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USA River Cruises
Relatively new to river cruising when compared to Europe, USA and/or North America river cruises offer a different type of adventure. USA river cruises are a more relaxed travel pace with scenic byways; a majority of them are typically centered around American history (particularly the Civil War or the Lewis & Clark Expedition and the country's western expansion). Both American and European river cruises immerse their passengers in history and culture. Cruises along the Mississippi and its tributaries, specifically the Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, tend to recapture the past when much of the country's travel was via its many rivers and waterways.
Cruises along the Mississippi, the "Great River" as it was called by Native Americans, its name stemming from the Ojibwe word Misi-ziibi, is a 2,320-mile waterway flowing through 10 states, from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi led explorers to new lands, and it served as an important lifeline for the transport of people and goods to the towns that rapidly grew along its banks. Cities like St. Louis, Memphis, Vicksburg and New Orleans owe their existence to the Mississippi.
Step back in time along the Mississippi when life moved a little slower and riverboats slowly churned the waters. Visit Civil War battlefields, restored plantations, rolling farmland and picturesque riverfront towns filled with Victorian-era architecture. The region along the Mississippi has a rich musical legacy being the birthplace of the blues, jazz and giving rise to the origins of country music. And let's not forget that it has been celebrated in literature, too, most notably by Mark Twain, the great Americana storyteller, who grew up in the port town of Hannibal, MO.
The Ohio River, formed by the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers at Pittsburgh and called by the French of its serene blue depths, "la belle riviere," the beautiful river. Even our third President of these bustling new united States, Thomas Jefferson agreed, describing it as "the most beautiful river on earth" and citing "its current gentle, waters clear, and bosom smooth and unbroken by rocks and rapids…" This 981 mile-long river passes through or borders six states on its way into Cairo, IL, where it joins the mighty Mississippi. In the late 1700s, the westward-flowing river became the main route for settlers and pioneers heading west from Pennsylvania to embark upon their journey. As such, numerous cities sprung up along its riverbanks; chief among them, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Louisville, where the river is its widest and deepest, Evansville and Paducah.
The Tennessee River, winding for 886 miles in a U-shape across four states, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi; the river’s name is believed to be a derivation of the 18th-century Cherokee village, Tanasi, located along the river's banks in the Cherokee nation. During the Civil War, the north-flowing lower section of the river was vital to Union troops who used it to invade the western Confederate region. Cruises often visit important Civil War sites such as Shiloh National Military Park.
These days cruises on the Tennessee River are often part of longer itineraries that also sail the Mississippi or Ohio Rivers. The Tennessee is a key component of one of the world’s greatest irrigation and hydropower systems, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). It is home to an important series of locks, dams and reservoirs, whose waters typically widen to small, calm lakes just before each of the nine locks.
Boats pass beneath eye-catching bridges like the bright blue John Ross Bridge in Chattanooga, TN, or the "Steamboat Bill" in Decatur, AL. There, you will find the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge and the North Alabama Birding Trail. Some itineraries cruise through the Tennessee River Gorge, a 27-mile-long river canyon downstream from Chattanooga, flanked by richly colored woods and home to ospreys and bald eagles.
Cruises along the Mississippi, the "Great River" as it was called by Native Americans, its name stemming from the Ojibwe word Misi-ziibi, is a 2,320-mile waterway flowing through 10 states, from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi led explorers to new lands, and it served as an important lifeline for the transport of people and goods to the towns that rapidly grew along its banks. Cities like St. Louis, Memphis, Vicksburg and New Orleans owe their existence to the Mississippi.
Step back in time along the Mississippi when life moved a little slower and riverboats slowly churned the waters. Visit Civil War battlefields, restored plantations, rolling farmland and picturesque riverfront towns filled with Victorian-era architecture. The region along the Mississippi has a rich musical legacy being the birthplace of the blues, jazz and giving rise to the origins of country music. And let's not forget that it has been celebrated in literature, too, most notably by Mark Twain, the great Americana storyteller, who grew up in the port town of Hannibal, MO.
The Ohio River, formed by the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers at Pittsburgh and called by the French of its serene blue depths, "la belle riviere," the beautiful river. Even our third President of these bustling new united States, Thomas Jefferson agreed, describing it as "the most beautiful river on earth" and citing "its current gentle, waters clear, and bosom smooth and unbroken by rocks and rapids…" This 981 mile-long river passes through or borders six states on its way into Cairo, IL, where it joins the mighty Mississippi. In the late 1700s, the westward-flowing river became the main route for settlers and pioneers heading west from Pennsylvania to embark upon their journey. As such, numerous cities sprung up along its riverbanks; chief among them, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Louisville, where the river is its widest and deepest, Evansville and Paducah.
