Diary of a Traveler on the American Queen--Day 2

Dairy of a Traveler on the American Queen---Day 2

American Queen Steamboat Company
www.greatamericansteamboatcompany.com
By Janelle Woodyard

Food. Who doesn't love food? The cuisine aboard the American Queen has surpassed my expectations! Chef Regina Charboneau is doing an incredible job! There is always food someplace on this vessel. Hors d' oeuvres, desserts and tea can be found at the Captain's Bar. The Front Porch, opened 24 hours a day, offers fresh popped popcorn, soft serve ice cream, mouth-watering cookies (I loved the peanut butter cookies.), a hot beverage machine (with a choice of espresso, latte, cappuccino, americano, mocha, and hot chocolate), a cold drink machine (with a choice of orange juice cranberry juice, lemonade and fruit punch), and a soda fountain machine featuring Coca-Cola products. All of this is available at no additional charge.

Today's features at the River Grill included a salad with chopped hearts of romaine, concassee of tomato, sweet red pepper, and cucumber with a choice of lemon vinaigrette or green goddess dressing. I also tried the orzo and wild rice salad which had red peppers, and dried cranberries with a sherry vinaigrette dressing...very tasty. Chef Unza outdid himself with the Louisiana style smoked sausage, smoked pork ribs, and smoked strip loin.
   

 Tonight's menu in the J.M. White dining room, started with melon and parma ham and crawfish beignet. The next course was the sweet potato ginger soup, topped with orange scented creme fraiche. It was DELICIOUS! My salad was an oven roasted tomato with fresh mozzarella laced with reduced balsamic drizzle. YUM! The entrees were lamb chops with tomato mint marmalade, grilled chicken with sun dried tomato cream sauce, vegetable curry with chick peas and pan-seared salmon in pepper-brown sugar glaze (which is what I had). It also came with out-of-this world scalloped potatoes (which, I can promise you, is not your momma's recipe) and steamed asparagus. What an incredible dinner. I never thought that a steamboat would have such a variety of food.

Today, we docked in the quaint town of Maysville, Kentucky, birthplace of Rosemary Clooney.
Our hop on-hop off bus tour stopped at the Floodwall River Murals, The Opera House, The Kentucky Gateway Museum Center, and the Russell Theatre.

On display at Kentucky Gateway Museum Center www.kentuckygatewaymuseumcenter.org is Kathleen Savage Browning's miniature collection. Never in my life have I seen such detail and craftsmanship on such a small scale.

Next time I'm in Maysville, I need to take the Underground Railroad Tour, which features the Harriet Beecher Stowe (author of Uncle Tom's Cabin) Slavery to Freedom Museum and National Underground Railroad Museum.




On this rainy afternoon, I visited with Riverlorian Jerry Hay www.riverlorian.com in the Chart Room. I was so impressed with his knowledge of the river and his stories that I purchased his hardcopy book, Beyond the Bridges. I can't wait to read this as we cruise up the Ohio River.





The Lovin Spoonful was our featured guest tonight. What an amazing tribute to true musicianship that after 40 years, this band is still making music. On top of all that, we had the opportunity to tour staterooms from a single, to suites, to adjoining rooms. I'll have to write about that another time.

What a packed day!

Diary of a Traveler on the American Queen-Day 1

Dairy of a Traveler on the American Queen---Day 1

By Janelle Woodyard

Do you remember a time when you felt excitement in the air? For children, it might be a birthday party, Christmas or Chanukah. As we get older, it might be the thrill of a new house or a new car. Or what about the excitement of going on vacation to a place you've always wanted to go. For me, I got that feeling today when I looked over the Ohio River and saw the American Queen docked in Cincinnati.

There have been many highlights today so I'll start from the beginning. We flew from Orlando, to Charlotte, to Cincinnati and took a taxi to the Public Landing where we boarded the beautiful American Queen. (Our taxi drive is a story all by itself. Long story short, I gave the driver the address. He didn't know where the Cincinnati Public Landing was located and then he asked me if I had a GPS. Then he pulled over and asked a taxi driver from another company for directions. It was definitely a scene from a movie or a Jerry Seinfeld episode.)

