American Queen Distinctions 3-Day Reunion Celebration in New

ambtours@ambassadortours.com
www.ambassadortours.com
(800) 989-9000
3-Day Reunion Celebration in New Orleans,
plus a 7-Night Voyage Aboard the American Queen
December 12- 21, 2012
American Queen Distinctions
H The only authentic steam-powered overnight
paddlewheel riverboat in America
H Complimentary shore excursions in every port
H Complimentary overnight stay in a select luxury hotel
before your voyage – includes breakfast, taxes,
porterage and transfers to the American Queen
H Complimentary wine and beer with dinner
H Complimentary cappuccino, espresso, specialty coffees,
bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage
H The most all-inclusive American river voyage
H The family recipes of acclaimed Southern chef
Regina Charboneau
H The only steamboat with multiple specialty dining
options, all at no additional charge
H Gracious service from a friendly all-American staff
H Casual elegance abounds, no formal wear required
H Daily lectures by the Riverlorian, our onboard historian
H Professional showboat-style entertainment and
dancing nightly
H Extensive selection of intriguing theme voyages
H Our own dedicated fleet of Steamcoaches
H The greatest vacation value in America
Contact the River Voyage Experts at:
(800) 989-9000
www.ambassadortours.com
ambtours@ambassadortours.com
CST 1002139-10
T
he owners, management and crew of the American Queen Steamboat Company extend our
hearty invitation for you to join us for the 3-Day Reunion Celebration of the Paddlewheel
Steamboating Society of AmericaSM and to enjoy a true insider experience in the Crescent City of
New Orleans, followed by a 7-Night Old Fashioned Holidays cruise on the Mississippi River aboard the
legendary Steamer American Queen.
Dear Steamboater,
For many years, the Paddlewheel Steamboating
Society of America hosted its honored repeat
travelers from the Steamers Delta Queen,
Mississippi Queen and American Queen on
specially arranged insider experiences ashore prior
to a Steamboating cruise. This was just to show
appreciation, to create an environment to socialize
and explore with like-minded travelers, and to come
to know a port of call like a well-connected local.
During the Steamer American Queen’s four-year
hiatus from the river, it was the first time in 200 years
that there was no overnight steamboat service on the
Mississippi River. Now that the American Queen has
returned to service, the Paddlewheel Steamboating
Society of America has been reestablished, to
welcome and recognize Steamboaters in special
ways throughout the year.
When you reserve the Old Fashioned Holidays
cruise aboard the legendary American Queen, from
December 14 to 21, 2012, you are invited to be our
guests for the 3-day Reunion Celebration in New
Orleans, from December 12 to 14, 2012. In addition
to the pre-voyage program, we will have some
lagniappes planned for you – down here that means
a little something extra that was unexpected.
We invite you to come and join us for this inaugural
re-launch of the Society. Let us charm you in
America’s French, Spanish and English city of
Nawlins, in the way those of us who have lived there
know how. Then, enjoy a week of sailing on Old Man
River aboard the grandest steamboat ever built, with
toe-tapping jazz, great stage shows and live dance
music, a taste of French Réveillon as well as Cajun
Christmas with bonfires on the levee. Experience
tours of antebellum mansions and plantation homes;
all the Old-Fashioned Holidays décor, stories and
experiences; and the finest cuisine and Southern
Hospitality. These are things we know about – we’re
from New Orleans and the Heartland – and we want
to share it all with you!
We hope you will join us for this festive holiday event!
If you are already a former member of the
Paddlewheel Steamboating Society of America,
you are always welcome to our Members Only and
Reunion events and celebrations. If you are new to
Steamboating, we welcome you as our guest to this
celebration, and you will become a Member of the
PSSOA upon arrival, with all future benefits, insider
invitations and gifts enjoyed by PSSOA Members.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey D. Krida
Chief Executive Officer
W. Jeremiah Boone
Membership Purser
American Queen
Steamboat Company
Paddlewheel Steamboating
Society of America
Complimentary 3-Day Reunion
Celebration in New Orleans
Day One | Wednesday, December 12, 2012
U
pon your arrival in New Orleans on December 12, our program
begins at the fabulous Roosevelt Hotel. Your first step into
the block-long lobby of the world-famous Roosevelt New Orleans, a
Waldorf Astoria Hotel, will astound you with its spectacular Christmas
decorations. Practical too, with its special Hospitality Desk set up
just for you, staffed with perhaps familiar-to-you faces of former
Steamboating crew and office folks. Check in and ask about the Teddy
Bear Tea held this afternoon.
