Ol' man river

Travel America, Sept-Oct, 2004

Delta Queen Steamboat's three paddlewheelers--the American Queen, Della Queen, and Mississippi Queen--offer four- to seven-night holiday theme cruises from New Orleans between Thanksgiving and New Year's. New themes this year are "Cajun Christmas" and "Christmas Around the World." Shore excursions visit decorated plantation homes in such Mississippi River towns as St.

Francisville, Louisiana; and Natchez, Mississippi. Two cruises call at Galveston, Texas, for its "Dickens on the Strand" celebration. Four-night voyages start at $995. Contact: Delta Queen Steamboat Company, (800)543-1949; www.deltaqueen.com.