Semi live from American Queen 23 May Memphis to New Orleans

[uktog]

I’ve done lives from other voyages, usually Azamara and one from Ama.  Here we are, two Brits both able to have seniors rates wherever we go in the USA arrived at the day before embarkation.  I’m calling this semi live as I hear wifi on AQ is rubbish, so bear with me if there’s a gap, I will catch up even if it’s when we disembark.  
 

We’ve got to Memphis via firstly Nashville a crazy place but we were able to enjoy seeing Don McLean at the Ryman, 50 years after American Pie was released.  Ages you when you remember driving your first car listening to it.  He’s aged quite well

 

We then headed to Paducah just to break the journey- wow the quilt museum, that was something - for ocean cruise lovers, the quilt of Positano was my favourite unbelievable skill.

 

We then ventured to Ste Genevieve which was a real gem. We’d heard Missouri wines were interesting and stumbled on the Main Street Inn as a place to stay.  Ste Genevieve has been voted one of the 10 small towns in the USA you have to see.  I would agree! History, a thriving community of artists and really genuine people. I’d recommend a trip there if you can 

 

 

Then onto Memphis, we’d 4 nights in the Indigo and did all the usual Elvis and music museum things plus the Civil Rights Museum (an absolute must) before moving for our night provided by AQSC in The Peabody.  We were surprised our room was ready at 11, we’d just stopped by to drop our bags.  We’d great plans for the afternoon after we’d registered and done the covid test.  Oh dear forget that.  Our first impressions of AQSC have been terrible.  Covid testing and check in involved standing in four different lines, no seats available apart from in the area waiting for covid tests.  No water, no one apologising, no one caring it took us just under TWO hours and that was discounting the extra time our “problem” took.   Everyone was struggling.  
 

To cap it all, ok I doubt they get many Scots onboard but we were denied boarding as they deemed our covid vaccination documentation inadequate.  What was worse, that happened at the desk for line 2, we were told the supervisor was too busy to speak to us (guess how we were feeling….) but we were still to go through line 3 to get a bus time, then join line 4 and when we got to the desk the supervisor would explain to us what was wrong with our documentation.  Imagine how we felt in line for over an hour believing our dream holiday was gone because they couldn’t understand our certificates. 
 

Eventually after a lot of arguing and demanding a call be made to someone in authority at head office we have been permitted to board exceptionally.  Actually there should be no exception about it, here’s their issue, our vaccination certificates only have our last two vaccinations on them. So ours clearly states vaccination 2/2 and 3/3 and details our second vaccination and our booster.  We’ve travelled to several countries since covid with them and were even let in the USA last week but that’s not good enough for AQSC. They need proof you had your first vaccination……they won’t accept the Scottish Government certificate that works on the basis if you’ve had your second you previously had your first.  No Scot who has had their booster will meet their rules, only those who haven’t and would therefore have a certificate showing 1/1 and 2/2.

 

It was distressing the staff showed zero empathy and no listening skills and no willingness to listen to an explanation.  They kept telling us to ring home and get someone photograph the card we got with our first dose (which actually no one got in Scotland!)

 

oh and to cap it all, their system stopped reading credit cards so most of us have to get them authorised onboard.

 

Well drama over but still feeling dreadfully shaken up, we watched the lovely Peabody ducks and enjoyed the comforts of the hotel - it is nice with a very spacious room. 
 

May tomorrow be a better day and AQSC start to redeem themselves……

[LDVinNC]

My goodness, after all you have been through, rescheduling and (if I recall correctly and it was you) having issues with your TA, what an unfortunate set of circumstances. AQSC could certainly have been more accommodating.  I am sorry you went through that and truly hope your river trip is lovely.

[uktog]

1 hour ago, LDVinNC said:

My goodness, after all you have been through, rescheduling and (if I recall correctly and it was you) having issues with your TA, what an unfortunate set of circumstances. AQSC could certainly have been more accommodating.  I am sorry you went through that and truly hope your river trip is lovely.

Thanks yes it was us and there was even an issue two weeks ago as it seemed the TA had sat on our money from two years ago and forgot to pay AQSC so we’d no joining instructions etc. 

 

Anyway all seems well this morning and we’ve had a lovely breakfast in the hotel meeting  delightful fellow travellers. Let’s hope yesterday was our last drama

 

Breakfast time

 

 

[califsealion]

I'm looking forward to reading your reports!  My mom and I did this trip on the Duchess in the opposite direction, pre-Covid, so it will be fun to read about your experience on the bigger boat.  Sorry to hear check-in wasn't as smooth as it should have been.  I hope things only get better from here!

