st. louis to st. paul - welcome aboard
DESCRIPTION
Pre-cruise information from American Cruise Lines for STL - STP itinerary.TRANSCRIPT
St. Louis, MO to St. Paul, MNYour Mississippi River Cruise
Welcome Aboard
Small Ship Cruising Done Perfectly™
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Welcome ....................................................3
Itinerary Overview .....................................4
Getting to St. Louis and Your Ship .............6
Staying in St. Louis ....................................7
Boarding Your Ship ....................................8
What to Bring ...........................................9
Meals & Cocktails ......................................10
General Shore Tour information .................11
General Onboard Information ....................12
Concluding Your Cruise .............................13
End of Cruise Transportation Services ........13
Port by Port Shore Tour Information ..........14
Recommended Reading ..............................19
Table of Contents
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Thank you for choosing American Cruise Lines. From your reservation to your experience aboard your ship, American Cruise Lines is with you every step of the way. Your cruise specialist is always just a phone call away and will be happy to assist you with everything from celebrating a special occasion to ensuring that your stateroom is just the way you like it. The following pages will answer many of your questions about the cruise and your onboard experience. Your cruise specialist is available and can be reached at (800) 894-8570.www.americancruiselines.com
Welcome Aboard
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Ports of CallSt. Louis, MO
Hannibal, MO
Davenport, IA
Dubuque, IA
La Crosse, WI
Red Wing, MN
St. Paul, MN
Itineraries are subject to change. A detailed itinerary will be mailed with your boarding documents.
Red Wing
La Crosse
Dubuque
Davenport
Hannibal
Dover
Florence
DecaturHuntsville
Oxford
TunicaHelena
Greenville
Vicksburg
Natchez
OakAlley
St. FrancisvilleBaton Rouge
Savannah/Shilo
LouisvilleGallipolis
Portsmouth
Marietta
EastLiverpool
Wheeling
Point PleasantMaysville
Louisiana
Mississippi
Arkansas
Tennessee
MissouriIllinois
Iowa
Wisconsin
Indiana
Kentucky
Alabama
Ohio
WestVirginia
Pennsylvania
New Orleans
Memphis ChattanoogaNashville
St. Louis
Minneapolis/St. Paul
OttawaPittsburgh
Cincinnati
Tennessee Tombigbee
Waterw
ay
Ohio R
iver
Ohio R.
Cum
berla
ndRiv
er
Tenness
ee R
iver
Illin
ois R
iver
Mis
siss
ipp
i Riv
er
Mississippi River
Missouri River
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Whether driving, flying, or taking the train, getting to the ship is easy.
Your ship will be docked at:
Getting to St. Louis and Your Ship
500 South Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63101
Eads Bridge
Poplar Street Bridge
N 4
th S
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S L
eono
r K
Sul
livan
Blv
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N B
road
way
N 8
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N 1
4th
St
N 7
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GatewayArch
Mis
siss
ippi
Riv
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Chouteau Ave
Martin Luther King BridgeLaclede’s Landing Blvd
Exit 250A
To Airport
Chestnut StMarket St
St. Louis
Washington Ave
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5555
64
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Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch
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P Mansion House Garage 330 N. 4th Street St. Louis, MO 63101
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Flying Into St. Louis:Lambert-St. Louis International Airport is the best airport to fly into. It is serviced by most major airlines, and is approximately 20 minutes from the ship by taxi.
Driving To St. LouisThe ship is docked at 500 South Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63101. Upon arrival, you will see American Cruise Lines deckhands in bright red shirts ready to assist you. You may drop your bags off at the ship before parking so they can be brought to your stateroom in advance. Parking is available near the landing.Mansion House Garage (314) 621-8723 330 N. 4th Street St. Louis, MO 63101A shuttle is offered from the garage back to the ship. For more information, prices, or to reserve a space on the shuttle, please call your cruise specialist at (800) 894-8570.
HotelsIf you are arriving to St. Louis the night before your cruise, these hotels are located a few minutes from the ship. Please ask for the special American Cruise Lines rate. Each hotel can arrange for taxi service to the ship.Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch (314) 231-3003 2 South 4th St. St. Louis, MO 63102 www.druryhotels.comAmerican Cruise Lines offers a shuttle from this hotel to the ship. For more information, prices, or to reserve a space on the shuttle, please call your cruise specialist at (800) 894-8570.