Roosevelt Hotel
This evening, join us in the historic and beautiful Blue Room for
cocktails and hors d’oeuvres along with a Welcome Aboard reception hosted by the owners and senior
management of the American Queen Steamboat Company, and by retired Paddlewheel Steamboating Society
of America Membership Purser, W. Jeremiah Boone. The entire affair will include a River Reverie of seldomheard, authentic Steamboat Era popular music and dancing, all provided by legendary former Mississippi
Queen and American Queen bandleader, Tom Hook.
Day Two | Thursday, December 13, 2012
T
his morning, be ready for a quintessential New Orleans style treat
– a dazzling brunch at the Court of Two Sisters with so many
delicious dishes to choose from and some even custom prepared just
for you. And what a truly New Orleans atmosphere: a surprisingly
secluded patio right in the heart of the French Quarter with a jazz trio
playing at your table.
After brunch, a deluxe, guided motor coach tour with light walking
will take you through New Orleans’ historic Garden District featuring
court of two sisters
architecturally interesting, stately mansions, sub-tropical gardens,
sweeping magnificent Live Oak trees, cast iron fences and balcony railings, and calmingly quiet streets.
Our hosts will be on hand to assist you in planning your activities, as the afternoon brings free time on
your own to explore the Crescent City. Hop on the continuously operating shuttle from the Roosevelt
Hotel to explore the French Quarter, which is unlike any other
American neighborhood where quiet family residences, places of
historical significance, and exquisite shops and art galleries exist in
the same area as the raucous bars and music clubs of Bourbon Street.
This evening, enjoy cocktails and marvelous hors d’oeuvres at
St. Charles Place, the home of Kevin M. Kelly, owner of Houmas
House Plantation & Gardens. Situated on the oldest part of St. Charles
Avenue, the grandest thoroughfare in New Orleans, a native son of the
Big Easy has defined the majesty that is associated with its name by
breathing new life into a former architectural treasure. Kelly considers
his home to be the perfect property along The Avenue – where every
New Orleans Mardi Gras parade passes during the season. Brilliantly
transformed in 1997, the property is now adorned with Kelly’s
exquisite collection of antiques and architectural elements, including
some from celebrated old estates, now lost, that once stood on the
Avenue. Kelly has long been a fan of the American Queen, and your
voyage includes a visit of his plantation home on the river, Houmas
House, on Thursday, December 20.
St. Charles Place
Then, you’re in for one of the most fun dinners of your life at the
premier Palm Court Jazz Café with New Orleans ambiance through and through – good food, a casual
show, and perhaps the best traditional jazz band in New Orleans, perfect for listening, dancing, and being
part of where all jazz started in the City That Time Forgot.
Day Three | Friday, December 14, 2012
A
fter a sumptuous breakfast at the Roosevelt, it’s only a short
bus ride back to 1941 where the National WWII Museum
resides. This one-of-a-kind museum, designated by Congress in 2003,
illuminates the experience during the World War II era, chronicling
Pearl Harbor to VJ Day and the Home Front – the courage, teamwork,
and sacrifice of the men and women who won the war that changed the
world. The tour includes the film “Beyond All Boundaries”, narrated
and produced by Tom Hanks; a luncheon buffet; and the USO Show at
the Stage Door Canteen.
The day continues with early boarding of the
American Queen and a private, Members Only
Champagne Reception with the Captain.
New Orleans
Old Fashioned Holidays:
a 7-night Steamboating adventure
aboard the American Queen
Roundtrip New Orleans, LA
10-Day Holiday – 7-Night Voyage and 2-Night Hotel Stay
Old Fashioned Holidays. . . . . . . . . . . . . December 14–21, 2012
ItineraryArriveDepart
Dec. 14 New Orleans, LA. . . . . . . . . . . . Embark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 pm
Dec. 15 Oak Alley, LA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 am. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 pm
Dec. 16 St. Francisville, LA . . . . . . . . . . 8 am. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 pm
Dec. 17 Natchez, MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 am. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 pm
Dec. 18 Vicksburg, MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 am. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 pm
Dec. 19 Baton Rouge, LA. . . . . . . . . . . . 8 am. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30 pm
Dec. 20 Houmas House, LA. . . . . . . . . . 8 am. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 pm
Dec. 21 New Orleans, LA. . . . . . . . . . . . Disembark 8 am. . . . . . . . . . . . . Port Highlights
Natchez, MS
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans, Louisiana
Let the good times roll in the French Quarter, pop
into a jazz club on Bourbon Street, or sit down for
a Creole or Cajun feast in one of the world-class
restaurants.
