Jackie Sheckler Finch

Jackie Sheckler Finch wrote her first cruise story in 1976 aboard the inaugural voyage of the Mississippi Queen. She has been writing about cruises ever since. Jackie also has been a newspaper reporter in Ohio, Massachusetts and Indiana since 1978 and has been writing for The Herald-Times in her Hoosier hometown of Bloomington since 1989. Sharing her love of travel, she has written 25 travel guidebooks for Globe Pequot Press. A member of The Society of American Travel Writers and Midwest Travel Journalists Association, Jackie has been named the MTJA Mark Twain Travel Writer of the Year a record six times, most recently in 2023. One of her greatest joys is boarding a ship to discover what lies around the next river bend or beyond the ocean horizon.
A Cruise Expert’s Comparison of Small-Ship Solo Cruising Versus Cruising as a Couple

A Cruise Expert’s Comparison of Small-Ship Solo Cruising Versus Cruising as a Couple

Solo Cruising Versus Cruising as a Couple By Jackie Sheckler Finch One evening on my recent cruise aboard American Cruise Lines’ 150-passenger American Heritage, I decided at the last minute to skip the shipboard entertainment and walk ashore in Natchez one final...

Mississippi River Boat Cruise on the Lower Mississippi from Memphis to New Orleans in a Solo Cabin Aboard American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage

Mississippi River Boat Cruise on the Lower Mississippi from Memphis to New Orleans in a Solo Cabin Aboard American Cruise Lines’ American Heritage

Mississippi River Boat Cruises By Jackie Sheckler Finch As a long-time solo traveler, people often ask me if I get lonely or feel afraid traveling alone. Nope and nope. I do enjoy being with family and friends, but I also like alone-time to journey to fascinating...

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12 Top Mississippi River Cruises Offered by American Cruise Lines

12 Top Mississippi River Cruises Offered by American Cruise Lines

By Jackie Sheckler Finch Cruising the mighty Mississippi and its tributaries has been my pleasure since 1976. Someone asked me once if it doesn’t get tiresome watching the river day after day. For me, definitely not. As America’s first highway, the Mississippi River...

Cycling & Europe River Cruising — A Great Combo

Cycling & Europe River Cruising — A Great Combo

Cycling & Europe River Cruising By Ralph Grizzle I am not your typical river cruiser. While no one loves river cruising more than I do, my approach is somewhat different. After more than 50 European river cruises, I’ve seen the sights and done the tours. I’m not...

Island Windjammers Packing Tips & Cruise Insights

Island Windjammers Packing Tips & Cruise Insights

Island Windjammers Packing Tips & Cruise Insights By Sarretta McCaslin My husband and I love to travel, and cruises have become a favored way to do so — we’ve been on over 25 cruises in 33 years of marriage. We appreciate being able to see many different areas or...

Planning Your Own Shore Excursions — Why It’s A Great Idea

Planning Your Own Shore Excursions — Why It’s A Great Idea

Planning Your Own Shore Excursions May Be Cheaper & More Tailored to Your Interests Than Booking the Cruise Lines' Tours By Judi Cuervo, with Heidi Sarna The dream of a flight with Napa Valley Balloons couldn’t have been better timed. A cruise was on the horizon,...

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