American Cruise Lines has announced that on Saturday, August 25th, in Nashville, Tennessee,  Phyllis Dale,  a nationally-recognized travel agent and small-ship cruise expert, christened Queen of the Mississippi and helped celebrate the company’s first-ever season on the Mississippi River.

Queen of the Mississippi offers guests a brand new way to see the longest river system in North America and explore the remarkable port cities that line the way. Most of the ship’s 300-square-foot staterooms offer private balconies while an all-American staff and crew cater to passengers’ every need. Daily educational events and themed entertainment help paint a picture of what life on the Mississippi was like in days gone by. Construction of Queen of the Mississippi was completed in June by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Md., making it the most luxurious, fully-functioning, authentic paddlewheeler in the industry.

American Cruise Lines, www.americancruiselines.com