[wandb]

I surely hope the rest of your cruise is uneventful and enjoyable!!  You deserve a great experience!

 

i see your picture of the Blues Cafe in Memphis. Hope you had as much fun there as we did. 
 

Enjoy the cruise and the beautiful Queen!

 

Barb

[uktog]

Indeed another day a better experience

 

Transfer to the boat was very efficient starting with those with commodore service at 1345 and the remainder from an hour later. Nice to find the luggage onboard and a little welcoming event of drinks and nibbles. 

Our room although a tricky layout has lots of storage and we  unpacked. There were immediately some maintenance issues that should have been spotted before and it’s not easy to track down the room attendant. He’s been found and most things are now sorted. However it’s annoying we still can’t use the safe and they say they’re too busy to fix it - not quite what we hoped for!  It also seems the room servicing is to his timetable and if we are still in the room eg getting ready for dinner we miss it that night. Not a huge deal but surprised at that. 

 

We went to the pre dinner show (we are late seating so our show is 6.15 dinner 8 nice time for a drink in between). A nice little variety intro of all the guests. The music style, songs from the shows and easy listening suits us. 

Dinner was a good choice quite nicely done though I find it strange to have to order everything at the same time. 

Tomorrow is our first day touring. Look forward to seeing how that works!   We have gone to the simple little machine by the purser tapped our preferred time and got our two tickets. They’re strict on the bus times each bus will go at their advertised times to avoid delays building up. Only the first 8 buses of the day, which are leaving at 10 mins intervals are ticketed then it’s open seating. 
 

Im having issues loading images in the text!  
Our first picture is from the Cotton Museum in Memphis a block from the Peabody and well worth a visit. It’s really set a great context for what we will see along the way. 
 

Our second picture is “stacks down” as we leave Memphis under the brie. Whilst it’s fun to watch this unfortunately our deck 5 room also hears this manoeuvre very loudly after we’d gone to sleep. Let’s hope that was a one off! 
 

 

[Chardonnay Char]

Hi,

   We are on the opposite itinerary next week - NOLA to Memphis.  How are the water levels?

[uktog]

The river levels are mid as our captain said so should give us no issues. It’s very wet again this morning there’s been a lot of rain this last week 

[uktog]

I’m having trouble with these boards the old cookie issue is back so lost yesterday’s review. I’m going to break it down a bit Here is how you order tickets for the early buses, later in the day it’s open

And the map and shuttle timetable and hoho timetable for Terrene Landing (one bus was landing to the Grammy museum a 35 minute trip then you swapped to the hoho

 

 

[uktog]

There’s nothing at Terrene Landing though they plan to develop a park there. Our drive to the HOHO had a fascinating guide who was a farmers wife. The area is fertile and damp and they grow soya and a large proportion of the US rice production. Fields planted as far as you could see. 
 

We arrived at the Grammy Museum. Everyone agreed this was a brilliant place. So much interactive fun for lovers of all genres of music and very helpful enthusiasm from the volunteers 

 

Second stop was shopping we stayed on, we heard there were again enthusiastic local guides but little on offer and nowhere if you wanted to eat ashore. 
 

Third stop was fun much loved by the men, the Sue and Bob King railroad museum. A mix of memerobilia and a huge working layout with older enthusiasts “managing the lines”. A nice little stop especially for the men - buys us ladies rights for shopping stops later in the week 😀

 

Then it was the Delta Chinese Heritage Centre housed in the Delta University which bizarrely has a uni logo of a grumpy okra. 

Again enthusiastically welcomed by volunteers. That said the museum is still trying to find a permanent home and lay out so it is a little bit random. What it is trying to show is how Chinese immigrants to the delta were treated and the fight they had to allow their children to integrate and be educated. They won their battle for integration over 20 years before the first non white legislation was passed so they saw this as quite an important thing to recognise. 

We returned to the ship around one and found a glitch with the lines approach to lunchtime catering. The grill is not operating food service still because of Covid, the main dining room closed at 1 when most of the people were coming back and the front porch by around 130 had run out of most of the food being served and the servers were not able or prepared to find anything else. Okay no one ever dies of starvation on a river boat but it was just poor that we had to resort to using snacks we had still got from Memphis to tide us over to dinner. 
 

What we are finding at present is our love of this vessel blows hot and cold we can do a lot right with nice food but then shoot themselves in the foot with service issues and the couldn’t care less attitude of some staff. 

Last nights dinner was good, s nice choice again.

