The First Sea Trial of Queen of the Mississippi Ahead of Schedule
The new-build Queen of the Mississippi riverboat from American Cruise Lines left for its very first sail at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Sailsbury. The ship performed in a perfect manner as the enormous paddle-wheel churned the waterway and onlookers lined the shores to see the ship.
“The Queen of the Mississippi will set a rather new standard in river sailing and will raise the bar for Mississippi River traveling,” said Robertson, the president of the company. He also said that this new boat is a bit faster than originally expected and is now more than two months ahead of schedule.
The boat has been finished in May 2012, and has its first sail scheduled in August, having a departure scheduled from New Orleans to Memphis. At present time, the interior is well underway with carpeting being added throughout the entire boat as well as furniture starting to go aboard. All sliding glass doors that lead to private balconies are all in place and painting is almost over.
This riverboat is able to host almost one hundred and fifty passengers in large cabins, a lot of which will be twice the size of those of other Mississippi boats. Cabins will feature spacious private balconies that include sliding glass doors and most of the features today`s tourists expect, while also managing to maintain most of the elegance and comfort of classic 19th-century Mississippi boats. The cruise lines will run this genuine paddle-wheeler over the whole Mississippi River system, which will also include Cumberland and Ohio rivers.
The Queen of the Mississippi will travel at a higher speed than most other Mississippi boats, minimizing the nightly travel and managing to reach more routes and having longer port stays. Several unique river journeys are planned which will take guests as far north as St. Paul along the Mississippi and as far east as Pittsburgh along the Ohio.
What Riverboats Are Available on the Mississippi
The great Mississippi River will flow all the way from Minnesota and will empty in the Gulf of Mexico. A riverboat cruise will provide a great opportunity to step bank in time two centuries ago and enjoy a peaceful sightseeing tour of picturesque riverfront cities, historic battlefields and plantation houses. There are only a few boats which are not sailing on the Mississippi. These are genuine replicas of the nineteenth century ships, but most of them have modern conveniences, and they also are handicap-accessible.
Spirit of Peoria
Being based in Peoria, the Spirit of Peoria will operate tours on the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. Various routes will usually include 2 or 3-day trips to Starved Rock State Park, 5-day St. Louis trips and 3-day Grizzly Jack`s Getaway cruise. Passengers may also take a 1-day sightseeing trip on the Mississippi river, with wildlife story telling and live music. A lavish buffet along with unlimited drinks will be included in the cruise fare. The line will provide various theme cruises, like Fall Foliage or Murder Mystery.
Celebration River Cruises
The Celebration Belle will specialize in music-themed cruise trips on the Mississippi River, which will include Classic Oldies, Dixieland or Big Band. You may take an entire day sightseeing cruise which will depart from Le Claire to Dubuque, featuring hot breakfast lunch as well as dinner. The trip can be taken in reverse as well, or as a 2-day round-trip voyage taking advantage of the overnight accommodation. There will also be a Dinner & Dance Cruise which will include a dinner buffet along with live music. Most cruises will be available during the entire year.
The comfortable Twilight cruise ship will provide a 2-day cruise departing from Le Claire and Dubuque, having an overnight stay included at the Grand Harbor Resort, with the option of returning back the next day. The cruise fare will include breakfast, lunch dinner, unlimited coffee, lemonade or snacks.
The Creole Queen
The Creole Queen is based at the Riverwalk dock and is owned by New Orleans Paddlewheels Inc., being able to host almost one thousand guests. The cruise line will provide a 2 1/2 hour Chalmette Battlefield cruise, which will include a detailed narration and some time spent on shore, visiting the Malus-Beauregard House. You may take a dinner jazz cruise trip as well; such a cruise will last 3 hours and will include a Creole buffet along with live music.
The La Crosse Queen
The La Crosse Queen, based in La Crosse, will provide 1 1/2 hour narrated tours on the upper Mississippi River, which may be taken as a lunch cruise trip as well. Tours during the evening will usually include a cocktail cruise along with pizza and soft drinks. Various tours will usually operate from May through October; dinner cruise tours will have to be pre-reserved.
Basic Description About The Twilight Mississippi Riverboat
Are you one of those travelers who enjoy the history of United States and are interested in an educational cruise along the Mississippi River?
Twilight Riverboat Cruises
For history buffs, cruising along one of the most important rivers on the globe on one of the most modern North American riverboats is considered truly a dream. Fortunately, any traveler who may want to live the dream can make it real on board the Twilight riverboat.
This historic river ship is a replica of the much more known Victorian steamboats which plied the water of the Mississippi two centuries ago. The classic rounded stern and the details of this boat are reminiscent of those “ancient” boats referred by the great Mark Twain to as “floating hotels.”
Among the many features included into his extraordinary boat are the air conditioned areas for sightseeing, the spacious three decks which will be of around 130 feet, the dining salons, as well as the wonderful quiet engines.
About Mississippi Cruises on board the Twilight
Starting from May through October, the 150-guests Twilight will leave Le Claire, embarking on two-day cruise trips along the waters of the Mississippi, a tour of ten hours to Dubuque. This Mississippi cruise aboard the ship will provide passengers the chance of riding this mighty river in the same fashion Mark Twain did two centuries ago.
Itinerary Highlights
Cruises will leave every two days and will offer several types of accommodations for guests, but not aboard the ship. Passengers can spend one night at Grand Harbor Resort before continuing the sail to Le Claire the very next day. The land-based segment of this cruise ship will also include various visits to area wineries, local museum tours, architectural tours, trolley rides, an aquarium and tours of relaxing walks with a few stops included at popular art galleries.
On Board Features
In addition to the large decks which the Twilight ship will feature, passengers are also treated to historical stories by the boat`s captain, who has traveled on the Mississippi for over thirty years.
