Anyone can cruise the oceans, but few know the secret of cruising up the Mississippi River in a magnificent steam-powered paddleboat. This is our fourth steamboatin' trip up the Mississippi, and each trip has been a delightful learning experience, and comfortable cruising event. We're traveled past the lowlands at the mouth of the Mississippi from New Orleans to St. Louis, Missouri. And through locks and high bluffs from St. Louis all the up to St. Paul, Minnesota.

For over four decades, the Delta Queen Steamboat Company has gained a small but loyal core of cruise passengers who repeatedly cruised aboard their delightful steamboats as they steam up the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Minneapolis, and all points in between.

These faithful passengers are affectionately known as "Steamboaters;" many have cruised dozens and even hundreds of times aboard the company's three paddlewheelers, the American Queen, Delta Queen or Mississippi Queen. Their steadfast devotion is due to the good food, traditional entertainment, luxurious 19th century décor, and history learned - all unique to these floating American treasures.

Over time, however, this pool of lifelong Steamboaters has aged and dwindled, thus presenting the owners of the cruise line with a challenge: how to introduce this one-of-a-kind cruising experience to younger generations.

The company made some interesting discoveries: many people who typically go on a cruise are young couples or young families. These younger cruise passengers typically prefer short cruises and like their shipboard entertainment to be upbeat and personally rewarding.

The management at the Delta Queen Steamboat Company (DQSC) also discovered that many families have been dissatisfied with their experiences aboard modern "mega"-ships, saying the cruise encounter failed to achieve a hoped-for strengthening of family ties.

"We decided that many American families feel that their children are growing up too fast. They worry that the entire family is too busy to enjoy each other, and that quality time together is slipping away," says Rick Abramson, President of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company. "In response to what we see as a real desire to re-establish contact, we created three- and four-night vacations that we call 'River Bonding Adventures.' It's a chance for families to unplug the TV and reconnect with one another on the river."

River Bonding Adventures feature charming on-board programs for young travelers, led by an enthusiastic Family Activity Co-coordinator.

"If you're looking for a big video and games arcade, you're on the wrong boat," says Abramson. "Instead, your kids can work on their Cub Pilot's Licenses, which means they'll learn how to read a river, tie nautical knots and attend a Riverwatch lecture under the stars."

The new initiatives by Delta Queen, due out in April, are aimed to lure these sought-after steamboaters. The first, a "Taste of New Orleans and Riverboat Adventure Week," offers an introduction to riverboating vacations with, as the Cajuns say, "'lagniappe,' a little something extra."

This new land/cruise holiday package consists of a 7-night vacation that blends a 3- or 4-night riverboat cruises that deliver the food, entertainment and ambiance of New Orleans with a 4- or 3-day lodging package featuring the Crescent City's finest hotels, restaurants and its unique tourist attractions.

In New Orleans we chose to stay at the historical Fairmont Hotel on Baronne Street, adjacent to the world-famous French Quarter. The grand Fairmont is one of the oldest grand hotels in the country, and served as the model for Arthur Hailey's novel, "Hotel." It is also one of the hotels available with the Delta Queen vacation.

With the launch of this new vacation experience, DQSC has repositioned its newest and largest vessel, the American Queen, to reach this new market, while continuing to deliver its traditional offerings aboard the National Historic Landmark Delta Queen and - our personal favorite - the Mississippi Queen.

By offering shorter trips aboard the American Queen, DQSC will more than double the number of passengers who will experience a riverboat vacation, while also offering its popular, traditional itineraries up river. The boat departs New Orleans every Monday for 4-night cruises, and every Friday for a 3-night cruises, offering stops at historic sites such as Oak Alley Plantation, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Natchez, Mississippi.

The land package in New Orleans consists of a stay in luxury hotel, and includes vouchers for two full-course gourmet dinners at any of twenty world-famous restaurants in the historic French Quarter, including Arnauds, Emil's and the Court of Two Sisters.

While cruising the Mississippi, passengers are treated to the all traditional pleasures of life aboard Delta Queen's steamboats: fine cuisine, round-the-clock pampering from the all-American crew and informative commentary on the passing sights by regional expert known as a "Riverlorian," who weave tales about life on a steamboat, and history the Mississippi shores.

Innovations offered on the new American Queen cruises include all-new musical presentations that feature the high-energy "sights, tastes and sounds of New Orleans": "Blues Night," "Cajun Night," a "Mardi Gras Ball," dueling pianos every night in the Engine Room Bar, and late night dancing to tunes played by the riverboat's 5-piece band that range from popular standards to vintage rock 'n' roll.

Between show times, dinner times and shore tours, activities arranged for adults and youngsters by the Recreational Director. Choose from light aerobics, line dancing, power walking, golfing, and more. On board, you'll find a bathing pool, an athletic club and a movie theater. Personally, we enjoy sitting up on "The Front Porch" watching the riverbanks pass us, while enjoying all-you-can-eat soft serve ice cream and homemade cookies.

Prior to their cruise vacation, families are asked to choose from a list of 20 traditional board games - two per cabin. Upon boarding, they will find the board games awaiting them in their rooms, along with a big plate of chocolate chip cookies from the captain.

Other no-batteries-needed family activities include kite flying off the back of the boat, an ice cream social, singing and playing the steam-run calliope, a scavenger hunt, a pool party (weather permitting).

Depending on the cruise you choose, you can visit plantations such as Oak Alley, with its magnificent rows of 300-year-old live oaks and one of the finest examples of antebellum architecture in the South as well as well as Laura: A Creole Plantation, which exemplifies the unique lifestyle of the Creole planter. Or you may choose to explore the Bayou on genuine Cajun swamp tour.

You'll make port in Baton Rouge where several options await you. The Cajun Heritage tour at Louisiana State University's Rural Life Museum is guaranteed to get your feet stomping and your mouth 'hee-hawing.' You can also tour the renowned Atchafalaya Swamp. We took a trip up the river to "The Big House," Louisiana's State Prison at Angola. We were happy to leave and visit the magnificent Greenwood Plantation in historic St. Francisville. Moviegoers will immediately recognize Greenwood as the setting for several American movies.

St. Francisville is also home to The Myrtles, one of the most haunted mansions in America (which is also a bed and breakfast); and beautiful Rosedown, whose wild and formal gardens were inspired by France's Versailles Palace.

On an escorted walking tour of downtown Baton Rouge, you'll be regaled with delightful, musical and historical entertainment. Another fascinating city tour entitled "Baton Rouge - The Untold Story" offers an exclusive look into the "down and dirty" of Louisiana's history, culture and everyday life. Other visitors to this active Mississippi port may want to visit to the USS Kidd, a restored World War II Navy destroyer, which is moored adjacent to where the steamboats dock.

Four-night cruise vacations on the American Queen take passengers upriver to Natchez, which has more historic homes per square mile than any other city in the South. If you chose the "Battlefield and Siege Tour," you can pay your respects at the inspiring Vicksburg battlefield and the Blue and Grey Museum. You'll have a chance to walk the chilling Civil War battlefields of Vicksburg, Confederate General Robert E. Lee's "Gibraltar of the South."

Or, you might prefer to experience the tour of Frogmore Plantation entitled "Music, Mistresses and Marriage." There, you'll delve into plantation life.

Along with learning about cotton, once the backbone of the Southern economy, and slavery, you'll be moved by gospel and blues music performed right there in the cotton field, and attend a reenactment of a slave wedding on the Frogmore property.

For reservations on any Delta Queen Steamboat - including special cruises aboard the American Queen - contact your travel agent. For additional information, contact: www.deltaqueen.com. Tel: 504-586-0631.