St. Louis Overnight Cruise

Peoria to St. Louis (May, August, & September, 2009)

Embark on a journey South from Peoria to the “Gateway to the West,” Saint Louis, MO. Day one will take you through 2 locks & dams, the first being just 1/2 hour into your cruise. The second lock & dam is just south of Beardstown, IL. The boat will land in Meredosia, IL. Established in the 1890s, Meredosia boasted 4 button factories. The pearl button business dried up in 1948. Your first evening will be in Jacksonville, IL.

Relax in the sun on one of the Spirit’s peaceful decks, spot river wildlife with Riverlorian and Master Storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis, or visit the pilothouse and learn the rules of the river with your Captain, Alex Grieves.

From Meredosia, the cruise will continue south to Grafton, IL and the Pere Marquette Lodge. Grafton sits at the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. The Pere Marquette Lodge which is just 5 miles upstream from Grafton is situated among 8,000 acres making it Illinois' largest state park.

From Grafton, the cruise will continue to St. Louis. The Spirit of Peoria will travel through two more locks on the Mississippi before landing at the Gateway Arch.

The cruise includes all meals, taxes and gratuities, entertainment and lodging. The motor coach will make a stop on the way back to Peoria, if you would like to purchase dinner it will be on your own.

3 days, 2 nights: $475 per person (double occupancy) *

* Pricing includes tax and gratuity. Group discounts are available

2009 Cruise Dates

May 30–June 1
August 22–24
September 26–28

Cruise Itinerary

Day one

Check-in any luggage that will not be needed on the boat.

7:00am–7:30am Check-in at the Spirit of Peoria Landing. Breakfast buffet on Main Deck.
7:45am Spirit of Peoria departs Peoria landing
8:15am Lock through at Peoria Lock & Dam
9:00am Live Ragtime Piano Music and Professional Riverlore on Boiler Deck
12:00pm Cold Deli Lunch Buffet on Main Deck
1:30pm More Professional Riverlore or Ragtime Piano
3:00pm Wine and cheese reception on the Boiler Deck
3:30pm More Professional Riverlore or Ragtime Piano
5:30pm Lock through at LaGrange Lock & Dam
6:00pm Prime rib dinner buffet aboard the boat
7:00pm Approximate arrival in Meredosia and motor coach trip to Jacksonville for the night

Night One, Jacksonville, IL

Please call for hotel information. Your luggage will be in your room!

Day Two

Leave your luggage in your room! Our luggage handlers will pick it up for you. Do not leave your luggage on the bed; place it near the door in plain sight.

7:45am Shuttle will depart for the Spirit of Peoria
8:30am Hot Breakfast Buffet aboard the Spirit of Peoria on Main Deck
8:30am Spirit of Peoria departs Meredosia Landing
9:30am Live Ragtime Piano Music and Professional Riverlore on Boiler Deck
12:00pm Hot Lunch Buffet on the Main Deck
1:30pm More Professional Riverlore or Ragtime Piano
3:00pm Late afternoon snack on Boiler Deck
4:30pm Approximate arrival at Grafton landing and motor coach to the lodge
6:30pm Dinner at the Père Marquette Lodge

Night Two

Père Marquette Lodge and Conference Center 618-786-2331 Your luggage will be in your room!

Day Three

7:30am-8:30am Breakfast at the Lodge
9:00am Shuttle departs for the Spirit of Peoria
9:30am Spirit of Peoria departs for Saint Louis
10:00am Live Ragtime Piano Music and Professional Riverlore on Boiler Deck
11:30am Lock through at Melvin Price Lock & Dam
12:00pm Hot Lunch Buffet on the Main Deck
1:15pm Lock through at Lock & Dam #27
1:30pm More Professional Riverlore or Ragtime Piano
2:00pm Approximate landing at the Gateway Arch in Saint Louis
2:15pm Free time to visit the Gateway Arch
4:00pm Board coaches for return to Peoria at the riverfront landing
5:30pm Stop for dinner (on your own—this meal not included in overall trip cost)
7:30pm Approximate arrival in Peoria

*Arrival times may vary due to delays (weather or boat traffic).

Main Deck First deck: dining
Boiler Deck Second Deck: entertainment and snacks, open-air seating
Texas Deck Third Deck: open-air seating

If the weather is nice and you don’t want to miss anything please feel free to take your meals on either the Boiler or Texas Deck. We will gather your dishes and utensils.

Notes

Remember that your luggage will not be traveling with you! Bring a small bag (on the boat) with any medicine you might need. Please make sure your name is on your luggage. Do not remove the luggage tags that our crew places on your bag. They will be needed until you pick up your luggage at the dock upon the boat’s or bus’ return to Peoria.

Don't forget to bring:

• Binoculars
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Hat
• Light jacket for May/June and September/October trips

Dress is casual. Shorts and sandals are more than appropriate for our cruises. You will not be required to “dress-up” for dinner.

Boarding is at 7am. Passengers will not be allowed to board before that time. Luggage handlers will begin checking in luggage at 6:45am.

The Spirit of Peoria is located at the intersection of Water and Main Sts. You can use exit 93 east or westbound from I-74 or take Routes-24 or 29 to Main St. Cross the railroad tracks and make an immediate right turn into the parking lot.

Parking is located in the RiverFront Village Parking Lot. Parking is free to Spirit of Peoria passengers with parking passes. You will need to obtain a parking pass from the luggage handlers when you check your bags. This pass MUST be hung from your rearview mirror or you will be ticketed. Parking tickets are not our responsibility.

Driving in from out of town?

Try one of these hotels! Each is located within 5 blocks of the Spirit of Peoria and offers complimentary shuttle service for its guests.

• Mark Twain Hotel866-325-6351
• Holiday Inn City Centre309-674-2500
• Hotel P�re Marquette800-447-1676