Our American Queen Steamboat Mississippi River Cruising Recommendations:
- This is not American Cruise Lines which is a competing company - 150 passenger ships
- An actual paddle wheeler built in 1995 with real 1933 steam engines - 436 passengers
- Cruise in April or May when the river is high from spring runoff
- Cruise in April or May before the hot, humid weather arrives - see weather link below
- New Orleans Weather Overview
- Temperatures during the last 2 weeks of April were 75 - 82F
- Cruise up river from New Orleans against the current so you can see the sights in the daylight
- If you cruise down river the current speeds up the boat so you only travel at night
- The Front Porch (including casual dining) on the American Queen was our favourite place
- Unlimited old-style popcorn, afternoon cookies and custom coffee machines were favourites
- Cruising up river is only 5-6 mph so little wind in your face on the Front Porch
- Enjoy the onboard Riverlorian (river historian), 1 hour presentation daily
- Riverlorian does a chart room talk and you can see the navigational maps
- Riverlorian does a night time talk at the bow explaining night navigation
- Riverlorian does a pilot house tour - you can see the boat on a GPS map
- Enjoy the onboard professional entertainment
- Get an open veranda room so you can pop out at anytime to see the sights
- The Mark Twain Room is done in the historical wood mouldings and furniture
- A Mark Twain impersonator was an outstanding show event
- Tour the engine room if you want to see real steam engines turn the paddle wheel
Here Are a Few Links to Learn More About the American Queen Steamboat
American Queen Steamboat Tour Videos
About American Queen Steamboat Videos
American Queen Steamboat History
American Queen Steamboat is Back
Here is an Example American Queen Steamboat Cruise
American Queen Steamboat Cruise - Example: April 2018
- Itinerary for New Orleans to Memphis April 15-23, 2018
- We went on the included shore excursions
- The Premium Shore Excursions cost extra, find them on the Itinerary for each day
- American Queen has their own bus fleet which are driven port to port
- You can book a bus departure time the day before for the next day's shore excursion
- Our American Queen Steamboat room LS517 Deck 5
- We got the last room, purchased in January 2017, cruised in April, rooms sell quickly
ADDON: 2018 Pre-Cruise: New Orleans - The Big Easy
- We purchased this package plus we
- flew down to New Orleans a day earlier than the regular package to tour on our own
- Check-in at Hilton New Orleans Riverside hotel
- New Orleans Restaurants Rated
- Preservation Hall
- Jazzy Pass Riverfront Streetcar Map
- Streetcar Poydras to Ursulines Station Map
- We purchased 3 day passes - Hop-on Hop-off Tour Buses Map
- Hop-off French Quarter Walking Tour - Stop 2, hourly begins at 11am
- Hop-off Garden District Walking Tour - Stop 12, hourly begins at 11am
- Stop 12: The Garden District contains a number of celebrity homes
- Stop 12: Worthwhile tour of the La Fayette Cemetery No. 1, graves are all above ground
ADDON: 2018 Post-Cruise: Memphis - American Music
- We purchased this package, walking tour was great, Graceland is included
- Flew home from Memphis