Unplanned, Unexpected and Delayed

Chapter 8

Rollin’ On The River

Mississippi River Cruise 2025

Monday, July 21

What could possibly go wrong on a leisurely cruise on the Mississippi River? Luckily nothing crucial or destructive.

Upon my arising at 6 AM, we were still secured to the rocky shore. Those renegade barges must still be straying somewhere ahead of us. No worries, I was content to just read and accept whatever the day had in store for me.

Breakfast was interrupted by the captain’s announcement that the Coast Guard had lifted the stay order and that we were free to proceed on to Cleveland, Mississippi. But with the forced landing, we were about 12 hours behind schedule, so, the captain further announce that we would bypass Cleveland, MS and sail on to Memphis, Tennessee, our final destination, arriving approximately 8 AM.

I, and several others, went forward to deck 4 looking down at the crew as they worked to untether the ship. Once that task was completed, we came about and headed north once again.

Shortly after passing beneath a beautiful bridge across the river carrying US Highways 82/278 traffic, I thought I sensed The American Splendor was again heading toward shore. The time was 9:30 AM, we had only been sailing for about 3 hours. Was I imagining this and that the engines had quieted also?

No.

We WERE headed directly toward a sandy beach. What now?

Already on deck 4, reading my book, I watched as the crew made ready for another unplanned landing. Closer and closer, the ship slowly inched ahead directly onto the sandy shore. In the distance, on shore, several vehicles awaited, including ones with red flashing lights. What other than a medical emergency would warrant THIS stop? By now, the deck was crowded with other passengers leaning over the railing, the ship gracefully sliding upon the beach with a slight sandy sliding sound, not the rocky scraping as on the night before.

Lowering the gangway, to the ground, several of the shore-side men made their way to the ship including EMS personnel. I overheard a crew member say room 314, where there was a medical emergency. In time, the EMS returned with a man in a wheelchair. On land he was able to stand and then lie down on a gurney, which then was wheeled up to a waiting ambulance. A woman also accompanied him, most likely his spouse.

The crew, working deliberately, released the ship as the captain slowly backed into the main current and, again, headed forward.

I believe the captain of The American Splendor and his crew deserve huge kudos for safely maneuvering the boat during the unforeseen circumstances on the river, all the while with the safety of the passengers foremost in their efforts and minds.

With these two unplanned diversions, our cruise was nearly a day behind schedule. It was already established that we were bypassing the Cleveland, MS stop, but the emergency stop further altered morning shore excursions to Memphis. We, Mark, Penny, Stu and I, had already cancelled our Memphis, TN early morning excursions, so we played several rounds of 5 Crowns in the morning and again in the afternoon. In between I read, finishing “The Sun Also Rises”.

To manage those who still had morning tours in Memphis, TN, new plans were announced. A brief, unscheduled docking at Tunica, Tennessee the next morning was to allow those passengers affected to board buses that would transport them 40 miles to Memphis. That group, then, could still enjoy tours they had chosen. By late morning The American Splendor with the remainder of the passengers would have docked at Memphis, and those early tourers from the Tunica stop would again rendezvous with the rest of the guests.

And so, with the new plans, cruising up the river all day without stops allowed us to just kick back and go with the flow. None of us were perturbed by the altered plans. It was what it was. The crew and company had made necessary adjustments to help fulfill their responsibilities and obligations to the passengers.

That evening, after dinner, we had a repeat performance from Mississippi Marshall. Because of bypassing Cleveland, Mississippi, the scheduled musicians for this night could not board and they were cancelled. Likewise, because we skipped the landing in Cleveland, MS, Mississippi Marshall could not disembark. Therefore, he stayed onboard and put on another wonderful performance for the guests.

We enjoyed the ease of staying aboard, just going with the flow. No need to rush, no worries. And so, we, and the river kept rolling along.