Oak Alley, Louisiana
The American Queen pulls ashore right at
the shaded entrance to this amazing preserved
plantation home, the path to the front door line
with 300-year-old oaks.
St. Francisville, Louisiana
Be on the lookout for ghosts at the Myrtles
Plantation, considered one of the most haunted
homes in America, and then head into the sunlight
at one of dozens of lovely antebellum gardens.
Natchez, Mississippi
Imagine tree-lined cobblestone streets, gorgeous
antebellum mansions, family-run local stores, and
people so friendly that they make visitors feel like
friends with one disarming smile.
Houmas House, LA
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Take in the diversity from Vicksburg National
Military Park to the Waterways Experiment Station.
Billed as the “Red Carpet City of the South,”
Southern hospitality is alive and well, awaiting
your arrival.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Delight in the seamless blend of past and present
experiencing authentic Louisiana at every turn.
Visit the Veterans Memorial Museum, Louisiana
State Capitol building and the LSU Museum of Art.
Houmas House, Louisiana
Experience the southern splendor of “The Sugar
Palace” when you step into the 16 rooms of a grand
antebellum estate filled with period antiques and
Louisiana artwork.
Vicksburg, MS
Accommodations
Suites with Veranda
Inside Cabins
Our suites give you the feeling
of a fine Southern estate home,
complete with authentic Victoriana
and antiques. Perched atop the
American Queen in the best
locations with expansive views
of the river, you’ll feel like Thomas P. Leathers, one of the
wealthiest and most successful steamboat owners of the 19th
century. From the intimate sitting area with its sofa-bed and
cocktail table to the fluffy bed, this is river living at its finest.
Surrounded by wonderful period
details and with every modern
convenience, you will find your
cares disappear within moments
upon entering these cozy havens.
We’ve spared no expense on the
small details that make all the difference in the world. Note the
antebellum-style wallpaper, cloud-like pillows and bright and
cheerful private bath. Tom Sawyer never had it so good.
AAA – 230 sq. ft. H Two Double Beds H Tub and Shower H Sitting
Area with Sofa-bed H Vanity Mirror and Desk H Flat-screen TV
H French Doors Open Onto Deck H Promenade Deck
Superior Outside
Staterooms with Veranda
F – 140 sq. ft. H Upper and Lower Berths H Shower H Flat-screen
TV H Observation & Promenade Decks
For more details on our suites and staterooms including
diagrams and images, please visit www.AQSC.com/cabins.
With your own private veranda,
these staterooms are so enjoyable,
you just might never leave. Mark
Twain never could have dreamed
of accommodations so
comfortable. Sit in one of the wicker chairs and prop your feet
up on the ottoman as you read through the River Times, our
daily program, and discover
the delights that await you.
CategoryFare
Suites with Veranda
$5,795
$5,595
AA – 190 sq. ft. Plus Private 40 sq. ft. Veranda H Two Single Beds
H Tub and Shower H Flat-screen TV H Texas Deck
Superior Outside
Staterooms with Veranda
Deluxe Outside Staterooms
with Veranda
Settle back on the couch in your
sitting area, throw open the French
doors to the deck, and greet the
day as the banks of the river slip
majestically by, just out of reach.
Some staterooms in this category welcome you with a view of
the paddlewheel, while our highest guest deck offers expansive
views of America’s Heartland.
A – 210 sq. ft. H Two Single Beds H Tub and Shower H Flat-screen
TV H Sitting Area with Couch H Vanity Mirror and Desk H French
Doors Open Onto Deck H Promenade & Observation Decks
Deluxe Outside Staterooms
Not only do these staterooms
take you back in time with décor
reminiscent of a turn-of-the-century
bed and breakfast, you’ll have the
added joy of an expansive bay
window overlooking the everchanging scenery of America’s Heartland. Go ahead and curl
up in front of the window with a new novel and savor a moment
that belongs to only you.
D – 190 sq. ft. H Two Single Beds H Tub and Shower H Flat-screen
TV H Bay Window H Cabin Deck
Steamboating Fares
December 14, 2012 Voyage
$5,195
Deluxe Outside
$4,295
Staterooms with Veranda
$3,895
$3,495
$3,195
Deluxe Outside Staterooms
$3,295
Inside Cabins
$2,895
$2,495
$2,395
$1,995
Single Fares Begin at
$2,995
Southern Holiday Hospitality
C
An additional voyage option for PSSOA Members
hristmas is a magical time on the Mississippi River. Sip eggnog
while sitting in a rocking chair on the Front Porch of America,
be serenaded by carolers on the banks of the river or join in with
your fellow guests for a rousing rendition of a yuletide favorite. The
American Queen is decorated in her finest Victorian holiday finery
and the crew has a special twinkle in their eyes.
