My brother Joe lives in Durango, Colorado. I dwell in Bloomington, Indiana. As the final two in a big household of 9, Joe and I attempt to get collectively yearly. But it isn’t at all times simple.
We each have busy lives. Joe is an expert drummer with common gigs. I’m a journalist. So, all of the sudden, it will possibly appear to be a 12 months has handed and our deliberate visits haven’t occurred.
This 12 months, nonetheless, now we have made reservations to cruise for every week on the brand new American Symphony from Memphis to New Orleans. Joe will fly into Memphis from Colorado and I’ll fly in from Indiana. We will meet at The Guest House at Graceland for the two-day pre-cruise “Elvis Experience.”
Guest House at Graceland
American Cruise Lines has a wonderful program the place passengers arrive one evening early for a cruise and keep at a neighborhood resort. With the way in which airline flights may be delayed or cancelled, that may be a sensible function to make it possible for cruise line passengers have further time to get to the cruise departure vacation spot.
Plus, that further evening or two permits passengers an opportunity to see the host metropolis, get a superb evening’s sleep, eat breakfast and leisurely board the riverboat. As a musician, Joe is keen on seeing Graceland and, as a long-time Elvis fan, I’m at all times joyful to return to Memphis and uncover one thing new.
Graceland
Why the American Symphony? Because she is the most recent riverboat to cruise the mighty Mississippi River. In addition, the Symphony is a magnificence and I’m wanting ahead to seeing what she affords. Since Joe has by no means cruised earlier than, I’m curious what his recent eyes will consider a cruise on American waters.
American Symphony options up to date design
Inaugurated in Natchez in August, American Symphony is the most recent ship in American Cruise Line’s eagerly anticipated collection of up to date riverboats. The first fashionable riverboats ever within the United States are showcasing a number of pioneering improvements on America’s waters.
“American Cruise Lines led the last decade of Mississippi River cruising, and with new riverboats like American Symphony, we look forward to leading the next one,” Charles B. Robertson, president and CEO of American Cruise Lines, stated in a information launch.
“We remain committed to introducing new small riverboats each year which enables us to deliver personalized all-American river cruises along the country’s most iconic river,” he stated.
Founded in 1991, American Cruise Lines makes a speciality of small-ship coastal and river cruises all through the United States. With essentially the most cruise choices within the USA, American Cruise Lines prides itself on “Small Ship Cruising Done Perfectly.”
Historically, it appears becoming that the American Symphony was formally launched in Natchez and can declare the town as her official godmother metropolis. Each American Cruise Lines vessel is a standard USA-built (at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland) in addition to American-flagged and crewed.
“We have many new luxurious riverboats and a record number of guests who are excited to explore the Mississippi River with us,” Frank Lipsch, American Cruise Lines director of metropolis partnerships & particular initiatives, stated in a information launch.
“The demand we are seeing is due in large part to the beautiful new riverboats but also to the long-established relationships American Cruise Lines has with the ports and towns along the entire river,” he stated. “These relationships help us to consistently deliver authentic American experiences, which are curated and led by local experts, guides and community members whom we have worked with for many years.”
From Memphis to New Orleans
On our cruise, Joe and I will probably be going from Memphis to Vicksburg and Natchez in Mississippi; St. Francisville, Baton Rouge and Houmas House in Louisiana earlier than ending our cruise in New Orleans.
American Cruise Lines has already introduced what’s new for 2023, together with three new ships, 10 new itineraries, 21 new ports and 17 small ships exploring each U.S. coasts and all of the rivers in-between.
In 2023, the American Serenade – sister ship to American Symphony – will probably be launched on the Mississippi River in April. American Eagle will take part August 2023 and American Glory will debut in October 2023, each crusing East Coast itineraries.
Among the brand new 2023-2024 itineraries would be the firm’s first-ever California cruise, an 8-day round-trip San Francisco Bay Cruise which highlights Napa and wine cruises. Then there’s the thrilling new 15-day National Parks & Legendary Rivers itinerary which incorporates an 8-day day cruise on the Columbia and Snake rivers and a 7-day exploration by means of three nationwide parks – Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
Keep a watch on the American Cruise Lines web site (www.americancruiselines.com ) to see all of the enjoyable cruises developing and maybe e book a dream cruise for the New Year.
Meeting in Memphis
Since Joe’s flight arrives in Memphis about 4 hours earlier than mine, I informed him he would haven’t any bother recognizing the complimentary shuttle from the airport to The Guest House at Graceland. Just search for the smooth blue-and-gold van with big likenesses of Elvis on the edges and again.
Complimentary airport shuttle to The Guest House at Graceland
Then Joe and I’ll meet at The Guest House for a cocktail hour within the Founders’ Room and an after-hours backstage have a look at Graceland which is a part of our pre-cruise expertise.
Hope you’ll come alongside to see what Joe and I uncover and what a first-time cruiser thinks in regards to the new eye-catching American Symphony and cruising every week on the Mississippi River.
Photos by Jackie Sheckler Finch
*American Symphony now cruising Mississippi River
Photo courtesy of American Cruise Lines
Ed. Notes: CruiseCompete and its member journey advisors present many curated cruise and land offers, affords and facilities on over 50 cruise traces with over 500 cruise ships crusing all all over the world. Browse Cruise Ships and Cruise Lines
7 Night – Lower Mississippi River Cruise from.. American Symphony (cruisecompete.com)