Small Ship Cruising Done Perfectly™
Welcome Aboard Your Mississippi River Cruise St. Louis, MO to Memphis, TN
Table of Contents Welcome................................................................... 3 Itinerary Overview............................................... 4 Getting to St. Louis and Your Ship............. 6 Staying in St. Louis............................................. 7 Boarding Your Ship............................................ 8 What to Bring .........................................................9 Meals & Cocktails............................................. 10 General Shore Tour information............... 11 General Onboard Information................... 12 Concluding Your Cruise................................ 13 End of Cruise Transportation Services.13 Port by Port Shore Tour Information...... 14
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Welcome Aboard Thank you for choosing American Cruise Lines. From your reservation to your experience aboard your ship, American Cruise Lines is with you every step of the way. Your cruise specialist is always just a phone call away and will be happy to assist you with everything from celebrating a special occasion to ensuring that your stateroom is just the way you like it.
The following pages will answer many of your questions about the cruise and your onboard experience. Your cruise specialist is available and can be reached at (800) 894-8570. www.americancruiselines.com
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Memphis
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Chester, IL Virginia Cape Girardeau, MO Paducah, KY Columbus, KY New Madrid, MO Memphis, TN
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Itineraries are subject to change. Baton Rouge ALouisiana detailed itinerary will be mailed with your boarding documents. 4
Oak Alley
New Orleans
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Getting to St. Louis and Queen of the Mississippi Whether driving, flying, or taking the train, getting to the ship is easy.
Queen of the Mississippi Will Be Docked At: 500 South Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63101
ship by taxi. If you arrive the day before your cruise, a shuttle will be offered from the Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch. For more information, prices, or to reserve a space on the shuttle, please call your cruise specialist at (800) 894-8570.
Driving To St. Louis The ship is docked at 500 South Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63101. Upon arrival, you will see American Cruise Lines deckhands in bright red shirts ready to assist you. You may drop your bags off at the ship before parking so they can be brought to your stateroom in advance. Parking is available near the landing. Mansion House Garage 330 N. 4th Street St. Louis, MO 63101
Flying Into St. Louis: Lambert-St. Louis International Airport is the best airport to fly into. It is serviced by most major airlines, and is approximately 20 minutes from the 6
(314) 621-8723
A shuttle is offered from the garage back to the ship. For more information, prices, or to reserve a space on the shuttle, please call your cruise specialist at (800) 894-8570. Subject to change.
Staying in St. Louis
SHIP LOCATION 500 South Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63101
Hotels
Mansion House Garage 330 N. 4th Street St. Louis, MO 63101
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If you are arriving to St. Louis the night before your cruise, these hotels are located a few minutes from the ship. Please ask for the special American Cruise Lines rate. Each hotel can arrange for taxi service to the ship.
Exit 250A
Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch (314) 231-3003 2 South 4th St. St. Louis, MO 63102 www.druryhotels.com A shuttle is offered from this hotel to the ship. Please see “Flying into St. Louis” on the previous page for details.
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Boarding Your Ship Boarding Time Please plan to arrive at the ship between 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The ship will leave at 1:30 p.m. or earlier if all passengers have arrived. From the moment you arrive, everything will be handled for you. American Cruise Lines deckhands wear a distinctive red shirt and will unload your
luggage from your car or taxi and bring it to your stateroom aboard the ship. Please keep your boarding passes with you, as it is not necessary for you to stay with your luggage. The Cruise Director will be awaiting your arrival at the gangway of the ship. Please present your boarding passes and photo ID at this time.
Luggage and Luggage Tags American Cruise Lines places no restrictions on luggage. However, it is recommended that you bring as few bags as necessary. Suitcases less than 10 inches high may be stowed under your bed. You will be receiving luggage tags with your boarding pass before your cruise. If you would like additional tags, your cruise specialist will be happy to send you more. If you have cruised with us before, please remove your old luggage tags.
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Subject to change.
What to Bring Casual resort attire is recommended both on the ship and ashore. For dinner, men’s clothing might include a sport shirt and slacks, with sport coat or sweater. Women might find a sweater and slacks, or a dress appropriate.
