News

News

American Queen Steamboat Company Announces June 14 Start for Almost Sold-out Pacific Northwest Season

American Queen Steamboat Company has announced that the American Empress, cruising the Columbia and Snake rivers, will resume operations beginning June 14, 2021. The line’s first 2021 Pacific Northwest sailing will feature the popular Pacific Northwest Splendor itinerary from Spokane, Wash. (Clarkston, Wash.) to Portland, Ore. (Vancouver, Wash.) and operate with enhanced SafeCruise health and … Read more

New American Culinary Experience Itinerary with Limited Availability Features Top Chef Alum Kevin Gillespie

American Queen Steamboat Company continues its tradition of offering extraordinary culinary experiences by welcoming Chef Kevin Gillespie to the American Duchess for select 2021 sailings. One of the Southeast’s leading chefs of Atlanta-based Red Beard Restaurants, which includes Gunshow and Decatur’s Revival, the James Beard Award finalist and Bravo “Top Chef” season six finalist will showcase his … Read more

American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines Grow Sales & Revenue Management Teams

American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines announce three new additions and one promotion to the sales and revenue management teams. Each bringing a diverse portfolio of cruise and travel experience, new team members include Joe Jiffo in the role of vice president of sales, American Queen Steamboat Company; Garrett Ford in the role of senior director of … Read more

New American Countess to Host First American River Golf Classic: Featuring Four Famed Courses and PGA Champion Jim Gallagher, Jr.

American Queen Steamboat Company announces the inaugural American River Golf Classic itinerary featuring the opportunity to play at four of the most prestigious courses along the Lower Mississippi River. Sailing May 8-16, 2021 from Memphis to New Orleans on the new American Countess, guests can tee off at the renowned Colonial Country Club, The Bluffs … Read more

American Countess (picture: American Queen Steamboat Company / Josh Brasted)

American Queen Steamboat Company Christens the American Countess with a bottle of Bourbon

American Queen Steamboat Company announced the successful christening of the American Countess in New Orleans on March 21, 2021. American Queen Steamboat Company followed strict Safe Cruise health and safety protocols, welcoming guests to experience the new riverboat as it officially joined the paddlewheel fleet. The christening follows the American Duchess’ recent return to service … Read more

American Queen Steamboat Company Welcomes Music Legend Lee Greenwood for Six Performances During 2021 Season

American Queen Steamboat Company announces country music legend Lee Greenwood will perform on six sailings during the 2021 season. Onboard the boutique-style riverboat American Duchess, Greenwood will take the Show Lounge stage for intimate performances of his iconic hits including “God Bless the U.S.A.” Greenwood, who makes favorite riverboat stop Clarksville his home, will board … Read more

American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines Release 2023 Season Featuring Debut of Ocean Discoverer

In response to unprecedented demand for the 2022 season, American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines, Hornblower Family Companies, are releasing the 2023 season today. The announcement marks the furthest out a season has been offered to guests and travel partners signaling pent up demand to “Come Home to America.” Itineraries for the 2023 … Read more

American Queen Steamboat Company Announces Vaccination Requirement for all Guests and Crew Members Starting July 1, 2021

American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines have announced a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for all guests that will go into effect for all sailings beginning July 1, 2021. Additionally, the vaccination requirement will apply to shipboard crew members and non-shipboard employees across all seven vessels in the AQSC and VCL fleets. Established by the … Read more

American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines Grow Marketing & Sales Team with Three Industry Veterans

American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC) and Victory Cruise Lines (VCL) announce three additions to the Marketing and Sales team. Colleen Rodriguez, Michael Hicks and Scott Sloan have joined AQSC and VCL as the companies prepare to resume cruising and undertake major brand milestones including the launch of the American Countess, AQSC’s newest paddlewheeler, and Ocean … Read more

American Queen and Victory Nominated for Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards

American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC) and Victory Cruise Lines (VCL) have been nominated in the Best Cruise category in the 2021 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. Voting is now open and individuals can cast their ballot online at http://www.tlworldsbest.com/vote now through May 10, 2021. AQSC and VCL are looking forward to once again welcoming … Read more