And the evening sail down was pretty (though wet)

 

 

 

[Chardonnay Char]

THANK YOU so much for sharing the menu.  Is the grill not open at all?  I'm so tired of businesses cutting services and blaming it on COVID.  It's time to move on.

 

[uktog]

16 minutes ago, Chardonnay Char said:

THANK YOU so much for sharing the menu.  Is the grill not open at all?  I'm so tired of businesses cutting services and blaming it on COVID.  It's time to move on.

 

The grill is open as a bar only 11-7 or 8. Alternative evening catering is in the Front Porch which we have not eaten in other than a failed attempt to get lunch yesterday. 
 

What we are finding some staff great and engaging others jobsworths as we call them - my way or no way folks. Clearly the line has potential to be excellent with the right staff. 

[TinCan782]

6 hours ago, uktog said:

What we are finding some staff great and engaging others jobsworths as we call them - my way or no way folks. Clearly the line has potential to be excellent with the right staff. 

Wow. That is contrary to our experience on the Duchess last August. All staff we had contact with were very friendly and accomodating. Our room attendant took great care of our cabin; the wait staff in the Dining Room and the River Club and Terrace were right on top of any requests we made. They quickly learned our preferences and quirks and made sure we were satisified.

The onboard staff was definitely an asset for AQSC/AQV!

 

BTW: I also enjoyed the Grammy Museum and the Sue and Bob King Railroad Museum in Cleveland.

Edited May 25, 2022 by TinCan782

[uktog]

I think we’ve been a little unlucky with our room attendant. All the others we come across are lovely. The staff on the JR White Room are also great but not so the Front Porch where we were caught in the cross fire of two bitterly arguing. But we are happy with our cruise, love the HOho and the food is great. Talking about food, last nights excellent menu

It was Vicksburg day so we turned from rock and pop to Civil War. We had to juggle our timings a bit so we could do both the town and our battlefield tour which left at 1230. 

The map is attached here we knew in the short time we could only do some of the steps so we choose to start at the old rail depot the Coca-Cola museum and the river museum but others who stopped at the church with the Tiffany windows said it was beautiful

 

The Old Rail Depot the most amazing collection of models both working train layouts model ships model cars and a very useful model of the battlefield which helped for some of the context in the afternoon

 

The Coca-Cola museum very much should have the time to fix both played such a part in Coca-Cola be coming our favourite global drink due to the fact that it could be bottled. As always it’s fun to see some of the bottles and souvenirs from the 50s 60s and 70s. You could also have a coke float there but we didn’t not as we knew we would be lunching early 

 

 

It was only one block to the river museum and rather than wait for the bus to take us to hundred yards we walked down unfortunately halfway down the rain storm open the clouds so we arrived at the river museum a little wet. 
 

I would say the river museum is an absolute must there was so much to learn about the management the flood defences and best of all getting to go on the full scale replica tug which gave an excellent perspective what the tugs we have seen on the river were doing and what it was like onboard- really good

After a quick lunch we had it out on a Civil War tour. Good start to the to the tour, they showed us a very informative 20 minute film about the Battle featuring characters involved on the boat before we left - that saved the guides having to cover a lot of the background and enabled us to concentrate on what we were seeing on the battlefield.
 

Our guide Harry was absolutely outstanding clearly very passionate in his research about Vicksburg and the battle. We drove around the site for nearly 2 hours getting off at a few points along the way and his explanations at all times without notes were so good

We saw the iron ship and also had time at the Illinois Memorial

 

and at the visitor centre where Harry gave to those of us who wanted to hear it such a good explanation of how the guns were fired and how many people and horses were needed for each gun.

There are lots of guns just left all over the battlefield and also because of the route the bus took you really go to context of the ditches and hills and hold the two sides were engaged in the longest battle of the Civil War it certainly must’ve been so challenging. I have many photos and have selected a few here. 

This was an excellent tour and very very good value for the calibre of guide. 
 

In the evening we had a guest entertainer Dante a magician. We’ve seen all the tricks he did before with others but nevertheless very enjoyable. 
 

So a great day (and a beautiful sunset) 

 

[uktog]

Natchez turned out to be another fabulous stop and again the hop on hop off buses were so well organised. The weather has now picked up having lost the rain and we were able to enjoy some beautiful time in this quaint town

there was a lot to do and we decided again not to go shopping in town but to concentrate on the beautiful antebellum houses. 
 

our first visit was to Rosalie which was a self-guided tour no photos allowed. 

 

then we visited Magnolia hall again self-guided but this time photos allowed. 

Our final stop was Stanton Hall which was guided by docents in period costumes very delightful people. 

