Mississippi Princess LEGO Ideas Project Review

Overview
The Mississippi Princess, created by ravescat, is a paddleboat fully decked out and detailed as it prepares for its voyage up the river of support on LEGO Ideas. This particular paddleboat is patterned as modern day replica of the old steam paddleboats that used to travel up and down rivers such as the Ohio and the Mississippi in the Unites States during the late 18th to the early 20th centauries. For more information, you can visit the project on LEGO Ideas by clicking here.

Appeals of this Project
This paddle boat is a splendid model, and it looks very much like the mighty riverboats that used to go up and down the Mississippi. There is a lovely blend of blue and red to accent the white railing and deck, and I can just picture this entering one of the larger cities like St. Louis or New Orleans with much fanfare. This vessel is packed with details such as the boarding ramps at the bow (front), the traditional riverboat bell, and the paddlewheel at the stern (back) just to name a few.

Diving into the model, the three top decks can be removed for access to all four levels, offering good playability. The upper deck is an observation deck in the stern,  where passengers can watch as the mighty paddlewheel propels the boat forward, while the bow contains the bridge where the captain and crew set the course and guide this vessel through the twists and turns of the river. The panoramic (second) deck is another observation deck, complete with benches in the stern and a little deck café (not pictured) where the minifigures can grab a bite to eat during their trip.

As we continue further down, the first deck contains the living quarters with three passenger cabins and a shared bathroom. But the biggest surprise for me was to see the inclusion of an emergency room. In a boat this magnificent, it is easy to overlook the less glamorous details, and I am really glad to see that ravescat has included a fully equipped emergency room with various types of emergency and service equipment. Finally, the lower deck houses a large entertainment room complete with dancing floor, stage, lounging areas, and even decorations from previous voyages. Behind this main room is the engine room which houses the large diesel engine used to turn the paddlewheel and propel this ship on its way.

Areas for Improvement
This is a very solid model from bow to stern, and really the only complaint I have with this model is the size. Until recently, large models have had trouble passing the Official LEGO Ideas Review process. However with the recent approval of the Apollo 11 Saturn V provides some hope that larger models, such as the Mississippi Princess, might have a chance of passing the review process.

Conclusion
I really like this riverboat, the Mississippi Princess, and think it would make a very enjoyable set if it reaches 10,000 supporters and passes the official LEGO Ideas Review Process. To see more pictures and offer your support to help this become a set, you can visit this project on LEGO Ideas here. Not sure how LEGO Ideas works? Click here to find our more.

Photos used and review completed with the permission of ravescat.