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American Queen Deck Plans & Reviews

American Queen

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• Captain's Bar - Atrium Bar *
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7 Reasons A Stay On The World’s Largest Steamboat Is My Favorite U.S. Cruise

• Cruises and Sailing
• River Cruises
• Types of Travel

I have been on several cruises and travel adventures around the world, but recently, I’ve felt the need to focus on discovering great destinations closer to home. The U.S. is filled with countless experiences that travelers can unlock, and a river cruise offers the chance to see so many things in an efficient, hassle-free, and fun way.

Our summer cruise on the Ohio River took us from Pittsburgh to Louisville, and the itinerary included stops in Marietta, Ohio; Huntington, West Virginia; Augusta, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Madison, Indiana, before reaching Louisville.

I had been on voyages on the Mighty Mississippi River and even a couple in the Pacific Northwest on the Columbia and Snake rivers that traverse through Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. These itineraries are fairly well known, but I was fascinated to see what an Ohio River cruise was all about. I was happy to accept an invite from American Queen Voyages to review this special itinerary.

As it turns out, it’s filled with memorable experiences and a range of fun ways to spend your days. The best part about our trip, though, was how we got there. American Queen owns a special charm and an incredible river cruise program that makes it a favorite way to cruise within the U.S. Here’s why.

1. An Itinerary With Small Towns And Big Cities

Pittsburg, pennsylvania.

American Queen Voyages offers a pre-cruise hotel stay in Pittsburgh, and it was nice to explore the City of Bridges for a day. We had lunch at the famous Primanti Brothers, diving into our hearty sandwiches — complete with fries stuffed onto the pastrami between slices of Italian bread. And we washed it down with a couple of Iron City beers.

The embarkation pier for the riverboat sits at the doorstep of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ football stadium, making for a scenic sail away from the confluence of the three rivers (Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela).

Cincinnati, Ohio

The cruise also features a stop in Cincinnati and wraps up in Louisville, so travelers have opportunities to explore these interesting big cities and all they have to offer. We went for a bike ride on the riverfront, explored the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, and had lunch and craft beers at Moerlein Lager House.

Louisville, Kentucky

In Louisville, cruisers can explore city highlights like the famed Churchill Downs (Kentucky Derby track) or the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory before catching flights back home.

These big cities are nice, but it’s the small towns that really make this trip shine. Residents gather along the banks of the river to cheer our arrival or give us a friendly sendoff each day. Each riverside destination, no matter how small, loves to show off its slice of American history and regional attractions, such as quirky museums, pretty churches, and, of course, its local shops and eateries.

Marietta, Ohio

In Marietta, Ohio, attractions included Mound Cemetery, one of the oldest in the original Northwest Territory, the Ohio River Museum, and the Childen’s Toy & Doll Museum.

Huntington, West Virginia

When I went ashore in Huntington, West Virginia, the hop-on, hop-off bus loop took us to the Touma Medical Museum, a delightful little open-air railroad museum (a yard filled with colorful old rail cars), Ritter Park Rose Garden, and the Marshall University Campus, which features a wonderful grounds filled with statues, sculptures, trees, and flowers.

Augusta, Kentucky

In Augusta, Kentucky, AQV passengers were able to walk just a few hundred steps from our spot on the river to explore the Rosemary Clooney Museum. This is the former home of actress, singer, and aunt to superstar George Clooney. Highlights of this charming town also include Bates Garden, the 1811 Jail, and Baker-Bird Winery.

Madison, Indiana

There was another railroad museum to see in Madison, Indiana, and the town also lists the Schroeder Saddletree Factory, the Broadway Fountain, and Lanier Mansion as top attractions for visitors to check out.

2. Enriching Entertainment

While each port stop features a variety of things for cruisers to explore, this fancy riverboat offers a daily program with a mix of musical performances, trivia competitions, movies, bingo, and variety shows. 

Music, trivia, and enrichment talks are held in American Queen’s majestic Grand Saloon theater space. During our cruise, we saw Phil Westbrook several times, as the singer and piano man performed a tribute to Frank Sinatra as well as entertained passengers at the intimate Captain’s Bar just outside the main J.M. White Dining Room.

We also dropped by the theater for shows by guitarist Logan Reeves and a song and dance variety production on TV theme songs from the American Queen Ensemble and the Steamboat Syncopators house band. The shows draw on plenty of nostalgia but definitely favor an era more familiar to cruisers 70 and older. However, the overall mood is quite fun.

A hip vibe can be found nightly at the Engine Room Bar, where the ship’s musicians get the crowd dancing with a great mix of blues and rock tunes.

3. Regionally Inspired Cuisine

The American Queen chefs kept us well-fed. Meals are served in the main dining room and in the casual eatery called the Front Porch, which offers wonderful views as you cruise on the river. When the weather is nice, it’s worth having at least one dinner outside there to enjoy the sunset and sailing.

The menu includes items like chicken fried steak, frog legs, and a variety of steak and fish preparations. The cuisine is more hearty than healthy, but you can find some fresh fruits and salads in the mix at the lunch buffets. We were always tempted by the mouth-watering selection of homemade pies and slices of chocolate cake set out each day at lunch. There always is a delicious soup, gumbo, or chili available, too.

If you need a snack, you can swing by the Front Porch for a bag of fresh popcorn, a couple of cookies, or a soft-serve ice cream cone or dish.

4. Set Your Own Pace

As a person who loves his daily workouts, I’m happy that a river cruise on American Queen makes it easy. Not only is there a well-equipped gym, but the ship carries a fleet of bikes. Colleen and I started several days with a run along the riverside trails through small towns or by grabbing a couple of bikes to go exploring independently.

In general, river cruising allows travelers the chance to explore on their own in a hassle-free way. It’s so easy to stroll onto and off of the ship at your leisure, and the towns and cities are mere steps away. You can go set your own schedule for the day if you’re not interested in rigorously following the ship excursion program.

Pro Tip: Ask crew members for their insight on nice places to eat or go shopping — or for their favorite places to get a coffee or craft brew. We received great insight from lead butler Adam, who is a coffee connoisseur and loves to find and frequent local cafes along all the river towns he visits.

5. Hop-On, Hop-Off Tours

American Queen Voyages provides a wonderful service in its hop-on, hop-off bus routes in each city and on each river itinerary that it operates. Passengers walk off the ship and straight onto waiting buses with clear signage at each stop along the route at the attractions in town.

Cruisers love being able to have peace of mind that they will see a nice mix of highlights in each port without worrying about transportation. You can get off at each spot or pick and choose what you are interested in on the loop.

6. Plenty Of Space Onboard

American Queen itself is an attraction. Built in 2012 and carrying up to 417 passengers, this is the largest steamship ever built. The décor takes you back in time to a golden era of steamship travel. The Grand Saloon resembles a 19th-century opera house with private boxes wrapped around the theater and hanging over the main level and the stage adorned with a large red curtain.

Chandeliers fill the main restaurant, rocking chairs line the railings on the front porch, and gingerbread ornamentation accents the staircases and stateroom patios of the bright white ship. The signature big red paddlewheel churns at the stern of the ship helping to power the voyage along the river.