American Cruise Lines also recommends that you bring the following: • • • • • • • •
Comfortable resort attire Comfortable walking shoes Sunscreen Hat Light rain wear Jacket for cool evenings Camera Photo identification
Please do not hesitate to ask your Hotel Manager for any item that you may have forgotten.
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Meals and Cocktails American Cruise Lines offers open seating at every meal in the Dining Salon on the Main Deck. Dress is resort attire. At dinner, men often wear a sport coat and women often wear a dress.
Glasses, ice, mixers, and soft drinks are available at all times. For other liquor requests, your Hotel Manager will assist you.
Breakfast is prepared to order at your leisure between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
Special Diets and Medications American Cruise Lines will cater to any special dietary needs. Please tell your cruise specialist approximately two weeks prior to your cruise so that we may plan accordingly.
Lunch is served at 12:30 p.m. Dinner service begins at 6:30 p.m., and you are welcome to join us at any time before 7:30 p.m. American Cruise Lines provides complimentary wine and beer during lunch and dinner service. A complimentary cocktail hour with full bar is hosted each evening at 5:30 p.m. before dinner. 10
Refrigeration is available to store insulin or other medications requiring protection. Subject to change.
Shore Tours Please note that all shore tours are subject to availability and change. Your onshore experience is as important as your onboard experience, so American Cruise Lines has taken special care to research and plan excursions at each port. With American Cruise Lines, you will experience what makes each destination a special place. Every tour will take you to the finest local sites at each port and give you true insight to the area’s culture, heritage and history. On each excursion, you’ll be joined by local experts, historians or naturalists to further enhance your experience. FOR DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF EACH TOUR, PLEASE SEE PAGES 14-19.
For additional information about the places you will visit or alternative activities available, your Cruise Director or onboard guest speaker will be happy to help. You may sign up for shore excursions onboard with the Cruise Director. Shore excursions typically cost between $20 and $70 and can be paid onboard near the end of your cruise. American Cruise Lines is dedicated to making your onshore experience a true American adventure. 11
General Onboard Information American Cruise Lines will work to meet your onboard needs and cater to special requests. If at any point there is an item that you would like to see provided, please let your Hotel Manager or Cruise Director know.
Emergency Messages Emergency messages can be directed to the main office in Connecticut at (800) 894-8570. They will be relayed to the ship at the first opportunity. You are urged to provide American Cruise Lines with email addresses and cellular phone numbers, as well as an emergency contact prior to your departure date. Cell phones are generally available onboard the ship for emergency purposes.
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Tipping Tipping is entirely at your personal discretion. Tips are generally given to the Hotel Manager near the end of the cruise. They are then divided equally among the stewards and deckhands. Tips generally average about $125 per person on a 7-night cruise. Stewards and deckhands do not expect and cannot accept tips directly. Credit cards, personal or travelers checks, and cash are accepted. If you choose to pay by credit card, please contact the Hotel Manager at least one day before the end of your cruise.
Subject to change.
Concluding Your Cruise On most cruises, the ship will arrive in Memphis, TN the evening prior to the final day of the cruise. The ship docks at the Beale Street Landing located at 251 South Riverside Dr., Memphis, TN 38103. On the last day of your cruise, breakfast is served from 7:00 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. and passengers may disembark until 8:30 a.m. At the conclusion of your cruise, consider extending your stay in Memphis with one of the tours on pages 18 and 19. Your Hotel Manager or Cruise Director will be available to assist with tour arrangements.
End of Cruise Transportation Services For passengers flying home, American Cruise Lines offers transportation from the ship in Memphis to:
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport or Mansion House Garage in St. Louis - departs the ship at 7:30 a.m. Memphis International Airport – departs the ship at 8:30 a.m. For more information, prices, or reservations, please call your cruise specialist at (800) 894-8570. During the cruise, your Hotel Manager or Cruise Director will also be happy to assist you with travel arrangements.
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Port by Port Shore Tour Information Chester, IL Located on the bluffs of the Mississippi River, Chester is known as The City of Popeye as it is the birthplace of his creator, Elzie Segar. Founded in the early 18th century, Chester offers a combination of beautiful natural surroundings and interesting small town history. Join a local guide who will tell you about the people and places of this little corner of America.
