How to Find Mississippi River Paddle-Wheel Riverboat Cruises
The traditional cruises on the Mississippi on board old-fashioned paddle-wheel riverboats were stopped in 2008. Several cruise lines which operate traditional riverboats such as the Mississippi Queen or Delta Queen stopped offering tours with overnight accommodations on board. In present times, the only cruise tours with a paddle-wheeler which are will be available will be available only during the day or evening. On board those overnight cruises, the guests will be able to stay in various hotels located near the shores of the Mississippi River. However, it`s possible to also spend some time along the Mississippi aboard one either one of those paddle-wheelers during the night.
1. You should write several ideas about the type of experience you want to explore. Try to acknowledge if you wish a cruise during the day or night. Also, are you only interested in trying an old-fashioned paddle-wheel riverboat or just a replica? Do you want to take your dinner to be included in the cruise? In which period of time will you be interested to take your cruise? What part of the Mississippi you want to take your cruise?
2. Try using the online environment so you may find a few paddle-wheelers and select those types of sites that will provide advertisements on specific cruise lines which offer cruises in that certain part of the Mississippi you are interested in visiting. Try to be sure of the available ships for a certain geographic region. For example, searching for “Minnesota paddle-wheelers” may be a pretty good idea if that should be the side of Mississippi you are interested in seeing. Pick only those sites that are sponsored by specific local boards or any official sites for a specific region.
3. Follow those types of links to the paddle-wheel lines. Research as much as you can about those specific cruise providers at their sites. Make a search engine query on any certain operator which will provide paddle-wheel cruises on the Mississippi and see as much reviews as you possibly can about that specific line. Try looking for any specific reviews from past guests on cruise message boards.
4. You should contact the cruise line that you might feel will be the most appropriate for your cruise. Get in touch with one of the company`s representatives for any possible questions which you might have about their services. You should always take into consideration asking him about the boat`s captain, the boat`s history or about the point of interest along the cruise. Try finding out more about that certain period of time in which your cruise is scheduled, which is the cruise port of departure and how many hours will the cruise last. If you are interested in picking a dinner cruise, ask him more questions about the menu or about the entertainment offered on board. Try making a booking for any specific reservation, but only when you will feel confident about what you have chosen.
Important Aspects You Should Know About Mississippi River Cruises
With their cultural or historic appeal, cruises along the Mississippi River itineraries will be tempting options for a vacation for travelers who enjoy old-world glamour instead of all that charm of modern liners.
About Mississippi river Cruises
Cruises along the Mississippi River are quite different than regular type of cruises, which will normally take place on board big luxury cruise ships. Knowing what you can expect for a cruise on the Mississippi River may help guests have an idea of what unique characteristics they may experience on that type of voyages.
Ships
Among the main differences between a cruise down the majestic Mississippi River and a regular cruise vacation will be the cruise ship`s size. River vessels usually accommodate up to a couple of hundred passengers. The much smaller size will allow the ship to safely travel through shallow waterways. Nonetheless, while the cozy side of the cruise ship might be more attracting to one type of cruisers, guests who may be prone to seasickness will have to be careful as that ships which will sail along the Mississippi aren`t generally equipped with stabilizers, which will mean you may feel a bumpier ride than you were originally thought. On the other side, the historic ships which will call the majestic Mississippi River home will allow passengers the unique change to step back in those nineteenth century days of traveling with a riverboat.
Ambiance
The ambiance on board Mississippi River cruises is usually quite casual, relaxing and peaceful. Instead of participating in regular activities found on large cruise ships, like spa treatments, rock climbing or limbo contests, guests of cruises on the Mississippi will participate in various activities like: storytelling, painting, listening to live music, educational narrations, fishing or bird watching.
Cruise Length
Most riverboat cruises along the Mississippi will last between 60 minutes and 3 hours. Sightseeing daily cruises as well as evening dinner cruise trips will be the most well known routes provided by the Mississippi river cruise lines. Because of the economical reasons there are will be no more river vessels providing full-service overnight cruises along the Mississippi as well as its tributaries. However, there are a few cruise lines which provide pseudo-overnight tours, which will feature a staying at waterfront motels included between days on this river.
Destinations
The Mississippi is considered among the largest waterways on the globe. The river will include upper and lower areas, both of which are well known destinations for cruising. Major cities visited by these cruises will include: New Orleans, St. Louis, Memphis, Baton Rouge, Galveston, St. Paint or St. Louis.
Cruises along Mississippi River Itineraries
The most famous embarkation ports for Mississippi cruises are St. Louis in the upper Mississippi River, and New Orleans in the lower Mississippi River.
