Sail Away

Chapter 3

Rollin’ On The River

Mississippi River Cruise 2025

Wednesday, July 16

All the cruise guests were lodged at the same hotel, the Intercontinental on St. Charles St. Wednesday morning, all passengers had breakfast at the hotel where we met Craig and June from St. Louis. Getting to know them a bit, we would see them on board throughout the next week.

 Our luggage had been set outside our doors by 7 AM and picked up by the staff. Cabin numbers were attached to the bags, and all were delivered to the ship’s cabins before we arrived onboard.

Bus loads of the 180 passengers delivered us to the dock where The American Splendor awaited us. It was larger than I had imagined, but its appearance was certainly a throwback to the original style of paddle wheel boats. Though without the tall smokestacks and more decks than the ancient versions, it still was striking and similar enough to let me keep imagining I was back in the 1800’s.

Onboard was like a beehive of activity. Crew were welcoming everyone as they boarded, passengers searching for their rooms from among the 5 decks, and crew assisting as best they could. Others were already searching out the dining room and all the lounges, fore and aft. Elevators, and of course stairways, were available to all decks.

Deck 1: or Main Deck, primarily crew quarters forward and the Dining Room (midship). And, of course, the paddlewheel, aft, which was inaccessible.

Deck 2: We had room 202 and Penny and Stu, 203 across the hall – forward on the boat.

Deck 3: Entirely guest rooms plus The Study, a small space were we also played cards.

On Deck 4 was the Sky Lounge, aft, where continental breakfasts were served, afternoon activities offered and a pleasant place to relax with large windows surrounding 3 sides allowing passengers to view the passing scenes. Outside the Sky Lounge there was an open deck with white wicker tables and chairs and white rocking chairs. From the Sky Lounge open deck, one could look down at the paddlewheel. Stairways led up to Deck 5. Near midship was the miniscule Fitness Center.

Deck 5: Forward was the Pilot House. Aft was the Sun Deck, the largest of the outdoor decks, also with tables and chairs, cushioned wicker couches and chairs, rocking chairs, a covered area and a putting green. Stairways descended to the open deck on Deck 4. A laundry also was on deck 5.

An onboard TV station, the ship’s own website, informed the passengers about the ship and about the required safety drill required of all sailing passengers whether on ocean or river sailings. That was a nice convenience in that we did not need to gather in groups outside to do the actual in person safety drills with our PFD’s (personal floatation devices),as the on-screen demonstrations showed how to use them.  This website allowed guests to also access the day’s events, including the meal choices, entertainment and shore excursions all from your room on a cell phone. All of us had chosen our shore excursions weeks before. But it was nice to have the reminders and that we could change them if needed.

Lunch was served in the first deck dining room shortly after boarding. During lunch we departed New Orleans.

The Mississippi River is not straight. It continually twists and turns as we headed north out of the city and then through the outlying areas and eventually further into the countryside. Many large ocean freighters were docked along the riverbanks, as well as barges being pushed up or down the river. It was very industrial looking for many hours and less so as evening settled upon the land. I noticed many high bridges along the way, those that allowed those large ships to safely pass beneath. Those high bridges continued to nearly Vicksburg, the extent of how far north the freighters could navigate.

The River Lounge, just steps from our rooms, hosted each evening’s entertainment. It included a bar at the back of the lounge. All drinks were included in our passage price. The first night one of the crew members, Dante, performed a magic act with audience participation. The only things I recall of his performance were about disappearing playing cards and money coming and going, or would that be, going and coming back(?).

Slowly, through the night, The American Splendor cruised along on its way to our first landing, lights from the shore reflected and shimmered upon the water.

Before turning in, nestled in my bed, I read another chapter or two of the Ernest Hemingway book “The Sun Also Rises”. I looked forward to being up next morning to gaze upon my first sunrise on the Mighty Mississippi.