American Cruise Lines will christen its new riverboat, Queen of the Mississippi, on Aug. 25 in Nashville, Tenn. Phyllis Dale, co-owner of Great Escapes Travel in Lake Mary, Fla., and a small-ship specialist, will christen the vessel. Following the ceremony, Queen of the Mississippi will depart at full capacity on an eight-day voyage from Nashville to St. Louis.

Queen of the Mississippi, the first authentic paddlewheeler built for the Mississippi River in nearly 20 years, offers 300-square-foot staterooms with private balconies and an all-American staff and crew. Queen of the Mississippi was built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Md.

The cruises include daily educational events and themed entertainment on what life on the Mississippi was like in the past. Staterooms feature room service, in-room phones, Wi-Fi and satellite TV. The vessel has open seating dining, so guests can dine at a single seating or when they choose.

“There’s a reason I’ve booked hundreds of clients with American Cruise Lines. They simply love the intimacy, history and pure nostalgia of leisurely cruising our country’s smaller waterways,” Dale said. “After boarding this beautiful vessel, it’s clear Queen of the Mississippi offers the finest of amenities, ambience and décor. This, combined with outstanding pampered service from a personable crew creates a recipe which will bring passengers back to enjoy all of the Queen’s itineraries. I’m honored and proud to have been asked by American Cruise Lines to christen this beautiful vessel.”