We finally arrived at the Cincinnati Public Landing and before we stepped foot onto the gangway, we were greeted with southern hospitality and smiles. Shore excursions are included in the cruise fare so we took a tour of Cincinnati via the hop on-hop off motor coach.
Stops included: 
1) Cincinnati Red Hall of Fame and Museum 
2) National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
3) Fountain Square (where we heard a choir participating in the World Choir)
4) Krohn Conservatory
5) Eden Park Observation Point
6) Cincinnati Art Museum
7) Newport on the Levee and the Newport Aquarium 
What a fantastic way to see the city. The buses circulate every 20 minutes so it was convenient to hop off, visit a stop, hop back on and head to the next stop. 

Once I stepped onboard the American Queen, I felt like I was traveling back in time. The victorian decor is absolutely beautiful from the staterooms, to the Captain's Bar, to the Grand Saloon, to the J. W. Dining room, just to name a few. Fabulous Food: From treats at tea time, to hors d' oeuvres at the Cocktail Party, and through all the courses at dinner, everything tasted delicious. 


Excellent Entertainment: American Queen Steamboat Company did not hold back on the quality of any of their entertainment. Phil tickled the ivories and Bob plucked the banjo, which added to the ambience of the paddle wheeler. But I have to say The Memphis Suns far exceeded my expectations. They not only hit a home run, it was a grand slam! Great vocals, incredible musicianship, and very entertaining. 


Day one is done. The sun has set, the moon is glistening on the water, and I think everyone aboard is asleep except for the captain. I can't wait for day two.

Disney Dream Tour

Disney Dream Tour

By Janelle Woodyard

“I’ve always wanted to take a Disney Cruise.”  Have you ever said that? Or have you heard someone else state that desire?  I had the opportunity to tour the Disney Dream and I have to say, if it is your dream to take a Disney cruise, take the steps to make it happen.  If you’ve ever been to a Disney theme park, you know Walt Disney World does things first class.  From the moment you drive onto the Disney property, the magic infiltrates your vehicle.  The same thing happens when you cruise with Disney, from the moment you enter the cruise terminal, magic fills the air.

Dining:

While dining on the Disney Dream, each night you rotate between 3 dining rooms (Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden, and the Royal Palace.)  The staff rotates with you and as a result, they are able to cater to your every need.

For adult only dining consider the Palo ($20) or Remy ($75) for a romantic and luxury experience.

Staterooms:

I toured a number of the staterooms including the Concierge’s staterooms, Oceanviews, and inside cabins.

Concierge’s staterooms:

Concierge Guests have access to a sundeck that is only available to other Concierge Guests.  Rooms also come with a queen-size bed, a full bath and a half, refrigerator, iPod docking station, and a privacy curtain.  Concierge suites (Royal Suites-approximately 1,781 sq ft or 1-bedroom suites-approximately 622 sq ft) are also available with the finest, most luxurious accommodations.  Call for additional details.

Oceanview staterooms:

Oceanview staterooms come with a queen size bed, one porthole-some have obstructed views.  The most common stateroom is the Deluxe Oceanview with the Verandah, which sleeps 3-4.

Inside Staterooms:

One of my favorite features about the inside cabins is the porthole with live video footage of what you would actually see if you had an oceanview.  These rooms also come with queen size bed, and an iPod Docking station.

Kids Area:

When I walked into the little people’s section, Oceaneer Club, I felt like I was sprinkled with Tinker Bell’s pixie dust.  This area has a plethora of hands on activities including: Andy’s Room, Monsters Academy, Pixie Hollow, and Explorer Pod.  Then this area breaks off into Disney’s Oceaneer Lab which includes themed spaces: Media Room, Animator’s Studio, The Wheelhouse, Sound Studio, and Craft Studio.  Too bad I’m not young enough to stay in the area. 

Disney makes everything fun…even washing hands.  When the children enter the Oceaneer Club there is a hand washing station that is like a dish washer for your hands. Simply put your hands in the tunnels and the warm water starts swirling around.  Yes. I actually tried it and it was incredible.  I wonder what it would take to get that into classrooms.

Pre-teens and Teens:

 Pre-teens will want to stop by the Edge.  The Edge is filled with activities and entertainment that rock!

Teens love the Vibe.  It comes complete with a SunDeck, a dance floor, and a coffee shop.  Some activities include Zombiefied and Ghost Voyagers.