The Tennessee River, winding for 886 miles in a U-shape across four states, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi; the river’s name is believed to be a derivation of the 18th-century Cherokee village, Tanasi, located along the river's banks in the Cherokee nation. During the Civil War, the north-flowing lower section of the river was vital to Union troops who used it to invade the western Confederate region. Cruises often visit important Civil War sites such as Shiloh National Military Park.
These days cruises on the Tennessee River are often part of longer itineraries that also sail the Mississippi or Ohio Rivers. The Tennessee is a key component of one of the world’s greatest irrigation and hydropower systems, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). It is home to an important series of locks, dams and reservoirs, whose waters typically widen to small, calm lakes just before each of the nine locks.
Boats pass beneath eye-catching bridges like the bright blue John Ross Bridge in Chattanooga, TN, or the "Steamboat Bill" in Decatur, AL. There, you will find the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge and the North Alabama Birding Trail. Some itineraries cruise through the Tennessee River Gorge, a 27-mile-long river canyon downstream from Chattanooga, flanked by richly colored woods and home to ospreys and bald eagles.
Hudson River cruises traverses the State of New York flowing from the scenic Adirondack Mountains and emptying into Upper New York Bay in the heart of New York City and its famous Big Apple hot spots. Port stops may include the legendary Sleepy Hollow or Franklin D. Roosevelt’s estate of Springwood. You might also venture to Kingston’s "Millionaire Row," where wealthy New York businessmen bought property during the 1800's or visit the campus grounds of West Point Military Academy. Some itineraries even link the Erie canal, which was widely considered one of the most significant accomplishments of American engineering in its day, to the Hudson River cruises. Sailings with a "between locks" option let you disembark while waiting for some of the canal’s 35 locks to raise or lower your ship.
While cruises out west along the Columbia and Snake Rivers are tied to the Western American expansion like that of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Columbia River cruises focus on the rugged beauty, history, culture and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest. The Columbia River Gorge is a much-anticipated highlight, cutting a path through the Cascade Range that's 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep. Sail through the locks of the Bonneville Dam, which has supplied hydroelectric power since the 1930s. There are many waterfalls in this area, and you'll get up-close looks at the most famous, 620-foot-high Multnomah Falls (seen below) on the Oregon side.
You can board covered jetboats for an exhilarating ride through Hells Canyon while looking for elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats and ancient petroglyphs here. In Pendleton, Oregon, you can tour the underground tunnels dug between 1870 and 1930 that once housed illicit businesses. Explore Native American cultures at Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, a living history village. You will also journey to sites associated with explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, such as Fort Clatsop National Memorial, where they spent the winter of 1805-1806.
While cruises out west along the Columbia and Snake Rivers are tied to the Western American expansion like that of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Columbia River cruises focus on the rugged beauty, history, culture and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest. The Columbia River Gorge is a much-anticipated highlight, cutting a path through the Cascade Range that's 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep. Sail through the locks of the Bonneville Dam, which has supplied hydroelectric power since the 1930s. There are many waterfalls in this area, and you'll get up-close looks at the most famous, 620-foot-high Multnomah Falls (seen below) on the Oregon side.
You can board covered jetboats for an exhilarating ride through Hells Canyon while looking for elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats and ancient petroglyphs here. In Pendleton, Oregon, you can tour the underground tunnels dug between 1870 and 1930 that once housed illicit businesses. Explore Native American cultures at Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, a living history village. You will also journey to sites associated with explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, such as Fort Clatsop National Memorial, where they spent the winter of 1805-1806.
Mississippi River cruises can range anywhere from five to 21 days for a full transit of the river while Columbia and Snake River cruises are rarely longer than a week. Cruises along the Mississippi are divided up into the Upper Mississippi, the Lower Mississippi and the entire Mississippi.
Upper Mississippi River sailings are limited to just one itinerary: St. Louis to St. Paul (or vice versa). While different cruise lines might offer slightly different ports of call, an upper Mississippi sailing always begins and ends in St. Louis and St. Paul. The Upper Mississippi River pulses through the heart of America offering hidden gems around each bend of the river to fuel your sense of discovery. Perhaps no person defined the world’s view of America’s greatest river more than the legendary Mark Twain and his beloved literary characters; Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn and Becky Thatcher, who remain alive and well in Hannibal, Missouri, Samuel Clemens’ boyhood hometown.
The scenery along the upper Mississippi River is beautiful; the farther north you are, the more likely you are to spot wildlife while cruising. You'll definitely see egrets, hawks and bald eagles, and, if you're lucky, you will spot turtles and otters in the river. The upper Mississippi has a series of locks, more than 20 in all actuality, so if you are a fan of modern technology, the upper Mississippi has this to also offer.