American Queen features a large Mark Twain Gallery that serves as a reading room (with a small computer area). It’s outfitted with vintage lamps and antique chairs and all kinds of mementos of a bygone time, including river ship models, paintings, books, vases, and other collectibles.

There are two parlors at the very front of the ship ahead of the Main Twain Gallery, and these spots also are carefully decorated and ideal for working on puzzles, reading, or enjoying the river views while relaxing with friends.

7. Scenic Sailing

I found the periods of sailing from town to town one of the most relaxing and satisfying parts of this river cruise. It was fabulous to watch the world floating by, with the pretty evening sunsets, flowing waters, and subtle bends in the river. We would pass under a variety of bridge styles and see trains on adjacent tracks and tugboats pushing coal barges.

Cruisers also enjoyed the process of watching our big riverboat pass through the locks along the way.

Pro Tip: Make sure to head up to the top deck for sail aways each day. Crowds gather along the banks of the river to wave you off and wish you well on the journey. And one of the musicians will come out to play some tunes on the boat’s steam calliope. It’s a fun spectacle!

Related Reading:

• 9 Reasons You’ll Love A Princess Cruise In The Western Caribbean
• 7 Things People Always Forget To Take On A Cruise Plus 8 Things They Should Leave At Home
• I Just Sailed On Royal Caribbean With My Grandchildren — Here Are My 10 Key Tips

John loves to explore the world while prioritizing fitness and active adventures. He specializes in cruise travel, with more than 100 sailings of all types under his belt. His passion is deep exploration and connection. He loves talking sports and craft beer with people in every destination he visits. John has been a writer and travel journalist for more than 20 years, regularly contributing to top travel magazines and websites.

American Queen

Discover the heritage and culture of America with a cruise onboard the elegant American Queen, an authentic paddlewheel steamboat. Luxurious amenities display the opulence of the American Victorian era while also featuring every modern convenience. Each stateroom features lush bedding and fine linens as well as in-room bottled water and fresh fruit. Onboard cuisine is gourmet and something to satisfy every craving is available 24 hours a day, from grand meals in the Dining Saloon to American favorites in the Front Porch of America. Complimentary wine and beer are available with dinner. There is always something to enjoy onboard during your leisure time. Enjoy a swim or a workout in the pool or athletic club or borrow a book in the Mark Twain Gallery; after a day of exploring, enjoy nightly entertainment that includes everything from showboat style performances to calliope concerts to swing dancing.

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American Queen Voyages: The Complete Guide

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American Queen Voyages is a cruise line catering mainly to a previously untapped market: river cruises in North America. With three types of vessels available — including riverboats — American Queen guests can enjoy sailing down the Mississippi as easily as in the Caribbean.

At American Queen, historical riverboats have been transformed into full-service, all-inclusive cruise ships capable of sailing the Mississippi, Columbia and Snake rivers, as well as excursions in the Great Lakes. The traditional routes are on the roster also, including sailings to Alaska, Costa Rica, the Gulf of Mexico and New England.

Here's a look at how American Queen Voyages is breathing new life into a part of the U.S. that features natural beauty and history.

About American Queen cruises

Here’s a quick overview of what to expect on an American Queen cruise.

Cabin types: Depending on the type of cruise you book, you can choose from a variety of room types. These include interior rooms, single rooms, rooms with a veranda and suites. 

Main U.S. routes: American Queen operates most of its routes on rivers in the U.S., with its main voyages cruising down the lower portion of the Mississippi. 

American Queen Voyages cruise destinations

American Queen cruise line operates almost exclusively in North America, but that doesn’t mean that its destinations are limited.

The majority of the departures it operates are American Queen river cruises and take place on the Mississippi, Columbia and Snake rivers. You’ll also find ships on the Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee rivers, though that’s less common.

If you’re not aboard one of its riverboats, you’ll also be able to explore destinations such as Canada, New England, Alaska, British Columbia, Mexico and Costa Rica. Sailings generally last from seven to 16 days.

» Learn more: The best ways to book a cruise

American Queen Voyages cruise prices

Journeys on American Queen Voyages are all-inclusive and tend to be more expensive than other cruises. For example, the cheapest option we found rang in at $2,049 per person for a last-minute cruise from Portland, Oregon, to Spokane, Washington.

In contrast, rates for this same cruise in summer 2024 run as high as $5,369 per person.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

What is the best American Queen Voyages ship?

American Queen Voyages has seven ships in its fleet — four of these ships are riverboats, two are coastal vessels and one is purpose-built for expeditions.

What is the newest American Queen Voyages ship?

The newest American Queen Voyages ship is the American Duchess. As a riverboat, this ship will sail on American Queen Mississippi River cruises. With four guest decks and a capacity for 166 guests, the American Duchess features a boutique experience while still offering the amenities you’d expect from a cruise ship.

What’s included

American Queen Voyages bills itself as an all-inclusive experience, and that appears to hold up to scrutiny. While most cruises include food with your package, American Queen Voyages goes beyond that.

One-night pre-cruise hotel stay.

Ground transfers between the hotel and vessel.

Unlimited guided tours.

Unlimited alcohol.

Morning juice bar.

Gourmet dining.

In-room dining.

Prepaid gratuities. 

Port taxes and fees.

Live entertainment. 

Hiking sticks.

American Queen Voyages provides unlimited Wi-Fi to all its passengers for free.

American Queen Voyages trips are all-inclusive and will provide food and alcohol as part of your package. You’ll also be able to take advantage of guided tours, Wi-Fi, prepaid gratuities and a pre-cruise hotel stay with your fare.

American Queen Voyages cruises offer complimentary alcohol to all eligible passengers. This includes wine, beer and spirits. It also offers specialty coffees.

American Queen Voyages doesn't require passengers to have any type of COVID vaccine or test to board its ships.

(Top photo courtesy of American Queen Voyages)

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“The American Queen is the largest, most opulent paddlewheel ever built in the entire world, so, you know, we call it a floating time capsule.”

John Waggoner Founder & CEO American Queen Steamboat Company

The largest steamboat ever built, the grand American Queen is a graceful and elegant triumph of American ingenuity. Built in 1995 as the third sister vessel to the Mississippi Queen and Delta Queen , the paddlewheeler is a six-deck recreation of a classic Mississippi riverboat.

She was built by McDermott Shipyard, 90 miles west of New Orleans in Morgan City, Louisiana for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company at a cost of $80 million. The vessel was christened in New Orleans on June 2, 1995 with a four foot tall container of Tabasco sauce instead of the traditional champagne bottle. She is 418 feet long and 89 feet wide and has 222 state rooms for a capacity of 436 guests and a crew of 160. The American Queen Steamboat Company purchased the vessel in April 2011 and continues to offer paddlewheel cruises traversing the Mississippi as well as the Ohio and Tennessee rivers.

