Ever wanted to take a specialty travel vacation? Learn more about U.S. river cruises down the beautiful US rivers.
The great paddlewheel steamboats were once on the verge of becoming extinct, but thankfully, there are still a few making their way up and down a few of the US Rivers. These cruises are a great way to visit America at a much slower pace than most vacations afford. Moving at only about eight miles per hour, these paddlewheel steamboats travel slow enough to allow their passengers to truly see the site that these great US Rivers offer.
As the passenger crosses the gangplank to board the paddlewheel they are instantly carried back in time to the days when these beauties were used to travel on one of America's "highways". Passengers enter an environment surrounded by grace and elegance in an atmosphere where women are treated like ladies and men are treated like gentlemen. The décor found aboard these river-going vessels are Victorian influenced, usually reminiscent of the days when the paddlewheels traveled up and down the river, delivering her passengers or goods. Just as with the décor being carefully selected on these Grand Ladies of the River, even the meals become special events, with great care and thoughtful planning involved making each one a culinary delight always with an American flare. After a wonderful meal, the passengers can enjoy the entertainment provided from a real showboat "show" to quietly slipping back to their private quarters and settling in for the night, being rocked to sleep by the rhythm of the river and the sound of the paddlewheel.
Today's paddlewheels offer something for everyone, from dinner cruises to sightseeing cruises, even cruises that vary in length from 3 nights to a 43-night cruises. Sightseeing cruises generally focus on particular points of interest in an area on the river where the riverboat travels. The 43 night cruise offered by one of cruise lines travels on 9 waterways, to 8 major port cities, will stop at 28 shore stores and will offer 80 shore tours, all while traveling in the US. River cruises are also available in themes, such as Legends of the 50's, springtime in America, a Native American Celebration, Wedding Parties, Educational Events and many more. Passengers who elect to take a theme cruise will have the opportunity to listen to Big Band Era music, or witness the blue and gray in one last battle, passengers can even step back in time to celebrate the holidays like the Victorians. Theme cruises also have special guests on board as well as special adventures on shore that coincide with the theme of the cruise. Wedding packages are also available to prospective brides and grooms. These packages vary from the entire wedding to the reception. Even the rehearsal dinner can take place on a cruise. Educational cruises are available on some of the paddlewheels. An educational cruise can cover subjects such as history, geology, native studies, environment, or mechanical. Passengers can even experience the thrill of a steamboat race.
Whatever the passenger is looking for there is surely a riverboat experience out there waiting. Booking may be required ahead of time due to the limited number of riverboat companies and the limited space available on these paddlewheels. However, while on your cruise just keep in mind that the only limitation is the size of your imagination, you could even get a glimpse of Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn.
