Just back from ACL on the Mississippi

[Kylie]

We were on the 'Queen of the Mississippi' on the Mississippi from Memphis to New Orleans April 3-10, 2021.   They took very good safety precautions for covid - we were required to have our vaccines, a negative covid test 4 days before the cruise, and a quick test before getting on the ship.  We had our temperature taken before we got off the bus after each excursion and I was randomly tested during the week.   Of course, masks were required.  

Only 53 pax onboard but 79 this week so they are increasing numbers weekly.   Crew was friendly but still learning the ropes in the dining room but no problems with that.  Food was exceptional.

Any questions just ask.

 

[MSEm]

Thank you for posting. Know you have a great time.

Question on Snack.  What was available for snacks?  Any fresh fruit, veggies, or cheeses put out for snack?

How was breakfast? Was it only order from the menu?  Was there an omelet station?

 

[Kylie]

54 minutes ago, MSEm said:

Thank you for posting. Know you have a great time.

Question on Snack.  What was available for snacks?  Any fresh fruit, veggies, or cheeses put out for snack?

How was breakfast? Was it only order from the menu?  Was there an omelet station?

 

 

Snacks are always available in the 2 lounges but nothing fresh now.  Mostly chips, pretzels, granola, and nuts in bags and hot/cold drinks.    Breakfast is menu only (omelets are on the menu but no buffet now).  Room service breakfast is also available with a decent menu.   Early risers breakfast in the lounge on deck 4 with prepackaged pastries.   

[Cali Viajera]

Hi! What were the excursions like? Any excursion listed in brochure not available? Did buses take you everywhere? Were you allowed to walk into town on your own?

[Kylie]

1 hour ago, Cali Viajera said:

Hi! What were the excursions like? Any excursion listed in brochure not available? Did buses take you everywhere? Were you allowed to walk into town on your own?

 

Most of the excursions were available - all bus rides somewhere.  We didn't get out to see some places because they were closed because of covid.   Yes, you could go out on your own.  There was usually a HOHO bus that would take you in to the city to look around on your own.   We kept busy doing more than 1 excursion each day if we could.  

[vino100]

Did you have to wear masks while walking around the ship? 

[Kylie]

1 hour ago, vino100 said:

Did you have to wear masks while walking around the ship? 

 

Yes and they would ask you to put it on if you forgot.  As soon as we sat down for a meal or cocktails we would take it off.  People did wear them during talks, on the bus, and watching entertainment in the evening. 

[vino100]

Thanks for the update. My cruise is in September, not sure if I want to go if we have to wear masks . 

[shipgeeks]

Thank you for your post.  We are looking forward to seeing arrival and departure during her Pittsburgh trips in August and September.

[Tom47]

We are on a September Columbia river cruise.  Thanks for your post.

[Tinknock50]

On 4/15/2021 at 6:42 AM, Kylie said:

 

Yes and they would ask you to put it on if you forgot.  As soon as we sat down for a meal or cocktails we would take it off.  People did wear them during talks, on the bus, and watching entertainment in the evening. 

Did you have to wear a mask when on outside decks?

[Cali Viajera]

We’re you able to visit Baton Rouge? We are on the July 3 NOLA to Memphis cruise. Baton Rouge was left off the itinerary we were recently given. How about Oak Valley plantation, Vicksburg park?

[BillHana]

Kylie, Thanks for posting and stirring up some life on this board. We are booked on American Jazz in November after frustrations with CDC limitations on big ship cruising. So far it sounds like a fun time is coming. 

[Kylie]

3 hours ago, Cali Viajera said:

We’re you able to visit Baton Rouge? We are on the July 3 NOLA to Memphis cruise. Baton Rouge was left off the itinerary we were recently given. How about Oak Valley plantation, Vicksburg park?

 

Yes, we did BR and Vicksburg park.   We did the Cajun Swamp excursion (beautiful weather day and fun tour) in the morning so did Houmas House in the afternoon since we would have been rushed to do Oak Valley.   We weren't able to dock at Houmas House because of high water so actually missed that stop but could still do the excursions by driving from BR.  We had to be more selective about which tours to take since we couldn't do all that were offered.  

[Kylie]

2 hours ago, BillHana said:

Kylie, Thanks for posting and stirring up some life on this board. We are booked on American Jazz in November after frustrations with CDC limitations on big ship cruising. So far it sounds like a fun time is coming. 

 Yes, we were thrilled to be doing any kind of cruising!   

[Cali Viajera]

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions!

[Tinknock50]

On 4/15/2021 at 6:42 AM, Kylie said:

 

Yes and they would ask you to put it on if you forgot.  As soon as we sat down for a meal or cocktails we would take it off.  People did wear them during talks, on the bus, and watching entertainment in the evening. 

 

9 hours ago, Tinknock50 said:

Did you have to wear a mask when on outside decks?

Did you miss my question ?   🙂

[Kylie]

8 hours ago, Tinknock50 said:

 

Did you miss my question ?   🙂

 Oops - if we were sitting outside by ourselves we didn't wear them.  Walking around the ship and inside we did.  

[tipsygirl]

Regarding taking off your mask at meals or cocktails what is the proper etiquette for where you place your mask when you take it off? 

 

[Kylie]

33 minutes ago, tipsygirl said:

Regarding taking off your mask at meals or cocktails what is the proper etiquette for where you place your mask when you take it off? 

 

 

Not sure there is any - some people put them in their pockets and others just laid them on the table.  

[Tinknock50]

2 hours ago, Kylie said:

 Oops - if we were sitting outside by ourselves we didn't wear them.  Walking around the ship and inside we did.  

Thanks. :).   just for clarification, did you mean you wore them while walking around outside ?  Did you see anyone reminded by crew to put them on while walking around outside?   Thanks again.

[tipsygirl]

4 hours ago, Kylie said:

 

Not sure there is any - some people put them in their pockets and others just laid them on the table.  

Thanks for your response. Just found a solution...a lanyard similar to an eyeglass “necklace “ that clips onto the masks ear loops and lets you take off the mask without having to store it somewhere. It just hangs around your neck. Found multiple inexpensive variations on Amazon.

[Kylie]

7 hours ago, Tinknock50 said:

Thanks. :).   just for clarification, did you mean you wore them while walking around outside ?  Did you see anyone reminded by crew to put them on while walking around outside?   Thanks again.

 

Didn't wear them while walking outside on the ship or on our balcony obviously but there's not that much room outside to walk.  We did sit outside quite a lot since the weather was nice.  No, we didn't see anyone remind people outside.  

[Tinknock50]

4 minutes ago, Kylie said:

 

Didn't wear them while walking outside on the ship or on our balcony obviously but there's not that much room outside to walk.  We did sit outside quite a lot since the weather was nice.  No, we didn't see anyone remind people outside.  

Thanks!  Always great to have first hand information.

 

[MSEm]

It is the Guest on board that must be fully vaccinated.  I may have missed it but I have not seen anything about crew, staff,  entertainers, tour guides and bus drivers required to be vaccinated. I hope I am wrong and all staff are required to be vaccinated.