Captain’s Log

For this month’s edition of our Crew Spotlight series, we are interviewing Belle of Louisville Riverboat’s Alternate Chief Engineer, Tom Coursen! Tom began working as a Fireman and Striker 20 years ago and has since worked his way up to become Alternate Chief Engineer! Read on to learn more about Tom’s role at Belle of…

The Belle of Louisville—built in 1914—is the oldest operating Mississippi River-style steamboat in America. The Belle is joined by another historical vessel—Life Saving Station #10—and the Mary M. Miller to form Belle of Louisville Riverboats, with two of our three riverboats offering cruises up the Ohio River. Each of our crew members play an important…

If you are looking for something new and exciting to do, look no further than the Belle of Louisville! Families in Kentucky and Indiana (or anywhere, really) can use our Annual Pass to cruise on our riverboats all season long. With a list of amazing perks from unlimited Leisure Cruises to free popcorn every time you’re on board, it’s…

by Kimberly Alonzo, Content and Programming Intern Working at the Belle of Louisville Riverboats has been nothing short of a dream come true. Every day feels like an adventure, and I have had some unforgettable experiences that have made this job truly special. Here are my top five moments that have defined my time here….

Martha Gibbs spent years dreaming of playing the calliope aboard the Belle of Louisville and, in 2005, that dream came true when she auditioned and became a calliopist! As one of only two female calliope players in the United States, Martha holds the unique job of playing songs on the Belle’s calliope before cruises, a…

Each crew member at Belle of Louisville Riverboats holds a unique role in maintaining these vessels and preserving their legacies for generations to come. In this month’s chapter of the Crew Spotlight Series, we interview the Chief Engineer of Belle of Louisville Riverboats, Daniel Lewis, to learn more about the important role he holds within…

Written by Ava Belle Ferree, Social Media and Communications Intern Whether you’ve visited the Belle of Louisville or have only ever seen her in a picture, chances are that one of the first things you noticed was her big red wheel located at the back of the boat. This is the Paddlewheel, and it actually…

Get to know Edward Tanner, Belle of Louisville’s Mate, in this edition of our Crew Spotlight series! Ed started at Belle of Louisville Riverboats just a few years ago, in 2020, and has already worked his way up from starting as a seasonal deckhand to his current position as a mate. He is also working…

Written by Ava Belle Ferree, Social Media and Communications Intern One of the things that makes cruising aboard the Belle of Louisville so unique is the opportunity to enjoy cruising along the Ohio River while simultaneously visiting a living, operating museum! Not only this, but visiting the historic steamer allows guests the chance to learn…

For this month’s edition of our Crew Spotlight series, we are interviewing Belle of Louisville Riverboat’s Assistant Engineer, Stephen Settles! Stephen has worked for the Belle for seven years, starting as a Fireman and Striker. While every day on the job looks a little different, Stephen says the most unique aspect of his job is…