By Jackie Sheckler Finch

“I loved that profession (riverboat pilot) far better than any I’ve followed since … I hoped to follow the river the rest of my days and die at the wheel when my mission was ended.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Mark Twain Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

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. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Like a magnificent jewel, the Longwood mansion nestles atop a Natchez hillside. But the opulent Mississippi 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.” Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

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. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

On our first relaxing day at sea, I went to the afternoon tea in the unusual Touch of Class room. To enter the room, you walk through a doorway composed of two giant silver hands arched upward with fingertips touching. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Here comes the American Duchess Steamcoach rolling down the road. The road?

Yep, the popular riverboat has personalized steamcoaches decorated to look like their namesake. And they sure are getting second looks whenever they pass by. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

The new Loft Suites on American Duchess are large and lovely. My Loft Suite is huge – 550 square feet. I’ve been on many boats and ships and this is definitely the largest room I have ever seen. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Relaxing on the Lido Deck while waiting for my cabin to be readied on our first day, I overheard a mother telling her family, “Remember, we agreed this would be a no-phone vacation. We’re not going to use our cell phones for the whole cruise.” Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

When Navy corpsman Leo H. Sheer’s landing craft was sunk on its way to Omaha Beach on D-Day, the young sailor was forced to swim ashore amid heavy gunfire.

Arriving safely on the beach, Sheer began collecting first-aid pouches from the bodies of dead soldiers to help save the wounded. He hung six of the dead men’s pouches on his equipment belt. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Bob Marley said his music “will go on forever.”

His music is indeed still popular and almost four decades after his death, the reggae superstar is a popular draw for cruise visitors to Ocho Rios. Read more...