 

on returning to the dock we did do a little bit of shopping in the charming gift shop right opposite the jetty. 

We have been impressed by the entertainment and last night was no exception a show of 70s music in which in the performance we were advised there had been 45 different songs was extremely well done and a great blast from the past. 

Dinner was good as usual but the service struggled not because of our wait team because there is a larger group with a tour manager from a travel agency who seem to constantly demand attention of all staff for the little things for her tables and it knocks everything out. 

But what a perfect sunset to end the day 

 

[wandb]

Wonderful review!  I’m really enjoying your pictures and comments which are bringing back lots of great memories. I wish someone would do a similar posting on the Ohio River!

 

The sunset picture is amazing!

[uktog]

St Francesville is such a lovely friendly little place. 

A lady even stopped her car as we walked along to welcome us and ask if we were enjoying ourselves. The river levels are high so we had to dock at an alternative further out point (the red route on the map) so a slightly longer ride in. 
 

Our tour of Myrtles Plantation house was very interesting, it’s a very haunted house which even the sceptics were recognising there were some interesting indications of something being unusual shall we say. 

They guided in period dress were again very informative and at the end of the tour we were all treated to coffee and bread pudding made to the houses recipe which is based on croissants. It was very nice. 

 

After a stop at the local museum we decided to skip some bus stops and walk the route which was very pleasant. The Grace church had a beautifully kept interior and exterior and a very interesting graveyard. 

The town had some pretty shops with nice products- Grandma’s Buttons was a favourite. 

We left as usual at 5 and were surprised to find that by 7.30 we were tied up in Baton Rouge. It was a little disappointing to discover that although the gangway was down for crew to go ashore we weren’t allowed to. It would have been nice to have walked and got better pictures. 

Dinner was pleasant again though as always staff and officers are fussing over the big group and their demanding tour manager. It’s becoming annoying because others are losing out. Last night, again the wine we were drinking ran out so we had to switch types mid meal but weren’t offered new glasses. By the time we got to dessert after serving delays first choices had run out. It’s not a huge deal but the managers in the dining room need to remember they have other guests and should be checking up on them as well - though I suppose given this woman runs around after them the minute she wants attention for her group it’s difficult. We’ve ascertained they are from AQSCs UK partner. 
 

Anyway here was our dinner menu, sadly though no whisky cake for us!  
 

 

 

Let’s see what fun Baton Rouge brings tomorrow 

[PapaBearToo]

12 hours ago, uktog said:

St Francesville is such a lovely friendly little place. 

A lady even stopped her car as we walked along to welcome us and ask if we were enjoying ourselves. The river levels are high so we had to dock at an alternative further out point (the red route on the map) so a slightly longer ride in. 
 

Our tour of Myrtles Plantation house was very interesting, it’s a very haunted house which even the sceptics were recognising there were some interesting indications of something being unusual shall we say. 

They guided in period dress were again very informative and at the end of the tour we were all treated to coffee and bread pudding made to the houses recipe which is based on croissants. It was very nice. 

 

After a stop at the local museum we decided to skip some bus stops and walk the route which was very pleasant. The Grace church had a beautifully kept interior and exterior and a very interesting graveyard. 

The town had some pretty shops with nice products- Grandma’s Buttons was a favourite. 

We left as usual at 5 and were surprised to find that by 7.30 we were tied up in Baton Rouge. It was a little disappointing to discover that although the gangway was down for crew to go ashore we weren’t allowed to. It would have been nice to have walked and got better pictures. 

Dinner was pleasant again though as always staff and officers are fussing over the big group and their demanding tour manager. It’s becoming annoying because others are losing out. Last night, again the wine we were drinking ran out so we had to switch types mid meal but weren’t offered new glasses. By the time we got to dessert after serving delays first choices had run out. It’s not a huge deal but the managers in the dining room need to remember they have other guests and should be checking up on them as well - though I suppose given this woman runs around after them the minute she wants attention for her group it’s difficult. We’ve ascertained they are from AQSCs UK partner. 
 

Anyway here was our dinner menu, sadly though no whisky cake for us!  
 

 

 

Let’s see what fun Baton Rouge brings tomorrow 

Thoroughly enjoying your review from your onboard experience.  My wife and I were thinking about doing this trip next year.  I am jotting down some of your thoughts in case we decide to do it.  Thanks for posting.  Enjoy your time here in the States.

[pacruise804]

On 5/24/2022 at 5:05 PM, Chardonnay Char said:

Hi,

   We are on the opposite itinerary next week - NOLA to Memphis.  How are the water levels?

