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Now, instead of gaming tables, guests gather in the expansive main salon with its traditional paneled bar, a beautiful theater, and a full-width dining room that has views to both port and starboard. The other experience that made me cringe was when I boarded one of the line's free charter buses for a ride to town during one of our port stops. It's likely the ship has no way of knowing how many people will need the buses later in the day, but perhaps smaller vehicles could be considered as alternatives after the initial passenger rush dies down. From our cabin, per instructions from the in-room literature, we called the front desk twice to request an ironing board, which never showed up.
American Queen Voyages Mississippi River Cruise Reviews
Cabins got new bedding and flat-screen TVs, and a top-deck bar/snack venue (River Grill) was added. Six decks swathed in swirly white gingerbread trim received a fresh coat of paint. The steamboat is delightful and feels much more like a small and historic boutique hotel than a riverboat. The upgrades continue on an annual basis when the ship’s laid up for six weeks or so during the height of winter; changes are made to public rooms, staterooms, and outdoor venues. "The overnight cruise industry was especially affected by changes in travel preferences and, as a result, AQV has become financially unsustainable," the company added.
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The bathroom is well-designed with a large walk-in shower and a decent amount of counter space. American Queen Voyages provides unlimited Wi-Fi to all its passengers for free. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us.
Adventure Travel
Cape Girardeau is said to have been one of Mark Twain’s favorite towns, and I was immediately enthralled by its quaint appeal. Even though it was Sunday and many of the shops and businesses were closed, Cape Girardeau exudes charm. The Mississippi River Tales Mural stretches along the interior of the flood wall, while on the river side, a “Welcome to Cape Girardeau, Missouri” mural leaves no doubt about where you are. During the 19th Century, there were 18 distilleries located in Daviess County, but today only three are left. Cruisers can visit Green River Distillery, the tenth bourbon distillery licensed in Kentucky, for a tour and tasting.
AQSC-American Queen Steamboat Company's flagship American Queen returns to service
Another pleasant result was that we frequently ran into the same people over and over again, which added to the jovial and somewhat familial onboard vibe. From Port Colborne, on Lake Erie, there is an excursion to experience the close-up spectacle of the mighty Niagara Falls. If you want to really feel the spray on your face then head to the upper deck, or stay dry on the lower level behind glass. Children under 18 are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult 25 years or older. Although there are no specific programs, entertainment, or kids club, American Queen Voyages may be a good option for multi-gen trips – especially for grandparents looking to spend time with their grandchildren. Our sailing was particularly light on families, but I do think the overall experience is definitely child-friendly, particularly for inquisitive minds who love getting out into nature.
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American Cruise Line News: ACL Acquires American Queen River Ships - Cruise Critic
American Cruise Line News: ACL Acquires American Queen River Ships.
Posted: Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
These staffers gave lectures, hosted hands-on science demonstrations, and provided guidance ashore, particularly on expedition excursion days. She is extremely knowledgeable about Alaska and was able to guide us to a humpback whale bonanza when we were surrounded by dozens of singing whales—not a bad day. American Queen Voyages doesn't require passengers to have any type of COVID vaccine or test to board its ships. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research.
What to Expect on Board
As flag-state, the USA flag requires all officers, crew and hotel staff on the vessel to be American (US citizens). "American Queen Voyages works with the ports [it visits] to select and curate experiences that tell the full history of destinations," said Hicks. "Like all cruise lines, we are always seeking guests new to cruise and new to U.S. river cruising," said Michael Hicks, a spokesperson for American Queen Voyages. I spent many an evening on the boat's outer decks, taking in the sights from passing towns, riverside factories and locks, which often left mere inches on either side of the vessel during transit. While ocean vessels often focus on large cities or beachy destinations, the small towns found along American rivers are replete with charm and hospitality that are hard to come by elsewhere. The locals I met were exceptionally welcoming, and American Queen's daily tour schedule directed me to hidden-gem attractions I might have otherwise overlooked.
In 2012, with PS American Queen AQSC resurrected the overnight Mississippi River cruise operations - a US travel service that was almost dead since 2008. SInce 2019, AQSC owns the company Victory Cruise Lines, which fleet is listed at CruiseMapper as part of AQSC. A minority stake in Hornblower remains in Crestview Partners (2004-founded, NYC-based private equity firm). Adam Peakes, president of the line's owner Hornblower Group, said it plans to "sell the company, or, if a sale cannot be achieved, its operations will be wound down." You have played an important role in enabling AQV to provide outstanding travel experiences and service to our guests. There are so many things to do in St. Louis that a few hours can in no way do the city justice, but the options available to riverboat cruisers are great ones, including the National Blues Museum, the Economy Museum, and the Missouri History Museum.
Until the following afternoon, passengers were free to explore Louisville any way they chose. American Queen cruises the Upper and Lower Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee rivers with 5- to 14-day itineraries. Departure ports include New Orleans, St Louis MO, Minneapolis-St Paul MN, Memphis TN, Cincinnati OH. The 2024 cruise season will mark the line’s 3rd season in the market and its 2nd season with 2 ships operating in Alaska, Ocean Discoverer and Ocean Victory. The newly built 186-guest ships will sail immersive voyages through the less-traveled regions of the Inside Passage led by an expedition team, introducing guests to the wildlife and landscape of Alaska. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear.
Plus, with the Front Porch Cafe buffet attached, it was easy to enjoy alfresco lunch or dinner, weather permitting. The slower, more relaxed pace helped me to maximize my enjoyment because I felt like I was able to be in the moment instead of thinking about where I had to be next. Because I was traveling with my dad on our first father-daughter trip, that was especially important to me.
We did alert our waiter before we left, just so he wouldn't cut himself while cleaning up. Like the rest of the U.S. hospitality industry, American Queen Voyages acknowledged that it is experiencing staffing shortages. Most of the things that could have been improved on my American Queen sailing were likely caused by a lack of workers. I would be remiss if I didn't start this section by saying that every crew member I met on the sailing was friendly, helpful and eager to please.
Other comfortable guest spaces include a well-stocked library with plush, comfortable seating, as well as a card and games room outfitted with chess, checkers, backgammon, and card tables with leather chairs and an assortment of puzzles. One deck above, another hideaway is the Chart Room, where passengers can study route maps and immerse themselves in nautical lore and riverboat stories. Before the boat became the American Countess, it was the Kanesville Queen, a casino boat originally built in 1995. In a complete top-to-bottom renovation inside and out, 60 feet in length was added and the casino removed.
The focus is largely on smaller stops, but that doesn't mean there aren't big cities on the list, too. The most powerful place I visited was the Underground Railroad Museum during our call on Cincinnati. Exhibits covered everything from the history of slavery to modern-day human trafficking and implicit bias. From its lacy gingerbread trim to its shrill-but-wholesome calliope music, the boat evokes an air of southern Gilded Age luxury so strong I fully expected to bump into Mark Twain in one of the onboard lounges.
They always gave me passing smiles, waves and greetings, no matter how busy they were, and it was obvious they were all working hard. Also, keep your eye out for hidden outdoor areas that will allow you to view the paddlewheel up-close. While ashore, I enjoyed leisurely strolls along the riverbank whenever I wasn't lazily making my way between points of interest.
Besides the paddle wheel, for better maneuverability and during emergencies, the ship uses its two Azimuth thrusters (aka Z-drives). These are modern marine propulsion units (diesel-electric propellers) mounted on either side of the stern paddlewheel. Both Z-drives are fully submerged underwater, and able to rotate at 360 degrees. I've taken several river cruises in my time as a cruise writer, but until this summer, they were all on foreign rivers like the Rhine and the Mekong.
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