One thing I’ve learned about global pandemics is that for something with a definitive beginning, the ending is much less obvious.
Some countries around the world have lifted many restrictions and are on their way to a new normal.
Some people are ready to cautiously resume travel and other life’s pleasures, while others prefer to stay close to home for a while yet.
We’ve been getting a great number of requests for information about domestic travel opportunities that are available within the next few months. The purpose of this post is to respond to these requests and provide close-to-home ideas for those who are ready to travel again.
For those who are more comfortable at home for the time being, we hope you’ll still find value in these suggestions and enjoy hearing about them. We spoke a few weeks ago about “Dreaming” being an important phase in the travel experience, and if it is best for you to spend longer in this phase, then enjoy every minute of it.
River Cruising in the United States and options in the Pacific Northwest are two of the top five requests for information we are getting right now, so today, we’ll talk about both.
We normally associate river cruising with Europe, but there are also some fantastic river cruising options right here at home. A number of our clients have sailed with the American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC), both on the Mississippi and Columbia Rivers.
The overwhelming majority of our AQSC clients had also been on a European river cruise, and confirmed that the quality of food, service, inclusions and amenities they came to expect on the European river lines was every bit as good or better on AQSC.
Here are some ways river cruising on the Mississippi or Columbia might be different than what you’d expect in Europe:
- Shore Excursions: AQSC has hop-on/hop-off buses that follow the ship along the river. If you’re a person that doesn’t like being herded around in groups, you’ll love exploring each port on your own terms.
- River Laureate: On every sailing there is a resident expert who sails with you and helps you better understand the history, geography, and culture of the places you’re visiting.
- Accessibility: Europe is not great for those with mobility issues, but on the AQSC, all mobility levels are easily accommodated both onboard and on the motor coaches.
- Families & Children: There are no kids’ clubs on board, but children and teenagers sare certainly welcome on AQSC. What a great way to experience American History with your kids or grandchildren!
- Entertainment: I love the local musicians on the European river ships, and you get those same sorts of entertainers on AQSC. They also have a larger theatre with Broadway quality production shows. So, you get both.
- Pre-cruise Hotel Night: I think all the cruise lines should do this. A one-night pre-cruise hotel stay in your city of embarkation is included in your fare.
- History: The history of Europe is spectacular, and particularly meaningful for those of us of European descent. However, the history of the Mississippi (and even the Columbia) is the history of our country. It is certainly more recent history than you experience in Europe, and the events that occurred particularly along the Mississippi River are those events that shaped the country as it is today. A better understanding of that history is nothing but good.
The vibe on board, the dress code, the inclusions, and the pricing are very similar to the offerings in Europe.
Like so many of us, I had always focused my travel on far-away places on other continents. It’s not that I wasn’t interested in North America, it’s just that I knew it would always be available to me. Perhaps this is rationalizing the fact that I have always taken it for granted.
If anything good has come from this pandemic, it is that it has inspired me to explore my own backyard a bit more. Both the Mississippi (for its’ unmatched history and culture), and the Columbia/Snake (for the incredible scenery and nature) are at the top of my “domestic must-do list”.
We’re frantically putting together a US River Cruise informational video right now. We’ll send out the link later in the week.
For those who want to go soon, there is availability on both rivers starting in early July. The American Queen Steamboat Company was the last river cruise line to stop sailing, and it will be the first to start up again, with strict new health and safety protocols to ensure the health, safety, and comfort of guests.
For those still in the “Dreaming”phase, you’ll enjoy reviewing the video to get a better idea of what’s possible on these two rivers for when you are ready to travel again.
Keep an eye out for our US River Cruise video, delivered to your inbox later this week.
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I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
