Steamboat Social on the Natchez

One of the best highlights of New Orleans! Food, Music, Tour Guide, etc. were absolutely wonderful!

What a lovely day it was and every mofo seemed to be taking advantage of the impeccable weather. The Quarter was so packed that Michelle and I almost missed the boat waiting for leisurely tourists to cross the street and park their cars. Luckily I was able to park and run to the boat in time before it sailed away!
Once on board the beautiful Natchez we were greeted with booze and delicious appetizers in our private room. I must say the ceviche was pretty damn good. Then we played a really fun game of Unilocalo where we learned lots of interesting fun facts about each other. All the Unilocalers there were a blast. Loved meeting some new folks and hanging out with old friends.
Thanks to Yvonne for our lovely boat tour! She gave a great tour. Thanks to Vicky and Morgan for all the fun things they did ( Unilocalo, compliments to each other that we put in a bottle, and the cool giveaways) to make this event super enjoyable. Of what fun it was!

I was pretty sick for the duration of the boat adventure, but here’s what I remember.
1. We were on a boat, which was awesome.
2. Some sort of booze based soda cocktail was being continaully dispensed by a genteel and attentive boozesmith, also awesome.
3. I met a lot of new people, who were all friendly and interesting.
4. A menagerie of hats.
I’m not certain, but I think we definitively proved that NOLA, with it’s constant everyday boat access to the mouth of the largest rivier in North America, is the greatest city in the world.

This was definitely one of my most enjoyable elite events!
First the weather was great for cruising on a boat so it just felt so good to be outside and that alone made me happy. Once on the steamboat we had the opportunity to enjoy the great suite with yummy treats (beef wellington = Life Changing) and cocktails which in my mind you can’t go wrong with St Germain.
I loved the game for us to get to know each other in a fun way. That was great! Also I love the thoughtful idea of having little bottle where everyone can live you a nice compliment which totally made my day.
This was a overall positive event that was just happy and I will definitely return to the Steamboat to make new memories.

This has been the best Unilocal elite event I’ve attended thus far. Morgan is super friendly and mingled with everyone. The boat staff were wonderful and accommodating, and gave us a tour of the boat as well. It was my first time on the steamboat and I had such a good time meeting others! The food was great, the drinks even better, thank you!

What a gorgeous day for a boat ride! I felt very classy with our champagne toast before boarding, kudos as always to Morgan and Vicky for thinking of every little detail!
Everything was top notch, from our Elite cocktail (it has St. Germain in it? Yes, please!) to the food (those mini muffs were mighty fine) and the super friendly staff. The games were fun and I always enjoy finding out peoples’ little quirks. I still never found out who doesn’t like onions but I do know whose first concert was Rob Zombie!

Wow. After multiple days of unseasonably chilly weather and blechy rain. Sunday was the most gorgeous day in weeks. I think that must mean the weather gods love UnilocalNOLA. Props to Morgan & Vicky for planning the event, fending off champagne wannabes at the docks, organizing fun games and for general fabulosity.
Our private room made us feel superspecial and the food was yummy. Loved the shrimp ceviche and the shrimp/​crawfish beggars purses. And I apologize for littering the deck and the river with the yummy cracker things that kept blowing off my plate every time I popped outside.
Of course, I was so busy chatting that I missed some of the great river views. I loved hanging out with many of my favorite Unilocalers (you know who you are) and meeting some great new folks too. I’m glad that despite the traffic/​parking nonsense on a gorgeous day in the FQ that no one missed the boat.
The staff on the boat was great, our bartender and our servers. Plus I loved our tour by Yvonne who’s Daddy used to be on the President (my favorite riverboat of all time).
For the record, some of my Unilocal-​o answers were stegosaurus, the Ramones (on the Riverboat President), king cake and Professor Plum.

