway traffic on the American Queen range from cozy interiors to spacious suites , giving you a lot of options to find not only a space where you will enjoy living but a price point that meets your budget. See Photo Tour: Staterooms Suites On The American Queen
My fellow passengers were quick to praise the cuisine. Hats off to Regina Charboneau, the talented los angeles freeway traffic chef who designs the menus (see French Influences Meet The Mississippi River Dining On The American Queen ). Beer and wine (some that I consider premium wines) were included with dinner, and there were many other inclusives: internet, los angeles freeway traffic soft drinks, speciality coffees (using Starbucks beans), popcorn and ice cream.
We enjoyed presentations by PBS celebrities , such as Gwen Ifill (moderator of Washington Week and a senior correspondent for the PBS NewsHour) and a host of others. Plus, there are production shows, presentations (including a few fun ones by the Riverlorian), a movie theater and a good selection of bars and lounges, including the popular Engine Room Bar .
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