American Queen themes, from Civil War to Elvis

Country music will be featured on the Oct. 24 to Nov. 1 cruise. Among American Queen's inaugural visits to Nashville, the nine-day cruise includes tours to the Grand Ole Opry and historic Ryman Auditorium before sailing the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers to Dover and Savannah, Tenn.; Paducah, Ky.; and Florence and Decatur, Ala.  

A Civil War theme, set for the Oct. 31-Nov. 8 sailing from Chattanooga to Memphis, exposes passengers to the military and political strategies that shaped the events of America's Civil War. Lectures from top Civil War historians and period music set the stage for shore excursions like the Lloyd Tilghman House & Civil War Museum in Paducah.     

Elvis Presley is the focus of the Dec. 5-13 voyage that will immerse passengers in southern musical landmarks including tours to Elvis' Graceland Mansion, Sun Studio and The Peabody Hotel in Memphis. Highlights include on-board appearances by tribute artists along with Elvis movie co-stars Marlyn Mason and Chris Noel and personal bodyguard Sam Thompson.   

Three departures—Nov. 28-Dec. 6, Dec. 12-20 and Dec. 19-27—of an 'Old Fashioned Holidays' voyage along the lower Mississippi include the Louisiana tradition of bonfires on the levees, special Christmas shows in American Queen's Grand Saloon, door-decorating contests and woodcarver Jim Moore creating a Victorian Santa from a block of basswood. Seasonal culinary delights and desserts include a Creole Réveillon Christmas Dinner.

A 'Bourbon & Bluegrass' voyage, July 4-12, 2015, spans the length of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Distilleries from the makers of Jim Beam, Buffalo Trace and Heaven Hill are featured, and famous bourbon makers will be joined on board by award-winning Bluegrass acts.