One thing to be cognisant of on an upper Mississippi cruise is that the water level must not have any flooding as higher water levels will prevent ships from being able to go under many bridges north of St. Louis. It's always good to have travel insurance for these situations where you might have to delay or cancel your trip altogether due to weather conditions.
Now, the Lower Mississippi River is the river of legends. It is the river of centuries-old shaded oak trees, elegant Antebellum plantations, cotton fields and Civil War memorials. River cruising through the rich history and cultural diversity of the Old South is like taking a step back in time. Cruisers interested in lower Mississippi cruises typically have several choices: round trip from New Orleans, New Orleans to Memphis, Memphis to St. Louis, and New Orleans to St. Louis; the last three can be done in the reverse order as well.
There is no cruise option as deeply rooted in southern U.S. history as a lower Mississippi River cruise. Sugar cane is still grown just as it was a century ago and lovingly restored mansions grace the Great River Road. Itineraries visit cities steeped in Civil War history, antebellum plantations and somber battlefields, and explore how the South's particular history inspired its cuisine and music. From the sidewalk cafes and jazz clubs from the French Quarter of New Orleans to the barbecue hotspots and soulful blues of Memphis and everywhere in between, food and music follow passengers on a lower Mississippi sailing, with lots of down-home, Cajun and Creole meal choices and plenty of jazz, blues and rock 'n' roll to get your toes tapping all night. The Lower Mississippi region is truly a beautiful celebration of modern day attractions and timeless southern traditions.
Experience the Great River aboard a magnificent age old traditional paddleboat today - you will be happy that you did (Please click on the video below).
Upper Mississippi River sailings are limited to just one itinerary: St. Louis to St. Paul (or vice versa). While different cruise lines might offer slightly different ports of call, an upper Mississippi sailing always begins and ends in St. Louis and St. Paul. The Upper Mississippi River pulses through the heart of America offering hidden gems around each bend of the river to fuel your sense of discovery. Perhaps no person defined the world’s view of America’s greatest river more than the legendary Mark Twain and his beloved literary characters; Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn and Becky Thatcher, who remain alive and well in Hannibal, Missouri, Samuel Clemens’ boyhood hometown.
The scenery along the upper Mississippi River is beautiful; the farther north you are, the more likely you are to spot wildlife while cruising. You'll definitely see egrets, hawks and bald eagles, and, if you're lucky, you will spot turtles and otters in the river. The upper Mississippi has a series of locks, more than 20 in all actuality, so if you are a fan of modern technology, the upper Mississippi has this to also offer.
One thing to be cognisant of on an upper Mississippi cruise is that the water level must not have any flooding as higher water levels will prevent ships from being able to go under many bridges north of St. Louis. It's always good to have travel insurance for these situations where you might have to delay or cancel your trip altogether due to weather conditions.
Now, the Lower Mississippi River is the river of legends. It is the river of centuries-old shaded oak trees, elegant Antebellum plantations, cotton fields and Civil War memorials. River cruising through the rich history and cultural diversity of the Old South is like taking a step back in time. Cruisers interested in lower Mississippi cruises typically have several choices: round trip from New Orleans, New Orleans to Memphis, Memphis to St. Louis, and New Orleans to St. Louis; the last three can be done in the reverse order as well.
There is no cruise option as deeply rooted in southern U.S. history as a lower Mississippi River cruise. Sugar cane is still grown just as it was a century ago and lovingly restored mansions grace the Great River Road. Itineraries visit cities steeped in Civil War history, antebellum plantations and somber battlefields, and explore how the South's particular history inspired its cuisine and music. From the sidewalk cafes and jazz clubs from the French Quarter of New Orleans to the barbecue hotspots and soulful blues of Memphis and everywhere in between, food and music follow passengers on a lower Mississippi sailing, with lots of down-home, Cajun and Creole meal choices and plenty of jazz, blues and rock 'n' roll to get your toes tapping all night. The Lower Mississippi region is truly a beautiful celebration of modern day attractions and timeless southern traditions.
Experience the Great River aboard a magnificent age old traditional paddleboat today - you will be happy that you did (Please click on the video below).
Popular among American river cruises are themed cruises. Below are examples of some theme cruises offered by two American river cruise companies.
From America Cruise Lines
Holiday Cruises
American Cruise Lines provides guests with a worry-free way to experience the holidays through elegant atmospheres, spacious accommodations, exceptional cuisine, and an elevated level of personalized service. This year, we have 5 special Holiday cruises planned and each is filled with new activities, fun events and the spirit of the season. Features include traditional meals with all the trimmings, special holiday shore excursions, and ships adorned in festive decor.
