Two questions I often hear as a solo traveler: Do I get lonely traveling by myself? Am I afraid to travel alone?
The answers? Nope. And nope.
Although I enjoy being with family and friends or with groups of strangers, I also enjoy alone-time to journey to fascinating places. Cruise ships seem to offer the best of both worlds and I’m looking forward to a solo cruise aboard the new American Serenade.
Not only will I be cruising alone, I also will be cruising in a solo cabin – a first for me. Solo cabins are not as large or as expensive as regular staterooms on a cruise ship. American Serenade offers four single cabins.
And every cabin on the American Serenade is booked. That shows how popular cruising has become. Maybe it also shows that American Cruise Lines’ Music City tour is drawing much interest and its riverboats are the choice for many cruisers.
Cruising from Memphis to Nashville
My eight-day cruise will begin in Memphis and end in Nashville – truly musical meccas – with stops in Paducah in Kentucky, and Dover and Clarksville in Tennessee. The itinerary also includes two days of cruising the Mississippi and Ohio rivers plus cruising Lake Barkley and the Cumberland River.
The cruise features a complimentary overnight stay at The Guesthouse at Graceland in Memphis which is a smart move on the part of American Cruise Lines. With the way flights are often cancelled or delayed, that first Guesthouse overnight means that passengers have an extra day to arrive to board the Serenade.
Spending one night in a hotel before the cruise starts also gives cruisers a chance to get a good night’s sleep and eat a relaxing breakfast before boarding the riverboat the next morning. Not all cruise lines offer this overnight stay before ship boarding so I really appreciate it.
Walking in the Footsteps of Elvis
I’ve also opted for the Two-Night Graceland Pre-Cruise Package so I can visit Graceland and other Memphis attractions. I haven’t been to Graceland since Lisa Marie Presley died and was buried near her son Benjamin and her father Elvis.
As for the new American Serenade, the riverboat set sail on its inaugural journey down the Mississippi River on April 20, 2023. The five-deck Serenade offers 91 staterooms, all with step-out balconies, and can accommodate 180 passengers.
The sixth ship in the company’s American Riverboat series, the Serenade boasts a patented open bow with a retractable gangway. Incorporating a stunning use of glass for awesome views, the Serenade has an impressive four-story glass atrium in the center of the ship.
I’m curious to see what my solo cabin will be like as well as what the Serenade offers for dining, entertainment and shore excursions. Should be an exciting time as a solo. Hope you’ll follow along to see what we discover.
Bottom Line: American Cruise Line never fails to live up to expectations.
7 Night – Music Cities Cruise from Memphis, TN to Nashville, TN
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Heidi, Editor-In-Chief
