THE GENERAL JACKSON SHOWBOAT RETURNS TO NASHVILLE AFTER DRY DOCK
Iconic Nashville Showboat Begins Spring Cruises in April
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 12, 2023) — The General Jackson Showboat will welcome guests back aboard for spring lunch and dinner cruises on April 24, 2023. The iconic showboat recently completed its dry dock cycle, which occurs once every five years. During this project, which lasts approximately two months, the boat travels the Cumberland, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers, and docks in New Orleans for maintenance, inspections, cleaning, and restoration before making its way back to Nashville.
General Jackson crew – Dry Dock in New Orleans
The newly spruced up showboat’s spring midday lunch cruise features the Tennessee Legends show which pays tribute to world-famous musicians who have roots in Tennessee, including Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley and more, complete with guitars, fiddles, and live singing. Guests will also enjoy a delicious buffet style meal prior to the performance. During the evening dinner cruise, guests will be mesmerized by the Rollin’ on the River show, which features an eight-piece show band and celebrates music from some of America’s iconic river towns. From Mississippi to New Orleans to Memphis, guests can look forward to hearing a live musical performance including jazz and swing favorites like “Jump, Jive, and Wail”, R&B number one songs including “Soul Man” and “Respect” along with renditions of hits from Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley. A banquet style three-course dinner is served before the show.
Patrick Walker, General Manager of the Showboat, shared his excitement to welcome visitors back aboard, “Guests can look forward to the refreshed showboat just in time for the spring. Although cruising is enjoyable year-round, there is something special about cruising during the spring with changing weather. As always, the midday and evening performances will be top of the line, and we can’t wait to get back to offering our guests one of the most unique experiences in the city.”
The year-round cruises include first-class live entertainment, delicious meals, and views of Nashville not found anywhere else. Whether cruising for lunch or dinner, inside the beautiful Victorian Theater guests will partake in a delectable Southern meal prepared by Gaylord Opryland Resort’s award-winning chefs. Afterwards, guests will enjoy music-filled, on-board live entertainment.
With four massive decks offering outside and inside access, the boat hosts not only show cruises, but it is also an in-demand venue for private events, such as corporate meetings, parties, weddings, and proms. Guests can also choose to enhance their holidays by booking a special event cruise.
The General Jackson Showboat, built by Indiana-based Jeffboat, was launched April 20, 1985, and was christened July 2, 1985. The boat can hold 1,000 passengers and up to 172 crew members. The paddlewheel riverboat stands 77 feet tall and 300 feet long, making it one of the country’s largest showboats. The paddlewheel itself is 36 feet long, 24 feet wide and weighs 36 tons. Two Caterpillar 3512 engines, each with 1050 horsepower and 880 kilowatt generators, are responsible for powering the vessel, which has a maximum speed of 13 miles per hour.
Cruise options include main floor seating, second floor seating or a one-of-a-kind Captain’s Table experience featuring a tableside greeting and an upgraded dessert plus a souvenir specialty drink and shirt from the on-board gift shop.
For tickets and more information on the General Jackson Showboat, please visit www.generaljackson.com.
ABOUT THE GENERAL JACKSON SHOWBOAT
The General Jackson Showboat has a rich history in its 37-year existence. The showboat was built by Jeffersonville, Ind.-based Jeffboat, launched April 20, 1985 and christened on July 2, 1985. At 77 feet tall and with the capacity of 1,000 passengers and up to 172 crew members, the General Jackson Showboat is the largest of its kind in the world. Available for midday and evening cruises year-round, the General Jackson Showboat offers exceptional dining and entertainment options, including country music, parties and special event cruises. For more information, visit www.generaljackson.com.
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