The American Queen, with her bright red paddle wheel, towering fluted stacks and abundant fretwork, looks as though she just sailed out of the Victorian era. Glistening mahogany woodwork, flowery carpets, Tiffany glass and antiques enhance her interior spaces. Outside, lacy filigree, a steam-powered calliope and open verandas evoke memories of the stately riverboats that preceded her and inspired her design.

“What we try to do as philosophy is keep things like it was in the 1900s. This is just how it was when Mark Twain was onboard,” says John Waggoner, Founder and CEO of the American Queen Steamboat Company.

As history plays such a large part of the experience, Riverlorians, the resident history and culture experts, are onboard every cruise to impart the legends and lore of the river on which passengers are cruising. Passengers are invited to attend an enlightening lecture, relive a tale from Mark Twain or enjoy a recounting of the Lewis & Clark Expedition.

“We want you to experience the thump-thump-thump-thump-thump of the paddlewheel. We want you to stand on the stern. We want you to get muddy Mississippi water spraying your face, and we want you to sit in a rocking chair, and watch the river go by and relax,” says Waggoner.

This American Queen inspires crowds of onlookers in each port in which she docks. In true royal fashion, she glides gracefully along the river and courteously greets onlookers with the wave of her flags as she passes by.

American Queen Steamboat Company

Cruising The Mighty Mississippi

Cruising the Mighty Mississippi

American Queen Steamboat Company / www.AQSC.comAmerican Queen Steamboat Company / www.AQSC

American Queen Voyages shuts down, cancels future cruises amid reported service issues

American Queen Voyages has shut down.

An automated voice message on its customer information hotline said the cruise line "has made the difficult decision" to suspend operations, and all future cruises have been scrapped. “Guests and customers should expect to be fully refunded for canceled cruises,” the message said.

The message directed listeners to www.aqvrefunds.com “to begin the refund process,” and said they could find more information at www.aqvinfo.com .

"Despite our best efforts, demand for overnight cruises has not recovered following the pandemic, and AQV has become financially unsustainable," a guest FAQ section on the second website reads. "We thank you for your support and deeply regret any inconvenience this causes you."

No ships were sailing at the time of the closure. 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."

"Please know this decision was not made lightly," he said in an emailed statement shared with USA TODAY. "We are deeply proud of our employees and crew for the outstanding services they have provided our guests over the years. As the backbone of the AQV experience we extend our deepest appreciation to our team for their unwavering commitment, passion and hard work, which has been exceptional. We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our guests, partners, agents and the local communities where we call who have each been integral to our journey."

Your cruise was canceled: Now what?

The news comes after the line reportedly canceled three season-opening sailings set to take place on the Mississippi River later this month, attributing the changes to an extended layup schedule. Multiple industry groups previously suspended sales of American Queen Voyages cruises because of service issues, including delayed commission payments, Travel Weekly reported in January.

The line began sailing as American Queen Steamboat Company in 2011 and was rebranded as American Queen Voyages in 2021 after merging with Victory Cruise Lines.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

Watch CBS News

American Queen, world's largest riverboat, docks in Pittsburgh

August 8, 2022 / 1:59 PM EDT / CBS Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - For the first time in two years, the world's largest riverboat is back in Pittsburgh. 

The American Queen is docked at North Riverfront Park until 6 p.m. Monday. 

The 417-guest boat is currently sailing two nine-day Ohio River voyages between Louisville and Pittsburgh, stopping in ports like Madison, Cincinnati, Maysville, Point Pleasant and Marietta.   

While in Pittsburgh, student-athletes are headlining a name, image and likeness campaign about what it takes for a crew of up to 160 to run the boat. 

Pittsburghers are invited to come see the American Queen and take pictures, but non-sailing guests aren't allowed on board. 

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• Cruise News

All American Queen Steamboat River Ships Are Now Back in Service

Sarah Bretz, Contributor

• August 9, 2021

American Queen Steamboat Company has announced that its riverboat American Queen  is welcoming guests on board for the first time in 18 months today. This marks the American line’s fourth and final ship to resume service.

As the world’s largest paddlewheel,  American Queen  will set sail from New Orleans, beginning her 2021 season on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.

As the cruise line’s flagship vessel,  American Queen ‘s return to service is an important milestone. And almost to the day, the occasion also marks American Queen Steamboat Company’s closing on the purchase of the vessel back on August 8, 2011.

“The purchase and restoration of the  American Queen  ushered in a new renaissance of U.S. River cruising ten years ago,” said John Waggoner, founder and chairman of American Queen Steamboat Company. “Our close-to-home cruise experience resonates more than ever, and I feel such pride seeing how far our offerings have expanded.”

“Today the  American Queen  embarks from New Orleans, the  American Empress  welcomes guests in Clarkston, Wash.; our boutique paddlewheeler, the  American Duchess , is docked under the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and our newest riverboat, the  American Countess , is calling on Nottoway Resort in White Castle, La.”

READ MORE:  Norwegian Cruise Line Can Require Vaccination Proof After Judge Blocks Florida Law

Bookings for American Queen Steamboat Company in 2021 and beyond reflect pent-up-demand for close-to-home cruising. The cruise line reported 10+ record-breaking booking days this year, and the current sailing season is almost sold out.

The cruise line is currently offering its FREEDOM sale, a bonus savings of up to $2,000 on select 2022 bookings made by August 31, 2021.

American Queen Steamboat Company began a phased restart in March under its new health and safety protocols, and is currently sailing with fully vaccinated passengers and crew only.

All passengers must provide proof of their vaccination with their vaccine card prior to pre-cruise hotel check-in.

READ NEXT:  New MSC Cruises Ship Sets Sail on Maiden Voyage

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American Queen deck plans

Deck layouts, review of facilities, activities, amenities.

American Queen deck plan review at CruiseMapper provides newest cruise deck plans (2024-2025-2026 valid floor layouts of the vessel) extracted from the officially issued by American Queen Voyages deckplan pdf (printable version).

Each of the American Queen cruise ship deck plans are conveniently combined with a legend (showing cabin codes) and detailed review of all the deck's venues and passenger-accessible indoor and outdoor areas. A separate link provides an extensive information on American Queen staterooms (cabins and suites), including photos, cabin plans and amenities by room type and category.

American Queen (1995-built, extensive refurbishment in 2013) is an authentic late-1800s-design Mississippi River steamboat. This paddle-wheeler cruise ship is similar as design to all fleetmates ( American Empress , American Duchess , American Countess ) and also to the American Cruise Lines riverboats America (2016), American Eagle , American Pride (2012), Queen of the Mississippi/American Heritage (2015) and Queen of the West/American West . The ship was built for the “Delta Queen Steamboat Co”. Since 2011, the riverboat is owned by "Hornblower Marine Services" (aka HMSGM/ HMS Global Maritime) - parent company of American Queen Voyages (fka AQSC) . This vessel is traditional for the region of Mississippi River paddle-wheeler (aka "paddle steamer"). Widely known for being powered by its steam engine, the American Queen steamboat also has a secondary/alternative propulsion system (diesel-electric propellers). It is used only in emergency cases, and also for better manoeuvrability in areas where the steamboat’s paddlewheel (located at the stern) can't help the navigation.