American Cruise Lines provides guests with a worry-free way to experience the holidays through elegant atmospheres, spacious accommodations, exceptional cuisine, and an elevated level of personalized service. This year, we have 5 special Holiday cruises planned and each is filled with new activities, fun events and the spirit of the season. Features include traditional meals with all the trimmings, special holiday shore excursions, and ships adorned in festive decor.
Lewis & Clark Cruises
American Cruise Lines provides guests with a worry-free way to experience the historical adventures of Lewis & Clark through elegant atmospheres, spacious accommodations, exceptional cuisine, and an elevated level of personalized service.
American Cruise Lines provides guests with a worry-free way to experience the historical adventures of Lewis & Clark through elegant atmospheres, spacious accommodations, exceptional cuisine, and an elevated level of personalized service.
Fall Foliage Cruises
American Cruise Lines provides guests with a worry-free way to experience beautiful fall foliage through elegant atmospheres, spacious accommodations, exceptional cuisine, and an elevated level of personalized service.
American Cruise Lines provides guests with a worry-free way to experience beautiful fall foliage through elegant atmospheres, spacious accommodations, exceptional cuisine, and an elevated level of personalized service.
Civil War Cruises
American Cruise Lines provides guests with a worry-free way to experience historical sights from the Civil War through elegant atmospheres, spacious accommodations, exceptional cuisine, and an elevated level of personalized service.
American Cruise Lines provides guests with a worry-free way to experience historical sights from the Civil War through elegant atmospheres, spacious accommodations, exceptional cuisine, and an elevated level of personalized service.
Mark Twain Cruises
The dramatic landscapes of the Upper Mississippi River have long inspired artists, writers, and steamboat passengers. It was here that literary great Mark Twain used the majestic river and its scenic bluffs as the settings in his most popular works. Visit his boyhood home in Hannibal, where the characters of Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer, and Becky Thatcher come to life.
The dramatic landscapes of the Upper Mississippi River have long inspired artists, writers, and steamboat passengers. It was here that literary great Mark Twain used the majestic river and its scenic bluffs as the settings in his most popular works. Visit his boyhood home in Hannibal, where the characters of Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer, and Becky Thatcher come to life.
Music Cruises
American Cruise Lines provides guests with a worry-free way to experience beautiful music through elegant atmospheres, spacious accommodations, exceptional cuisine, and an elevated level of personalized service.
American Cruise Lines provides guests with a worry-free way to experience beautiful music through elegant atmospheres, spacious accommodations, exceptional cuisine, and an elevated level of personalized service.
Food & Wine and Culinary Cruises
American Cruise Lines provides guests with a worry-free way to experience exceptional cuisine through elegant atmospheres, spacious accommodations, and an elevated level of personalized service.
American Cruise Lines provides guests with a worry-free way to experience exceptional cuisine through elegant atmospheres, spacious accommodations, and an elevated level of personalized service.
Lobsterbake Cruises
American Cruise Lines provides guests with a worry-free way to experience an authentic New England Lobsterbake while enjoying elegant atmospheres, spacious accommodations, exceptional cuisine, and an elevated level of personalized service.
American Cruise Lines provides guests with a worry-free way to experience an authentic New England Lobsterbake while enjoying elegant atmospheres, spacious accommodations, exceptional cuisine, and an elevated level of personalized service.
Crabfest Cruises
American Cruise Lines provides guests with a worry-free way to experience an authentic Crabfest while enjoying elegant atmospheres, spacious accommodations, exceptional cuisine, and an elevated level of personalized service.
American Cruise Lines provides guests with a worry-free way to experience an authentic Crabfest while enjoying elegant atmospheres, spacious accommodations, exceptional cuisine, and an elevated level of personalized service.
From America Queen Steamboat Company
Other American river cruises include: New England, Pudget Sound and Alaska as well as the St. Lawrence River.
We invite you to watch some brief videos of some of the above listed areas here.
We invite you to watch some brief videos of some of the above listed areas here.
Where Do You Want To Go?
Call Travelmodia now to help you get there!
(866) 466-6655
Call Travelmodia now to help you get there!
(866) 466-6655
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The Mighty Mississippi: Full-Length Mississippi River Voyage
Have you ever wondered what this country looked like to its early explorers and pioneers? Traveling on the Mighty Mississippi and its tributaries aboard the iconic American Queen or the all-suite American Duchess, you will be transported back in time to an era of leisurely and romantic travel. Storybook American towns and vibrant, bustling cities provide a bit of excitement between peaceful fields of gold, majestic, soaring mountains and high bluffs which inspired the works of Mark Twain. There is no better way to see America than from the perspective of the river, for the river has played a tremendous role in the shaping of this beautiful country and the lives of the people who inhabit it. After extensively cruising amidst the charms and gracious style of our unique vessels, you will forever be changed.
