Cruise the Mississippi and Ohio rivers aboard the American Duchess on this 9-day cruise with a particular focus on the musical history and culture of this unique region. Board your ship in Louisville, Kentucky, where you can also get a taste of famous locally-produced Kentucky bourbon. Visit a series of riverside communities for an immersive experience in the laid-back, small-town way of life. Your journey concludes in Memphis, Tennessee, where you can discover the home of classic, all-American musical styles: this city is considered the birthplace of Blues and Rock'n'Roll. Dive into the history, culture, and context of these distinctive music genres, and walk the same streets as the pioneers of these beloved styles.
Highlights
Explore Memphis, home of the blues and the birthplace of rock'n'roll
Enjoy sounds of folk music in the community of Owensboro
Get a taste of renowned locally-produced Kentucky bourbon
Relax into the laid-back lifestyle of small town America
Enjoy your complimentary stay at the pre-cruise hotel. The evening is yours to become acquainted with the city. Our Hospitality Desk will be located in the hotel, and our friendly staff can assist with everything from general questions about your upcoming voyage to reserving premium experiences. Both American Queen Steamboat Company and local representatives will be readily available to provide you with dining, entertainment and sightseeing options to maximize your time here.
This authentically quirky port is a muse to artisans of mixed mediums – from sidewalk chalk to street fare – and home to the cultural diversity that quickly captivates the heart of its visitors. The local tradition that lives within images of Derby hats, Old-Fashioned cocktails and the 120-foot Louisville Slugger that towers over the friendly city are better lived than seen. Explore the red penguin-peppered Main Street. Embrace oddity. Experience Louisville.
The essence of Kentucky radiates, from its bourbon traditions to a tableau of rolling farmland. Soul-stirring river views and Southern warmth welcome those who pursue relaxation. Mysteries of the Civil War enlist lifelong learners on the battlefield while sprawling parks and trails make way for recreation. The grass is bluer in Brandenburg and all the surrounding areas.
The exuberance that pervades the sounds of folk music flows through the community of Owensboro. Each of its spaces is a lovely ballad that tugs at the heartstrings of visitors – from the notes of bourbon distilleries to bumbling butterflies in the botanical garden. The tawny banks of this river jewel extend a warm welcome, and invite you to experience the beauty in bluegrass.
Capture your inner artisan in the home of James Audubon and W.C Handy. Hospitality flows freely through a vibrant downtown that kisses the rolling river. Wide streets welcome guests and showcase historic preservation that awakens a classic ambiance in storefronts and homes. Discover nature fingerprinted with humanity in the many parks and trials that showcase artistry throughout the town. Greetings from Henderson – a walkable community wrapped in warmth.
In the hands of artists, modern Paducah was thrown into form. Fingertips muddied with passion and eased by the vision of river water glided along the surface to pull up the community and create the National Quilt Museum. Residents backstitch past into present, then bind appreciation for culture – ensuring that the seams of history will not soon come undone. The people of Paducah have taken great care to orchestrate every crevice of its community into a symphony of craft and color. Life is a work of art, and the town of Paducah certainly is alive and well. Feast in this foodies’ fantasy. Uncover mastership. Catch a glimpse of Paducah.
New Madrid is known for being near the military engagement the Battle of Island Number Ten during the Civil War. The city is also famous for being the site of a series of more than 1,000 earthquakes in 1811 and 1812, caused by what is called the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Explore the history of earthquakes, documented with seismographic recordings, in addition to Native American artifacts, Civil War artifacts and family life in New Madrid during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Strategically placed above our docking area on the Chickasaw Bluffs is Fort Pillow – where rest the silenced voices of the Civil War. The smoke has cleared to shed light on the pogrom that transpired in this decisive point. It is here that the Fort Pillow Massacre took the lives of 221 Confederate soldiers, and experienced historians resurrect stories misplaced in the tumult of war.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$1,999
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Interior Staterooms (IS)
180 sq. ft. (wheelchair-accessible rooms are 200 sq. ft.). 30 cabins located on the Cabin and Observation Deck. Queen bed or two single beds, Full bathroom with shower, Writing desk
Coffee maker and mini refrigerator.
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Veranda Suites With Private Balcony (VS)
240 sq. ft. with private balcony (wheelchair-accessible rooms are 330 sq. ft.). 44 cabins located on the Cabin and Observation Deck. Queen bed or two single beds, Full bathroom with shower, Furnished lounge area with sofa and desk, Coffee maker and mini refrigerator, Sliding glass doors to balcony, Interior access.
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Deluxe Suites With Private Balcony (DS)
450 sq. ft. with a private balcony. 2 cabins located on the Cabin Deck. Queen bed or two single beds, Full bathroom featuring floor-to-ceiling marble and tub/shower combination, Half bathroom, Two flat-screen TVs, Furnished lounge area with sofa-bed and desk, Coffee maker and mini refrigerator, Sliding glass doors to balcony, Interior access.
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Loft Suites With Private Balcony (LFS)
550 sq. ft. with private balcony. 4 cabins located on the Observation Deck. Queen bed or two single beds, Two full bathrooms featuring floor-to-ceiling marble and tub/ shower combination, Furnished lounge area with sofa-bed, Coffee maker and mini refrigerator, Two flat-screen TVs, Sliding glass doors to balcony, Interior access, Commodore Services, including a River Butler.
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Owner’s Suites With Private Balcony (OS)
550 sq. ft. with private balcony. 3 cabins located on the Cabin Deck. Queen bed or two single beds, Full bathroom featuring floor-to- ceiling marble and tub/shower combination, Half bathroom, Furnished lounge area with sofa-bed, Coffee maker and mini refrigerator, Two flat-screen TVs, Sliding glass doors to balcony, Interior access, Commodore Services, including a River Butler.
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
8 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
8 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Excursions and activities as listed
Meals as listed
Beverages
Unlimited Free Wifi
One Night Pre-Cruise Hotel
Open Bars and Lounges
All-Day In-Room Dining
Bicycles & Hiking Sticks equipment if needed
Live, Daily Onboard Entertainment & Enrichment
Unlimited Included Expedition Adventures by Zodiac or Kayak (For Expedition Cruises Only)
Excluded
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Arrival & Departure Transfers
Port Fees
Optional Premium Shore Excursions - highly recommend booking these in advance. If interested, ask us for a detailed list of premium excursions for your cruise as these vary depending on your departure date.
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).