American Cruise Lines’ riverboat Queen of the West has completed its first cruise out of Portland, Ore., since it underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation. The makeover included reconstruction of passenger staterooms, community areas, galley and engine room. The vessel also received more private balconies and a new library on the third deck. In addition, several staterooms were converted into singles to reduce the capacity from 150 to 120.

“Our goal was to make a great riverboat even greater and to maximize the comfort and amenities available to our passengers,” said Timothy Beebe, vice president of American Cruise Lines. “Now enhanced due to various renovations, Queen of the West truly fits the bill as a member of the industry’s newest fleet, and we look forward to continuing to provide the most unique and enjoyable cruises on the Columbia and Snake rivers.”

Aimed at providing a more comfortable and elegant atmosphere, care and attention to detail went into the reconstruction, from the newly designed and custom-built furniture, to the fresh interior décor, the expanded size of staterooms and the addition of more private balconies. The new authentic paddlewheel makes for a quieter and smoother cruise, while having less impact on the environment.

Queen of the Mississippi is also under construction and ahead of schedule for its August 2012 inaugural season. For more information, call 800-814-6880 or visit www.americancruiselines.com.