Here is a very interesting cruise for history buffs… the Great American Steamboat Company has scheduled their newly-refurbished American Queen steamboat for a 12-night voyage that begins on Aug. 9, 2012, with 2 days of steamboating and ports of call to include: New Orleans, LA, Vicksburg, MS, Helena, AK, Memphis, TN, Ashport Landing, TN, Paducah, KY, Savannah, TN, Decatur, AL and Chattanooga, TN.

What’s significant about this voyage is that it will be a PBS American Experience cruise, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, and will premiere the highly-anticipated PBS documentary “This Republic of Suffering.”

“This Republic of Suffering,” is the latest production by American Experience; those participating in the cruise will have a sneak peek at the final product weeks ahead of its national debut on PBS stations across the country. The documentary is based This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War, a book by historian and Harvard University President Drew Gilpin Faust.

The content of the documentary examines how the previously unmatched death toll of the Civil War changed American cultural attitudes and federal government policies regarding soldiers.

Join Emmy Award-winning writer, director and filmmaker Ric Burns and acclaimed executive producer of American Experience Mark Samels as they premier and discussing the upcoming PBS production with passengers aboard.

Other esteemed guests for this unique American Experience voyage include…

Also appearing…

• Brian Still Wills, historian
• James I. “Bud” Robertson, Jr., historian
• Barry Meadows, tribute artist: General Ulysses S. Grant
• Al Stone, tribute artist: General Robert E. Lee
• Cathy Barton & Dave Para, Civil War era musicians
• Bobby Horton, Civil War historian & musician

Find out more about the Great American Steamboat Company and its ship, the American Queen.

There is nothing more romantic than a river cruise… the ambiance of breathtaking countryside, paired with outstanding wines and cuisine, quaint ports and exquisite shore excursions is unmatched, as far as I’m concerned.

These same elements comprise the perfect honeymoon, and AmaWaterways has come up with a brilliant idea; they recently launched a celebration travel gift registry in conjunction with Honeymoonwishes.com.

The new (complimentary!) service allows passengers to “register” their AmaWaterways river cruise vacation, so passengers marking a special occasion such as an anniversary, honeymoon or birthday with an AmaWaterways cruise can make it easy for friends and family to participate in the celebration.

Once booked on a river cruise, AmaWaterways guests can set up a “wish list” of items pertaining to their trip, including monetary increments to be contributed toward the river cruise itself; pre and post-cruise hotel stays; dining and transportation.  AmaWaterways provides a number of  tools to enhance the registry experience, including customizable “announcements” that can be emailed to friends and family, notifying them of the registry; “gift cards” that can be emailed or printed out to accompany a registry purchase and even a personalized trip website, blog and photo album with a unique URL that can be easily shared.

Passengers can register their AmaWaterways river cruise vacation by accessing the website: http://celebrationregistry.amawaterways.com/ directly or by clicking on the “Gift Registry” box on the AmaWaterways website home page at www.amawaterways.com.   Your travel agent will also have information on this wonderful service.

I love the idea of this travel gift registry.  An unforgettable honeymoon is the most wonderful wedding gift- one that will be treasured for years to come.