Holiday - Christmas Markets
Amid the glittering elegance of an American Queen holiday cruise is a seasonal spirit larger than life. Experience the best of the Antebellum south during a magical time of the year and delight in all of your favorite holiday treats while getting acquainted with the classic traditions of the Cajun and Creole cultures. Our exclusive lineup of Christmas markets is the perfect venue to listen to holiday music while browsing seasonal goods and the all-American southern artistry of local craftsmen. At the center of our thoughtfully designed Holiday - Christmas Markets is an enchanted experience at Nottoway Plantation where you will enjoy live music and dancing, indulge in an assortment of hors d'oeuvres or decadent desserts and witness the ceremonial lighting of bonfires on the levee followed by a special fireworks display. Make our home your home for the holidays...
Big Band
Get “in the mood” for our sensational Big Band voyages and embark on a musical journey unlike any other. Touching on the distinctive, popular periods of the genre from the early 1930s to the late 1940s, special performances by our extraordinary American Queen ensemble, along with the 13-piece orchestra “The Great American Swing Band,” will play the tunes you know so well all in the original arrangements that made them legendary. Benny Goodman once said that Glenn Miller was so popular because his music had mass appeal, but that could just as well be said of all bands of the time. And it is as true today as it was back then. This is the iconic sound that kept people dancing through a depression and a war. Today, although times have changed, this is the music that can lift the human spirit, span the generations and bring everyone together - both the young and the young at heart. Each evening offers the opportunity to dance and swing to your heart's content with our dance hosts, so if you are a fan of the big band era, this is a sentimental journey you do not want to miss.
Mark Twain
Discover America Mark Twain style...from the perspective of the river. As it is along the great Mississippi and its tributaries that Mark Twain discovered his own undying fascination with and love for America. Many would argue that Samuel Clemens, best known by his pen name Mark Twain, is quite simply one of America's greatest authors. On this magnificent journey along the Upper Mississippi River, you will delve deep into the life and work of Samuel Clemens you witness his legendary words and wit brought to life onboard by an expert tribute artist who will leave you with the lasting impression that you just had an in-depth conversation with the legendary author himself. Our included Hop-on Hop-off tours allow you to explore Twain's childhood hometown of Hannibal, Missouri; the town from where much of the inspiration for his beloved classics such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is derived. You will not want to miss this opportunity to share the Mississippi River with Mark Twain.
Thanksgiving Festival
Enjoy a whole new list of things to be thankful for with this special holiday cruise on the American Queen. Whether you fancy a traditional turkey dinner with all of the trimmings or perhaps something a bit different to change up your holiday on the river, your dining experience will be equally delightful! As you travel the lower Mississippi River, you will encounter gracious towns, explore stunning plantations and palatial mansions, delve into the rich storied past of the Civil War and soak in the romantic spirit of the Antebellum era. Surrounded by new friends onboard with the river rolling by, savor a delectable Thanksgiving meal, partake in festive enrichment activities, settle in the Grand Saloon for fabulous nightly entertainment and so much more. Choose to make our home your home for a uniquely American Thanksgiving holiday.
Bourbon
Our Bourbon themed cruise offers you a rare opportunity to experience an extraordinary journey through America’s heartland and into the roots of Kentucky’s bourbon region. This special themed voyage will take you behind the scenes and into the history books to show you where bourbon comes from, how it is made and the ways to distinguish the unique characteristics of different distilleries. While onboard, you can enjoy all things bourbon with special tastings, treats, and cooking demonstrations. Both onboard and ashore, each day presents an eclectic blend of music with special musical performances, creative workshops and a wealth of enrichment that can’t be found anywhere else. This dynamic blend of historic discovery, toe-tapping entertainment and complimentary tours of the finest bourbon distilleries creates a uniquely American river cruise that you simply cannot afford to miss!
New Year's Celebration
Resolve to have more fun and greet the New Year aboard the iconic American Queen or the lavish American Duchess. The celebration carries throughout the week, but a special New Year's Eve gala will enchant you with elegant decor, confetti, champagne, newfound friends and the uplifting refrains of “Auld Lang Syne.” Be one of the select few who can claim to have celebrated New Year’s Eve aboard one our exquisite paddlewheel riverboats.
Civil War
Our Civil War themed cruises take you on an amazing journey through "the havoc of war and the battle's confusion" where historic skirmishes pitted brother against brother in a nation once divided. You will have the opportunity to delve into the tactics, both military and political, that shaped the events of the American Civil War. Learn of the Mississippi River’s strategic value as both a transportation and communication route and explore the state of the country as it was in 1866 and how it still affects us today. Watch tribute artists bring key figures to life and listen to distinguished Civil War historians offer enlightening lectures on a multitude of Civil War topics. Join us for a thought-provoking journey designed to broaden your knowledge and provide insight surrounding the times and the causes that precipitated the conflict. Each Civil War voyage pays tribute to our American history in reminding us all of the fallen soldiers who gave their lives in a war that changed our nation. Your heart will be touched and your knowledge enriched as you capture the poignancy of it all.