My name is John, and I love Unilocal Nola. My love for her is insurmountable and it’s events like this that remind me of how lucky I am.
When I first learned that we were having an elite event on board on of my favorite vessels, I was excited. I took my first ride aboard this steamer when I was just a young boy. My grandmother decided to take me and since that maiden voyage, I’ve been hooked. There is something magical about cruising down the Mighty Mississippi River on a steam powered paddle wheel. It is almost impossible to frown when heading down that river that has meant so much to me throughout my life. But you’re not here to read about my fond memories, so on to the event!
This event was amazing. We were treated like VIPs and given our own private room for the duration of the cruise. We were also given a private tour, free food and drinks. What more could you ask for? How about a great group of people to share the cruise with, a game that was entertaining and cool personalized messages from my fellow elites. This event had it all.
The Room
The Magnolia Suite is a great room located towards the bow of the ship. I’ve been in this room before during my brother’s rehearsal dinner, but this was a lot less formal. The super friendly bartender was making some sort of signature champagne cocktail, but it was a bit too fru-​fru for me. Lucky for me they had free beer on hand as well. It may have been Bud Light, but hey, it was free and refreshing.
Food
I missed out on the crab meat and pork dishes, but the mini muffulettas and crawfish pastry thing were amazing. Unlike most venues, the muffulettas were warmed which added an additional layer of flavor. They were likely the best mini muffulettas I’ve ever had.
Tour
The tour was brief, but informative. My favorite part of the tour was when we went into the engine room. I stared in awe at the giant iron beams thrusting back and forth to turn that massive paddle wheel. It was really neat checking out all the pieces and parts that go into making this ship run. If you take a cruise on board, this is a must stop.
Game
We played a game of bingo using statements provided by other Unilocalers. It was neat way to learn fun facts about my fellow Unilocalers. Some of the more interesting facts I learned were: Angie T. is under 5’6″, Danon’s first concert was Rob Zombie and someone (I never learned who) liked N’Sync. I suspect that last fact belonged to Joel. I was never able to confirm that beyond a reasonable doubt, but the preponderance of evidence points in his direction.
Gift
The most unique part of this event, was probably the coolest. Little bottles bearing each of our names were arranged on a table. The object was to write a short note about the person and put it in their bottle. I had some truly amazing messages at the end of the event. Thanks to everyone who took the time to write me one.
People
The best part of any event is always the people in attendance. This event was no exception as it had a stellar group of elites. I particularly enjoyed meeting new people, but regret not meeting everyone who was in attendance. I really need to work on that for the next one.
In summary, a great time was had by all. If you missed it, you missed a great event. If you are on the cusp of becoming elite, this is one reason to strive for that goal.
The End!

After a long painful week of work and after recovering from a cold, this was such a great event to help me relax and enjoy the good southern vibes! We all met down at the docks and were greeted with champagne before boarding the Natchez. I think I rode this steamboat when I was maybe 8 years old and do not remember it much. This was a unique event for the Unilocal Elite to bond and socialize while strolling along the Mississippi River.
With our own private room downstairs we got to escape the crowds and enjoy lots of drinks and appetizers. I had such a fun time meeting even more of my fellow Elites and having lots and lots of conversations. We got to learn so much more about each other while laughing and taking multiple selfies. The bingo game helped up to discover these little unique traits as well. Loved the Elite Cocktail and the food was delicious. The little glass bottles where we wrote compliments about each other was a nice idea and made me so much happier to hear all the nice things people had to say. We sometimes forget to compliment each other and it is nice to encourage it and soak up in each others awesomeness. :) Can’t wait to see you all at the next shindig!
Thanks so much to the Natchez and crew for all that you did this day. Everyone was extremely nice, helpful, and fun spirited! And of course an awesome applause to Morgan and Vicky for this fantastic event!

This event was definitely a 5-​er! This was an excellent original idea and was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon… Vicky had it rocking at the check-​in station and Jen L. was being her typical awesome OG Elite self fielding calls and texts from other stressed Elites, myself included, freaking out about missing the boat, literally!
Morgan F. really kept the trip interesting and moving with the Unilocal-​O game and the compliments in a bottle was a really cool idea! I’ll share one of my compliments with you, dear reader, because it made me go look in the mirror and have a good laugh… that compliment stated «You have Hot Manly Eyes»… I’m laughing typing it… but seriously I DO have «hot manly eyes!»
The event itself was first rate as all Unilocal NOLA events I’ve been to have been… the mini-​muffalettas were so DAMN good I couldn’t stop shoving them into my gaping maw located south of my «hot manly eyes!» The shrimp ceviché was delicious… Honestly I skipped the tour and exploring as I enjoyed the view from the private room as well as the company of my fellow Elites as this stately paddlewheeler took us down the mighty river…
Lastly to end this review in my normal fashion allow me to say I’m grateful to be NOLA Elite, not only for the great events, but also the great camaraderie I’ve experienced in my time as one! Unilocal NOLA proud!
PS For you, John L H the n’Sync concert answer was none other than our new fearless CM, Morgan F.