American Queen riverboat cruise ship deck plan has a total of 222 staterooms for 436 passengers served by 174 crew/staff (all-American), with 6 passenger decks (all accessible via 2 elevators), 3 lounges, 3 restaurants, Spa, 1 swimming pool, plenty of porches and open deck/promenade areas, no medical facility/doctor on the ship.

American Queen itineraries offer USA cruise travel along the rivers Mississippi (upper and lower), Ohio and Tennessee.

American Queen deck plan changes 2013 refurbishment review

The latest 2013 half-a-million dollars refurbishment of the riverboat resulted in:

• All dining places and public areas and venues were extensively renovated and significantly expanded. All the onboard furniture was either replaced or reupholstered.
• Hallways decoration now features river scenery artworks by Michael Blaser.
• The Dining Room received new entryway (decorated with marble and granite), wallpapers and carpets were changed. The restaurant’s furniture now features Victorian-style chairs, and the walls show an artwork collection of famous US wineries. The buffet section was also upgraded and enlarged.
• “Front Porch of America” was transformed into “Front Porch Cafe” (alternative dining venue). All the furniture in its sitting area was replaced.
• A new cabin grade was introduced – the SO (“Single Balcony” rooms).

The 2012 multi-million refurbishment (USD 6,5 million) added the steamboat’s impressive Victorian-style decor in all public spaces, with all the classy chandeliers and the traditional upholstery and polished wood. Her passenger cabins were upgraded with luxury bedding sets and flat TVs. The “River Grill & Bar” was added. All passenger decks were repainted. Regina Charboneau (US celebrity chef) was recruited to oversee the onboard cuisine, and new food recipes were added in the process.

Deck layouts

Deck 01 - main, deck 02 - cabin, deck 03 - texas, deck 04 - observation, deck 05 - promenade, deck 06 - sun.

American Queen deck plans are property of American Queen Voyages . All deck layouts are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

Matador Original Series

This Bourbon-Focused River Cruise Combines Whiskey With Paddleboat Charm

A traditional sternwheeler cruise along the meandering Ohio and Mississippi Rivers offers a glimpse into the era when the Mississippi River was the western frontier of the United States. The small towns that sprung up along the rivers were far removed from the urban cities of the east, and the great rivers were the main means of transportation.

Those peak years of transport and life along the river are long past. Still, there is something immensely appealing about traveling the rivers on slow-moving, flat-bottom boats with traditional Victorian gingerbread trim.

Photo: American Queen Voyages / www.AQVoyages.com

My husband and I recently did just that on a nine-day, bourbon-themed cruise aboard American Countess, a classic riverboat with twin red paddlewheels gracing the stern. Along the way, we paid day-long visits to four small cities in Kentucky, as well as at one of Mark Twain’s favorite river towns, Cape Girardeau in Missouri, and docked just steps away from Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis.

The American Countess is the newest boat among the fleet operated by American Queen Voyages , and the itinerary shows just how great an experience an all-American river cruise can be.

The pre-cruise adventure in Louisville

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Brown Hotel (@brownhotel)

Each of the itineraries with American Queen Voyages begins with a complimentary pre-cruise night at a distinctive hotel in the departure city. We flew into Louisville mid-afternoon and made our way to The Brown Hotel , which was built in the early 1900s by J. Graham Brown, a flamboyant millionaire lumberman and capitalist.

2023 marks The Brown’s 100th anniversary. It’s the home of the hot brown, a distinctive breakfast offered piping hot in a mini-skillet. Now served throughout the day, a hot brown is an open-face turkey sandwich loaded with bacon, tomatoes, and mornay sauce, and has been a Louisville tradition since it was created in 1926 by hotel chef Fred Schmidt. When we arrived at the hotel, we were promptly welcomed by cruise staff, assigned a room, and briefed on the following day’s embarkation procedures. Luggage transfers to our cabin and bus transportation to the American Countess were scheduled by the cruise line. Until the following afternoon, passengers were free to explore Louisville any way they chose.

The city is filled with Southern charm and hospitality, and there is much to see — from breweries and bourbon tastings to Churchill Downs and the Louisville Slugger baseball bat factory, Museum Row, 4th Street Live, charming shops, distinctive restaurants, the Muhammed Ali Center, and the wonderful Church of the Assumption.

The cruise line offers two Louisville excursions for an additional fee: a private backstretch tour of Churchill Downs, and a bourbon tour at the legendary Castle and Key Distillery and gardens .

The real cruise begins

Stepping aboard the classic riverboat with its twin paddlewheels gracing the stern, we were greeted by crew members who directed us to our cabin and encouraged us to join other passengers in the spacious lounge for a welcome cocktail – bourbon was a spotlight, of course, with other options like Champagne also readily available.

The boat left the dock at 4:30 PM, following the official “All Aboard” whistle. Although the view of the bow was exciting as the lines were hauled and the gangplank hoisted back into position, I couldn’t resist drifting toward the stern, drawn by the turning of the immense paddlewheels. The vessel has four diesel-electric generators that operate the rudder propellers and bow thrusters. Even though this vessel isn’t fueled by steam like paddle boats were in the past, the wheels provide part of the propulsion, and the rhythmic lap of the paddles against the water is mesmerizing.

Photo: American Queen Voyages / www.AQVoyages.com0.9.142

Take note: this vessel is a boat and not a ship. The exterior is in the style of a traditional American riverboat, with a gleaming white exterior, arches, and railings, adorned by classic red horizontal stripes and red paddlewheels. The main floor deck, also red, denotes a no-go zone for passengers while underway. Decks 2 and 3 are home to passenger cabins as well as public spaces both inside and out. Cabin balconies on Deck 2 are private, with two chairs and a small table, and semi-private verandas on Deck 3 have gated seating areas, open to a public walking/jogging path that encircles the boat.

On both Decks 2 and 3, comfortable white rocking chairs afford passengers a view of the passing shoreline when the weather is clear and the winds are light. Additional seating is available on the open upper deck, and a smattering of umbrellas offers shade.

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. 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 Countess feels somewhat like a boutique hotel, with 123 passenger cabins, (most suited for two passengers). The décor is pleasantly contemporary with a tasteful, subdued color scheme, well-chosen art and sculptures, and fresh floral arrangements in all public spaces and on all dining tables. While an ocean-going cruise ship might have multiple pools, dining spaces, and attractions for all ages, river cruising offers a leisurely pace, intimate spaces, and a focus on the people one meets and the small towns and scenery along the route.

The floor plan of the Countess clusters public spaces – theater, guest services desk, a small shop, and the curving staircase – around the boat’s main bar on Deck 1. Called the Grand Lobby, this is where passengers can spontaneously gather for cocktails and conversation, where trivia games and contests are held, and where musicians play dance music after dinner. The floor-to-ceiling windows that run the length of the space perfectly frame the passing river vistas.

Tucked into a space adjacent to the grand staircase is a baby grand piano that’s used for impromptu singalongs, and where the ship’s musicians get together for informal jazz performances.