Pear Tree Inn Union Station (314) 241-3200 2211 Market St. St. Louis, MO 63103 www.druryhotels.com
Drury Inn Airport Hotel (314) 423-7700 10490 Natural Bridge Rd. St. Louis, MO 63134 www.druryhotels.com
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Boarding TimePlease plan to arrive at the ship between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. You may not be able to access your stateroom until about 11:30 a.m. The ship will leave at 1:30 p.m. or earlier if all guests have arrived.
From the moment you arrive, everything will be handled for you. American Cruise Lines deckhands wear a distinctive red shirt and will unload your luggage from your car or taxi and bring it to your stateroom aboard the ship. Please keep your boarding passes with you, as it is not necessary for you
to stay with your luggage. The Cruise Director will be awaiting your arrival at the gangway of the ship. Please present your boarding passes and photo ID at this time.
Luggage and Luggage TagsAmerican Cruise Lines places no restrictions on luggage. However, it is recommended that you bring as few bags as necessary. Suitcases less than 10 inches high may be stowed under your bed. You will be receiving luggage tags with your boarding pass before your cruise. If you would like additional tags, your cruise specialist will be happy to send you more. If you have cruised with us before, please remove your old luggage tags.
Boarding Your Ship
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Casual resort attire is recommended both on the ship and ashore. For dinner, men’s clothing might include a sport shirt and slacks, with sport coat or sweater. Women might find a sweater and slacks, or a dress appropriate. American Cruise Lines also recommends that you bring the following:
• Comfortable resort attire • Comfortable walking shoes• Sunscreen• Hat• Light rain wear• Jacket for cool evenings• Camera• Photo identification
Please do not hesitate to ask your Hotel Manager for any item that you may have forgotten.
What to Bring
The Missisippi River near Alton, IL 9
American Cruise Lines offers open seating at every meal in the Dining Salon on the Main Deck. Dress is resort attire. At dinner, men often wear a sport coat and women often wear a dress.Breakfast is prepared to order at your leisure between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.Lunch is served at 12:30 p.m.Dinner service begins at 6:30 p.m., and you are welcome to join us at any time before 7:30 p.m.American Cruise Lines provides complimentary wine and beer during lunch and dinner service. A complimentary cocktail hour with full bar is hosted each evening at 5:30 p.m. before dinner.
Glasses, ice, mixers, and soft drinks are available at all times. For other liquor requests, your Hotel Manager will assist you.
Special Diets and MedicationsAmerican Cruise Lines will cater to any special dietary needs. Please tell your cruise specialist approximately two weeks prior to your cruise so that we may plan accordingly. Refrigeration is available to store insulin or other medications requiring protection.
Meals and Cocktails
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Your onshore experience is as important as your onboard experience, so American Cruise Lines has taken special care to research and plan excursions at each port. With American Cruise Lines, you will experience what makes each destination a special place. Every tour will take you to the finest local sites at each port and give you true insight to the area’s culture, heritage and history. On each excursion, you’ll be joined by local experts, historians or naturalists to further enhance your experience. For detailed descriptions of each tour, please see pages 14-18.For additional information about the places you will visit or alternative activities available, your Cruise Director or onboard guest speaker will be happy to help.
Shore excursions come in two categories:
You may sign up for most tours onboard with the Cruise Director. American Cruise Lines is dedicated to making your onshore experience a true American Adventure.
Shore ToursPlease note that all shore tours are subject to availability and change.
F FeaturedFeatured tours are complimentary to all guests.
P Premium
Premium tours typically cost between $20 and $70 and can be paid for onboard, near the end of your cruise.
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Subject to change.
American Cruise Lines will work to meet your onboard needs and cater to special requests. If at any point there is an item that you would like to see provided, please let your Hotel Manager or Cruise Director know.
Emergency MessagesEmergency messages can be directed to the main office in Connecticut at (800) 894-8570. They will be relayed to the ship at the first opportunity. You are urged to provide American Cruise
Lines with email addresses and cellular phone numbers, as well as an emergency contact prior to your departure date. Cell phones are generally available onboard the ship for emergency purposes.