Overlook at Trail of Tears State Park
Cape Girardeau, MO Trail of Tears State Park Trail of Tears State Park commemorates the tragedy of the forced march of Cherokees through North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas to Oklahoma. The park allows you to 14
Bluffs lining the Mississippi
Old St. Vincent’s Church
Paducah Quilt Museum
retrace the steps of the Cherokee through a series paintings, maps, and artifacts.
prehistoric Native American artifacts, and interpretive regional history displays.
Narrated City Tour & Old St. Vincent’s Church
Paducah, KY
Join a local guide on a narrated tour through Cape Girardeau’s beautiful Old St. Vincent’s Church. The church’s English Gothic Revival architecture is both beautiful and rare, as very few churches of this style still exist in America today. After visiting Old St. Vincent’s Church, travel down the street to the Crisp Museum which features fine art exhibitions,
Discover Paducah’s colorful history during a guided tour through the town’s historic district. Visit the thriving riverfront, where you will view over 50 life-sized murals depicting Paducah’s rich history. Conclude your tour at The National Quilt Museum. Known as “Quilt City, USA,” Paducah attracts visitors from across the globe
Paducah City Tour
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that come to marvel at the artistry of the Museum’s collection of quilts and exhibits.
River Heritage Museum Hear stories of the people and events that helped shape life along the Ohio River during a guided tour of the River Heritage Museum. Housed in downtown Paducah’s oldest standing structure, the museum’s interactive exhibits tell the story of the four rivers 16
Columbus-Belmont State Park
region. Featured exhibits include a pilothouse simulator and a working lock and dam display.
Art Demonstration Tour Home to the nationally recognized Artist Relocation Program, LowerTown is situated just four blocks from the Ohio River and historic downtown Paducah. During
this art demonstration tour, you will visit the studios and galleries of Paducah’s resident artists, where you will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on creative workshops, hear the artists’ personal stories of how they relocated to Paducah and enjoy their works of art.
Columbus, KY Columbus-Belmont State Park & Museum The Columbus-Belmont State Park is listed as a National Trail of Tears Site and is a location on the Civil War Heritage Trail. Explore the park museum, which served as a Confederate hospital during the Civil War. Now, a historian with the persona and attire of a Civil War soldier will take you through the restored building sharing the history and stories of this fascinating museum.
New Madrid, MO Narrated Walking Tour Stroll through the quaint town of New Madrid, filled with Old South traditions and historical attractions. Beginning at the ship, you will visit the River Walk, the New Madrid Historical Museum, Veteran’s Park, the Greek Revival County
Courthouse, and the Hart-Stepp House, the oldest home in New Madrid. You may then continue on to the Hunter-Dawson State Historic Site, an antebellum plantationwith a restored mansion.
Memphis, TN American Cruise Lines recommends the following tours of Memphis after the conclusion of your cruise.
Blues, Soul, Rock & Roll Tour Explore the birth and growth of American Music in the city where it all began! When the Smithsonian began to research the history of popular music in this country, they declared that “all roads led to Memphis.” Enjoy stops at the Memphis Rock & Soul Museum, and the famous Sun Studio, known as the birthplace of Rock & Roll, where Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty and numerous others got their start.
Deluxe Graceland Tour Walk in the footsteps of the King of Rock & Roll during a tour through Elvis’ home, Graceland. The full Graceland experience will take you from Elvis’ humble beginnings through his rise to superstardom. 17
Explore Elvis’ famous “Jungle Room”, where the star recorded one of his final albums. See where Elvis lived, relaxed and spent time with his friends and family, or explore the Elvis Presley Car Museum and admire over 33 vehicles owned by Elvis.
Memphis Pink Palace Museum The Pink Palace Museum is one of the largest museums in the Mid-South. Explore the cultural and natural history of the Mid-South through the museum’s exciting exhibits, dioramas, and audio-visuals. Walk through a replica of the first self-service grocery store in the country, Clarence Saunders’ Piggly Wiggly and journey to a distant galaxy at the museum’s planetarium. One of Elvis’s Cadillacs
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Graceland 19
Thank you for cruising with us! (800) 894-8570 www.americancruiselines.com
741 Boston Post Rd., Suite 200 Guilford, CT 06437 (800) 894-8570 130325