riverboat twilight - day tours

My wife, son and myself have been on the Twilight several times. Captain Stier does a wonderful job of narration along the 2 day trip. The captain's narration is live and has character unlike some other cruises that use a prerecorded narration. Bring your camera Captain Stier will give you advance notice of many photo opportunities. The crew really makes you feel at home. Bob the bartender is super awesome. He can whip up some awesome frozen drinks. The food is excellent and if the chef is aware ahead of time of food allergies or dietary concerns they can prepare alternative dishes. Don't worry about weather ruining your trip there is ample indoor and outdoor seating. I can go on and on about the trip. Also a a bonus is free admission to the Mississippi River Muesem. Tip: If you don't have two days available for a cruise, try a 1 day cruise out of Dubuque to scenic Guttenberg IA.

I enjoyed this river boat excursion as part of a Road Scholar tour program last month. We did not do the 2-day cruise but a one day cruise which left from Dubuque and ended at Le Claire. From Le Claire we were taken back to Dubuque by our touring bus. It was a wonderful trip in all respects. We were fortunate to have perfect weather with sun and blue skies with puffy clouds. The trip was relaxing, informative and had beautiful river scenery. We had the option of relaxing outside on one of the decks in either rocking chairs or deck chairs or inside at the tables. There are three levels in total, but this beautiful boat did not seem that large, but roomy enough for all passengers. We had both lunch and dinner served to us on the boat. Lunch included a pulled pork sandwich, homemade chips and slaw. For dinner we had a pot roast meal. The food was delicious and plentiful. A snack was also served in the mid afternoon including brownies, ice cream and cheese ball with crackers. There is a full bar for those that wanted to pay extra for a drink. We had great entertainment on the boat by a talented musician who played the banjo, guitar and sang. Lots of fun, old songs to enjoy. The calliope was another delight and something I had wanted to hear on a riverboat. If you sit outside near the calliope, be prepared for very loud music! Don't miss going up to the pilot house to meet the captain and see the river from a higher vantage point. While on the trip, we were able to see some wildlife including bald eagles, American white pelicans, gulls, ducks and geese. We passed lovely river towns and learned the history of some of the towns. We got to see large barges traveling the river and went through two lock and dams. The crew on board the ship were helpful, courteous and always pleasant. All in all, it was a special day that should not be missed if you are ever in the area or want to plan a trip to this part of Iowa.

this was an exceptional trip- the food was delicious, the crew most attentive, the pilot easy to talk to. As we cruised the river, the pilot would let us know ahead of time we were coming to photo opportunity and explain what we were seeing. The outside chairs were comfortable, our inside table had a good view and the service when serving our meals was superb. I would recommend this trip to Iowans and anyone visiting the Mississippi for the first time, very educational

This trip was excellent. The entire staff was very accommodating both days. The food and snacks were excellent. We learned a lot about the river. Saw a lot of eagles the second day. We went to see the Antique Archeology store in Le Claire - don't waste your time. It was very disappointing.

I have cruised twice on this boat and love it. From the comfy rockers on deck to the delicious food and snacks and the wonderful crew this is a trip that is well worth it. They have entertainment that you can enjoy or if you'd like some quiet time they have a deck for that too. I especially like that you are assigned your own table where your meals are served to you. I've been on other boats where meal service is a buffet and I like being served much better. The river is awesome and ever changing and never boring and the captain's always pointing our interesting things.The hotel in Dubuque is very nice and Dubuque itself is a very interesting town. Must do's are the Aquarium, (which is included in the price) and the incline railway. After check-in at the hotel there are usually a tour bus or two out in front. I highly recommend spending the 12 or 15 dollars to take a city tour. It lasts about an hour and is very informative.All in all I highly recommend this cruise.

Wow, this was the most relaxing Anniversary we have EVER had. The weather was perfect, the crew were very friendly and the ride was smooth. Our captain was very knowledgeable about the Mississippi River. The food was just tremendous, and so much of it! The ship was very clean. Our stay in Dubuque was awesome. This is a very affordable trip for anyone! You get so much for so little! Staying in LeClaire was nice also, the Holiday Inn was great. Make sure you bring your sun block, you will need it! I wanted to take cruising on the Mississippi off my bucket list but now I want to go further down to see more!

