Traveling through the heart of American music—from the blues and rock ‘n’ roll origins in Memphis to Nashville’s country music epicenter—my 8-day journey on the American Splendor was a true auditory adventure. Sharing this experience with my grandson, Logan, made it even more special.
Logan’s life is filled with his career and nighttime studies at Purdue University, making our getaway a welcome break. Experiencing the music that shaped my youth alongside someone born long after legends like Elvis Presley, W.C. Handy, Roy Orbison, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, and Gram Parsons was a wonderful experience.
“My favorite part of the Music Cities Cruise was learning about icons like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Patsy Cline, and witnessing a live performance at the Grand Ole Opry, where many of them performed,” Logan remarked.
Our cruise kicked off in Memphis, with stops in Paducah, Kentucky, and Dover and Clarksville, Tennessee. We had a full day in Nashville, with the Splendor docking at the bustling beginning of Broadway Street, also known as Honky Tonk Highway due to the numerous bars that line it.
Logan and I started our adventure with a two-night stay at The Guest House at Graceland before boarding the ship. All passengers with American Cruise Lines enjoy a complimentary one-night pre-cruise stay, ensuring everyone is on board when the ship departs.
This two-night stay comes with an additional charge ($725 for solo travelers or $525 per person when sharing), which covers accommodations, a cocktail reception the first evening, and a special shuttle tour behind the scenes at Graceland to see exclusive Elvis memorabilia usually off-limits to the public.
During our behind-the-scenes experience, Logan and I had the unique opportunity to see and even touch (with cotton gloves) Elvis’ sparkly black cape from his 1972 concerts in Las Vegas. We also glimpsed his mother Gladys’ sewing basket, six Kahlil Gibran books annotated by Elvis, his monogrammed boots, and various other personal family artifacts.
Logan poses with the Elvis cape along with a photo of Elvis wearing it, long before Logan was born.
Included in our pre-cruise package were breakfasts at Delta’s Kitchen both mornings, admission to Graceland and Elvis Presley’s Memphis (located across the street), a $20 lunch voucher redeemable at the expansive Graceland facility, and a three-hour bus tour of Memphis prior to boarding the ship.
Splendid American Splendor
Regarding the American Splendor, this riverboat truly lives up to its name. Launched in 2016, the paddlewheeler possesses an elegant and cozy atmosphere, accommodating 180 passengers. Our voyage included 154 passengers and 49 crew members.
On departure day from The Guest House at Graceland, passengers, including ourselves, gathered early in the lobby. Our luggage was collected from our rooms and loaded onto the American Cruise Lines shuttle bus while we enjoyed breakfast at Delta’s Kitchen.
The cruise coach was easy to spot outside The Guest House, featuring large red, white, and blue signs indicating it belonged to American Cruise Lines. The bus remained with us throughout the cruise, ensuring punctuality whenever we needed a ride—a smart logistical choice by American Cruise Lines.
Before boarding the beautiful American Splendor, we took a morning tour of Memphis.
Cruise coach tour of Memphis
Our first stop was the historic Sun Studio, where Elvis recorded his groundbreaking hits. Legend has it that Elvis, then an 18-year-old truck driver, paid $4 to record “My Happiness” as a birthday gift for his mother.
Next, we visited the Peabody Hotel to witness the morning duck parade from the rooftop penthouse to the lobby fountain, where the ducks frolicked until it was time to return to their upper quarters for the night.
Our tour also included a brief stop at the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot on April 4, 1968, at the age of 39. The motel’s external appearance gives a feeling of being stuck in time, with vintage cars parked beneath the balcony where MLK was standing. A museum inside would require much more time to explore, so we only stopped a moment outside.
Boarding American Splendor
Boarding the ship was a breeze; we simply walked on, presented our IDs, checked our stateroom for luggage, collected our nametags, which are scanned each time we leave or return to the ship, and headed to lunch.
Our stateroom
Our stateroom, number 522, located on the fifth deck, was spacious and comfortable, featuring a lovely balcony with two chairs and a table. The room boasted two large beds covered in high-quality white linens and duvets, with nightstands beside both. Also included were a long dresser with ample drawer space, a small closet, a desk, a mirror, a Keurig coffee maker, a large flat-screen TV, two chairs, and plenty of storage.
The bathroom featured a large shower with a glass door, a long countertop with drawers, and ample storage space underneath. Basic toiletries were provided, but guests can bring their own if preferred.
