Celebrate holiday customs, traditions and cuisine on a Delta Queen riverboat in the Old South. Shop for unique Christmas gifts in quaint towns along the river (Aug. 17, 2004)

Celebrate holiday customs, traditions and cuisine on a Delta Queen riverboat in the Old South. Shop for unique Christmas gifts in quaint towns along the river
Delta Queen Steamboat Company, Inc. invites passengers to celebrate the holiday season in a relaxed and special way with an Old-Fashioned Holiday Vacation on a riverboat.

The authentic steam-powered paddlewheelers, Delta Queen, Mississippi Queen and American Queen, are dressed in their holiday finery on cruises over Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's when passengers are treated to a melange of festive traditional observances of yesteryear on Steamboatin' vacations with all the trimmings..

Thanksgiving - A nostalgic Thanksgiving on the river means a bountiful cornucopia of traditional dishes and heartland hospitality. Aboard the Delta Queen, observe the holiday with an emphasis on Cajun culture during a special seven-night cruise from Little Rock, Ark., to New Orleans, Nov. 19-26; or enjoy New Orleans roundtrip cruises with a six-night cruise on the Mississippi Queen, Nov. 22-28 or a four-night cruise aboard the American Queen, Nov. 23-27.

Dickens With a Holiday Twist - The Delta Queen offers two cruises between New Orleans and Galveston, Nov. 29-Dec. 6 and Dec. 6-11, so passengers can participate in Galveston's 31st annual "Dickens on the Strand" festival, which takes place over the weekend of Dec. 3-5.

Nineteenth-century Victorian London comes to Texas in this enchanted journey through history when the Strand National Historic Landmark District in downtown Galveston is transformed for the weekend by hundreds of costumed carolers, entertainers, roving street musicians and bagpipers. Escorted by colorful Beefeaters, Her Majesty Queen Victoria greets the spectators from a garland-draped horse-drawn carriage during the Queens Parade. Visitors sample traditional British holiday fare-everything from roasted chestnuts to plum pudding-and local artisans display their wares in time for holiday shopping.

These cruises feature a Cajun storyteller, a bonfire on the levee (feux de joie) and a traditional Creole reveillon dinner.

Old-Fashioned Holiday cruises - Christmas begins on all three Queens at the end of November with several round-trip vacations out of New Orleans. Choose from three-, four-, five-, six- or seven-night itineraries for southern style merrymaking that include Cajun and Southern holiday customs, and a taste of Christmas from Around the World.

A Cajun Christmas cruise aboard the Delta Queen might be the first time you'll ever hear "The Cajun Night Before Christmas" as told by the onboard Cajun storyteller. Choose from four departures, Nov. 26-29, Dec. 11-18, Dec. 18-22 and Dec. 22-28.

Passengers aboard the Mississippi Queen will experience holiday customs and cuisine the world over during five Christmas Around the World vacations, New Orleans round trip four-, five- and seven-night departures.

Cruises will feature special lecturers and storytellers, including Bill Federer, best-selling author of "There Really is a Santa Claus-The History of Saint Nicholas & Christmas Holiday Traditions;" storyteller Darrel "the Ragin' Cajun" Begnaud; children's author Mary D. Lankford, author of "Christmas Around the World;" Peter Roop, co-author (with wife, Connie) of "Let's Celebrate Christmas!;" and Gerry Bowler, author of the comprehensive "The World Encyclopedia of Christmas."

This new theme features Christmas customs, crafts and cuisine from around the world, including special menu items with traditional holiday dishes from Austria, England, France, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Jewish traditions, Spain, Scandinavia and Portugal. You'll also enjoy the traditional Cajun custom of the "feux de joie."

From festive decorations reminiscent of a Victorian Christmas to spectacular blazing bonfires on the levees, Old-Fashioned Holidays vacations are both a celebration of familiar holiday traditions and an introduction to the unique French-inspired customs along the lower Mississippi River.
Enjoy an Old-Fashioned Holidays cruise aboard the grand American Queen where her Victorian holiday decorations will transport you back in time to experience the gracious customs of the Old South-enjoy eggnog, caroling, reveillion dinners, the "feux de joie" to light the way for Papa Noel, and plenty of holiday entertainment. Make some Victorian parlor crafts and ornaments to decorate the Christmas tree, plus lots of other fun surprises. Choose from seven New Orleans round trip departures beginning Nov. 27. Delta Queen

A TIME TO CONNECT WITH FAMILY
The holiday season is all about reconnecting with loved ones, and the American Queen and Mississippi Queen deliver a "Riverbonding" Adventures program for families aboard Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday sailings. These sailings feature a family activity coordinator to provide families a chance to play together, laugh together, eat together and explore America together. Children under 18 cruise free in their parents' stateroom, and each family chooses from a list of 20 board games, theirs to keep, to enjoy an "unplugged" family vacation. A free family portrait, special treats and family shore excursions are just some of the perks of this unique offer.

EXTEND THE FESTIVITIES
Take advantage of pre- and post- cruise stays in New Orleans. Who can ever get enough of "The Big Easy"? The city delivers a perpetual state of revelry, and engages in more than 100 festivities all through December during its annual Christmas New Orleans Style celebration.

RING IN THE NEW YEAR NEW ORLEANS' STYLE
Six- or seven-night round-trips from New Orleans are packed with sparkle and jubilation commemorating the beginning of a brand new year. All three steamboats ring in the New Year New Orleans' Style with streamers, noisemakers and sumptuous cuisine. You New Year's celebration begins Dec. 28 on the Delta Queen, Dec. 26 aboard the Mississippi Queen and Dec. 27 aboard the American Queen.

Fares range from $695 for a 3-night cruise to $1,695 for a seven-night cruise, per person double occupancy. Special two-for-one pricing or other discounts may be available on select cruises, subject to availability.

(Source: Delta Queen Steamboat Company)