Other great features will also include life entertainment courtesy of impersonators of the famous Mark Twain as well as high-octane bartenders. Passengers will partake in sightseeing and eagle watching on the upper deck as well. According to the official website of the Twilight riverboat, passengers are able to witness around 30 bald eagles on every cruise trip. In addition, plenty of egrets, blue heron and pelicans can be watched during the months of the summer season as well.
Basic Descriptions on Several Mississippi Riverboats Cruises
The majestic Mississippi River will flow from Minnesota until it will empty into the Gulf of Mexico. A boat cruise will provide an opportunity to get back in time and take in a leisurely sightseeing trip of historic battlefields, picturesque riverfront cities or plantation cities. Only a small number of boats are now operating on the Mississippi River. These will be authentic replicas of nineteenth century boats, but with all including modern conveniences and comforts.
Spirit of Peoria
Being based in Peoria, the Spirit of Peoria will operate cruises on the Mississippi as well as Illinois Rivers. Cruise routes will include 2 or 3-day trips to Starved Rock State Park, the 3-day Grizzly Jack`s Getaway cruise and 5-day tours to St. Louis. You can take one-day sightseeing cruises on the Mississippi River, with story-telling, wildlife narration and live music. A lavish all-you-can-eat buffet lunch as well as unlimited beverages will be included in the price of the ticket. The cruise line will provide themed cruises as well, like Fall Foliage and Murder Mystery.
Celebration River Cruises
The Celebration Belle will specialize in music-themed cruises tours on the Mississippi River, which will include Classic Oldies, Big Band, Rock`n`Roll and Dixieland. The Dinner & Dance Cruise will include dinner buffet or live music. You should take an entire day of sightseeing cruise from Le Claire to Dubuque, which will include hot breakfast and lunch. This cruise will be taken in reverse as well, or as a 2-day round-trip with overnight accommodation in Dubuque. Cruises will be available year-round.
Twilight Riverboat – Two-Day Cruises
The elegant Twilight boat will provide a 2-day round-trip cruise from Le Claire and Dubuque, with a stay over night at the Grand Harbor Resort. The price of the cruise will include continental breakfast as well as lunch and dinner, but snacks, lemonade or unlimited coffee as well
The Creole Queen
Being based at the New Orleans`s Riverwalk dock, the Creole Queen is owned by New Orleans Paddlewheels Inc., and may host up to one thousand guests. The line will provide a 90-minutes cruise to Chalmette Battlefield, which will include a detailed aboard narration as well as time ashore for touring the site of the Battle of New Orleans or Malus-Beauregard House. You can take a dinner jazz cruise, which will last for 3 hours and will include a Creole buffet or live jazz music.
The La Crosse Queen
The La Crosse Queen will be based in La Crosse. The cruise line will provide one-and-a-half-hour narrated sightseeing tours on the upper reaches of the Mississippi River, which can be taken as a lunch cruise as well. Evening trips will include a cocktail cruise with pizza, soft drinks or beer, as well as week-end dinner cruise tours. Tours will operate from May through October, while dinner cruise tours must be pre-booked.
Steamboat Natchez
Steamboat Natchez is owned by the New Orleans Steamboat Company, and will provide jazz-themed cruises during the entire year, except in exceptionally severe weather conditions. The 2-hour Harbor Jazz Cruise will provide an interesting narration about New Orleans`s history and culture. Evening jazz cruise tours will be available with/without dinner. The cruise line will operate special event cruise tours throughout the entire year, while the steamboat will be available for private charters.
Five Tips On How To Take A Cruise On The Spirit Of Jefferson Riverboat
Louisville is considered a city full of things to do. After going to the Kentucky Derby, you can try something rather different. Get off the roads and onto the Ohio River on board the Spirit of Jefferson riverboat which offers public cruise tours during the entire year from 12.00 to 14.00 and from 19.00 to 21.00, Mondays through Saturdays. The next steps will soon guide you on how to cruise on this river.
1. Make a decision about which type of this cruise you should take. Rates and times will vary quite a lot. Kids under three years old will always be free. A trip ticket will cost $14.99/adults, $14.99/seniors over sixty years old and $5.99/kids under twelve years old. Luncheon tickets will be $24.99/adults, $23.99/seniors and $14.99/kids under twelve years old. Dinner cruise tours will cost $34.99/adults, $33.99/seniors and $19.99/kids under twelve years old. The dance cruise is $17/person no matter the age and the dance cruise plus dinner will cost just the same as the dinner ticket rates.
2. You should make reservations for lunch or dinner cruise tours as they will be required. If you are planning a special occasion such as birthday or anniversary, you should get in touch with the company by phone at 1 866 832 0011. The sales team may be reached at 502 574 2992 for helping with special occasions info. The Spirit of Jefferson riverboat does accept MasterCard, Discover or Visa credit cards.
3. You can plan a special New Year`s Eve on board the Spirit of Jefferson. The annual New Year`s Eve Gala is a wonderful opportunity for all interested customers. This cruise will cost only $45.99/person, no matter the age and will include a dinner buffet. Dinner in the New Year and make a champagne toast at midnight on board this all inclusive cruise.
4. You can have your wedding ceremony on the water. The Spirit of Jefferson will be happy to host an on board wedding ceremony. This boat has heat and air conditioning, dance floor, full bar and on board sound system. Other types of services will also be available, which will include chocolate fountains, white horse drawn carriage or DJ service.
5. You can watch the Spirit of Jefferson in the Great Steamboat Race, which has always been held the Wednesday before the Kentucky Derby in May. This chase will begin twenty minutes before the Great Steamboat Race and is considered a full speed race between two boats. You can join the crowds and watch the event from the shore.