Nightclubs and Lounges:

Disney Dream has several nightclubs and lounges in the District including Pink (a chic cocktail bar) The District Lounge, Evolution (a dance club), 687 (sports lounge, where they brew their own beer), and my favorite Skyline Lounge (every 20 minutes the skyline changes to another destination, along with the music and lights to accommodate the new scene.) The District reminded me of Disney’s Pleasure Island but on a cruise ship. 

Did You Know:

-When you sign in online, you receive a boarding time.  This is the time you are to board the ship and having a specific boarding time cuts down on the wait time to board.

-You can also schedule your spa appointment online prior to your cruise.

-When you board the ship, you feel more Disney magic as they announce your family’s name as if you were a princess entering the Ball.

-The Buena Vista Theatre is a movie theatre where they show first run movies.

-Disney holds a 5k at Castaway Cay, their private island.

-All non-alcoholic beverages are included in the cruise fare.

-Disney voyages include deck parties and fireworks at sea.

What’s stopping you from planning your Disney Dream Cruise?  I can help plan the Disney Dream cruise that you’ve always wanted to take.

As Walt Disney said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."


Visit www.lifesrudder.com.

A New Take on Traditional

A New Take on Traditional 

American Cruise Lines introduces a new riverboat

 to bring back the historic pastime of Mississippi River cruising

By American Cruise Lines

Just about a month before completion and four months away from its inaugural sailing, American Cruise Lines’ Queen of the Mississippi is gleaming in the Salisbury, Maryland sunlight at Chesapeake Shipbuilding, where she is being built. 

At first glance, you’d think you may be looking at one of the historic riverboats that once graced the Mississippi River. But this one’s brand new – built especially for the Mississippi River in an effort to rejuvenate the beloved historic pastime of cruising the American Heartland. 

Although brand new – in fact, the first authentic paddlewheeler to be built for the Mississippi in nearly 20 years – the Queen of the Mississippi does not compromise authenticity. She’ll be as traditional as a Mississippi riverboat can get – complete with a fully functioning paddlewheel, calliope and steam whistle. You can think of it as traditional with a twist – a blend of old and new. 

Passengers on American Cruise Lines’ Queen of the Mississippi can expect to step back in time to the grand era of steamboating on the most elegant paddlewheeler to ever grace the Mississippi River. She will embody the spirit of traditional Mississippi River cruising and the grandeur of the riverboats of the past. Yet beneath the gleaming woodwork and brass fixtures are modern safety and environmental technologies. 

The Queen of the Mississippi offers all the comforts and amenities today’s passengers have come to expect: oversized staterooms (the largest in the industry at over 300 square feet), private balconies, sliding glass doors, full size hotel-style bathrooms, room service, and more (all complimentary). Coupled with a smaller capacity of 150 passengers and personalized service, American Cruise Lines offers a new, more intimate experience on the River aboard the Queen of the Mississippi. 

This fresh approach plus the rich history and lively culture of this cruising region (showcased through perfectly planned shore tours), truly makes for a cruise of a lifetime.

For additional information on cruises aboard the Queen of the Mississippi, please contact Janelle at www.lifesrudder.com.

Steamboat History

Steamboat History

By Janelle Woodyard

Whenever I think about steamboats, Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn comes to mind. “We laid there all day, and watched the rafts and steamboats spin down the Missouri shore, and up-bound steamboats fight the big river in the middle.” Or, remember the famous scene when Jim and Huckleberry’s raft was demolished by the riverboat in the middle of the night?   

Before trains made their place in history, there was the mighty steamboat. Three men were responsible for impacting the industry, John Fitch, Robert Fulton, and Robert R. Livingston.  From 1785 to 1796, John Fitch built four steamboats, his first trial boat traveled the Delaware River.  In 1811, Fulton and Livingston constructed a vessel for use from New Orleans to Natchez.

Steamboats were used to transport cargo such as cotton, sugar, and of course, passengers at a rate of 8 miles an hour.  As steamboat and paddleboat technology increased so did the speed of vessels.  However, by the 1870’s locomotives chugged their way into history with faster and more efficient travel.  As a result, the steamboat was left behind swirling down the river. 

Today, steamboats are gaining popularity with the leisure traveler. Whether cruising in the Northeast or Southeast United States, down the Mississippi River, Alaska or the Pacific Northwest, stepping aboard, hearing the whistle blow and seeing the paddles turn, will definitely take you back in time.