We will be joining you on Monday!  My husband and I are taking his parents on a 50th anniversary vacation and have been enjoying a few days in New Orleans to start.

 

@uktog Thank you for your excellent review.  I hope the positives outweighed the frustrations.

[wandb]

Thank you for posting the maps of the HOHO stops in each port!  
 

If anyone has the Ohio River cruises maps, I would LOVE to see them!

[uktog]

The Baton Rouge map 

So our morning in a baton rouge started with us doing the first of two included excursions. We went to the Louisiana Museum of rural life which is an outdoor collection of buildings gathered from all around Louisiana depicting life in the 1800s

it’s a fascinating place to go it also has beautiful gardens and if you sorted your own return transport you could easily spend all day there.  
This is an example of a plantation church. 

it was interesting talking to the shore excursions staff how few guests made this trip in the morning.  They don’t start the hoho until lunchtime so everyone can do both. 
 

On the way to the museum we saw many people gathering to parade to the State Capitol to take part in the state’s Memorial Weekend commemoration.  You might see them in the distance

After lunch we did the hoho trip though we only made one stop at the State Capitol. Tiredness and spending so long enjoying fascinating conversations with the staff at the Capitol meant USS Kidd moored by the boat did not happen. Actually we’d been warned it had lots of stairs so not ideal for me. Those who went enjoyed it. 
 

We found the Memorial Day commemoration moving, one flag for each fallen comrade from the state. A powerful image will stay with us. 

 

It was good for us Brits to learn about US systems. We were amused to learn Senators had offices as well as desks in the house

 

Such privilege does not extend to the representatives who have just a desk. Their chamber was very different!

Unfortunately you cannot go up to the observation platform despite what the ship advised it’s closed at weekends so bear that in mind. 
The sail away was lovely blue skies and great steam music playing. 

 

We got dressed for dinner and wanted to enjoy time in the engine room as we’ve not been there when we’ve been underway. No such luck. No notice in the daily but the bar is closed for a private function with the English group. Hope we get tonight our last night. This vessel is not really able to cater for a group and other guests equally. 
 

Only a couple of hours later we pulled up at Nottaway and a lovely sunset.

One challenge overnighting here. There’s a rail track nearby so sleep is punctuated by toot toot. 
 

Another good dinner though we are still playing wine roulette it’s always running out after one glass and we have to switch whatever we’ve started with. I think it’s probably bad dining room management rather than supply issues as Pinot Grigio which they ran out of last night was available lunch and dinner today (well for one glass!). It’s a niggling problem not a huge issue. Boy if they could crack the service they’d really have a winner 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 29, 2022 by uktog

[uktog]

Sorry these boards are messing around with how the photos post apologies 

[ericosmith]

10 hours ago, wandb said:

Thank you for posting the maps of the HOHO stops in each port!  
 

If anyone has the Ohio River cruises maps, I would LOVE to see them!

If you download the American Queen Voyages app to your phone, you can view the HOHO routes for the stops for each boat.  There's a little audio file that describes what's available at each one.

[uktog]

Nottaway was a lovely stop. A simple stroll over the levy took us to the house. The guides were lovely and it was just a nice relaxed day. 

 

Our guide was a professional singer so she treated us to a song at the end. 

 

The house was very well cared for, especially it’s unusual white room. 
 

 

They certainly knew how to lay a beautiful table. 
 

 

One thing I’ve loved is the use of the golf carts to get us over the levies etc. The guys driving them were so nice and helpful. 

 

One last dinner and one last play around taking sunset pictures at the Engine Room bar and it was time for our last sleep onboard. 
 

 

It’s the usual end of cruise ritual, cases outside your door by 11pm don’t forget to keep some clothes to wear for the morning. Tomorrow we will take the ships tour of New Orleans before heading to our hotel. 
 

[AliWood]

Glad you have had a great trip - it seems as if the dining room issues are still going on. We had similar issues with wine - changes of wine type - not being offered top ups - slow service.

The route from Memphis definitely looks the better option - because of the strong current we had two changes of itinerary. We didn’t stop at St Francisville - no explanation given, Pointe Coupee on the other bank has nothing. At Vicksburg we only had a morning instead of the whole day, so it was either the battlefield tour or the HoHo but not both. This was to make up time. Then of course we broke down anyway

Also on the southbound route you stop at Baton Rouge - we just sailed past in the evening without stopping. You seemed to stop much nearer Nottoway - we were 20 minutes drive!

I hope they manage to sort out the staffing issues for future cruises.

The UK agent we booked through has just issued us with some compensation for the breakdown and dining room problems!