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I am the only interloper on this river cruise who is not an American citizen. American Cruise Lines proudly attracts passengers predominantly from the United States who are eager to see their own country. I, as the lone Canadian (and foreigner) onboard, am interested to see it with them. Above the alpine tree line sits one of the most picturesque locations in the Appalachian Mountains. On this second day in the park, visit Clingmans Dome, a man-made observation point with breathtaking views of Smoky Mountains and the surrounding area.
Must-See Sights on the Mississippi River
Enjoy one of our themed cruises along the River, perfect for afternoon aficionados, culinary connoisseurs and history enthusiasts. The beauty of the Tennessee River Valley is all-encompassing, framed by acres of forest, open plains, and the breathtaking Appalachian Mountain range. The river echoes with the music that was born there, in the iconic recording studios of Muscle Shoals where legends created songs that would become the soundtrack of America. Civil War battles were fought, and rockets were developed to send men to the moon in unassuming small towns along the shore.
Why Travel With Adventure Life
Immerse yourself in its rich musical legacy as you stroll along legendary Beale Street, where music flows from every doorway, and savor the rich flavors and aromas of the city’s famous BBQ. After a day of exploration, return to the comfort of The Guest House. We were in awe of the river’s beauty, passing beautiful landscapes around every bend and mile of the journey. We passed riverfront homes, boaters enjoying their summer days, and farms like cornfields.
Day 4: Decatur, Alabama
With the most awards and itinerary options, find your perfect cruise with the leader in USA river cruises. Along with Civil War history, music-inspired cities, and incredible southern cuisine, you will cruise the Cumberland River through the Tennessee River Gorge and be amazed by the sights and sounds this region of the Mississippi has to offer. In Chattanooga, guests can explore local attractions such as the famous Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge and Coolidge Park, accompanied by our expert local guides. You will also visit Savannah, the largest town on the Tennessee River and home to the nation’s most well-preserved battlefield, Shiloh National Military Park. Enjoy the scenic ride from Pigeon Forge to Chattanooga where you will be greeted by our onboard team to begin your Tennessee River cruise. Enjoy a Welcome Reception on board as you begin your journey cruising along this breathtaking river with the majestic Appalachian Mountains serving as a beautiful backdrop.
Scenery on the Tennessee River
At Dover, your ship nestles in at the town’s lovely waterfront park. Locals often welcome the vessel and set up booths of crafts and tasty treats. The adjacent bluff is the site of the historic Fort Donelson National Park, a site that played a pivotal role in the Civil War. It was there that Union forces led by Ulysses S. Grant won their first surrender during this pivotal early victory in the struggle to gain control of the rivers. The comfort of your ship awaits at the nearby Beale Street Landing, docked along an impressive, recently renovated city park.
However, we love space and enjoyed learning about some new things that we didn’t previously know. We learned about Project Paperclip, which brought German and Austrian engineers and scientists to America after WWII. Wernher von Bruan was one such person – we won’t spoil it for anyone visiting, but he was a very interesting man who ended up having a significant and lasting impact on the NASA space program and race to the moon. If you’re efficient and don’t ride any of the simulators (which are an additional cost) one and a half hours is plenty of time to see the entire complex and we had more than two hours. If you’ve been to the Cape Canaveral area, part of Florida’s Space Coast, and have visited Kennedy Space Center, you may not be that impressed with this space destination.
Mississippi River Cruises
Board your ship and enjoy a leisurely day cruising along the idyllic landscapes of the Cumberland River. As you begin your amazing journey, relax on your private stateroom balcony and admire the beautiful views that stretch out before you. Get to know fellow guests in one of the lounges or at the evening cocktail hour.
After breakfast, meet your Adventure Guides and fellow guests to begin your Great Smoky Mountains National Parks exploration. In Chattanooga, you can explore local attractionssuch as the famous Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge and CoolidgePark, accompanied by expert local guides. You will also visitSavannah, the largest town on the Tennessee River. Post Office and Customs House as local guides share the historical importance of the city as a major tobacco port during the 1800s.
