Mark Twain Itinerary on American Queen Announced

[HostDave]

The American Queen Steamboat Company has announced details for one of its best-selling itineraries around American author, Mark Twain.

Taking place between Aug. 22-30, the nine-day voyage includes a tour of Twain’s hometown in Hannibal, Mo., onboard lectures from esteemed historians and special appearances by Mark Twain tribute artist, Lewis Hankins.

“The Mississippi River played a major influence in Twain’s work from his days as a riverboat pilot to stories like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” shares American Queen Steamboat Company President and COO Ted Sykes. “We can’t think of a more compelling way to explore his life than by offering a voyage complete with top-of-the-line entertainment and programming.”

Highlights of the trip include:

· Included pre-cruise hotel stay in St. Louis, Mo.

· Onboard presentations from Cindy Lovell, executive director of the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Ct. and Henry Sweets, executive director of Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, Hannibal, Mo. including:

– Life on the Mississippi, an interactive session including highlights of Twain’s time on the river, a special reading from the book and a “lightning round” of Mississippi River Jeopardy

– Mark Twain Today: His Relevance and Reach, a discussion on what recently made Smithsonian magazine dub Mark Twain as the number one influence in pop culture

– An Evening with Mr. Clemens, an evening performance by Lewis Hankins, bringing Mark Twain to life

– Hannibal: Portrait of a River Town, a glimpse back to the founding of Hannibal in 1819 up to 1860, which encompasses Mark Twain’s boyhood years

– Tom Sawyer: Also Known as Samuel Clemens, a lecture introducing the people, places and events from Twain’s childhood that made their way into his classic novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

– Q&A with Cindy Lovell, Henry Sweets and Lewis Hankins

– A Day at the Mark Twain Museum, a lecture from Henry Sweets on the unusual inquiries, famous visitors and frustrated genealogists who visit Twain’s boyhood home

· Included tour of Hannibal, Mo. aboard the “Twainland Express” with stops to the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum

· Musical matinee by the American Queen ensemble cast evoking “Life on the Mississippi”

Offering the most inclusive river cruise experience in North America, the nine-day Mark Twain Itinerary fares begin at $2,699 per person based on double occupancy. All journeys include a one-night pre-voyage hotel stay, shore tours in all ports, complimentary wine and beer with dinner and a host of other amenities.