The Grand Lobby Bar is open most days from 11 AM until the last guests are ready to say goodnight. Double doors adjacent to the bar allow access to the theater, a multi-level space that’s perfect for port talks, cooking demonstrations, afternoon movies, or informative presentations. For this itinerary, special guest Michael Veach, a noted bourbon historian and member of the Bourbon Hall of Fame, held court with several presentations and tastings for passengers who were eager to learn about bourbon’s history and how the spirit is made.

Behind the Grand Lobby is the boat’s full-width dining room, featuring white-clothed tables for two or for a group, with gourmet fare at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The more casual River Grill, one deck above and far astern, offers buffet service for breakfast and lunch, a variety of sandwiches, and prime rib as well as other selected entrees for dinner each evening. It’s a popular alternative to the main dining room. There is a small bar as well, where guests may enjoy a view of the turning paddlewheels while the boat is underway. In port, a shaded patio invites outdoor lounging and dining.

Perks Coffee Room, near the bow, is open 24 hours a day, with fresh coffee, pastries or fresh-from-the-oven cookies, and a soft ice cream machine with a variety of toppings. A small fitness center is neatly tucked into space on the opposite forward side of Deck 1.

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.

Dinner, however, is the main event. On our sailing, there were two seatings each evening: dinner at 5:15, followed by showtime in the theater at 9, or the schedule in reverse with a 6:30 theater call, followed by late-seating dinner at 7:45.

A company defining the modern American river cruise

In an interview with Cindy D’Aoust, who assumed duties as the new president of American Queen Voyages in January 2023, she emphasized her goal of “simplicity, affordability, and convenience” for the passenger river cruising experience.

Vice president of marketing Angela Composto, who is also new to the company, notes that the cruise line intends to build new relationships with the towns along their routes and has plans in the works, primarily in the area of food and beverage service, that are designed to “surprise and delight” passengers.

The presence of American Queen Voyages culinary ambassador Regina Charboneau, affectionately known as the biscuit queen of Natchez and a well-known cookbook author, and noted restaurateur Dickie Brennan, of The Bourbon House and other iconic restaurants in New Orleans, on this cruise did exactly that.

Charboneau has added some of her Southern specialties like shrimp and grits, deep-fried frog legs, and her biscuits while tweaking traditional favorites like lobster and duck. Her goal is to introduce regional specialties whenever possible on the various itineraries, and to add customer favorites throughout the fleet.

On-board entertainment

Cruise director Emma Harper teamed with assistant cruise directors Nick McCarthy and Michael Nicholas to present passengers with varied entertainment every day. In addition to scheduled movies, games, and onboard quiz shows, the talented and the American Countess Ensemble and Show Band puts on Broadway-worthy productions featuring energetic and eclectic song and dance numbers – from “Riversong,” a musical experience with a variety of river-inspired songs, to a vocal collection of blues and jazz tunes. Another show features country favorites, and yet another, “Just Go to the Movies,” showcases big screen favorites.

There were passenger team events like trivia or name that tune, cocktail and bourbon tastings, afternoon movies in the theater, a cooking show presented by the Charboneau and Brennan, bourbon lectures and tastings by Veach, and destination talks prior to each port call.

McCarthy serves as the cruise “riverlorian” in addition to being a featured performer. With daily lectures that offer background information and little-known facts about the rivers and their history, these Riverlorian presentations were consistently some of the best-attended special events of the cruise.

Staff and Crew

Unlike officers on large ships who tend to remain a bit aloof and distant, Captain Scott Dunham was not merely introduced at a welcome reception, but rather made an effort to greet everyone who wanted to shake his hand. On subsequent days, he would routinely stop to chat with passengers.

Several pilot house tours were scheduled, open to anyone interested in seeing the “nerve center” of this riverboat. The tours allow passengers to see what’s involved in maneuvering a modern riverboat along the waterway. The boat’s captain and pilot man the pilot house in alternating four-hour shifts around the clock.

Exploring the rivers one small town at a time

AQSC Christening of American Countess A general view of the atmosphere during the christening of the American Countess at Mardi Gras World on March 21, 2021 in New Orleans, LA. (Josh Brasted for AQSC)

While days at sea may represent an almost equal appeal to cruise passengers as the ports visited, river cruising is mostly about the cities along the way. Much of the actual river travel is done at night. There’s a wealth of shore excursions in the small towns along the river, but there are onboard activities even while the boat is at rest in a port.

American Queen Voyages has a fleet of contracted buses and drivers. The buses mimic each cruise itinerary via highway routes, and they meet at the dock each morning to whisk passengers from the boat to a daily round of complimentary hop on-hop off destinations. Local guides typically join each bus to offer insights about the history and attractions of each locale. Travelers are free to visit as many of the stops as they wish, and spend as much time as they wish at each, and are cautioned about the last run of the bus each day (the boat doesn’t wait for late passengers).

On this particular itinerary, each stop provided something entirely different.

Brandenburg, Kentucky

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Named after a local barkeep and landowner rather than the German city of the same name, historic Brandenburg prospered as an early American trade center, and there’s evidence of Native American settlements in the area dating back at least 10,000 years ago.

Here, a four-hour tour highlighting the life of Abraham Lincoln, who hailed from this area, is a prime excursion offered at no charge for cruise passengers. The tour includes a stop at the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, an impressive memorial building set upon park-like grounds with a replica of the Lincoln family’s humble one-room cabin and a natural spring that has been in use for well over a century.

The tour also stopped in Hodgenville to visit the Lincoln Museum, which occupies a prime location on the town square. Here, Lincoln look-alike dressed in period attire recited parts of the Gettysburg Address and explained some of the reasons behind Lincoln’s actions during the Civil War. Those who chose the premium tour in Brandenburg also took a hands-on pottery class at PG Studio Arts Center.

Owensboro, Kentucky

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Owensboro is the self-proclaimed “Barbecue Capital of the World,” with a hometown festival scheduled in May that attracts tens of thousands of international visitors to the town of 60,000 people. It’s also sometimes known as Kentucky’s Festival City, with at least six other festivals throughout the year.

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.

Other stops on the cruise bus route include the Western Kentucky Botanical Gardens with the world’s tallest Sassafras tree (100 feet in height with a trunk that measures 21 feet around), the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art, Smothers Park, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and St. Stephen Cathedral.

Henderson, Kentucky

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Here, the premium experience for $129 per person was a bourbon tasting paired with small dishes of Southern comfort food at Hometown Roots. Started by Henderson-born Casey Todd, the restaurant focuses on local ingredients and has a grow wall filled with Bibb lettuce.

Drinks included an old fashioned cocktail made with Buffalo Trace and three other distinctive brands of Kentucky bourbon, all accompanied by plates from chef Shawna Harrington: deep-fried Brussels sprouts, a deviled egg duo including one deep-fried version, pimento cheese fritters, and cornbread served in a miniature cast iron skillet and topped with a whopping scoop of soft butter.

