The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner
The Quill was able to visit with General Manager Sayeed Razavi about the Viking Mississippi River cruise ship "American Serenade" docked in Burlington Iowa Thursday afternoon as well as talk to a passenger from San Francisco, CA who along with her husband was totally enjoying the upper Mississippi trip from St. Paul MN to St Louis MO.
…and we also talked to a Burlington attorney who had come from his nearby Burlington office to admire this beautiful ship and snap a picture.
Its stately presence brings its attention to almost every one passing by - the only Viking on the mighty Mississippi I was told and the largest.
The manager was gracious greeting most all who were getting off the boat, by their first name, helping them safely off the boat ramp. He said they had 150 aboard, where they like it to be, although it can hold 180 at full capacity.
A plus, the California passenger said, was all rooms have balcony views.
Also, the upper Mississippi is more scenic with more pleasure boats and less commercial then she saw from St Louis to New Orleans, but they did really enjoy New Orleans. She was a seasoned traveler on cruise ships and highly recommended this relaxing voyage.
The Viking Cruise line is out of Norway, and their ships are on many rivers both here and overseas as well as larger ones on the ocean.
They also have their expedition ships made for the icy waters around Iceland etc. the General Manager said, explaining that photographers from National Geographic and researchers you’re often find included on these expeditions.
The attorney standing by was sending a picture to tease his daughter in Miami of a ship docked in Burlington-that just might be a bit bigger than her boyfriend’s 110’ yacht.
I’m sure it brought her smiles.
The cost of the trip on the upper Mississippi is NOT the same as a plane ride and a hotel room to your favorite city, so you will need to save up. But you are talking luxury - lots of good food and drink and entertainment, great service, never having to unpack, buses at ports to take you places to tour at various cities, and a stay in luxury suites - with 4th floor top-end suites with refrigerators stocked daily, extra spacious rooms and extra service etc.
Most trips this year are sold out, but the upcoming trip to St Paul on August 27 shows a few first floor rooms available at $5,635 the starting price for 9 days eight nights and 8 ports.
Next year the first upper river trip on June 13, 2025 is a Complete Mississippi River Cruise snd is ON SALE thru 8/31 at $750 off at $15,140 up to $21,040 with the top floor suites and bottom floor already sold out. The 23 days /22 nights /22 Ports of Call one way cruise is from New Orleans, LA to St. Paul, MN with complimentary airfare.
It follows with a July 04, 2025 Upper Mississippi River Cruise of 9 days/8 nights and 8 Ports of Call, one way from St. Paul, MN to St. Louis, MO. It is (on sale $500 off this month) at $5,135 for the 2nd deck staterooms, to the 4th floor Stateroom Grand Suite with Private Balcony $9,485.
American Serenade won Cruise Critic’s 2023 Editors’ Picks Award for Best New River Cruise Ship of the Year, the first time an American ship has received this prestigious award.
According to Cruise Critic, “With extra-large staterooms and suites, trendy interior décor, an innovative hydraulic bow and retractable ramp, and one of the most gorgeous sun decks we’ve seen on a river-going ship, American Serenade sets the bar for domestic U.S. river cruising high.”
Sayeed Razavi General Manager of the Mississippi River Viking Cruise ship, has a big smile as he greets each patron by their first name, and offers a helping hand as they depart the "American Serenade" to board tour buses and tour sights in and around Burlington, IA.
Sayeed, originally from New York, now living in Sarasota, FL, emanates friendliness and graciousness as he oversees all the happenings on this beautiful luxury pleasure ship, the only cruise ship now traveling on the Mississippi River.