WHY IT RATES: New and returning guests onboard American Queen Steamboat Company's luxury riverboats will enjoy the 2018 highlights.-Codie Richards, TravelPulse Associate Editor
American Queen Steamboat Company, operator of America's most luxurious riverboat fleet, recently kicked off its seventh season. The U.S.-flagged cruise line and its iconic American Queen, American Empress and new American Duchess riverboats will sail itineraries this year on the Mississippi, Cumberland, Ohio, Tennessee and Columbia Rivers while offering guests all-inclusive voyages complete with award-winning shoreline excursions in each port.
Inspired by the great riverboats of the 19th century, traveling aboard the American Queen, American Empress and American Duchess allows guests to relive the experience of a previous generation but with all of the modern amenities that today's travelers expect. Combining the best of the old with the new, personal touches and attention to detail abound in the itineraries and on the boats themselves.
"The American Queen Steamboat Company is coming off an incredible year as we expanded our fleet and showcased the beauty of America's heartland and the Pacific Northwest to more guests than ever before," shared Ted Sykes, American Queen Steamboat Company President and COO.
"We're moving full speed ahead into 2018 in anticipation of another record-breaking season as we showcase our authentic American experience to both returning guests and first-timers."
Offering the most inclusive river cruise experience in North America, nine-day sailings on the American Queen begin at $1,999; American Empress fares start at $2,399, and American Duchess fares begin at $2,699. All nine-day journeys include a one-night pre-voyage hotel stay, shore tours in all ports, complimentary wine and beer with dinner and a host of other amenities.
Highlights of the 2018 season include:
-Family Suites onboard the American Queen offer the perfect respite from a busy day on the river. With an open veranda and private sitting area, guests can peacefully watch the river banks of America's heartland drift by from the comfort of their own suite. The amenities of these spacious, single-room suites accommodate a variety of travel needs and are the ideal choice for families and friends vacationing together.
-There are new American Duchess itineraries on the Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers as well as on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois River, including a nine-day Kentucky Derby-focused itinerary from Louisville, Kentucky to Cincinnati, Ohio. Other new itineraries include Cincinnati, Ohio to Memphis, Tennesse, Louisville, Kentucky to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (and vice versa) and Nashville, Tennessee to Chattanooga, Tennessee (and vice versa).
-Pacific Northwest Adventuretheme cruises on the American Empress offer soft-adventure activities that appeal to guests of all ages, making it the ideal choice for a phenomenal summer family vacation. Enticing shore excursions, such as a tandem ride on a kayak or zip-lining through towering trees, highlight the beautiful terrain and one-of-a-kind experiences that nature has to offer in this captivating corner of America.
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