deltaqueen-mijd071996

Name: Judy Donahue
Email: hrliv@erols.com
Age: 50
Occupation: travel counselor
NumberOfCruises: 5
TravelAgent: Yes
Ship: DeltaQueen-Mississippi
SailingDate: july 19 1996
Itinerary: Chattanooga TN to St Louis MO
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 80
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 100
CabinAmenities: 80
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets: 98
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 80
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon: 85
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 90
LoungeService: 100
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 98
BeautySalonStaff: 90
EntertainmentLounges: 95
WheelchairAccess: 95
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 85
BeautySalon: 80
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 98
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 100
ShopsOnBoard:
SpaceRatio: 88
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 19 Jul 1997
Time: 11:52:01
Remote Name: 207.172.95.31
Remote User:

Comments

This was my second cruise on the Mississippi Queen, and my first as a travel agent. My negative comments are biased as my first cruise took place at a
time when the Mississippi Queen was this line's largest boat, grand and spectacular next to her smaller sister ship, the Delta Queen. With the arrival of the
American Queen two years ago, the Mississippi Queen has become the mid-level ship, more subdued in furnishings and colors than she once was. We
were in a category B cabin, and it was small. The bathroom was so small that you literally have to back out to turn around, not good for the comfort of
passengers who can't maneuver well. The cabin did, however, have an incredible amount of storage space and we were able to store all of our luggage,
purchases, etc., so as to maximize the space. The food was very good, described by the cruise line as "the bounty of the Gulf of Mexico and the richness
of the American Heartland', and this is accurate. The quality of the food is excellent. As is the case with specialty travel, these cruises are not inexpensive.
The average per diem is $235 per person, and put next to a Caribbean cruise that's expensive. What we got from this cruise is something that can't be
found on the oceans--a delightful step back in time enjoying the true Southern hospitality of a gracious staff, a relaxing 7 mph paddlewheel-driven
sightseeing adventure on America's waterways, and a week steeped in the history of our country. True Americana. While some of the onboard daily
activities are a little hokey (but fun), the evening entertainment was a real surprise. With a full orchestra, four performers sang and danced to American
favorites. Show tunes, a World War II segment, romantic music, silly songs were all part of a 90-min show that was the best entertainment of its kind on a
cruise. Afterwards there is music and dancing until midnight. Each day we received a four page newsletter, the 'Steamboatin Times', that described the
area visited that day, and the resident Riverlorian gives a talk in the lounge each morning, and answers questions about life on the river, steamboats,
legends, and history of the area. The shore excursions are reasonably priced and very well organized. We visited Shiloh, a Civil War battlefield and
museum for $17.00 each. While seven nights seemed to be a bit long on this cruise and we found ourselves ready for dry land on about the fifth day,
when the cruise was over and we left the ship, we looked back with tears in our eyes and were sad to see it end.

Name: Peter Reed
Email: peter@peterreed.co.uk
Age: 60
Occupation: Photographer
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: DeltaQueen-Mississippi
SailingDate: Feb.23rd.1998
Itinerary: Memphis-New Orleans
Cabin: D354
FoodDiningRoom: 99
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 99
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck:
DiningRoomService: 98
CabinQuietness: 80
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 97
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 99
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 95
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 93
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 99
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 99
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 98
OverallPortsofCall: 98
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities:
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 98
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace:
Stabilization: 98
ShopsOnBoard:
SpaceRatio:
OverallCruiseValue: 99
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 30 Oct 2000
Time: 09:48:24
Remote Name: 2.core02.access.plus.net.uk
Remote User:

Comments

Sorry if this review seems late but have only just discovered your site. We went as a party of four and
thoroughly enjoyed the trip. We particularly enjoyed the food and the company on board. The
restaurant staff were excellent and with a great sense of humour. As UK people it was good to be on a
cruise where we were very much in the minority (there were only 7 Brits in total). It was amazing how
many senior citizens were on honeymoons!!! The entertainment was first class - particularly in the
Paddlewheel lounge. From the UK nearly all USA package holidays go to Florida, California or main
cities. This gave us a chance to see more of small town America - Vicksburg, Natchez etc.. It was just
unfortunate that while in Natchez a tornado whipped through the town and caused tremendous
damage while we sheltered in a drug store. As a result we couldn't tour round any of the historic
homes. We have been on a Caribbean cruise but, on balance, we preferred this - mainly because of
the size of the ship - only about 450 passengers which made it much more personal. Captain Buddy
was very welcoming, as indeed were all the staff. And, of course, everyone spoke English! We booked
the cruise direct with the Delta Queen Company whose staff were very helpful when contacted by
phone from the UK. In short, we would recommend the cruise to anyone who was looking to explore
Central America, wanted a bit of culture, good entertainment and brilliant food. But not for youngsters
looking for all-night raves!!!! We hope to cruise with Delta Queen again sometime - we've been
recommended tio try a Fall Foliage cruise perhapd between Cincinnati and Pittsburg but will have to
wait until pound/dollar rate improves

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