Mississippi River aboard the American Duchess

ABOARD THE AMERICAN DUCHESS – When Executive Chef Jeff Warner entered the American Duchess dining room wearing his white jacket and tall white hat, he received a happy round of applause. He certainly deserves it. The food on my cruise is scrumptious. Not only is the food delicious but the menus are also a pleasure to read. Not just for the cuisine choices but for the little tidbits that are on every menu. Jeff lists “Chef Suggestions” …

Read moreAmerican Duchess Cruise: Chef’s notes on menu add to dining pleasure

AMERICAN DUCHESS – A tractor mishap helped put the career of a renowned bluesman in high gear. If not for the 1946 accident, the world might never have heard of Riley King. Of course, we got to know him as B.B. King. “Because of that accident, Riley King left Indianola for Memphis,” said Robert Terrell, Director of Operations for the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola, Mississippi.  “Memphis is where he got his nickname …

Read moreAmerican Duchess Cruise: Singing the blues at B.B. King hometown museum

ABOARD THE AMERICAN DUCHESS – A singing Elvis on roller skates. Romantic “popera” (popular opera) made famous by Luciano Pavarotti and Sarah Brightman. A 1960s-sock hop. And country music ranging from Loretta Lynn to Garth Brooks. Entertainment on the American Duchess is never boring. The multi-talented singers and musicians seem to be able to cover all genres of music – along with dancing, joking and audience interaction. Before and after dinner, cocktail music is played by the …

Read moreAmerican Duchess Cruise: Roller skating Elvis, paddlewheel guitar, much more on new boat

ABOARD THE AMERICAN DUCHESS – President Teddy Roosevelt was happy to get out of the White House and go hunting in the woods about 25 miles north of Vicksburg. He set out for the four-day hunt on a fine November day in 1902. When dogs treed a bear and the guide signaled for the President to shoot the animal, the nation’s leader refused. Hearing about the story, political cartoonist Clifford Berryman drew a sketch of Teddy Roosevelt …

Read moreAmerican Duchess Cruise: How ‘Teddy Bears’ got their name told on Vicksburg flood wall

ABOARD THE AMERICAN DUCHESS – Mike Bakarich was happy when his wife Carolyn opened her Yesterday’s Children Antique Doll and Toy Museum in 1986. “I finally had a place to sit,” he says with a smile. “She had dolls all over the house so I was glad when she got them out of the house and they weren’t taking up my seats.” After a year, Carolyn moved her museum to a historic 1849 building in downtown Vicksburg …

Read moreAmerican Duchess Cruise: Doll museum brings back childhood memories for many visitors

ABOARD THE AMERICAN DUCHESS – Once upon a time, Coca-Cola drinkers could only get their cold beverage by visiting a soda fountain. On a summer day in 1894, however, a young candy merchant and soda fountain operator changed all that. Joseph Biedenharn had an idea that quickly changed the soft drink industry. The Vicksburg businessman put the popular drink in bottles so that people anywhere could enjoy it whenever and wherever they wanted. “Now people could buy …

Read moreAmerican Duchess Cruise: Vicksburg man starts bottling Coca-Cola, changes soft drink world

ABOARD THE AMERICAN DUCHESS – Three little boys growing up in small town Louisiana showed early musical talents. But the three cousins probably had no idea that their names would one day be known worldwide. The three youngsters from Ferriday were Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart and Mickey Gilley – sometimes known as the Killer, the Preacher and the Cowboy. “We’re proud of all of them,” says Linda Gardner, director of the Delta Music Museum & Arcade …

Read moreAmerican Duchess Cruise: Museum honors three cousins who became world famous

ABOARD THE AMERICAN DUCHESS – The beautiful antebellum house known as “The Towers” doesn’t have any. Towers, that is. One of the landmark towers that gave the historic Natchez home its name was destroyed in a 1927 fire. The other tower was taken down that same year. But Ginger Hyland and her husband James are determined to do something about that lack of towers. “We’re returning the towers,” she says. “I’m so excited, I can’t stand it.” …

Read moreAmerican Duchess Cruise: Visiting amazing collections at The Towers in Natchez

Aboard the American Duchess – The mighty Mississippi has a new royal lady traveling along its muddy waters. Launched in August 2017, the new 166-guest American Duchess has already made her beautiful presence felt. “I think riverboat cruising is more popular than ever,” says American Duchess Riverlorian Steve Spracklen. “It’s a good way for people to see some of these small American towns along the river and to get away from all the noise and news going …

Read moreAmerican Duchess Cruise: Riverboat offers contemporary rather than traditional décor

Aboard the American Duchess – Like a magnificent jewel, the Longwood mansion nestles atop a Natchez hillside. But the opulent home hides a secret inside. “It was never finished,” tour guide Cindy says. “All that was ever finished was the basement and that’s where the family had to live.” The largest octagonal house in America, Longwood was the unfulfilled dream of wealthy planter and physician Haller Nutt. “To me, it is a story of romance, tragedy, triumph …

Read moreAmerican Duchess Cruise: Haunting story of mansion never finished because of Civil War