Our room rivaled those in many an upscale hotel. Food and table settings were five-star. The list of activities in our temporary home-away-from-home covered a diversity of interests.
We had opportunities to explore inviting towns that provided deep dives into Civil War and other history and to visit magnificent antebellum plantations. Adding to the allure of our Lower Mississippi River Cruise was the chance to explore museums that brought to life prehistoric times, Native American and African American stories, and numerous aspects of life in that corner of the country.
My wife, Fyllis, and I were enjoying one of more than 50 small-ship itineraries offered by American Cruise Lines, which plies rivers and other waterways through 35 states in vessels that hold between 90 and 180 passengers. They combine facilities, amenities and activities comparable to those available on mega-cruisers with the intimacy of a smaller setting and fewer people….