Cruise Your Way into Nashville

The musical and cultural epicenter of Nashville is about to get a whole lot more interesting.

There’s no better way to highlight the up-and-coming destination than to book a sailing and thanks to American Queen Steamboat Company’s upcoming river cruises, you can do just that. The weeklong roundtrip Nashville route—as on December 10, 2017, ensures time in port beyond merely embarking and disembarking. In fact, the last full day features the city before the end of the cruise with a special event.

The voyage includes a ticket for every guest to enjoy the “Opry at the Ryman Show” at the historic Ryman Auditorium. The Grand Ole Opry is where country music shines and each concert brings on to the stage eight or more musical stars for a varied taste of the genre. It’s the perfect way to conclude a final dinner aboard the American Duchess.

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The all-suite paddlewheeler is guests’ home away from home along the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. Passengers appreciate free shore excursions in every port, complimentary wine and beer with dinner and cappuccino, espresso, bottled water and soft drinks at all times.

Other celebrated points of interest to be explored in Nashville include Ann Patchett’s Parnassus bookstore and The Catbird Seat restaurant. To delve even further into the destination’s treasure trove of musical history, American Queen offers a premium post-cruise Nashville Music City USA Tour.

The “Music City” comes to life with included stops at The Country Music Hall of Fame—also known as “The Smithsonian of Country Music”—where permanent exhibitions encompass “Sing Me Back Home” and “A Journey Through Country Music.” Rounding out the five-hour excursion is a scenic driving tour.

Also this year on December 15, 2017, the Duchess leaves on its 9-day Nashville to Memphis itinerary. After boarding, a full day is once more featured in the signature destination prior to departure, and the Opry at the Ryman production is again included. The aforementioned premium exclusion is here available as a pre-cruise tour option adding a half hour for lunch.

READ MORE: The Best Rivers to Cruise in America

The company will return in 2018 as well with Roundtrip Nashville cruises on November 11 and December 3, as well as Nashville to Memphis on December 10. A reverse Memphis to Nashville trip will open the season on November 4, and other Nashville to Chattanooga on November 18 and Chattanooga to Nashville on November 25 varieties will infill.

Besides Nashville, these itineraries also reach other gems in Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and Alabama that are themselves not to be missed. The American Duchess sports its own wonderful venues like The River Club & Terrace and Grand Dining Room in which to recharge onboard.

The American Queen Steamboat Company brings it all together in a timeless package.

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