The slow and luxurious life cruising along the lower Mississippi and other nearby rivers.
Our room rivaled those we have enjoyed in many an upscale hotel. there also were opportunities to explore inviting towns that provided deep dives into local history.
The food and table settings were both five-star. The lengthy list of available activities in our temporary home-away-from-home covered various interests.
Oh yes, there also were opportunities to explore inviting towns that provided deep dives into Civil War and other history, visit magnificent anti-bellum plantations and mansions, and stroll through their lovely gardens.
Adding to the allure of our Lower Mississippi River Cruise was the chance to explore museums that bring to life prehistoric times, Native American and African American stories, and a wide variety of numerous aspects of life in that fascinating corner of the country.
Big cruise ship amenities in an intimate setting.
My wife, Fyllis, and I were enjoying one of more than 50 small ship itineraries available from American Cruise Lines, which ply rivers and other waters through 35 states in vessels that hold between 90 and 180 passengers. The result combines a long list of facilities, amenities, and activities comparable to those available on the largest ocean-going mega-cruisers with the intimacy of a much smaller setting and far fewer people.
The company lives up to its invitation to “Cruise close to home.”
It offers trips along the Mississippi, Columbia, Ohio, Hudson, and other rivers; through the Chesapeake Bay and Maine’s coast; and on a list of other waterways.
Features include spacious outside staterooms with private balconies, a lengthy list of on-board and on-shore activities, and a welcome all-inclusive policy.
Even if we had been confined to the ship, Fyllis and I could have found diversions enough to fill many an hour. Resident historians and other speakers lead enlightening discussions. The complimentary evening cocktail hour, nightly entertainment, and other offerings compete with the appeal of enjoying the comforts of the expansive stateroom.
Watching the river pass by.
We enjoyed relaxing on our balcony, reading and watching the mighty Mississippi River. Between Memphis, Tennessee, our embarkation point, and Vicksburg, Mississippi, we saw a lot of nothingness. Both shorelines are blanketed with woodlands. The only river traffic was an occasional towboat pushing a long line of multiple barges.
These small but powerful vessels, also called pusher tugs and pusher boats, trace their ancestry back to steamboat days when those vessels began to tow wooden barges to earn additional revenue. After the Post-Civil War expansion of railroads ended the steamboat heyday, tow boats moved barges loaded with cargo, including cars and coal, food and fuel, and other goods.
Victor Block
Victor Block retains the travel bug after gallivanting throughout the United States and to more than 75 other countries worldwide and writing about what he sees, does, and learns. He believes travel is the best possible education and claims he still has much to learn. He loves to explore new destinations and cultures, and his stories about them have won many writing awards.