Posted on 04/14/2012 4:05:28 AM PDT by iowamark
Steamboat cruises are back on the Mississippi River as of today.
The Great American Steamboat Co. heads out of New Orleans today.
"They'll be offering three-, to seven- to fourteen-day cruises all up and down the Mississippi River," says Robert Jumonville, director of cruise and tourism at the Port of New Orleans.
They're steaming on the American Queen, which has been totally refurbished since it last sailed out of New Orleans in 2008.
"It's about 420 passengers and top-of-the line. They've done a really nice job of reconditioning it after it's been laid up for a couple of years," says Jumonville.
You don't have to take the entire eight-night cruise to Memphis.
"There are different lengths of cruises and you can sign on for different lengths of time."
Jumonville says you can just sail to Baton Rouge, if you want, and take a bus back to New Orleans. That's part of the package being offered.
The ship steams from its dock adjacent to the Hilton Riverside Towers.
"They're using the Hilton as one of their flagship hotels for pre-cruise stays. So the people just walk right out of the hotel and go on board the ship," Jumonville says.
"It's good for the city and it's good for the area," he says.
"These are not what you call the behemoths, but anything that boosts our tourism is good."
The American Queen, which formerly called on New Orleans, was retired in 2008 when its owner, Majestic America Line, closed. Great American Steamboat Co. is the new owner.
Cool!
My wife and I cruised from New Orleans to Vicksburg on the Delta Queen in 1975. Very slow-paced and relaxing.
I can hear the Calliopi playing now.
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