Our bathroom
Our stateroom was meticulously maintained daily, complete with nightly turndown service and a copy of the daily newsletter, “Ship to Shore.” This informative two-sided newsletter highlighted the day’s activities, docking and departure times, contact numbers for ship officials, and much more.
Our stateroom balcony
Dining
The dining area on the main deck in the rear was spacious with ample seating and window views. No reservations were necessary, and seating was open; guests could simply walk in, choose a seat, and prepare to be pampered. The menu offered a wide variety of options.
Dijon-crusted roast pork tenderloin served with maple sweet potatoes and applesauce
According to Logan, “The food on our ship was exceptional, with options varying from sweet potato pancakes at breakfast to crab-stuffed lobster tail at dinner. Every dish was more delicious than the last.”
Lemon meringue pie
For those with late-night cravings, the Sky Lounge and River Lounge were stocked with snacks and refrigerators filled with soda and fruit drinks. A notable perk of the American Splendor is that all beverages—wine, beer, cocktails, bottled water, soda, fruit juices, tea, and coffee—are included in the cruise fare. There’s no need to sign for drinks; you can simply order almost anytime, day or night.
Paducah Floodwall
My first Mississippi River cruise was in 1976 aboard the inaugural journey of the Mississippi Queen. Since then, I’ve sailed upon the mighty Mississippi and its tributaries numerous times, yet I always discover something new with each journey.
During our bus tour around Paducah, I learned something exciting about this Kentucky city that I had never noticed. Known as a UNESCO Creative City, Paducah is famous for its National Quilt Museum and its charming floodwall. On the hop-on, hop-off cruise coach tour (at no additional charge), our guide Kim Blaisdell highlighted points of interest and shared captivating stories.
Following the devastating Great Flood of 1937, a massive floodwall was constructed in Paducah, adorned with over 60 striking murals by artist Robert Dafford. Spanning three blocks with a wide sidewalk for visitors to walk, each mural is an impressive 14 feet tall and 20 feet wide, illustrating important moments in Paducah’s past.
‘Hidden’ Tidbits on the Floodwall
Having walked the floodwall numerous times, I learned from guide Kim that two “hidden” elements are woven into a mural depicting the old-fashioned Paducah telephone switchboard. In the illustration featuring women operating the switchboard before the electronic system took over in 1979, one woman with long brown hair in a light blue dress bears a striking resemblance to Lily Tomlin, the actress known for her role as Ernestine the telephone operator on the 1969 show “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.”
Lily Tomlin is seated second from the right.
While Lily grew up in Detroit, her parents hailed from Paducah, and she spent summers visiting family there, leading me to Google a clip to introduce Logan to this iconic figure’s significance.
Another intriguing detail was evident to Logan when Kim highlighted the mural celebrating Paducah as the “Strawberry Capital of the World” in the early 1940s, linking it to the song “Strawberry Fields Forever.”
Celebrating Paducah’s strawberry heritage, spot the man in gold paint at the center of the photo.
In the center of the strawberry field is an unmistakable figure adorned in round wire-rimmed glasses: John Lennon.
John Lennon
Shipboard Music
True to its theme, the Splendor offered an abundance of live musical performances each evening. Onboard pianist Jay Chalmers appeared to have an endless repertoire, readily fulfilling any song requests from guests. One evening, he entertained as Elton John, kicking off his show with style.
Jay Chambers performs as Elton John.
In Paducah, musical guest Terry Mike Jeffrey graced the stage with his mix of country and rock tunes, also known for his renditions of Elvis Presley songs. He proudly shared that he began earning money from singing at just three years old.
“I would stand in front of the jukebox singing along, and people would throw me a nickel or a dime,” he recalled. “That’s when I realized you could make money singing; I’ve done it ever since.”
Terry Mike Jeffrey
In Dover, the Banjocats brought their blend of bluegrass and classical music, showcasing their versatility as a husband-and-wife duo, Jennifer and Michael McLain.
Michael McLain
Jennifer McLain
Regrettably, the Laura White Trio was unable to perform due to the Splendor arriving several hours late in Clarksville. It was disappointing as I had enjoyed their music before.
Shipboard Activities
The Splendor offered a diverse range of activities throughout the day and into the night, including games, crafts, fitness classes, tastings, tours of the pilot house, culinary demonstrations, karaoke, line dancing lessons, trivia games, bingo, and more.