We Boarded The Riverboat Twilight for our two day cruise the morning of Sunday, August 10th,2014. Our first day was a slow and relaxing day long trip up the Mississippi River toward Dubuque, Iowa. We had beautiful scenery on both sides of our Riverboat. Our Captain was very knowledgeable about the area history and pointed out many historical sites as well as what trades was still in production along the riverfront towns between Le Claire and Dubuque Iowa. All the crew members were very kind and served everyone with complete care to details and were very respectful of every persons needs. They were very warm and gracious to everyone. Our meals and many snacks in between meals were great and wonderfully prepared by a great chef and his assistant. We had two entertainers for both day. They were both very talented and fun entertainers. Our accommodation when we docked in Dubuque was right near our docking point so we could walk to the Hotel or take a shuttle around to the Hotel if we wished. Our room was very clean and comfortable. Our complimentary breakfast the next day was delicious and our server very attentive. After breakfast we had time to go to the museum next to the Hotel before re-boarding our Riverboat for our trip back down river to Le Claire. Our trip took us through two Locks up and back down the river. The process is quite interesting the way it works. On our way back down the river we were able to go up to the Pilots housing to watch the captain do his job and see what he sees from his prospective. We found that He was raised in the same county we live in. He graduated High School in the same School my husbands sisters graduated. It is truly a small world!

We just finished a two-day cruise and loved it. The food is excellent, the staff are all friendly and attentive, the entertainment was great. Very relaxing and just what we were looking for -- plus, it's a great deal, you get a lot for the price!

We had the good fortune to take the 2-day cruise from Le Claire to Dubuque and back. The boat is very comfortable and the good quality and plentiful. The captain provided interesting information about the river and the things we passed along the shore. Accommodations in Dubuque were very comfortable and conveniently located. The Twilight cruise was extremely well-organized with quality entertainment. It was the perfect way to get a "taste" of the Mississippi River. We loved it, and willtake it again if we are ever back in that area.

My wife made the plan for us to take the Twilight Cruise from Dubuque to Guttenberg and I turned out to be very glad she did. Even though the Mississippi was over flood stage, we had a great time. The staff members are really friendly and seem to enjoy their jobs. We had some good food and watching the birds and the river was very pleasant. I recommend it to everyone, young & old & in-between.

We had a great time - my husband and I decided to take his long-anticipated trip and are so glad we did. The crew was very friendly and considerate, the food was good and nicely presented, the snacks were nutritious - everything was really perfect. I heard that Bob the Bartender makes an exceptional Bloody Mary and that is no lie. Best I've ever had. The Mississippi was above flood stage, so we couldn't land in Guttenberg, but they made it up by going a bit farther up the river.

This is the best kept secret. The trip is amazing. The river, eagles, food and stories make the trip one in a million. If you want to get away and be taken care of this is the trip to take. We have been on this trip 8 times and it is never the same. The river always has something new to offer.

I've been on this trip 8 times now over the years. It's an extremely relaxing trip, with lost of river history and diverse travelers. This year, a friend and his wife from New Hampshire came out and enjoyed the trip with us. They had never been to the mid-west nor on a river like the Mississippi. They completely were taken aback at how beautiful and enjoyable the trip was. Highly recommend it!

I can't say enough wonderful things about our recent trip. This section of the Mississippi is just beautiful. I wasn't sure how my eight year old would like the trip, but my daughter can't wait to go back. As she sat peacefully on the boat looking for the next bald eagle it was clear that this trip was magical for her. The captain's commentaries from over 30+ years of experience on the Mississippi made the trip not only informative, but also fun. The crew was friendly and the boat is beautiful. We are going back next year for sure. Thank you RiverboatTwilight for a unique adventure we will never forget.

being aboard the riverboat twilight, it was difficult to do anything other than relax and have a good time! the staff were friendly, courteous and thoughtful. they even had a vegan dish made for me at the last minute, as lunch was being served, and remembered my eating needs at dinnertime (the food was amazing, too!). the captain was extremely knowledgable and shared information on the river's ecosystem as we cruised. the sights, sounds and smells were amazing, even for someone who has lived near the Mississippi her whole life. our group enjoyed delicious drinks and great conversation at our table (air conditioned inside the riverboat) and on the comfy chairs on all three decks (shaded or sunlit). board games helped us get through a dreary hour in the morning, and a sweater would have helped, too. and sun creme for the afternoon was a must! I would highly recommend the riverboat twilight to anyone in need of a getaway!