Deck 5 forward is a private balcony. You can walk the remainder of the deck, but not the front. Deck 5 Aft is a bar and the location of the keyboard for the Calliope which can you watch them play as you depart a port. You can even play it yourself on some days Continue reading American Queen Steamboat Decks 5 and 6
Author: Vickie Travelz
American Queen Steamboat Deck 4
The front of deck 4 is lined with rocking chairs. This is a beautiful place for coffee or simply sit and watch the river go by — however, it is open to the sun and the rain so it is not as popular as the Front Porch.
The deck is a bit sloped and it is very difficult to Continue reading American Queen Steamboat Deck 4
American Queen Steamboat – Deck 3
The “Front Porch” is on deck 3 forward- this is the buffet.
Drink machines, soft serve ice cream, soft cookies and popcorn also reside here. The buffet area is small but never seems too crowded. There is some inside seating but most of the seating is outside on the deck – it is covered so rain does not cause many problems. Continue reading American Queen Steamboat – Deck 3
American Queen Steamboat Deck 2
As you walk onto the American Queen for the first time, you will climb a flight of red carpeted stairs and enter through the doorway onto deck 2.
The woman’s parlor and men’s card room flank the hallway to the Mark Twain Gallery. Everything is decorated as old style luxury but tucked in the corner is the computer/internet area and the coffee station. Continue reading American Queen Steamboat Deck 2
American Queen Steamboat – Deck 1
As you board the boat for the first time, musicians and entertainers welcome you aboard the steamboat, setting the stage for a wonderful week. You always leave and return to the ship on this deck, scanning your passenger ID card. There is a water station on this deck so you can refill your water bottle before you leave.
Sometimes you can feel the engines on this deck while you are eating but it isn’t horrible. Continue reading American Queen Steamboat – Deck 1
American Queen Steamboat – Food
We sat with 3 other couples in the dining room and I am happy to say we are now Facebook friends and over a year later we still chat and email. There are several different size tables and you are assigned based on your preferences.
The food on the American Queen is very good and is brought on board fresh regularly. One night we were offered Bananas Foster for dessert, the next morning we had some bananas on the breakfast buffet so that night at dinner we we all joking and wondered if we would be offered banana pudding or if all of the bananas had been eaten.
Would you Enjoy an American Queen Steamboat River Cruise?
A river cruise on the American Queen Steamboat is not for everyone. There are 400 passengers on board and most of them are over the age of 60 – I heard someone say that the average age was 73. However, there are some people in their 30s and 40s who were taking a second cruise. Some people enjoyed the free bicycles but it was just too hot for me to even pretend that I was going to give them a try.
History is discussed in every town we visit and during one of the shows, there is a video presentation that reviews some history.
Music / Entertainment
The entertainers are very talented and the costumes are excellent. I have enjoyed every show even if I did not recognize the music.
Sitting on Deck watching the river
A favorite thing to do – read your book or just watch the river and talk to other people sitting near you.
Playing cards / board games
There are 3 inside areas for you to just hang out. They are not crowded but they are used as meeting places – the weather is so hot right now that people are escaping the outside. There are also books and board games available.
People who get bored easily, this is not the vacation for them. Although there is quite a bit to do, there is also lots of down time.
Traveled July 2019
#VickieTravelz
American Queen Steamboat Overview
Note: This is my first time on a river boat, I cannot compare the American Queen to any other river boat, I can only compare her to an Ocean Cruise Ship.
According to our Riverlorian, this is the largest and only working steamboat on the river. There is an American Flag flying from the ship and most of the accents are from different parts of the country, not different parts of the world. There are no children on board and the only 20 somethings I have seen have been staff . There are several Mother – Daughter couples and I just met a lady staying in the single person stateroom who is traveling with both her parents. *Update: there is one teen traveling with her mother.
Cincinnati OH and Covington KY
Our Upper Mississippi River Cruise is now an Ohio River Cruise and as a result, we have 1/2 a day to explore Cincinnati, OH and Covington, KY. Just a quick mention of the airport — it is nice. The walk to our luggage was pretty long but we chose to walk instead of taking the subway system and our luggage was waiting for us when we got there.
Disney Food and Wine Festival – Greece
Greece – 2018
We chose to experience the recommended pairing of Loaded Greek Nachos (Vegan) and Domaine Skouras Moscofilero.
We tasted the Moscofilero before the nachos and did not love it but once we began eating, we found the pairing of the wine and food to be perfect. Continue reading Disney Food and Wine Festival – Greece