American Cruise Lines Scraps Former American Queen Voyages Ships

by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 11:45 AM ET, Thu May 16, 2024

American Cruise Lines has scrapped two vessels it purchased from American Queen Voyages, which shut down in February. The company is also trying to decide what to do with a third.

“We have recycled the former AQV vessels Countess and Duchess,” according to a statement from American Cruise Lines. “We continue to evaluate options for the Queen, including the possibility of donation to a municipal or non-profit entity.”

In April, American Cruise Line acquired four former American Queen Voyages ships: American Duchess, American Countess, American Empress and American Queen. The ships previously sailed on the Mississippi River, the Columbia River and the Snake River. The company also acquired American Queen Voyages’ intellectual property, including its business records, website domain names and trademarks.

In total, the company spent $6.3 million in cash.

The company has not yet indicated what it plans to do with American Empress.

“American Cruise Lines remains focused on modernizing and elevating the domestic cruise industry with new ships, large staterooms, modern technology and rigorous environmental standards,” according to the statement.

Meanwhile, American Queen Voyages’ founder John Waggoner separately revealed this week that he plans to relaunch Victory Cruise Lines in the Great Lakes. He purchased two former American Queen Voyages ships, Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager, and plans to return them to their original names, Victory I and Victory II.