TippingTipping is entirely at your personal discretion. Tips are generally given to the Hotel Manager near the end of the cruise. They are then divided equally among the stewards and deckhands. Tips generally
average about $125 per person on a 7-night cruise. Stewards and deckhands do not expect and cannot accept tips directly. Credit cards, personal or travelers checks, and cash are accepted. If you choose to pay by credit card, please contact the Hotel Manager at least one day before the end of your cruise.
General Onboard Information
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On most cruises, the ship will arrive in St. Paul, MO the evening prior to the final day of the cruise. The ship docks at the Lambert’s Landing, 180 Shepard Road, St. Paul, MN 55102. On the last day of your cruise, breakfast is served from 7:00 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. and passengers may disembark until 8:30 a.m. At the conclusion of your cruise, consider extending your stay in St. Paul with one of the tours on page 19. Your Hotel Manager or Cruise Director will be available to assist with tour arrangements.
For passengers flying home, American Cruise Lines offers transportation from the ship in St. Paul to:Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport – departs the ship at 8:30 a.m.For more information, prices, or reservations, please call your cruise specialist at (800) 894-8570. During the cruise, your Hotel Manager or Cruise Director will also be happy to assist you with travel arrangements.
Concluding Your Cruise End of Cruise Transportation Services
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Hannibal, MONarrated Trolley Tour
Relive the adventures of Mark Twain’s time in Hannibal during a historic trolley tour. Your experienced guide will share the history of Hannibal and take you to places of historical significance, including the Rockcliffe Mansion, an amazing 13,500 square foot American castle built to overlook the mighty Mississippi River. This tour will highlight many of the exciting places that inspired Mark Twain’s famous tales.
Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum
Discover the Hannibal of Samuel Clemens’ youth at the Mark Twain
Boyhood Home and Museum. Become reacquainted with one of the world’s most beloved authors at his historic home, then explore the inspirational setting for the stories he created by visiting the Huckleberry Finn house and Becky Thatcher house. Be sure to also visit Judge Clemens’ Justice of the Peace Office, the setting for Muff Potter’s trial and the Museum Gallery, which features a series of Norman Rockwell paintings.
DavenpOrt, iaJohn Deere Pavilion
Visit the newly renovated John Deere Pavilion and Store. The John Deere Pavilion shares the story of the company’s ongoing contributions to agricultural development through exhibits and equipment displays. Discover antique tractors, giant combines, and interactive displays on this self-guided tour.
John Hauberg Indian Museum
Enjoy a guided tour of the Hauberg Indian Museum. Located in the Black Hawk State Historic Site, this museum interprets the story of the Sauk and Meskwaki
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Port by Port Shore Tour Information
Mark Twain boyhood home
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Indians who once called this place home. During the tour, view full-size replicas of Sauk winter and summer homes, dioramas with life-size figures of the Sauk and Meskwaki Indians, and traditional artifacts, including authentic trade goods and jewelry.
Dubuque, iaNational Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
Take an entertaining and informative journey along the mighty Mississippi at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. On this guided tour, you will discover the lives of the pioneers, explorers and artists who lived along the Mississippi River and get close
to nature as you make your way through six large aquariums. The museum’s interactive exhibits will give you an inside look into the Mississippi’s past, present and future.
Historic City Tour
Step back in time and experience the elegance of Victorian era Dubuque during a tour through the town’s many historic
attractions. Learn about the architecture, families and events that made 19th century Dubuque such a unique treasure. Your guide will lead you through Dubuque’s beautiful historic sites, including the Mathias Ham House and The Old Jail Museum.
la CrOsse, WiHistoric City Tour
Tour this wonderful city and view the historic late 19th and early 20th century buildings that define La Crosse. Gain insight into the architectural development of La Crosse from its boomtown Riverboat days through the roaring 20s. Discover the evolution of the historic downtown and the well-preserved residential neighborhoods during this narrated bus tour.
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Carriage and paddlewheel outside the National Mississippi River Museum and
Aquarium in Dubuque
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Eco-Tour
Spend an afternoon on this signature backwater cruise, specifically designed for nature lovers and bird watchers. Explore a variety of wetland habitats and discover the wide array of wildlife that lives within the “Upper Miss” wildlife refuge. Highlights include up close views of bald eagle nests, beaver lodges, sunning turtles, great blue herons, egrets, red fox, and playful river otters.