Antebellum South
Experience authentic Southern culture as you journey through living history along the Lower Mississippi River where it is easy to imagine that time has stood still. From the early 1800’s until the Civil War, the country’s economy began shifting and a cotton boom made plantations the center of southern commerce. With its rich soil, warm climate and ample moisture, the land is among the most fertile in the world and agriculture flourishes. From New Orleans to Baton Rouge, all along the great River Road, sugar cane is still grown as it was a century ago. In the late 1800’s Mark Twain noted on his adventures down the mighty Mississippi that there were so many plantations and dwellings along the river that is looked like a spacious street. Towering homes lay nestled in large patches of moss-draped oak trees and still today, you can catch a glimpse of what Mark Twain once saw as you cruise along the River and then tour the historic locations and iconic plantation homes.
Life on the Mississippi
The upper reaches of the Mississippi River are rich with frontier tales of fur traders and pioneers set among picturesque geography and abundant wildlife. The region reflects the spirit of the people who worked this land even before steamboats came to the river. As Mark Twain once said, "there are all the enlivening signs of the presence of active, energetic, intelligent, prosperous, practical nth-century populations. The people don't dream; they work." Farming, fur-trapping, lumbering and mining were at one time the lifeblood of this region. As hard as the river and the region has been worked by its people, its scenery remains enchanting and largely unspoiled. Twain's Life on the Mississippi describes this area as a paradise and you will experience it for yourself as hidden gems around each bend of the river fuel your sense of discovery and the very best of America's heartland unfolds before you.
American Music Cruise
Discover the sights and sounds of America’s rivers and the roots from which sprung a variety of musical genres. Focused lectures highlight the music of the regions, and Nashville Hall of Fame songwriters Even Stevens and Richard Leigh will be onboard to entertain. Stevens penned an astonishing number of hits performed by stars such as Kenny Rogers and Eddie Rabbitt, including “Love Will Turn You Around,” “I Love a Rainy Night,” “When You’re in Love With a Beautiful Woman,” and “Drivin’ My Life Away.” Leigh is the winner of the 2015 SESAC Songwriter Legacy Award, has had seven Song of the Year nominations, and is enjoying an esteemed career that spans four decades and includes nine No. 1 records. Darcy Wright will bring smooth jazz to the scene, and a sock hop and a country concert help round out the experience. It’s a panorama of play and a mélange of melodies aboard this soul-stirring musical cruise.
Southern Musical Heritage
The South fashioned its own unique customs, literature, cuisine and music as a result of its many cultural influences and as you cruise through the lower Mississippi region - a region distinctly molded by its history - you will trace the melodious roots from which sprung a variety of genres by way of special onboard entertainment and focused lectures celebrating southern musical heritage. Whether it is the sound of New Orleans "Dixieland" Jazz, the strains of the uniquely American musical art form the Delta Blues - one of the earliest styles of blues music hailing from the Mississippi Delta, the Rock and Soul of Memphis, or the homegrown Country music melodies from Nashville, it all harmonizes with the rhythms of the river.
The 50s and 60s Remembered
Grab your poodle skirt and join us onboard as we rewind the clock and take you back to the feel-good music that dominated the 1950s and 60s. While the sound of the forties Big Band era lingered into the early fifties, the emergence of artists such as Bill Haley with chart-toppers like "Rock Around the Clock" had America swinging to a whole new sound by the mid-fifties. Along with the birth of Rock and Roll emerged other musical genres like doo-wop, rhythm and blues, and country which flowed into the early sixties. The early part of the sixties, much like the previous decade, was an extension of the doo-wop sounds and poignant ballads that had led the charts in the late fifties. The baby boomers, now teenagers, loved to dance and television shows like American Bandstand influenced the popularity of dance styles like the Twist, the Swim, and the Pony just to name a few. Enjoy a trip down memory lane with our full line-up of nostalgic activities and sensational, ensemble performances by the American Queen’s brilliant entertainers. Dance, sing and relive the pop culture crazes of the fifties and sixties on this fun-loving, carefree cruise catered to the young at heart!
