Even though I have traveled with American Cruise Lines the full length of the Mississippi, the Ohio, as well as the Cumberland and the Tennessee Rivers, my interest in the intricate connection of the rivers and what they mean to the history of our country only increases with each cruise. Every journey makes me want to go back again to see what I might have missed, see something new, or see some place that was so new the first time that it now needs a second or third look.
There are many wonderful excursions to be had and stories to be told by the onboard historians, but much of the trip for me is the experience of just being on a graceful ship and gliding down the river from one magic place to another. The luxury of not packing and unpacking daily, making a comfortable large room with lots of storage a home for the cruise, and having an early morning coffee or pastry in the Sky Lounge just adds to my enjoyment of the trip. It really doesn’t matter what type of American Cruise Lines ship I am on. Whether I am aboard a paddlewheeler or a modern riverboat, the guest experience is the same for me.
When on American Heritage and American Splendor, however, there is something very magical about listening to the music of the paddlewheel and watching it turn from the Paddlewheel Lounge. It makes me reflect back on a time when steamboats ruled the river and reminds me of the stories they tell.
During the day, simply looking out a window and watching the world pass by often captures my attention. On a particular occasion, I found myself wondering about the story behind the small American flag placed on this log in the river. In our nation’s semiquincentennial year, it seems especially fitting to share this picture.
Musical entertainment on board is always wonderfully varied, from a Patsy Cline tribute and an accomplished banjo player stepping on and entertaining us for an evening to songs played by the resident pianist on the Yamaha grand piano.
After the entertainment ends for the day and I am back in my room, there is the music of the river itself. To just sit on my balcony with all the lights off, listening to the sounds of the river as we quietly slice through the water, feeling the water move under the hull, and, in narrow waters, hearing it gently lap the shores as the moon reflects down on the river and us, makes wonderful river music and gives me time to think about another great day. Sometimes it is the stunningly colorful, lit-up bridges in places like Memphis, TN, or Muscatine, IA, that capture my attention.
To start another day experiencing the river, waking up to watch the sun peeking up over the horizon as the river fog lifts was a real treat. Of the series of photos I took, this is my favorite of that morning.
On a visit to this region of the Mississippi River, you will experience your hometown Americana, rich history, and breathtaking scenery, aboard the new fleet of small riverboats, that has inspired the country’s best artists, writers, and musicians. Cruises depart weekly from June through October. You will not want to miss this experience with American Cruise Lines. Check out the dates for our Upper Mississippi River cruise and speak to a Cruise Specialist. Explore all our Mississippi River cruises and book a cruise today.
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