Lovely Vicksburg. After the last two ports, it is so nice to have attractions within walking distance of the boat! Plus many are headed out on tours, most to visit the interesting Vicksburg battlefied of Civil War fame.
Laura and I ascended Vicksburg’s intimidating hills to dine once more at Walnut Hills, one of our favorite restaurants. You sit at a big round table with a spinning “lazy Susan” circular disk in the middle which is quickly filled with good, hot southern cooking! Besides the terrific meal, we also owe them a big thanks. They were kind enough to allow us to have our absentee ballots mailed there. We were so excited to get them and cast our ballots, postmarked by tomorrow’s election day. It is great to be excited to vote again!
The Vicksburg event went great and the mayor had some very nice words to share.
Unfortunately, tensions are increasing amongst AQ guests. We are in port all day each day this cruise and so far the folks on the port side have their view blocked all day by the Delta Queen. Now, I would consider this a treat, but many do not. Not only is the view blocked, but the exhausts are loud and the diesel smell is very strong. Even worse, the docking for port except Oak Alley Plantation on the last day will keep the Delta Queen on the same side. People are getting cranky. Nerves are on edge. I know ours are. Up at the Calliope Bar a guest was complaining to Laura. (Even though we’re not staff, guests think anyone below 50 must be, so we always get plenty of feedback.) The gentlemen was so angry about the DQ situation that he said, “They should just sink it!” My sweet, tender Laura just burst into tears as he stormed away. She said later that his words felt like a knife cutting into her heart.
To help with the problem, after the American Queen departs, the Delta Queen will remain at Vicksburg until until very late to give the AQ port side some quiet time to sleep. The DQ will join us in Natchez in the morning.
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November 14, 2008 at 8:14 am
I’m really sorry that the brash, unthinking comments of the AQ guest made Laura cry. I hope this passenger took advantage of the opportunity to tour the Delta Queen. Maybe, after experiencing her charm and learning a bit of her history, he might change his attitude.
As far as I’m concerned, the American Queen and the Delta Queen are extreme opposites. The Delta Queen has the charm, grace and history of what paddlewheel boats have been on the rivers for more than a century. The American Queen is large and glitzy, but isn’t really an authentic paddlewheel riverboat. She’s a small cruise ship with a paddlewheel for affect. So, how could passengers who have only traveled on the American Queen truly appreciate the Delta Queen.
November 14, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Cindy, all respect intended but I simply disagree. With twenty trips on the Delta Queen and two on the American Queen, I see the American Queen as much a steamboat as the Delta Queen, she’s just bigger and newer, but the atmosphere and crew feel the same, and there is always the river. But glitzy? Now, do my wife and I prefer the Delta Queen, you bet! But the American Queen is a wonderful steamboat, too. And the paddlewheel on the American Queen is quite functional and I know of at least one instance of an electrical hiccup that the described “for effect” paddlewheel moved the boat out of harm’s way by itself.
I too am saddened by the passenger that made Laura sad. Maybe if Majestic hadn’t put such silly restrictions on visiting the Delta Queen this wouldn’t have happened. I’m curious if the passenger in question was one of the original people booked for the “final” DQ cruise, the one that never occured.
November 14, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Thank you Bruno and Cindy for your kind words. After the man made the comment to me, a wonderful thing happened that lifted my heart. Jackie (the entertainer) and Gabbie (the bartender)immediately wrapped their arms around me and cried along with me. They showed that true steamboat family spirit that we all know is present on all the boats. I agree that although the AQ does not have the history or the cozy warmth of the DQ, she is still a place where you can feel that wonderful steamboatin’ family feeling. Thanks to Jackie and Gabbie for their love!