Have you ever wondered what this country looked like to its early explorers and pioneers? Traveling on the Mighty Mississippi and its tributaries aboard the iconic American Queen or the all-suite American Duchess, you will be transported back in time to an era of leisurely and romantic travel. Storybook American towns and vibrant, bustling cities provide a bit of excitement between peaceful fields of gold, majestic, soaring mountains and high bluffs which inspired the works of Mark Twain. There is no better way to see America than from the perspective of the river, for the river has played a tremendous role in the shaping of this beautiful country and the lives of the people who inhabit it. After extensively cruising amidst the charms and gracious style of our unique vessels, you will forever be changed.
Holiday - Christmas Markets
Amid the glittering elegance of an American Queen holiday cruise is a seasonal spirit larger than life. Experience the best of the Antebellum south during a magical time of the year and delight in all of your favorite holiday treats while getting acquainted with the classic traditions of the Cajun and Creole cultures. Our exclusive lineup of Christmas markets is the perfect venue to listen to holiday music while browsing seasonal goods and the all-American southern artistry of local craftsmen. At the center of our thoughtfully designed Holiday - Christmas Markets is an enchanted experience at Nottoway Plantation where you will enjoy live music and dancing, indulge in an assortment of hors d'oeuvres or decadent desserts and witness the ceremonial lighting of bonfires on the levee followed by a special fireworks display. Make our home your home for the holidays...
Big Band
Get “in the mood” for our sensational Big Band voyages and embark on a musical journey unlike any other. Touching on the distinctive, popular periods of the genre from the early 1930s to the late 1940s, special performances by our extraordinary American Queen ensemble, along with the 13-piece orchestra “The Great American Swing Band,” will play the tunes you know so well all in the original arrangements that made them legendary. Benny Goodman once said that Glenn Miller was so popular because his music had mass appeal, but that could just as well be said of all bands of the time. And it is as true today as it was back then. This is the iconic sound that kept people dancing through a depression and a war. Today, although times have changed, this is the music that can lift the human spirit, span the generations and bring everyone together - both the young and the young at heart. Each evening offers the opportunity to dance and swing to your heart's content with our dance hosts, so if you are a fan of the big band era, this is a sentimental journey you do not want to miss.
Mark Twain
Discover America Mark Twain style...from the perspective of the river. As it is along the great Mississippi and its tributaries that Mark Twain discovered his own undying fascination with and love for America. Many would argue that Samuel Clemens, best known by his pen name Mark Twain, is quite simply one of America's greatest authors. On this magnificent journey along the Upper Mississippi River, you will delve deep into the life and work of Samuel Clemens you witness his legendary words and wit brought to life onboard by an expert tribute artist who will leave you with the lasting impression that you just had an in-depth conversation with the legendary author himself. Our included Hop-on Hop-off tours allow you to explore Twain's childhood hometown of Hannibal, Missouri; the town from where much of the inspiration for his beloved classics such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is derived. You will not want to miss this opportunity to share the Mississippi River with Mark Twain.
Thanksgiving Festival
Enjoy a whole new list of things to be thankful for with this special holiday cruise on the American Queen. Whether you fancy a traditional turkey dinner with all of the trimmings or perhaps something a bit different to change up your holiday on the river, your dining experience will be equally delightful! As you travel the lower Mississippi River, you will encounter gracious towns, explore stunning plantations and palatial mansions, delve into the rich storied past of the Civil War and soak in the romantic spirit of the Antebellum era. Surrounded by new friends onboard with the river rolling by, savor a delectable Thanksgiving meal, partake in festive enrichment activities, settle in the Grand Saloon for fabulous nightly entertainment and so much more. Choose to make our home your home for a uniquely American Thanksgiving holiday.
Bourbon
Our Bourbon themed cruise offers you a rare opportunity to experience an extraordinary journey through America’s heartland and into the roots of Kentucky’s bourbon region. This special themed voyage will take you behind the scenes and into the history books to show you where bourbon comes from, how it is made and the ways to distinguish the unique characteristics of different distilleries. While onboard, you can enjoy all things bourbon with special tastings, treats, and cooking demonstrations. Both onboard and ashore, each day presents an eclectic blend of music with special musical performances, creative workshops and a wealth of enrichment that can’t be found anywhere else. This dynamic blend of historic discovery, toe-tapping entertainment and complimentary tours of the finest bourbon distilleries creates a uniquely American river cruise that you simply cannot afford to miss!
New Year's Celebration
Resolve to have more fun and greet the New Year aboard the iconic American Queen or the lavish American Duchess. The celebration carries throughout the week, but a special New Year's Eve gala will enchant you with elegant decor, confetti, champagne, newfound friends and the uplifting refrains of “Auld Lang Syne.” Be one of the select few who can claim to have celebrated New Year’s Eve aboard one our exquisite paddlewheel riverboats.
