We're newbies. . .

AQ

pack light clothes it will be hot and humid . The AQ has ac on board so it will be nice inside.if you got your docs. it will tell you what to wear at dinner.

Steamboat travel is a bit less formal

But your information packet should have suggestions on what to pack. Sometimes the top deck gets full of soot although not quite as much on the AQ. There is a small pool on the top deck too.

I always believe in packing light. Even with people who become friends, steamboat travelers have fun and I don't think anyone notices if the same outfit is worn many times. Dinner is more dressy than daytime wear but no one wears a tux any more. Steamboat travel does mean travelling back in time but not to the elaborate age of yesteryear---riverboats were used by ordinary people.

Also travelling light means more room in your suitcase to buy souvenirs as well as easier for everyone to manage in the tight quarters of a steamboat. Also, the company is making a real effort to make it a luxury hotel with fluffy robes and whatever you need as far as shampoo and soap.

Although hot and humid is definately true in July and August, some people did used to complain about night chilliness if they were outside watching the stars.

But the most important thing that I recommend is comfortable footwear. Steamboats do not rock. There won't be unsteadiness that way. But when decks are wet, they are sometimes slippery. Plus, the elevators are slow and many people do walk the stairs. Pulling into ports every day or every day also means a lot of walking. So, be good to your feet.

The second most important thing is your camera to capture the memories although personally I never let my camera get in the way of memories and if I don't have it- I still do fine.

Attire?

We checked the documents and we understand there is one "formal" night. Nice dress for me . . . suit for the hubby? Right?

We were just wondering for gentlemen at other dinners khakis and a golf shirt? Or Button-down; Or jacket?

For me nice pants or should i stick to dresses/skirts?

Thanks for all the advice. . . Hope to maybe meet some of y'all on the boat next week.

Captain's dinner is the "formal" night, usually the next to the last dinner. Attire is really semi-formal. For guys a sport coat with tie, nice slacks is the norm. A suit is not required. The amount of full blown suits and/or tuxedos I've seen at captain's dinner I could count on one hand, very rare and not at all required.

Other nights, a pair of khakis with golf shirt will be the norm. A very few guys wear dress shirts with ties every night but this is truly the exception. Actually, I'm the exception as Deb appreciates me in a dress shirt and tie every dinner, but I'm usually the only one. I've never seen dinner sport coats on the guys except Captain's dinner.

Breakfasts and lunches have no dress code at all, I'm typically in a jeans or shorts and a pullover.

Pittsburgh to Cincy? Beautiful river, the Ohio is, on a very beautiful boat... Be sure to take time for a good view of Pittsburgh when the boat leaves, nothing more beautiful than Pittsburgh's point from low down, at river's eye view so to speak, says this ol' 'Burgh boy.

You're gonna have a ball!

That's one thing nice about steamboatin' - you can just relax and not worry about a thing! Just wear whatever you are comfortable wearing - if you have a busy day, and don't get a chance to change for dinner, that's OK. They do suggest we don't wear shorts or jeans in the dining room at dinner time, though some people do. I would advise against high heels also.
Another thought is - I don't know about the AQ, as I haven't been on her in the summer for awhile - but we usually find the DQ on the cool side - for an 80 year old boat, she sure has an efficient A/C system! Have a couple things along that you can throw around your shoulders if you get too cold. A light shirt or sweater will do.
Bon voyage - you'll have a wonderful time!

Michele, if you have any more questions feel free to e-mail me, it will be quicker than answering through this forum. Though Deb and I have never been on the AQ we have travelled on both the DQ and the MQ a bit and the stuff that occurs on all of MAL's "Mississippi River" boats is basically the same.

A river cruise is a wonderfully relaxing experience. Feel free to use Deb and me as sounding boards, we will try to answer any questions you may have.

Have you started packing yet? Boy, you're gonna have fun...

Bruno and Debbie Krause

[email protected]

Thank you so much. We are slowly starting to pack today, my Mom was in town visiting and she continued on to Florida to see her mom today. So now my attention is being directed towards the trip.