Paducah, Kentucky

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The premium experience in Paducah, “Check-In Along the Chitlin Trail,” is $99 per person. That check-in is at a large frame house with a sign above the front porch that simply reads Hotel Metropolitan . Except that it stands almost alone on its block today, there wouldn’t be much to distinguish it from other homes in town. But in the early 1900s, this house was a well-known safe haven for Black musicians, performers, and travelers who were denied room and board at many places in the South during segregation and Jim Crow. The Metropolitan Hotel was one of the sites listed in The Green Book, a travel guide published between 1936 and 1967. It identified businesses that would accept Black customers.

B.B. King, Billie Holiday, Ike and Tina Turner, Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Thurgood Marshall, Ella Fitzgerald, the Harlem Globetrotters, and many others have found sanctuary in this simple home-like setting with 11 bedrooms. Today, it has been totally restored, and is run by a non-profit organization that seeks to preserve the history of the hotel and its operator.

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Other noteworthy stops in Paducah include the National Quilt Museum and, depending on the day and time of year, the Saturday Farmers Market. Silent Brigade Distillery, the Lloyd Tilghman house, Paducah Railroad Museum, and the River Discovery Center are other options along the bus route. Walking back, be sure to catch the stunning murals by Robert Dafford that capture Paducah’s rich history.

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Photo: photo.eccles / Shutterstock

After departing Paducah late in the afternoon, we followed the Ohio River to where it flows into the Mississippi River near Cairo, Illinois. Turning to follow the mighty Mississippi’s course upstream at that point, we were scheduled to arrive at historic Cape Girardeau at approximately 8 AM.

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.

We spent most of our allotted shore time at the Crisp Museum on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, first watching a film about the Mississippian era, then strolling through the museum’s historical art and archeological collections. Some pieces are estimated to be 15,000 years old.

Other stops in Cape Girardeau include Old St. Vincent’s Church, built in 1850s English Gothic Revival Style; the Cape River Heritage Center; and Capaha Rose Garden — Cape Girardeau was once known as the “City of Roses.”

St. Louis, Missouri

Photo: f11photo / Shutterstock

Our final day of cruising the Mississippi brought us to St. Louis, with a scheduled arrival time of noon. The 600-feet-tall Arch became visible before we reached the city. Gateway Arch National Park and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, known as the Old Cathedral, are just steps away from the riverboat docking point. Again, the fleet of buses awaited us at the pier and whisked us to the sights we chose to visit in St. Louis. My husband chose to hop off at the Arch, to watch the award-winning film of its construction and walk around Gateway Park. I rode on through the city, to enjoy the beauty of the celebrated mosaics at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.

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.

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Information About American Q ueen Voyages

American q ueen voyages has made the difficult decision to shut down..

Despite great efforts by our team, crew and partners, American Queen Voyages (AQV) unfortunately has been unable to rebound from the effects of the pandemic. The overnight cruise industry was especially affected by changes in travel preferences and, as a result, AQV has become financially unsustainable.

We are therefore shutting down the business, and all future AQV cruises have been cancelled.

We are deeply proud of our crew and the outstanding travel experiences and service we have provided to our guests. As we reflect on the journey we have shared over the years, we are filled with gratitude for the privilege of serving our guests, partners and agents and for being part of our incredible local communities.

It has been an honor to bring joy to so many lives, and we are deeply touched by the relationships we have formed and the memorable experiences we have created.

We sincerely regret any inconvenience this decision causes. Our goal is to ensure a smooth process for all AQV stakeholders.

or visit www.AQVrefunds.com

Why is American Queen Voyages shutting down?

Despite our best efforts, demand for overnight cruises has not recovered following the pandemic, and AQV has become financially unsustainable.

We thank you for your support and deeply regret any inconvenience this causes you.

I have an American Queen Voyages overnight cruise booked. Should I still expect to go?

All future AQV cruises have been cancelled. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Will I receive a refund? How long will that take?

You should expect to be fully refunded for your cruise deposits.

For information about the refund process, please CLICK HERE or visit www.AQVrefunds.com .

Where can I go for additional assistance?

Please call toll-free (888) 202-5784, or (747) 288-6437 for calls originating outside of the U.S. or Canada.

Vendor, Supplier, Partner and Port Services FAQ

What does this mean for vendors, suppliers, partners and port services.

You have played an important role in enabling AQV to provide outstanding travel experiences and service to our guests.

As AQV is no longer operating, our goal is to facilitate an orderly wind-down of our relationship with you.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience, and we thank you for your support.

I have an outstanding invoice. How can I submit that?

Please CLICK HERE or call toll-free (888) 504-8055, or (747) 263-0163 for calls originating outside of the U.S. or Canada.

First look: The cool new paddlewheeler that will take you from New Orleans to Memphis

Note: American Queen Voyages ceased operations in February 2024, following financial difficulties stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Booked passengers seeking refunds can request them by filling out a form on the dedicated website American Queen Voyages set up to handle claims.

It's been a big week for the comeback of cruising in North America -- and not just because two of the world's biggest big-ship cruise lines, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises , opened bookings for their first sailings on the continent since the coronavirus pandemic forced the industry to a halt.

This week also saw some of the first sailings by small cruise vessels on U.S. waterways in more than a year, including the first voyage of a new riverboat on the Mississippi River.

The new riverboat, the 245-passenger American Countess, is the latest Mississippi River paddlewheeler from American Queen Steamboat Company -- the company behind the iconic American Queen steamboat. And its arrival is something of a big deal in the world of cruising.

Christened on Sunday in New Orleans , American Countess is the first new cruise vessel of any kind to be christened and go into service in North America since the coronavirus-related cruising shutdown began in early 2020.

TPG is one of just a handful of travel outlets getting exclusive access this week to the first sailing of American Countess — a nonrevenue "preview" cruise from New Orleans to Memphis with company executives, their friends and family, and local dignitaries.

As I'm seeing this week, American Countess offers an alluring mix of both traditional and contemporary riverboat design. From the outside, it resembles a classic paddlewheeler of old -- the sort of thing you'd expect to see on the cover of a Mark Twain novel. But on the inside, it's as modern as any newly built hotel on land, with a stylish, contemporary vibe.

Here's a first look at some of the most notable features of the vessel, which will begin its first sailings with paying passengers on Sunday:

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A classic steamboat exterior

If you've always dreamed of cruising the Mississippi on a riverboat that (on the outside, at least) evokes the golden age of steamboats, American Countess could be your vessel.

The exterior of the four-deck-high paddlewheeler is a red-and-white, gingerbread trim-festooned confection that would look right at home in an 1800s period piece.

Among the old-timey touches that make the exterior of American Countess a delight for the eyes is its classic (and fully functional) giant red paddlewheel, which churns through the water with a mesmerizing, bump-bump-bump-bump rhythm.

The exterior of the American Countess also is embellished with two large white "booms" at its bow that project forward like giant antennae -- a classic touch of riverboats of old. The booms, which swing from side to side, support long mobile walkways known as stages, which in turn swing down onto land to let passengers off onto the shore.

The stages are an old-style way of getting passengers off riverboats that are, notably, not just evocative of a bygone era but also practical for Mississippi River cruising even today. The flexible nature of the stages means American Queen can "dock" just about anywhere it wants along the river. It just needs to find a relatively open area along the shore to tie up.

