United States Destinations

Historic river and coastal voyages recreated

By C.P. Hillman

During the 19th century in North America much of the travelling people did was by water. There were steamboats on the rivers and packet ships along the coasts.

The expansion and increasing efficiency of the railways displaced water transportation long before automobile and air travel became important.

Still, those days of riverboats and coastal packets have been recalled with nostalgia.

Recreating the history and romance of their voyages is the aim of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company, which has been offering cruises on the Mississippi and its tributaries for more than 25 years on its steamboats, the Delta Queen, American Queen and Mississippi Queen.

Next year will be the 25th anniversary of the Mississipi Queen's maiden voyage. The 115-metre boat carries 416 passengers and features a two-deck high lounge overlooking a 70-ton paddlewheel and world's biggest calliope, or steam-powered organ, with 44 gold-plated solid-brass pipes.

Earlier this year the company's new Columbia Queen began cruising in the Pacific Northwest on the Columbia, Snake and Williamette rivers.

And next year Delta Queen Coastal Voyages will launch two ships that will cruise the eastern seaboard of the U.S. and Canada.

These newly-constructed 226-passenger ships, the cv Cape May Light and cv Cape Cod Light, are named for historic lighthouses and designed to resemble the classic coastal packet ships of the late 1800s.

The nine inaugural vacation itineraries visit the Great Lakes and the Maritimes as well as the U.S. east coast. Choices are; The Charms of Chesapeake Bay, Exploring the Coastal Islands of New England, New England Coastal Adventures, Grand Voyage of Discovery North, Journey North Through Maine and Canada, A Passage Through Canada, New England's Coastal Colours, Grand Voyage of Discovery South and Grand Antebellum Adventure.

In 2001, there will also be new steamboat itineraries, on the Tennessee River from Memphis to Chattanooga, Tennessee and on the Tombigee River from St. Louis, Missouri to Mobile, Alabama.

Vacationers can also combine back-to-back cruises on the American Queen in August to travel almost the entire length of the Mississippi. The 15-night voyage begins in St. Paul, Minnesota on August 13 and arrives in New Orleans, Louisiana.

There are theme cruises, including big band music, food and the U.S. Civil War, and in classic fashion, two Delta Queen cruises on the Illinois River in July will feature a steamboat race with the Spirit of Peoria.

For reservations on Delta Queen steamboat or coastal voyages contact a travel agent. For further information call 800-543-7637 or view these websites: www.deltaqueen.com or www.columbiaqueen.com.