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American Queen - Jazz and Blues Cruise - Part 1
Written by: Janet Pope
Photography by: Donald
The best trips start right at the airport. Join our adventurous reporters as they leave New Orleans on a cruise up the Mississippi River in old-fashioned Victorian Style elegance... after a contemporary airline jump.
Our latest vacation adventure began the minute we arrived at the airport. I love arriving at new destinations, but usually I dread the actual traveling, whether it is by car or plane. This time the airline experience was pleasurable, from start to finish, both going and coming home. We traveled JetBlue,where short lines and friendly service representatives greeted us upon arrival. Within 20 minutes our bags were on the belt headed to the luggage pod for our flight. Even getting through the security gate was easy and there was a guard explaining the procedure. "If you are wearing shoes with metal in the sole, expect to take them off." Of course, with the photography equipment that Don carries, his bag always sets off some beeper and he invariably has to be hand checked. However, the security guard suggested that he put the batteries and the camera in a clear plastic bag and not in the backpack. (By they way, that little trick saved time on the way home too.) Our direct flight to New Orleans was a tolerable three hours, but the time seemed to speed by. Each seat had its own little television screen, so I whiled away the time watching a home makeover show, while Donald zoned out on the History Channel. Everyone on the plane seemed happy in their own little television world watching one of the many channels available. We already started out on our adventure feeling pampered. In mid-flight, the crew offered us soda and snacks. I suppose I was a little surprised at the great service. The reason we took JetBlue was because the planes are known to be clean and on time, and the flight is cheap. Even picking up the bags was an experience because they arrived at the claim center just as we did. That was a good sign.
In the terminal by the exit gate there were representatives of the Delta Queen Steamboat Line. They were giving all the new arrivals a big smile and a "Welcome to New Orleans" greeting while trying figure out who was going on the river cruise. They gathered us into a group and made certain that we were in the right line for the shuttle to the docks.
Taking a steamboatin' cruise on the Grand American Queen is, without a doubt, the ultimate in luxury, service and, in our case, good ole' southern hospitality.
Though we arrived at the boat three hours earlier than our scheduled embarkation time, we were told we could leave our luggage, board the boat and enjoy a complimentary light lunch. All this, while a Dixieland band entertained us. Now that's hospitality! I wouldn't be too happy about guests arriving at my house for a party three hours early.
We originally thought we would hop a taxi to Bourbon Street in the interim, but my husband Don was lured by a free meal and I was enticed by the jazz music. After all this is the Jazz n' Blues Cruise, and I did not want to waste time.
We had left New York City in the wee hours of the morning after a busy workweek and, upon entering the Grand American Queen; a calm spirit of relaxation overcame us. We wanted nothing more than to do nothing more, and go with the flow. The Jazz n' Blues flow.
We were already enjoying the trip and we hadn't even left the dock yet.
After lunch, we spent the afternoon exploring this luxury steamboat. I found the hot dog stand near the Calliope Bar, and the hot appetizers and fresh popcorn in the Engine Room Bar. Do you notice a trend here? Food is everywhere so this is no place to be on a diet.
We ate as if these snacks would be our last chance for sustenance. We were hungry when we came aboard, having been in transit all day, but as the cruise continued, we soon found out that this was the last time we would feel pangs of hunger for the rest of the week. Now, fully stuffed, we unpacked and took a quick nap - and note, we haven't left shore yet!
Before dinner we took in a show in the Grand Saloon called "God Bless the USA." It was rousing, patriotic, and filled with songs and dances performed by a quartet of red, white and blue dressed entertainers. This cruise attracts mostly the over-60 crowd, though there is a smattering of all ages. The orchestra did a melody of armed service's theme songs and asked the veterans to stand. Personally, I enjoy a good dose of American patriotism and the audience seemed to love it. This is when the staff of the boat introduced themselves to the guests and gave us an idea of the services available and an overview of the week ahead. Then the band teased with a series of blues numbers explaining the background and time period of the music and the composers. No rap music on this cruise. It would be Blues and Jazz up the river and down. Oh yeah!
Next, we were off to eat again.
We had the main seating at 7:45 p.m., as opposed to the early 5:15 p.m. seating. We met our waiter, James, who in the upcoming week became the closest stand-in for the Devil himself, for he was consistently tempting us with a never-ending description of foods we could try.
We also met our tablemates, a couple from Austin, Texas and another from Los Angles, with us being from New York City, we seemed to cover the country quite well.
Our first dinner was a treat from the first course to the last. I tried the coconut shrimp appetizer and Don quickly grabbed the dipping sauce off my plate. He had tasted his and knew immediately that it would be a little too spicy for my liking. Beware, on this boat, based out of New Orleans, the menu leans towards the Cajun side in style and taste. Having been warned, you can order the spice left off or even have something else from the menu. Both the waiter and the maitre d' circled around continuously, to check that we were properly satisfied and stuffed, kind of like vultures waiting for their prey to drop from overeating.
We spent the evening listening to another jazz band and watching the large paddlewheel thrust us up river. I sounded like my mother as I remarked to my neighbor at the bar "They don't make songs like these anymore." Such feeling in every note, in each instrument that when they intertwined that made kind of a tapestry for the ear.
The cruise line advertises many "themed" cruises touting this one as having a blues/jazz focus. This night would start the week off with The Steamboat Syncopators and end with Connie Jones and the Crescent City Jazz Band.
All week the roster of entertainment would feature bands or singers from that genre of music. Interestingly, all the entertainers took time to explain the music style and background of the songs. Then it was even more fun to listen, sing along, or get out and dance. (As the week progressed, we went through several jazz periods, where even small nuances in music style were apparent.)
This was only day one steamboatin' and I already felt relaxed and unhurried.
Part 1 - American Queen - Jazz and Blues Cruise
Part 2 - Vacherie, Louisiana
Part 3 - St. Francisville, Louisiana
Part 4 - Natchez, Mississippi
Part 5 - Vicksburg, Mississippi
Part 6 - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Part 7 - Mardi Gras, New Orleans
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