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My husband, Bob, and I took a step back into history as we boarded the American Queen steamboat. Our room opened onto the veranda, which had a table and chairs so we could watch life along the river. Furniture throughout the boat is Victorian. Dress is casual.
The theme of our cruise was Bourbon and Bluegrass. At each port, we either took a hop-on, hop-off bus that resembles the steamboat and circles the town with local guides on board, or we took a longer tour that followed the theme.
We boarded at Cincinnati and cruised the Ohio River to the Mississippi River, then north to St. Louis. Our first tour was to Bardstown, Ky., where we visited a bourbon distillery and had lunch at the Talbott Tavern, built in 1779. Our bluegrass tour included a museum and concert in Owensboro, Ky. In Paducah, Ky., we hopped off at a railroad museum and Bob drove a freight-engine simulator. We rode the bus around Cape Girardeau, Mo., shooting location for the “Gone Girl” movie.
There were two steamboating days — one thanks to a change in the river that caused us to miss a port. There were many shows and activities both days. A “riverlorian” — a river historian — began each day with a chat. The Mark Twain Lounge was a good place to read with a cup of tea. Endless bottles of water were replenished in the room and offered when disembarking. We could get ice cream anytime at the Front Porch Cafe. We never missed an evening show of music and dance in the Grand Saloon, a copy of Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.
We ate most meals in the J.M. White Dining Room and occasionally at the Front Porch (inside or outside on the forward deck). A barbecue on the Front Porch featured the resident musicians. Wine was plentiful during dinner.
We enjoyed nightly programs by the piano/singer, from sing-alongs to storytelling highlighted by his own songs. He played the calliope when leaving port or a river lock. Late-night music for dancing was in the Engine Room Bar that overlooks the engine room, which passengers can visit. By that time we were ready to
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Details: 888-749-5280, www.american queensteamboatcompany.com.