Recommended Reading: Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Life on the Mississippi

American Queen Makes Inaugural Sailing

 

American Queen Makes Inaugural Sailing

by Janelle Woodyard

The Great American Steamboat Company is excited about the inaugural sailing of the American Queen, in April. As a Memphis based company, they have chosen Priscilla Presley as the godmother.  Memphis is not only home to the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, it is also a city packed with steamboat history.  

In continuing our blog series on steamboats, I’ve invited Rick Simonson, Regional Sales Director with Great American Steamboat Company, to share with us some perks cruisers can expect from riverboat cruising.

The Great American Steamboat Company eagerly anticipates your arrival. Awaiting you on board the Steamer American Queen is uncompromising elegance and hospitality, meticulous attention to detail and refined amenities that outshine the slender of even the golden age of river travel. It has been far too long since genuine steamboats have graced the rivers of America. With the formation of the Great American Steamboat Company, Steamboating is back and better than ever. In April of this year, the Steamer American Queen will resume her proud role of taking guests on Steamboating Adventures through the heartland of America. While onboard you will enjoy the acclaimed cuisine of famed chef Regina Charboneau, enjoy complimentary bottled water and soft drinks. Dinner includes complimentary wine and beer. Each voyage offers you a pre–cruise luxury hotel stay with breakfast and complimentary shore adventures. All staterooms feature gourmet coffee brewers and Starbucks® coffee. Gracious, friendly service from a professionally trained all-American staff, elegant-casual attire, daily lectures by the Riverlorian (our onboard historian, professional showboat-style entertainment. Traveling onboard the Steamer American Queen adds up to the greatest value in all-American vacations.

 

Do you like being a part of history?  Are you looking for a quaint get away?  If so, you don’t want to miss the christening of the American Queen on her inaugural sailing from Memphis to Cincinnati, on April 25, 2012.  You'll voyage up the Mississippi River to the Ohio River.  Once you arrive in Cincinnati, you'll be able to witness the Kentucky Derby Festival's Great Steamboat Race, featuring the American Queen, Belle of Louisville and Belle of Cincinnati. 

Fares are from $1,995 per guest.  At the time of this post, only 37 rooms remain available.  For additional information on this memorable riverboat cruise, please contact janelle@lifesrudder.com.

Cruising in America

 

 

Cruising in America

By Janelle Woodyard

 

Do you feel like you could never take a cruise because you don't want to be a small dot in the huge ocean? Do you have a fear of traveling to other countries because of the language barrier? Are you concerned about your safety while traveling outside the United States? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be the perfect candidate for a river cruise in the good ol' USA.

 

Five reasons people enjoy cruising the American rivers

No passports: Passports are highly recommended when taking a cruise outside the United States Remember, once you step onboard the ship you are on foreign land. However, if you cruise and stay in the United States, passports are not needed. There is no need to go through customs or complete any customs declaration paperwork. Simple board the riverboat and you are on your way.

 

Great American Cities: Did you know riverboats depart from some great cities: Portland, Providence, New York, Charleston, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Memphis, New Orleans, Jacksonville. You can even catch a riverboat cruise in Alaska from Seattle and Juneau.

Small Ship Cruising: Passenger counts on cruise ships can range from 1,500 to 6,000. Riverboat cruises hold anywhere from 75 to 400 passengers. Need a small, quaint get away? Check out this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXUS8C1WSy4&feature=fvsr

Themed Cruises: Do you love music from the 50's, 60's or how about Big Band? How about speciality cruises including Civil War, The Kentucky Derby? Can you imagine seeing the colorful fall leaves from a riverboat? Or how about celebrating holidays like July 4th, or Thanksgiving in a way you've never done?

Destinations: Riverboat cruises offer a chance to explore American history, heritage, and culture while cruising down peaceful and serene rivers including: The Mississippi River, The Ohio and Tennessee Rivers, and the St. Johns River, in Florida. Can you imagine voyaging through Alaska on a riverboat?

Looking for an incredible way to journey through our great country without passports, without getting out of the sight of land, and without a language barrier? Consider riverboat cruising. Contact me today for a free brochure (www.lifesrudder.com).

Have you ever cruised on our great rivers? If so, what did you enjoy most?

All this talk of riverboat cruising makes me think of Huckleberry Finn.

Enjoy America!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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