For those looking to take a cruise closer to home, there are plenty of great rivers to sail down domestically with American Queen Steamboat Company.
The Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, Columbia and Snake Rivers and Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers all call to those seeking to connect with the United States in a unique way.
The American Duchess, American Empress and American Queen comprise a fleet of traditional paddlewheelers, sailing in grand style and comfort along the inland waterways.
The cruise line experience is all-inclusive, beginning with a complimentary one-night hotel stay and extending to all onboard meals, wine and beer at dinner, soft drinks throughout, Wi-Fi internet access and shore excursions in each port.
While entertainment is also freely featured onboard, the destinations are truly the stars. Shoreside hop-on-hop-off-style tours are included, with a selection of premium shore excursions are available for an extra charge as well.
For example, the Lower Mississippi offers the "Grand Southern Plantation Tour" in Nottoway, Louisiana; and "On the Front Lines of the Civil War" in Vicksburg, Mississippi-both great for history buffs. Music aficionados might set sail on the Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers for "Sweet Home Alabama: A Musical Journey through Time" in Florence, Alabama; and "Nashville Music City USA Tour" in none other than Nashville, Tennessee.
Similarly, the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers present "In Lincoln's Footsteps" in Alton, Illinois; and the Columbia and Snake Rivers hosts "The Lewis and Clark Experience" in Astoria, Oregon.
Meanwhile, the American Duchess and American Queen also cover the Lower Mississippi with five- to 23-day trips. "The Mighty Mississippi" epic three-week-plus one is the line's top seller going all the way from New Orleans to Minneapolis. Jazz lovers and foodies surely can understand why.
But it doesn't stop there because the Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers are also handled by the American Duchess and American Queen with 8- or 9-day trips. (Mind you, the April 29, 2018, Derby Cruise from Louisville to Cincinnati is already sold out.) Other available sailings still feature ports like Paducah, Owensboro, Brandenburg and Madison that weave into "The Art of Quilting" theme cruise.
In fact, all American Queen Steamboat Company itineraries tout a theme, thus adding a narrative layer to the line's already fascinating routes. No matter the chosen river, the American Duchess, American Empress and American Queen can deliver the country by cruise distinctly.
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