Civil War
Our Civil War themed cruises take you on an amazing journey through "the havoc of war and the battle's confusion" where historic skirmishes pitted brother against brother in a nation once divided. You will have the opportunity to delve into the tactics, both military and political, that shaped the events of the American Civil War. Learn of the Mississippi River’s strategic value as both a transportation and communication route and explore the state of the country as it was in 1866 and how it still affects us today. Watch tribute artists bring key figures to life and listen to distinguished Civil War historians offer enlightening lectures on a multitude of Civil War topics. Join us for a thought-provoking journey designed to broaden your knowledge and provide insight surrounding the times and the causes that precipitated the conflict. Each Civil War voyage pays tribute to our American history in reminding us all of the fallen soldiers who gave their lives in a war that changed our nation. Your heart will be touched and your knowledge enriched as you capture the poignancy of it all.
Antebellum South
Experience authentic Southern culture as you journey through living history along the Lower Mississippi River where it is easy to imagine that time has stood still. From the early 1800’s until the Civil War, the country’s economy began shifting and a cotton boom made plantations the center of southern commerce. With its rich soil, warm climate and ample moisture, the land is among the most fertile in the world and agriculture flourishes. From New Orleans to Baton Rouge, all along the great River Road, sugar cane is still grown as it was a century ago. In the late 1800’s Mark Twain noted on his adventures down the mighty Mississippi that there were so many plantations and dwellings along the river that is looked like a spacious street. Towering homes lay nestled in large patches of moss-draped oak trees and still today, you can catch a glimpse of what Mark Twain once saw as you cruise along the River and then tour the historic locations and iconic plantation homes.
Life on the Mississippi
The upper reaches of the Mississippi River are rich with frontier tales of fur traders and pioneers set among picturesque geography and abundant wildlife. The region reflects the spirit of the people who worked this land even before steamboats came to the river. As Mark Twain once said, "there are all the enlivening signs of the presence of active, energetic, intelligent, prosperous, practical nth-century populations. The people don't dream; they work." Farming, fur-trapping, lumbering and mining were at one time the lifeblood of this region. As hard as the river and the region has been worked by its people, its scenery remains enchanting and largely unspoiled. Twain's Life on the Mississippi describes this area as a paradise and you will experience it for yourself as hidden gems around each bend of the river fuel your sense of discovery and the very best of America's heartland unfolds before you.
American Music Cruise
Discover the sights and sounds of America’s rivers and the roots from which sprung a variety of musical genres. Focused lectures highlight the music of the regions, and Nashville Hall of Fame songwriters Even Stevens and Richard Leigh will be onboard to entertain. Stevens penned an astonishing number of hits performed by stars such as Kenny Rogers and Eddie Rabbitt, including “Love Will Turn You Around,” “I Love a Rainy Night,” “When You’re in Love With a Beautiful Woman,” and “Drivin’ My Life Away.” Leigh is the winner of the 2015 SESAC Songwriter Legacy Award, has had seven Song of the Year nominations, and is enjoying an esteemed career that spans four decades and includes nine No. 1 records. Darcy Wright will bring smooth jazz to the scene, and a sock hop and a country concert help round out the experience. It’s a panorama of play and a mélange of melodies aboard this soul-stirring musical cruise.
Southern Musical Heritage
The South fashioned its own unique customs, literature, cuisine and music as a result of its many cultural influences and as you cruise through the lower Mississippi region - a region distinctly molded by its history - you will trace the melodious roots from which sprung a variety of genres by way of special onboard entertainment and focused lectures celebrating southern musical heritage. Whether it is the sound of New Orleans "Dixieland" Jazz, the strains of the uniquely American musical art form the Delta Blues - one of the earliest styles of blues music hailing from the Mississippi Delta, the Rock and Soul of Memphis, or the homegrown Country music melodies from Nashville, it all harmonizes with the rhythms of the river.
The 50s and 60s Remembered
Grab your poodle skirt and join us onboard as we rewind the clock and take you back to the feel-good music that dominated the 1950s and 60s. While the sound of the forties Big Band era lingered into the early fifties, the emergence of artists such as Bill Haley with chart-toppers like "Rock Around the Clock" had America swinging to a whole new sound by the mid-fifties. Along with the birth of Rock and Roll emerged other musical genres like doo-wop, rhythm and blues, and country which flowed into the early sixties. The early part of the sixties, much like the previous decade, was an extension of the doo-wop sounds and poignant ballads that had led the charts in the late fifties. The baby boomers, now teenagers, loved to dance and television shows like American Bandstand influenced the popularity of dance styles like the Twist, the Swim, and the Pony just to name a few. Enjoy a trip down memory lane with our full line-up of nostalgic activities and sensational, ensemble performances by the American Queen’s brilliant entertainers. Dance, sing and relive the pop culture crazes of the fifties and sixties on this fun-loving, carefree cruise catered to the young at heart!
