Welcome Aboard
Your Mississippi River Cruise St. Louis, MO to St. Paul, MN
Small Ship Cruising Done Perfectly™
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 Recommended Reading...............................19
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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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Ports of Call
Minneapolis/ St. Paul Wisconsin
St. Louis, MO
La Crosse
Hannibal, MO Davenport, IA
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Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh
East
La Crosse, WI Liverpool
Indiana
Ohio
Illinois
Cincinnati
St. Louis
Portsmouth St. Paul, MN
Oh
Maysville Gallipolis Louisville
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Wheeling er
Marietta Red Wing, MN
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Hannibal
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Missouri
Dubuque, IA
Ottawa
Illin oi s
Dubuque Iowa Davenport
ippi Riv er iss ss
M i
io
Red Wing
Oh
Point Pleasant West Virginia
b R i e rl a ve n d r
Kentucky
Shilo
Memphis
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Helena
Tunica
Florence
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Dover m Itineraries are subject to change. r Cu Tennessee ive A detailed itinerary will be Savannah/ mailed with your boarding documents. Nashville Te n
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Chattanooga
Huntsville
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Getting to St. Louis and Your Ship
Whether driving, flying, or taking the train, getting to the ship is easy.
Your ship will be docked at:
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500 South Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63101
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Subject to change.
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 ship by taxi.
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
(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.
Hotels
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.
Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch (314) 231-3003 2 South 4th St. St. Louis, MO 63102 www.druryhotels.com American Cruise Lines offers a shuttle from this hotel to the ship. For more information, prices, or to reserve a space on the shuttle, please call your cruise specialist at (800) 894-8570.
Pear Tree Inn Union Station (314) 241-3200 2211 Market St. St. Louis, MO 63103 www.druryhotels.com Drury Inn Airport Hotel 10490 Natural Bridge Rd. St. Louis, MO 63134
Subject to change.
(314) 423-7700 www.druryhotels.com
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Boarding Your Ship Boarding Time
Please plan to arrive at the ship between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. You may not be able to access your stateroom until about 11:30 a.m. The ship will leave at 1:30 p.m. or earlier if all guests 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.
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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.
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. The Missisippi River near Alton, IL
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Meals and Cocktails Glasses, ice, mixers, and soft drinks are available at all times. For other liquor requests, your Hotel Manager will assist you.
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.
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 14-18.
Shore excursions come in two categories:
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Featured tours are complimentary to all guests. Premium tours typically cost between $20 and $70 and can be Premium paid for onboard, near the end of your cruise. Featured
You may sign up for most tours onboard with the Cruise Director. American Cruise Lines is dedicated to making your onshore experience a true American Adventure.
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.
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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
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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.
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 St. Paul, MO the evening prior to the final day of the cruise. The ship docks at the Lambert’s Landing, 180 Shepard Road, St. Paul, MN 55102. 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 St. Paul with one of the tours on page 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 St. Paul to: Minneapolis-St. Paul 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.
Subject to change.
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Port by Port Shore Tour Information
Subject to change.
H annibal, MO
Davenport, IA
Relive the adventures of Mark Twain’s time in Hannibal during a historic trolley tour. Your experienced guide will share the history of Hannibal and take you to places of historical significance, including the Rockcliffe Mansion, an amazing 13,500 square foot American castle built to overlook the mighty Mississippi River. This tour will highlight many of the exciting places that inspired Mark Twain’s famous tales.
Visit the newly renovated John Deere Pavilion and Store. The John Deere Pavilion shares the story of the company’s ongoing contributions to agricultural development through exhibits and equipment displays. Discover antique tractors, giant combines, and interactive displays on this self-guided tour.
Narrated Trolley Tour F
Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum
F
Discover the Hannibal of Samuel Clemens’ youth at the Mark Twain 14
John Deere Pavilion
Mark Twain boyhood home
Boyhood Home and Museum. Become reacquainted with one of the world’s most beloved authors at his historic home, then explore the inspirational setting for the stories he created by visiting the Huckleberry Finn house and Becky Thatcher house. Be sure to also visit Judge Clemens’ Justice of the Peace Office, the setting for Muff Potter’s trial and the Museum Gallery, which features a series of Norman Rockwell paintings.
John Hauberg Indian Museum
F
P
Enjoy a guided tour of the Hauberg Indian Museum. Located in the Black Hawk State Historic Site, this museum interprets the story of the Sauk and Meskwaki
Indians who once called this place home. During the tour, view fullsize replicas of Sauk winter and summer homes, dioramas with life-size figures of the Sauk and Meskwaki Indians, and traditional artifacts, including authentic trade goods and jewelry.
Dubuque, IA
National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
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Take an entertaining and informative journey along the mighty Mississippi at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. On this guided tour, you will discover the lives of the pioneers, explorers and artists who lived along the Mississippi River and get close
Carriage and paddlewheel outside the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque
to nature as you make your way through six large aquariums. The museum’s interactive exhibits will give you an inside look into the Mississippi’s past, present and future.
