A Riverboat Cruise Along the Majestic Mississippi Aboard the American Queen
"Time is like a river. You cannot touch the same water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass this way again. Enjoy every moment of your life.”
—Daily Inspirational Quotes
Cecile and I have never been to the Mississippi nor have we ever been on a river boat cruise. So, when we were invited by Nelson and Susan Bye to join them to experience the legendary thrill of a Mississippi River Cruise, we jumped at the opportunity.
After touring the World War ll museum in New Orleans, and watching a film narrated by actor Tom Hanks, and watched a chorus of students from an International school from New Jersey who were in town for the French Quarter Festival, we made our way to the American Queen on the dock of the River Walk.
As we boarded, a band was playing Dixieland Music on the upper deck including the old spiritual favorite: “When the Saints Go Marching in.” We were served appetizers and shown the way toward our room.
We were lucky to get an upgrade and were placed in room 452 at very end of the Veranda with a river view.
The Mississippi played a pivotal role in the American Civil War. In fact, the control of the river marked a major change in the battle between the Union and the Confederate army.
Steamboat traffic was in full throttle before and after the war. Mark Twain wrote prolifically about it in “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “Life on the Mississippi,” where he recalled his own personal experiences along this famous waterway. The late Johnny Cash sang about the Mississippi in a song called the “Big River.”
But, it is one thing to read or listen to a tale about the Mississippi and another thing to experience its majesty.
After we toured the boat, we put on our orange life west and participated in Coast Guard mandate fire drill and then returned to our room.
The louver doors of our cabin are made of polished wood and the interior is decorated with Victorian patterns, framed photos that celebrates the steamship era.
The Lady’s parlor, and the Men’s card room, are also furnished with antiques and reproductions dating back to the Victorian period.
We ate dinner in the JM White dining room where we were served by Kirk and his assistant Keyah. I had Tuna Tartar, spit pea soup, Spinach salad, and Roasted chicken.
We drank generous portions of a California Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay. For dessert we had a delicious wild berry cobbler and cappuccino.
Following dinner we watched a magnificent sunset from the veranda and headed to the Grand Salon to be welcomed and entertained by the cruise director and the American Queen entertainment team after which we called it a night.