The reason why you join Unilocal and strive to become elite is to experience opportunities like these. This even was such a great success. An absolutely perfect day on the Steamboat Natchez with fantastic people and food. We even got a guided tour around the boat. My favorite of the food items were the shrimp ceviche and crabmeat ravigote which was divine. The elite cocktail was not bad either in fact I drank one to many. I loved this event and cannot wait for the next one.

A river that’s muddy
A boat called the Natchez
These are a few of my favorite things…
What’s better than an afternoon on the Mississippi River on the Steamboat Natchez? An afternoon on the Mississippi River aboard the Steamboat Natchez with some super cool Unilocal Elites.
What a great idea for an event. I could not wait for this event and it was really special. We were treated like royalty with the Magnolia Suite all to ourselves, a special yummy cocktail made just for us, and great food to taste. Speaking of the food, that crawfish, shrimp and cheese concoction wrapped in pastry… you will be mine again and mine often. Jeez, was that divine.
I loved the tour of the Natchez because this boat is just so special to me. She is beautiful, fascinating and a true New Orleans lady.
The game of Unilocalo was really cute and I liked learning new facts about my friends such as John, although not owning a rabbit, having eaten rabbit. Did you guys know Michelle can’t whistle? Now you do. There were two of the best astrological signs there, too (Pieces). Teneha and yours truly. I know this all now thanks to Unilocalo. :)
My favorite thing was the spin on message in a bottle… compliment in a bottle. We all were able to write compliments to our friends and roll them up and put them in a bottle for later to read. Such a cute idea! I had some really nice compliments in mine that I’ll save for a long time. It just warmed my heart to read the sweet things my friends wrote =)
LOVED this event. Spectacular job, Morgan and Vicky! Thanks you guys! This was a much needed fun afternoon for me! I heart you guys. I really, really do.

⁵⁄₅ big wheel keep on turnin!
another lovely Unilocal event that featured a great local activity on a wonderful sunday. loved catching up with fellow elites and munching on some tasty treats and sipping on that champagne cooler while touring this race-​winning (max speed 15mph!) steamboat. the tour was informative, and Unilocal-​o was fun (although i didn’t win). i really appreciate the Unilocal team for incorporating more activities that really get our community to bond (now we know who hates onions). looking forward to next time!

Was so great to meet fellow Unilocalers, dine on some fantastic hor d’oeuvres and enjoy a GORGEOUS Sunday on the Mississippi. Drinks were nice and strong. I only needed one!
I definitely felt like I was in heaven! And this was before I won the final Unilocal-​O prize.
I will be sleeping in my captain’s hat tonight!

I have been so remiss lately in writing reviews but this amazing event got me off my lazy streak and back in the wagon! Morgan and Vicky did an AMAZING job putting this event together and in true procrastination mode I literally ran to catch the boat! My buddy Steve I. Was kind enough to pick me up and we were frantically trying to park and get to the boat on time. It was so frustrating bc we were just a few blocks away and could see the boat! Good friend that he is he told me to run for the boat and although I didn’t want to leave my buddy in the lurch I was super excited for this two hour tour!
First it was a beautiful day which was a gift bc we’ve had some whack weather lately! The sun was shining, breeze blowing in the hair, our own private room (same one my friend’s wedding reception was held last August) and some delicious food! The mini muffalettas were delish, and so was the crab dip and the shrimp ceviche! Woohoo! And the birds basket or best I think it’s called was yummy too!
Big props to the Natchez tram who were so utterly friendly and provided us wonderful service! From the lovely lady tending bar (janae, sp?) to the servers, Gina and Leland to the managers Tiffanie (sp?) and our awesome your guide we were treated like royalty! Heck we even had the executive chef carving the stuffed pork loin discussing the ingredients! Woohoo!
Morgan and Vicky-​big props for the bingo game which made it SO much fun getting to know people and learn more about our friends! I really was touched by the little messages in the bottle with such sweet writings from people! Y’all are the bestest!
And the swag was awesome as usual’ love the reusable bag, shades, fan and adorable rubber ducky! Such a blast y’all!
Happy steamboat cruising!