We saw this sort of flexible docking in action during a stop near White Castle, Louisiana. The American Countess just pulled up the side of the river, in a place where there was no formal dock, to let passengers off.

Modern interiors

Despite its exterior, the inside of American Countess is as stylish and modern as anything you'll find in a just-built city hotel.

The main gathering space on the vessel is the Grand Lobby, a soaring bar and lounge area with a classy, contemporary feel. Running for 80 feet along the port side of American Countess, its standout feature is what is essentially a wall of glass offering lounge-goers stunning panoramic views of the passing scenery. Few American river cruise vessels can boast such a spectacular interior space for river-gazing while underway.

The Grand Lobby is located at the center of American Countess' main public deck, appropriately called the Main Deck, which also is home to an elegant and contemporary dining space. Called the Grand Dining Room, it's where passengers eat most of their meals.

Also located just off the Grand Lobby is a full-blown theater (called, simply, The Theater) and a small lounge called Perks that offers self-serve coffee beverages, tea, cookies and soft-serve ice cream. Both spaces also are designed in a contemporary style.

Passengers can also enjoy a small library, card room, fitness center and a deck-top lounge area.

Contemporary cabins

The American Queen Steamboat Company's best-known vessel, American Queen, is famous for the 19th-century-style opulence of its cabins (think: Victorian-style wooden armoires, four-poster beds and red patterned wallpaper). Staying in a cabin on the vessel is a little like going back in time.

Not so for the American Countess.

Like American Queen Steamboat's last new vessel, American Duchess (unveiled in 2017), American Countess has unmistakably contemporary cabins that match the aforementioned public spaces. You can expect clean-lined sofas and desk areas; queen beds topped with crisp white-on-white duvets; and large, flat-panel televisions mounted on the wall.

Bathrooms in American Countess cabins feature glass-walled showers with sleek chrome Grohe fixtures, white-tile floors and minimalist toilets and sinks. They're also unusually large for cabins on a cruise vessel.

In a "keep-things-simple" strategy that was aimed, in part, at making it easy to sell the ship to groups, the line has essentially just put two types of cabins on the vessel. Most of the rooms are balcony cabins that measure either 192 or 226 square feet. Then there are some windowless "inside" cabins that mostly measure 153 square feet.

That's a notable change from American Queen Steamboat's last vessel, American Duchess, which offers a broader array of cabins including some very large suites.

Overall, the rooms are comfortable and inviting -- and they have a lot of wonderful little modern touches. I'm particularly smitten with the electric outlets that are built right into the side tables on each side of the bed. There are three U.S.-style electric outlets and two USB outlets at the top of each side table, which is a dream for people like me who travel with all sorts of gadgets. Four more outlets and two USB outlets are built into the desk across the room.

Each side of the bed also features a perfectly placed light fixture with both a lamp to provide ambient light and a small spotlight that can be directed any-which-way for reading in bed. The latter allows you to lay in bed reading without wayward light bothering someone who is trying to sleep right next to you.

The cabins do have one noticeable flaw that could leave someone a bit flustered upon arrival, depending on his or her packing habits: There's relatively limited storage space. There is just one modest-sized closet with a single row for hanging clothes, two drawers and nowhere logical to put your shoes.

If you're thinking about booking a trip on American Countess, be strategic about what you pack -- or assume you'll keep some of your clothes and other items in your suitcase, which you can slide under the bed.

Lively entertainment

American Countess is notably smaller and more intimate than American Queen Steamboat's 436-passenger American Queen, which is the world's largest river steamboat. It has just 123 cabins vs. 222 on American Queen. But despite its relatively small size, it offers a lot of entertainment.

A small theater group that includes four performers and a four-person house band sails with American Countess and performs most nights in its theater, with musical medley-type productions that offer everything from classic songs of the South to 1970s music.

In addition, the house band entertains passengers most nights in the Grand Lobby.

The vessel's theater also welcomes special guest performers such as Steve Spracklen, a pianist who often entertains passengers on American Queen Steamboat vessels with ragtime music, weaving in some of the history of the genre as he goes.

Passengers also will find lots of daily activities such as bourbon tastings and talks from the vessel's "riverlorian" -- an onboard river expert who recounts local river lore and history.

On this sailing, well-known Natchez-based chef Regina Charboneau also was on board to host cooking demonstrations.

Comfortable river views

One of the great things about American Countess is that it's filled with spaces that use the main attraction of a Mississippi River cruise -- the river itself -- as a focal point.

In addition to having interior spaces such as the Grand Lobby that are built around panoramic views of the river through huge glass windows, the vessel also offers lots of outdoor areas where you can sit and watch the river roll by.

The bow of the vessel features particularly wonderful outdoor deck spaces that are lined with rocking chairs where passengers can lounge for hours, watching the activity of the river.

There's also a large deck-top lounge area with comfortable outdoor furniture that can be covered or uncovered, depending on the weather.

Included tours

As is typical for all American Queen Steamboat vessels, American Countess offers tours to passengers in every destination it visits.

On this sailing, that included a tour of Nottoway. Due to high water levels on the Mississippi River this week, American Countess wasn't able to tie up right there, but it was able to get close. Passengers were then taken to the site in custom-built American Queen Steamboat motorcoaches.

A signature feature of the line is that its motorcoaches -- each specially designed with extra glass up top for viewing -- follow its vessels up and down the Mississippi and other rivers for daily use during touring.

American Queen Steamboat is particularly known for included-in-the-fare "hop-on, hop-off" tours in the river towns its vessels visit that allow passengers to explore at their own pace while stopping at multiple attractions. For now, as part of the anti-coronavirus measures American Queen Steamboat is implementing, such touring has been scaled back in the interest of safety. But the line is offering alternative included-in-price tours that are more closely managed.

During these new tours, passengers travel together as a group by motorcoach for sightseeing with a more limited number of stops.

American Queen Steamboat executives have said the new touring system is likely just a temporary measure until it implements a new COVID-19 vaccine requirement for passengers in July.

American Countess this year initially will sail week-long voyages between New Orleans and Memphis with stops in places such as Natchez and Vicksburg, Mississippi, and St. Francisville, Louisiana. But the vessel also will operate on the upper part of the Mississippi River and also on the Ohio and Cumberland rivers later in the year.

The itineraries will take the vessel as far north as Red Wing, Minnesota, and as far east as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Chattanooga, Tennessee.

All American Countess itineraries include a pre-cruise overnight stay at a hotel in the departure port.

Bottom line

American Countess is an enticing option for travelers hoping to cruise on the Mississippi River or one of its tributaries. While it has a classic Mississippi paddlewheeler look on its outside -- something that, to many people, just seems right for Mississippi River cruise vessels -- its interior isn't a throwback to the 19th century.

If you cruise on American Countess, you'll find interior public rooms including lounges and dining venues that are as modern and stylish as any new-build boutique hotel, with cabins to match.