American Queen Steamboat Company Names Rodney Bailey Vice President of Hotel Operations

American Queen Steamboat Company announces Rodney Bailey as Vice President of Hotel Operations. Bailey joins the company after serving as President/Owner of RAB Hospitality, LLC, a firm specializing in hospitality operations consulting. As Vice President of Hotel Operations, Bailey will be responsible for all hotel and hospitality operations onboard AQSC’s overnight cruise vessels, including the … Read more

American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines Announce 2022 Itineraries

American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC) announced their itineraries for the 2022 season featuring new routes and uniquely themed cruises, in addition to their beloved classic journeys. To celebrate, AQSC is offering an early booking discount where guests can take advantage of up to $1,200 in savings on 2022 itineraries when they book by April 30, … Read more

American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines Announce New Steamboat and Victory Academy for Travel Agent Partners

American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC) and Victory Cruise Lines (VCL) announced the launch of the combined Steamboat and Victory Academy (SAVA). The enhanced travel agent certification training program can be found by visiting MyCruiseAcademy.com or by logging into the AQSC or VCL travel agent portal. The academy incorporates content from both AQSC and VCL and … Read more

American Queen Steamboat Company 2021 Special Edition Voyages

American Queen Steamboat Company has announced its 2021 lineup of Special Edition Voyages. With thoughtfully planned itineraries featuring exceptional voyage programming aboard the American Duchess, American Queen and newest paddlewheeler to join the fleet, the American Countess, guests can experience time-honored American traditions while creating new memories as they sail along the country’s most historic … Read more

Viking announces additional sailings for new Mississippi River cruises

Viking today announced that new 2023 sailings of its Mississippi River cruises are now on sale. The company’s first custom vessel, Viking Mississippi, will debut in August 2022 and will sail voyages on the Lower and Upper Mississippi River, between New Orleans and St. Paul. Viking’s first river cruises in the U.S. had been highly … Read more

American Queen Steamboat Company Extends Temporary Service Suspension

American Queen Steamboat Company announced that it will extend its temporary suspension of operations on board the American Empress through August 2, 2020 and the American Duchess through August 16, 2020. The decision was made in an abundance of caution for the health and safety of its guests and crew. “The decision to extend our … Read more

Howard Steamboat Museum reopening on the 16th of June 2020

The Howard Steamboat Museum announces its reopening starting on the 16th of June at 10:00 am. The mansion will reopen to the public and return to normal operating hours. Curator Travis Vasconcelos writes: “We are ready to share with you an experience that includes the legacy of the Howard family, the story of the American River … Read more

Announced New Timeline for 2020 Season

American Queen Steamboat Company announced a new timeline for the suspension and resumption of operations across all vessels. AQSC’s new timeline was prepared in response to the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and following the continued wide-spread governmental restrictions across ports, cities and public institutions. The decision to update the 2020 season itinerary dates … Read more

American Queen Steamboat Company Using Ochsner Health’s Safe to Return Employer Solutions to Safely Return Guests and Crew as part of New Health and Safety Protocols

American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC) is partnering with Ochsner Health by implementing Ochsner’s Safe to Return Employer Solutions to help improve and maintain a healthy and safe return of guests and crew to its paddlewheelers. Ochsner Health will conduct assessments of the American Queen, American Duchess and American Countess and will work with AQSC on implementing disease prevention and … Read more

American Extends Cruise with Comfort Plan and Protects Travel Advisor Commissions

American Cruise Lines announced today that it has extended its popular Cruise with Comfort program and will continue to protect 100% of travel advisor commissions on all Cruise with Comfort bookings. The program will now include all cruises departing through October 31st, 2020 and may be applied to both new and existing bookings. American implemented … Read more

Domestic Bookings Rise as Cruisers Seek to Support American Business

American Cruise Lines announced today, a strong increase in demand across its domestic portfolio of river and coastal cruises. The company cites increased awareness of U.S. cruise options along with guests’ desire to support all-American businesses, as the primary reasons for the increase. Advance bookings for the 2021 season are robust, with next year’s passenger … Read more