Imagine river communities glittering with lights and antebellum
plantation homes eager to welcome you with a glass of cider and a
tale about the past. Tables are laden with bourbon pecan pie, roast
turkey, and andouille sausage dressing while hearts are open to old
customs and new friends. As the American Queen glides along the
river under the moonlight, look for the bonfires on the levees that
have been lit in the Cajun tradition to guide Papa Noel on his way.
As a member of the PSSOA, you’ll receive the royal treatment with an
exclusive pre-voyage 2-night stay in New Orleans’ elegant Roosevelt
Hotel, be treated to a special dinner at Dickie Brennan’s famed
Palace Café and a guided city tour including a visit to the legendary
Café du Monde. The joy of the holidays blends with friends and
family to create memories that you will forever hold dear.
Roosevelt Hotel
Café Du Monde
New Orleans, LA to Memphis, TN
10-Day Holiday – 7-Night Voyage and 2-Night Hotel Stay
Old Fashioned Holidays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .December 21–28, 2012
ItineraryArriveDepart
Dec. 21 New Orleans, LA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Embark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 pm
Dec. 22 Oak Alley, LA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 am. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 pm
Dec. 23 Baton Rouge, LA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 am. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 pm
Dec. 24 St. Francisville, LA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 am. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:30 pm
Dec. 25 Natchez, MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 am. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 pm
Dec. 26 Vicksburg, MS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 am. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30 pm
Dec. 27Steamboating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dec. 28 Memphis, TN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Disembark 8 am. . . . . . . . . . . . . BONUS:
$500 Travel
Credit per Guest
and 2-Night
Hotel Stay
Port Highlights
Steamboating Fares
December 21, 2012 Voyage
Oak Alley, LA
Memphis, TN
Oak Alley, Louisiana
The American Queen pulls ashore right at
the shaded entrance to this amazing preserved
plantation home, the path to the front door lined
with 300-year old oaks.
Memphis, Tennessee
Jazz, blues and barbeque are a revered institution
on dynamic Beale Street while the legend of Elvis
lives on in Graceland.
St. Francisville, Louisiana
Stroll along Royal Street and its jewelry boutiques
and Victorian-era stores shopping for examples of
stunning handmade art and treasures.
Natchez, Mississippi
Imagine tree-lined cobblestone streets, gorgeous
antebellum mansions, family-run local stores, and
people so friendly that they make visitors feel like
friends with one disarming smile.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Let the good times roll in the French Quarter, pop
into a jazz club on Bourbon Street, and sit down for
a Creole or Cajun feast in one of the world-class
restaurants.
CategoryFare
Suites with Veranda
$5,795
$5,595
Superior Outside
Staterooms with Veranda
$5,195
Deluxe Outside
$4,295
Staterooms with Veranda
$3,895
$3,495
$3,195
Deluxe Outside Staterooms
$3,295
Inside Cabins
$2,895
$2,495
$2,395
$1,995
Single Fares Begin at
$2,995
BONUS:
$500 Travel
Credit per Guest
and 2-Night
Hotel Stay
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Dive into a surprisingly vibrant art scene with visits
to the LSU Art Museum and Baton Rouge Gallery
or create your own masterpiece at the Louisiana
Pottery Museum.
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Relive the dark time in American history when
brother took up arms against brother as you
explore Vicksburg National Military Park and
Cemetery and examine the remains of the gunboat
USS Cairo.
Dec 14 voyage: 3-day pre-voyage program is non-refundable, non-transferable and has no cash
value. Dec 21 voyage: travel credit is per guest, for new individual bookings only. 2-night hotel stay
is non-refundable, non-transferable and has no cash value.
This promotion is subject to availability and is not combinable with any other individual or group
offer. Fares quoted are in U.S. dollars, are per guest, and do not include air or land transportation.
Port Charges of $49 to $119 per person are additional and not included in the fare. Promotional
fares and amenities are capacity controlled, may vary by sailing and category of accommodations
and may be withdrawn without notice. Additional terms and conditions may apply. The American
Queen is owned and operated by the American Queen Steamboat Operating Company LLC, Inc.;
is regularly inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard; is of American registry; and employs American
officers, crew and staff.