Historic City Tour
F
Step back in time and experience the elegance of Victorian era Dubuque during a tour through the town’s many historic
attractions. Learn about the architecture, families and events that made 19th century Dubuque such a unique treasure. Your guide will lead you through Dubuque’s beautiful historic sites, including the Mathias Ham House and The Old Jail Museum.
La Crosse, WI
Historic City Tour
P
Tour this wonderful city and view the historic late 19th and early 20th century buildings that define La Crosse. Gain insight into the architectural development of La Crosse from its boomtown Riverboat days through the roaring 20s. Discover the evolution of the historic downtown and the well-preserved residential neighborhoods during this narrated bus tour.
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Eco-Tour
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Spend an afternoon on this signature backwater cruise, specifically designed for nature lovers and bird watchers. Explore a variety of wetland habitats and discover the wide array of wildlife that lives within the “Upper Miss” wildlife refuge. Highlights include up close views of bald eagle nests, beaver lodges, sunning turtles, great blue herons, egrets, red fox, and playful river otters.
Hixon House
F
Take a step back in time at the Hixon House, a beautiful Victorian home. Built in 1859 by lumber baron, Gideon Hixon, this house features beautiful woodwork and an elegant interior design. Gideon’s wife, Ellen, decorated the Hixon House in an aesthetic fashion, and it has been preserved much as it was after its last remodelling and redecoration in 1900. The Hixon House also features its original furnishings, making it unusual among historic houses.
R ed Wing, MN Bald Eagle Viewing Cruise Bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River above St. Louis 16
F
Join Captain Rusty for a cruise along the river to see the majestic
creatures that call the shores of the Upper Mississippi home. Enjoy coffee and doughnuts as you cruise along, spotting wildlife along the way. There are 14 eagle nests within five miles of the dock. Captain Rusty will narrate and take you to see three 1,500 pound nests and their inhabitants.
You will be closer than you could ever imagine and will come away with a great appreciation for the bald eagle.
St. Paul, MN
American Cruise Lines recommends the following tours of St. Paul after the conclusion of your cruise.
Cathedrals to Capitols Tour
P Red Wing, MN
Red Wing Pottery Tour P In 1877, the Red Wing Stoneware Company opened its doors for business. The famous pottery maker is still open today, making kitchenware and decorative accent pieces for the entire home. Tour the Red Wing
Stoneware factory and observe firsthand the intricate processes that go into the creation of their beautiful pottery and stoneware. There will be time after the tour to shop in the factory store and to observe the production floor in action.
Discover the old world charm of Minnesota’s capital city during this downtown tour. This tour takes you to a number of historic buildings, including the State Capitol, Landmark Center, and the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Between each landmark, you will see lovingly restored Victorian homes adorned with wrought iron, stained glass and stone facades.
The Liquor Bandits The prohibition era was a fascinating time in St. Paul. Step 17
back into this tumultuous time with costumed guides who play the part of 1930s gangsters perfectly. Follow these famous bandits’ paths to wealth, riches, and the Federal Court House (now Landmark Center). Hear about the lives of these gangsters and learn how the criminal justice system functioned
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during the prohibition era. Told with humor and accuracy, you will learn while you laugh during this wonderful tour.
State Capitol Tour The Minnesota State Capitol is a breathtaking architectural feat. Soaring domes, historic
St. Paul, MN
government chambers and a renowned art collection are your backdrop on this guided tour through the capitol building. You many even have the opportunity to walk to the Quadriga, a chariot drawn by four golden horses located on the roof of the capitol.
Recommended Reading Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain Engrossing and entertaining anecdotes by a peerless storyteller from a now-finished chapter of American history. Old Man River: The Mississippi River in North American History by Paul Schneider Publisher: Holt, Henry & Company, Inc. “[A] vivid history.”—The New Yorker “Reminiscent of a Ken Burns documentary...this historical book becomes surprisingly moving and meditative.”—Cedar Rapids Gazette “Stunning...With such an expert hand on the tiller, Old Man River is an astonishing journey.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Jazz on the River by William Howland Kenney Publisher: University Of Chicago Press “Jazz on the River is the first book of its kind . . . We are treated here to a heady mix of local history, riverboat mythology, trends in the making of jazz, and even biographies of its leading luminaries. This is a beautiful book full of color and detail.”— Thomas Brothers, Duke University Immortal River: The Upper Mississippi in Ancient and Modern Times by Calvin R. Fremling Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press Immortal River is written for the educated lay-person who would like to know more about the river’s history and the forces that shape as well as threaten it today.
Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How it Changed America by John M. Barry Publisher: Simon & Schuster A New York Times Notable Book of the Year, winner of the Southern Book Critics Circle Award and the Lillian Smith Award. Upper Mississippi River History: Fact-Fiction-Legend Paperback by Ron Larson Publisher: Steamboat Press “If you love River Lore, like we do, you will love this book. It has stories, pictures, and some real history.”— Amazon Customer Review
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Thank you for cruising with us! (800) 894-8570 www.americancruiselines.com
741 Boston Post Rd., Suite 200 Guilford, CT 06437 (800) 894-8570 111814