American Queen Steamboat Company Extends Temporary Service Suspension

American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC) announced that it will extend its temporary operations suspension across all boats through June 21, 2020. The decision to extend the suspension reflects the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued wide-spread governmental restrictions across ports, cities and public institutions. AQSC thanks its guests, travel agent partners, vendors … Read more

Viking officially opens reservations for new Mississippi River cruises

Viking  today opened reservations to the public for its new Mississippi River cruises, which will launch in 2022. The company’s first custom vessel, Viking Mississippi, will debut in August 2022 and will sail voyages on the Lower and Upper Mississippi River, between New Orleans and St. Paul. Viking’s arrival will bring modern river cruising to the Mississippi and … Read more

Viking annouces Mississippi River Cruises

New Purpose-Built Ship Will Bring Guests to America’s Heartland Beginning in 2022. Viking today made the highly anticipated announcement that it will further expand its destination-focused travel experiences with the launch of new Mississippi River cruises, honoring a commitment Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen made to loyal past guests to launch the Mississippi product by early … Read more

American Cruise Lines Travel Advisor Assurance Plan

American Cruise Lines has unveiled its full Travel Advisor Assurance Plan following the Line’s voluntary decision to suspend cruise operations through April 30th, 2020. The new plan contains some of the most guest and agent friendly policies in the river cruise industry. Most significantly, the plan includes assurance from American that it will protect Travel … Read more

American Queen Steamboat Company Temporarily Suspends Service

American Queen Steamboat Company announced that it will immediately suspend operations across all ships and will resume service on April 12. The decision was made following wide-spread governmental restrictions across ports, cities and public institutions. AQSC thanks its guests, travel agent partners, vendors and team members for their patience and understanding during this rapidly evolving … Read more

American Countess Completes Second Successful Sea Trial

The American Countess is American Queen Steamboat Company’s Fourth Vessel Launching April 5, 2020 American Queen Steamboat Company is excited to announce that the American Countess completed its second successful sea trial on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 marking the sixth major milestone of the new ship’s development. The upcoming ship will be christened in New … Read more

American Cruise Lines Signs 20-Year New Docking Agreement with Vicksburg

American Cruise Lines announced today that it has signed a new 20 year docking agreement with the city of Vicksburg, MS. The new agreement was finalized yesterday by City officials and includes a financial contribution from American Cruise Lines for improvements to the docking area as well as funding for beautification of the facility. In … Read more

American Sets Sales Records: River Cruising is More Popular Than Ever in the U.S.A.

American Cruise Lines announced today the strongest start to Wave Season in the company’s history. Wave Season, the cruise industry term for first quarter sales, has surpassed company expectations, with records broken in nearly every category. Demand for small ship cruises across the U.S.A. has been on the rise for some time according to American. … Read more

Charles A. Robertson, American Cruise Lines Founder, Passes Away – Charles B. Robertson Named New CEO

The Board of Directors of American Cruise Lines, Inc. announced today that Charles B. Robertson will be appointed as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. This appointment follows the recent death of Mr. Robertson’s father, Charles A. Robertson, who was the company’s founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive. “My father was a visionary and … Read more

American Queen Steamboat Company Wins Gold at 2020 Travvy Awards for Best River Cruise Line in the U.S. for the Fourth Consecutive Year

American Queen Steamboat Company has earned the prestigious Gold statuette in the 2020 Travvy Awards for Best River Cruise Line in the U.S. for the fourth consecutive year and the Silver statuette for Best Cruise Line in the U.S./Canada. The annual Travvy Awards – known as the Academy Awards of the travel industry – were … Read more

Former Davenport, Iowa Mayor, Frank J. Klipsch, Joins American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines announced today that former Davenport, Iowa Mayor, Frank J. Klipsch, has joined the cruise line as its Director of City Partnerships and Special Projects on the Mississippi River. Mayor Klipsch has led a distinguished career in government, community service, and organizational development, including two terms as Mayor of Davenport and as former … Read more