By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Chrome and silver. Gold and purple. Neon lights. Orange leather seats. Triangle-patterned bar stools. Plush sofas. Squiggles and curlicues galore. The Carnival Sensation décor, to me, looked like retro ‘60s mod. Read more...

Save up to $900 next summer with lots of amenities on Celebrity Edge!

Take advantage of exclusive Crown Cruise Vacations’ rates on select sail dates on the new game-changing Celebrity Edge next summer. Save up to $900 per person and enjoy Free Drinks, Onboard Spending Money, Prepaid Gratuities and Free Wi-Fi. PLUS enjoy Complimentary Travel Insurance when you book with your Crown Cruise Vacations expert. Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Standing beneath a large photograph of his ancestors, Bill Davidson says the business those men built is “a Cinderella story.”

“What they created is a great experience. Our look, our sound, the feel of our motorcycles is recognized around the world,” he says. “We attract people from all walks of life.” Read more...

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

Scrawled on well-worn blue jeans are a man’s name, social security number, blood type, wife’s name, hotel where she was evacuated for safety and the hotel phone number. Read more...

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

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...