May be a dumb question, but ...

[Daenerys T]

What is a steamboat cruise? Is it like a regular cruise with cabins and such?

[hondorner]

What is a steamboat cruise? Is it like a regular cruise with cabins and such?

Great question. The American Queen is a modern replica of an early Mark Twain era steamboat. There are several types of cabins -- inside, window view, promenade, veranda, luxury suites, etc. There is a main dining room, alternate (and more casual) dining area, a theater inspired by Fords Theater in Washington, DC, several lunges and bars, a boutique and more, somewhat similar to a modern cruise ship. The primary difference is that the ambiance, decor, furniture and such are true antiques or excellent replicas, in keeping with the early steamboat there.

 

American Queen is the only authentic steamboat making overnight cruises on American Rivers. It is actually powered by steam engines renovated from a 1927 steamboat and has an authentic, restored, steam-powered calliope that is played every time the boat leaves a port. (In keeping with modern practice, there are also auxiliary diesel electric engines that are used for maneuvering and supplemental power when running upstream against very strong current.)

 

The boat was constructed in 1996 using up-to-date steel construction, fire control, watertight doors and other modern safety requirements, and the steam engine boilers are fired by safe, clean burning oil.

 

Dress code is elegant casual in the evenings (no shorts, tee shirts, athletic shoes, etc in the main dining room at dinner, but no formal nights). Breakfast and lunch are buffet style or items be ordered from a menu; dinner is elegantly served.

 

Cruises typically last from 5 to 12 days or more on one or more of the Mississippi, Tennessee, Ohio or Cumberland Rivers. Cruises usually have a theme, lecturers abound, re-enactors may be present (such as Mark Twain, Abe Lincoln and Generals Grant and Lee in my experience). Entertainment is provided every evening in the theater lounge; there is a boat band (the Steamboat Syncopators), singers and dancers and professional entertainment in the engine room bar. Most excursions, provided by hop-on-hop-off buses that accompany the boat from town to town, are complimentary; some are premium excursions at a reasonable fee.

 

Stewards/Stewardesses care for the cabins, there is usually a pianist, a cruise director, destinations staff, and other typical crew members.

 

That's an overview, garnered from my experience on 5 American Queen cruises since 2012. I'll be happy to try to answer any specific questions between now and the end of 2015; we'll be aboard Oceania Insignia for a 180 day around-the-world cruise from Jan 3 to July 1, and will be in limited contact.

[Flatbush Flyer]

Great question. The American Queen is a modern replica of an early Mark Twain era steamboat. There are several types of cabins -- inside, window view, promenade, veranda, luxury suites, etc. There is a main dining room, alternate (and more casual) dining area, a theater inspired by Fords Theater in Washington, DC, several lunges and bars, a boutique and more, somewhat similar to a modern cruise ship. The primary difference is that the ambiance, decor, furniture and such are true antiques or excellent replicas, in keeping with the early steamboat there.

 

 

 

American Queen is the only authentic steamboat making overnight cruises on American Rivers. It is actually powered by steam engines renovated from a 1927 steamboat and has an authentic, restored, steam-powered calliope that is played every time the boat leaves a port. (In keeping with modern practice, there are also auxiliary diesel electric engines that are used for maneuvering and supplemental power when running upstream against very strong current.)

 

 

 

The boat was constructed in 1996 using up-to-date steel construction, fire control, watertight doors and other modern safety requirements, and the steam engine boilers are fired by safe, clean burning oil.

 

 

 

Dress code is elegant casual in the evenings (no shorts, tee shirts, athletic shoes, etc in the main dining room at dinner, but no formal nights). Breakfast and lunch are buffet style or items be ordered from a menu; dinner is elegantly served.

 

 

 

Cruises typically last from 5 to 12 days or more on one or more of the Mississippi, Tennessee, Ohio or Cumberland Rivers. Cruises usually have a theme, lecturers abound, re-enactors may be present (such as Mark Twain, Abe Lincoln and Generals Grant and Lee in my experience). Entertainment is provided every evening in the theater lounge; there is a boat band (the Steamboat Syncopators), singers and dancers and professional entertainment in the engine room bar. Most excursions, provided by hop-on-hop-off buses that accompany the boat from town to town, are complimentary; some are premium excursions at a reasonable fee.

 

 

 

Stewards/Stewardesses care for the cabins, there is usually a pianist, a cruise director, destinations staff, and other typical crew members.

 

 

 

That's an overview, garnered from my experience on 5 American Queen cruises since 2012. I'll be happy to try to answer any specific questions between now and the end of 2015; we'll be aboard Oceania Insignia for a 180 day around-the-world cruise from Jan 3 to July 1, and will be in limited contact.

 

 

We recently received a brochure for American Queen and it looks interesting, particularly since we could extend our NOLA visit. However, we're spoiled by our Oceania experiences. So, I have to ask you how the food and service and attention to detail as well as the general passenger population compare?

Hope you enjoy your current 180!!!

[LHT28]

We recently received a brochure for American Queen and it looks interesting, particularly since we could extend our NOLA visit. However, we're spoiled by our Oceania experiences. So, I have to ask you how the food and service and attention to detail as well as the general passenger population compare?

Hope you enjoy your current 180!!!

 

Since Don will not be responding

 

The food when we were on AQ was just like Oceania some was more down to earth offerings but the quality was there

Great food relaxing cruise

Cabins are small but comfy

We did Pittsburgh to Cincinnati