Guest speaker Mark Wisner shared engaging presentations on topics such as Mississippi River hydrology, Mark Twain’s wisdom, the Louisiana Purchase, the Civil War, American art, and the origins of country music in 1927.
In a playful twist, cruise director Julia Settlemire brought aboard a stuffed pig when the Splendor docked in Dover for an excursion to the Homeplace 1850s Working Farm & Living History Museum. Cuddling the toy, Julia invited passengers to propose names for her furry friend.
Seated on the rocking pig, Cruise Director Julia Settlemire reads the name suggestions for her new plush friend.
Dozens of name proposals were put forward. Julia later revealed the most popular choice in the River Lounge: Piggy Sue, a nod to the iconic 1957 song “Peggy Sue” by Buddy Holly.
Grand Ole Opry
In Nashville, the American Splendor docked perfectly at the foot of Broadway, allowing us to easily access key attractions or hop on the cruise coach. After arriving the previous evening, we enjoyed a full day in Nashville, culminating with a night at the Grand Ole Opry before our cruise concluded.
After breakfast on our big Nashville day, Logan and I strolled to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Johnny Cash Museum, and the Patsy Cline Museum. We also peeked into lively bars featuring live music, including Blake Shelton’s Ole Red, Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa, Jason Aldean’s Kitchen & Rooftop Bar, Kid Rock’s Big A$$ Honky Tonk, John Rich’s Redneck Riviera Bar, Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, and Alan Jackson’s Good Time Bar.
“I was delighted to discover so many amazing venues within walking distance in Nashville,” Logan said.
Logan stands with the American Splendor conveniently docked in downtown Nashville.
Following a buffet dinner onboard the ship, we boarded cruise coaches bound for the Grand Ole Opry, included in the cruise package at no extra cost. Settling into our assigned seats, we enjoyed performances from Rhonda Vincent, Maggie Rose, Kruger Brothers, Gavin Adcock, Mandy Barnett, Dusty Slay, Flatland Cavalry, and Don Schlitz.
“Upon entering the concert hall, I was astonished by how close and intimate it felt between the stage and the audience,” Logan noted. “The pew-style seating provided a unique atmosphere perfectly tailored to the country music experience.”
Special Circle at Opry House
At the Grand Ole Opry, the center stage features a special piece of wood from the original Ryman Auditorium. Imagine the stories it could tell if it could speak, witnessing the many legends who have performed there.
Over the years, many stars have graced this circle—Hank Williams, Jim Reeves, Patsy Cline, Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Roy Acuff, and Little Jimmy Dickens.
Roy Acuff, known as ‘The King of Country Music,’ is honored in a photo at the Grand Ole Opry House.
This prestigious platform even included a young truck driver from Memphis named Elvis Presley. Making a rocked-up debut with a rendition of Bill Monroe’s bluegrass tune “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” he unfortunately received a chilly reception for his first and only performance at the Opry on October 2, 1954, and was advised to stick to driving trucks.
Piece of the Old Ryman Auditorium
When the Grand Ole Opry relocated to its current 4,400-seat home in 1974, the circular piece of the old Ryman stage was brought along as a nostalgic reminder of its roots in the venue that had been home for over three decades.
Since its inception on November 28, 1925, the Grand Ole Opry has continuously broadcast Saturday night performances without interruption. Initially catering to a modest audience of several hundred with basic radios, it has since grown to captivate millions worldwide.
The Opry has evolved from its strict country focus; when I attended a show in 2006, one performer was a 16-year-old girl making her debut, whose first album wouldn’t hit stores for another month. With the audience’s enthusiasm foreshadowing her success, that newcomer was none other than Taylor Swift.
The Opry features a diverse selection of performers, and as Porter Wagoner famously said, if one singer doesn’t suit your taste, just wait a few minutes and someone you like may come along. You truly never know who or what you will experience at that unbroken performance circle at the Grand Ole Opry.
The next morning, we left the American Splendor and boarded an American Cruise Lines shuttle for the airport, marking the end of our journey back to Indianapolis. Logan and I continue to reminisce about the unforgettable experiences we shared on our Music Cities Cruise, creating cherished musical memories.
Photos by Jackie Sheckler Finch
Here are the inclusions with your fare on American Splendor:
- All onboard alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- WiFi
- All meals; no specialty dining or additional charges
- All gratuities for the ship staff
- Pre-cruise hotel accommodation
- Most shore excursions
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