Begin planning your U.S. cruise adventure with American Cruise Lines today. From the coast of Maine, to the mighty Mississippi and Pacific Northwest, our Free Cruise Guide provides detailed information about all of our more than 50 U.S. itinerary options. Enjoy breakfast on board the ship, before beginning your journey home.
Be treated to the many treasures of the Tennessee River region, from exploring the capital of country music to tasting the world’s best whiskey. Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Led by your Adventure Guide, explore America's most visited national park, world renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern-Appalachian Mountain culture. Cruising the Cumberland River’s Lake Barkley is a special day that you will cherish. Army Corps of Engineers’ 57-foot Barkley Lock and Dam pooled the Cumberland River back for 134 miles and created a curving, stunning collection of coves totaling more than 1,000 miles of shoreline. From large windows and private balconies, enjoy the picturesque, everchanging panorama of grand, sweeping views of craggy, limestone bluffs.
There were modern twists and takes on quilting going completely beyond the “square” pieces of quilting fabric. There were more “traditional” quilts that took beadwork and sewing to levels we didn’t even know were possible. We learned more about how the Tennessee River shaped the area in the museum, which was very cool because we were sailing the American Cruise Lines Tennessee River itinerary. The museum had one table set up with complimentary whiskey and muscadine wine samplings. A shuttle ran between the ship and the museum every 30 minutes, or it was an easy 15-minute walk from the ship to the location. We rode a shuttle there and walked back to the ship for some exercise.
Entry was complimentary for American Cruise Line guests as an included excursion, so we figured to give it a go. It was very much small-town America, with a central main street with tiny shops and a courthouse. It was a great place to learn about the area’s Native Americans; the historically significant mounds in the area were mentioned several times in additional locations during cruise excursions. Something that is important to note is that in some cities, you have limited time in port, so you can only do one excursion, like in Decatur, Alabama.
There are so many reasons to explore the Mighty Mississippi River from New Orleans to the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Admire the breathtaking scenery that has inspired the country’s most legendary writers, artists, and musicians. Be treated to southern hospitality and historic charm at every port. The ship's travel-aboard entertainers and lecturers are also top-notch. American Serenade lacks a traditional show lounge, but instead offers evening performances from the husband-and-wife duo of Bill Wiemuth and Laura Sable in the cozy, forward-facing River Lounge on Deck 3. Both perform musical acts nearly every night, and Bill offers insightful lectures on the history of steamboating in the United States, the Civil War, and everything in between.
The itinerary includes a range of excursions such as visits to Shiloh National Military Park in Savannah, TN; the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL; and the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY. Guests can also enjoy active outdoor excursions like an ATV Backcountry Excursion in Chattanooga, or a visit to “The Shoals,” where they can golf 18 holes at the beautiful Robert Trent Jones golf course.
At one point, we passed what looked like a half-mile of a strip of sunflowers. Yet every step of the way, I've seen gracious crewmembers help them up the stairs, off the ship's bow ramp, and into the motorcoach. There's even a little golf cart that travels in the ship (in the retractable bow) to help get passengers up the often steep boat ramps and to the motorcoaches, where drivers are willing to help them onboard. American Cruise Lines makes exploring these places easy, thanks to its fleet of three branded motorcoaches that travel with the ship on its route. ACL offers a complimentary local bus loop in most ports of call, along with premium shore excursions that can be purchased for a reasonable price -- between $20 and $195 on our particular itinerary, with most coming in well under $100 per person.
Expert Review of American Serenade River Cruise Ship - Cruise Critic
Expert Review of American Serenade River Cruise Ship.
Posted: Wed, 12 Jul 2023 17:09:18 GMT [source]
Just upriver of your ship’s dock, the beautiful Tennessee River empties into the Ohio River. Also nearby are confluences with the Cumberland River and the Mississippi. The convergence of these four major rivers crossroads makes Paducah an important port centralized at the axis. Or greet the morning from your stateroom’s private veranda to read, enjoy the scenery, or watch the ship transit through the Ohio River’s newest lock and dam, completed in 2018 after 23 years of construction. The complete Elvis experience is yours with a stay at The Guest House at Graceland, including breakfast, and an exploration of Elvis' mansion and grounds. The main attraction in the city is its cute walkable downtown area and main avenue, and the National Quilt Museum.
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