Hixon House
Take a step back in time at the Hixon House, a beautiful Victorian home. Built in 1859 by lumber baron, Gideon Hixon, this house features beautiful woodwork and an elegant interior design. Gideon’s wife, Ellen, decorated the Hixon House in an aesthetic fashion, and it has been preserved much as it was after its last remodelling and redecoration in 1900. The Hixon House also features its original furnishings, making it unusual among historic houses.
reD Wing, MnBald Eagle Viewing Cruise
Join Captain Rusty for a cruise along the river to see the majestic
creatures that call the shores of the Upper Mississippi home. Enjoy coffee and doughnuts as you cruise along, spotting wildlife along the way. There are 14 eagle nests within five miles of the dock. Captain Rusty will narrate and take you to see three 1,500 pound nests and their inhabitants.
You will be closer than you could ever imagine and will come away with a great appreciation for the bald eagle.
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Bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River above St. Louis
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Red Wing Pottery Tour
In 1877, the Red Wing Stoneware Company opened its doors for business. The famous pottery maker is still open today, making kitchenware and decorative accent pieces for the entire home. Tour the Red Wing
Stoneware factory and observe firsthand the intricate processes that go into the creation of their beautiful pottery and stoneware. There will be time after the tour to shop in the factory store and to observe the production floor in action.
st. paul, MnAmerican Cruise Lines recommends the following tours of St. Paul after the conclusion of your cruise.
Cathedrals to Capitols Tour
Discover the old world charm of Minnesota’s capital city during this downtown tour. This tour takes you to a number of historic buildings, including the State Capitol, Landmark Center, and the Cathedral of Saint Paul. Between each landmark, you will see lovingly restored Victorian homes adorned with wrought iron, stained glass and stone facades.
The Liquor Bandits
The prohibition era was a fascinating time in St. Paul. Step
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back into this tumultuous time with costumed guides who play the part of 1930s gangsters perfectly. Follow these famous bandits’ paths to wealth, riches, and the Federal Court House (now Landmark Center). Hear about the lives of these gangsters and learn how the criminal justice system functioned
during the prohibition era. Told with humor and accuracy, you will learn while you laugh during this wonderful tour.
State Capitol Tour
The Minnesota State Capitol is a breathtaking architectural feat. Soaring domes, historic
government chambers and a renowned art collection are your backdrop on this guided tour through the capitol building. You many even have the opportunity to walk to the Quadriga, a chariot drawn by four golden horses located on the roof of the capitol.
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Life on the Mississippiby Mark TwainEngrossing and entertaining anecdotes by a peerless storyteller from a now-finished chapter of American history.
Old Man River: The Mississippi River in North American Historyby Paul SchneiderPublisher: Holt, Henry & Company, Inc.
“[A] vivid history.”—The New Yorker“Reminiscent of a Ken Burns documentary...this historical book becomes surprisingly moving and meditative.”—Cedar Rapids Gazette
“Stunning...With such an expert hand on the tiller, Old Man River is an astonishing journey.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Jazz on the Riverby William Howland KenneyPublisher: University Of Chicago Press
“Jazz on the River is the first book of its kind . . . We are treated here to a heady mix of local history, riverboat mythology, trends in the making of jazz, and even biographies of its leading luminaries. This is a beautiful book full of color and detail.”—Thomas Brothers, Duke University
Immortal River: The Upper Mississippi in Ancient and Modern Timesby Calvin R. FremlingPublisher: University of Wisconsin PressImmortal River is written for the educated lay-person who would like to know more about the river’s history and the forces that shape as well as threaten it today.
Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How it Changed Americaby John M. BarryPublisher: Simon & SchusterA New York Times Notable Book of the Year, winner of the Southern Book Critics Circle Award and the Lillian Smith Award.
Upper Mississippi River History: Fact-Fiction-Legend Paperbackby Ron LarsonPublisher: Steamboat Press
“If you love River Lore, like we do, you will love this book. It has stories, pictures, and some real history.”—Amazon Customer Review
Recommended Reading
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741 Boston Post Rd., Suite 200Guilford, CT 06437(800) 894-8570
(800) 894-8570www.americancruiselines.com
tHank yOu fOr Cruising WitH us!
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