Basic Info On Various Paddle-Wheeler Cruises On The Mississippi
Any traveler may take a short ride on board one of the available paddle-wheel riverboats along the Mississippi River and try to forget about or the daily issues in a very relaxing atmosphere. There are quite a few cruise companies that will offer cruise tours on these paddle-wheel riverboats along the waters of the Mississippi River.
Memphis River Boats
Memphis River Boats offers various types of cruise tours which will include sightseeing cruises for certain special events like Valentine`s Day. While the Island Queen, Memphis Queen II and Memphis Queen III will ply along the mighty Mississippi River, the Memphis Showboat is a permanent fixture provider for group events. Storytelling professional guides, a house DJ or a house band, but other features as well will be among the services offered for certain special events charters.
Memphis River Boats
45 S. Riverside Dr.
(901) 527 2628
Getaway Arch Riverfront
Getaway Arch Riverfront will offer cruises on each and every one of their paddle ships. In addition, besides the typical sightseeing excursions, they will offer paddle boat cruise tours as well for specific events as well, such as the New Year`s Eve Cruise or the Girlfriends Shopping Cruise. Skyline Dinner cruises, Sunday Brunch cruise tours or one-hour cruise tours are only a few of what services they are offering during the entire year and other enjoyable cruises on the Mississippi. Starting from March 2010, a standard Skyline Dinner Cruise is priced at $39/adults, $19 for kids up to 12 years old and free of charge for kids up to three years.
Gateway Arch Riverfront
707 N. First St.
(314) 9821545
LaCrosse Queen Cruises
They provide cruises on the Mississippi for any travelers who might want in this kind of experiences. During this type of cruises, a guide will be offered who will tell stories about the history of the attractions encountered along the way while sailing on the Mississippi. The LaCrosse Queen will offer Saturday and Sunday cruise tours during the night and brunch special tours each and every Sunday morning. Quite popular are the private charges cruise tours and Moonlight cruise tours as well. They will provide wedding ceremonies or other similar events for various groups along with meals, cocktails, drinks and snacks. Starting from March 2010, the cost for a Saturday dinner cruise will start from $39/adults, $21 for kids of up to 11 years old and $39/seniors.
LaCrosse Queen Cruises
P.O. Box 1805
(608) 7842893
Basic Info On Three Different Mississippi River Dinner Cruises
The majestic Mississippi River will wind all the way from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, traveling through several states such as Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Illinois, Mississippi or Louisiana. Steamboats ruled this river since early 1800s as riverboats were the main way of trading along the waterfront. Mark Twain once wrote about these steamboats in his famous book, “Life on the Mississippi.” Now dinner cruise tours, wedding ceremonies, parties or daily trips are used to observe the natural wonders and city skylines which will take place on board a steamboat replica or riverboats along the Mississippi River.
Padelford Riverboats
The Padelford Riverboats have welcomed since now more than 4.000.000 travelers since entered in service in 1969. This cruise line operates out of St. Paul`s Harriet Island Regional Park. Additionally to daily public cruise tours from early June through September, the paddle riverboat will feature a dinner cruise on Sunday, Tuesday or Friday evenings. The family may come on board for a meal and live entertainment. The menu is distinct each and every evening but will feature entrees like pasta, pot roast or ham. Side dishes will include potatoes, bread, roasted vegetables, Caesar salad, dessert or coffee. From the deck, passengers will enjoy the scenery offered by the Twin Cities skyline, the wooded banks of the Mississippi River as well as the sun set in the sky.
Padelford Riverboats
Paddleford Packet Boat Co., Inc.
800 543 3908
http://riverrides.com
Gateway Arch Riverboats
Hop on board the Becky Thatcher or Tom Sawyer Riverboat for a dinner cruise tour along the Mississippi River at St. Louis. The nineteenth-century steamboat replica will take passengers on a Skyline Dinner Cruise from late March through late November. This sit-down dinner will provide varied menu options, which will include seafood, chicken, red meat, and side dishes of potatoes, vegetables, bread and desserts. Live music will round out the entertainment of the evening.
The Gateway Arch Riverboats
707 N. First St.
877 982 1410
http://gatewayarch.com
Steamboat Natchez
Enjoy the sounds and sights of the New Orleans by getting on board the Steamboat Natchez. The nightly dinner cruise menu will feature a few entrees, which will include chicken, pasta, seafood or carved meats. Salad, bread, potatoes or vegetables will round out the side dishes. A wide selection of desserts will be served. Passengers may dine either indoors or outdoors and can enjoy the New Orleans`s view. Live jazz music will be offered by the Dukes of Dixieland.
Steamboat Natchez
400 N. Peters St.
800 233 2628
http://steamboatnatchez.com