Just keep in mind that American Countess, like most river cruise vessels, is a relatively small vessel when compared to the typical ocean cruise ship. You'll find fewer restaurants, lounges and other venues on American Countess than you'll find on the typical ocean ship. You'll also find far fewer crowds. As is typical for small cruise vessels, American Countess has much more of the feel of a boutique hotel than a large resort.

The Points Guy cruise writer Gene Sloan is traveling on American Countess this week as a guest of the cruise line.

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American Queen Cruise Ship Fleet Heading to Auction

• March 27, 2024

The American Queen Voyages cruise ship fleet will head to auction on Thursday afternoon as part of the company’s bankruptcy proceedings.

With bids due earlier this week, the court had set a potential auction date of March 27 if there were multiple bids.

That date has now moved to March 28 and according to sources speaking to Cruise Industry News , there are multiple bidders, including existing cruise lines.

Whether the fleet of six cruise ships plus an expedition ship charter contract is sold as one lot, or split up to multiple new owners, remains to be seen.

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Revealed: The Most Scenic River Cruises In North America

Posted: January 11, 2024 | Last updated: January 11, 2024

Rolling on the river

Viking Mississippi Holiday Season cruise, USA

It’s never too early to start planning a Christmas markets cruise, and as much as we love the ones in Germany and Austria, nothing beats a festive float down the Mississippi. Highlights on  this cruise , which snakes from Memphis to New Orleans, include stop-offs at Natchez, whose many historic buildings are festooned with Christmas lights, and Vicksburg, whose independent boutiques are great places to pick up presents. This is also a great cruise for twitchers – a huge number of bird species flock to this stretch of the Mississippi for winter. 

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M.S. Dixie II Lake Tahoe cruise, California, USA

Say hello to one of America’s most spectacular lake cruises. Your mode of transport for this sail across Lake Tahoe will be the M.S Dixie II – the lake’s biggest boat. The sunset dinner cruises are popular with couples, although we recommend the scenic daytime tours, which are a great way to explore North America’s largest alpine lake. This high-altitude body of water spreads into two states (California and Nevada), contains enough water to cover California with 14 inches of water and is deeper than the Empire State Building is tall.  

Le Petit Navire Lachine Canal tour, Québec, Canada

If crowded cruise liners and transatlantic crossings don’t appeal, consider this leisurely sail along Canada’s 14-kilometer Lachine Canal, which slices through the southern section of Montréal, a city famous for its historic architecture. Don’t know your dingle from your dewater? You’ll gain a wonderful insight into the construction of this historic waterway as you pass through its locks, and you’ll also enjoy fantastic views of Montréal’s skyline. Your mode of transport is rather special too – a carbon-neutral, zero-pollution electric propulsion boat. 

American Cruise Lines Alaska Inside Passage cruise, Alaska, USA

Alaska’s Inside Passage is an inland route weaving between islands on the Pacific Northwest coast and along glacier-lined fjords. Inside Passage cruises offer a different perspective on Alaska to coastal cruises, relying on smaller ships to reach more remote ports of call. Highlights of this cruise include the Strait of Georgia, where you’ll sail between Vancouver Island and British Columbia, and the glacier-fed waters of Frederick Sound – a brilliant whale watching spot.

Now check out the fabulous cruising facts you won't believe

Northwest Pioneers Cruise, Oregon and Washington, USA

As much as we love the mighty Mississippi, this brilliant river cruise , which wiggles through Oregon and Washington, is a fantastic reminder that there are plenty of other breathtakingly beautiful waterways to explore. On this adventure, you’ll sail along the Columbia River – the largest in America’s Pacific Northwest – and Snake River, which is the Columbia River’s largest tributary. It’s a great way to see some of America’s most underrated destinations, including the town of Astoria, which is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies.

American Cruise Lines Puget Sound and San Juan Islands Cruise, Washington, USA

This seven-day cruise provides a brilliant insight into one of America’s most wildlife-rich regions: Washington state’s Puget Sound, America’s second largest estuary; and the San Juan Islands, a cluster of 172 islands and reefs where you’re likely to spot wildlife including whales and eagles. Don’t miss the chance to explore Port Townsend, sandwiched between Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and famous for its Victorian-era architecture. 

Viking America’s Heartland cruise, Upper Mississippi, USA

This is one of the best Mississippi cruises for anyone keen to learn about the people who shaped this part of the US, whether it’s the Norwegians who migrated here during the 1800s or the farmers who made this region one of America’s top culinary destinations. Stops include the Missouri city of St Louis, once known as the Gateway to the West; Hannibal, which was the setting for Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn;  and the Iowan city of Dubuque, home to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.

Viking Heart of the Delta cruise, USA

An eight-day cruise between Memphis and New Orleans, Viking’s Heart of the Delta cruise takes in the Mississippi’s best bits, including many listed monuments and buildings. For history buffs, highlights will include St Francisville, where there’s a whopping 140 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and Natchez, which has more listed buildings than any other American city. If you’re short on time, put Stanton Hall, which was built in the 1850s, at the top of your list – this Greek revival-style property is famous for its ornate mirrored parlors.  

James River Batteau Company Batteau River tour, Virginia, USA

Short on time? Opt for this scenic river tour . Your mode of transport for this float along Virginia’s James River will be one of the beautiful wooden boats which have sailed this waterway for years. The two-hour tour along the river, which is Virginia’s longest, is a great way to see its wildlife – bald eagles, river otters and ospreys are regularly spotted. It’s a rather relaxed affair, and passengers are encouraged to cool off with a swim in the river. 

Discover the beloved cruise ships that will never sail again

American Queen Voyages Clarkston to Portland cruise, USA

A brilliant cruise for history fans, this 10-day Snake River and Columbia River cruise starts in Clarkston and finishes in Vancouver, Washington – the route undertaken by explorers Captain Meriwether Lewis and Lieutenant William Clark in the early 1800s. It’s also a route lined with natural wonders, including Columbia Gorge, which slices through the Cascade Mountains, and Idaho’s Hell’s Canyon, which is deeper than the Grand Canyon and can be explored on a high-speed boat ride. The Columbia River stretch is where you’re most likely to see bison, elk and deer too. 

American Queen Voyages Memphis to Nashville cruise, USA

This nine-day Memphis to Nashville   cruise is a fantastic way to check out some of the southern state’s prettiest towns, whether it’s Paducah in Kentucky, famed for its arts and craft museum or Clarksville, Tennessee. The latter is famous for its breweries, distilleries and wineries, while historic sites include the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center, where you can learn about the town’s famous former residents, including Wilma Rudolph – the first American woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympic Games. 

American Queen Voyages Mighty Mississippi Red Wing to New Orleans, USA

Can’t get enough of the Mighty Mississippi? Take a deep dive on  this 16-day cruise between Red Wing and New Orleans. It’s a fantastic way to discover the landscapes which surround America’s second longest river. The Minnesotan city of Winona, for example, is built on a sandbar and dates back to 9,500BC. The excursions on this cruise are fantastic too. Our favorite? In the town of Hannibal, Missouri, you’ll get the chance to make your very own clay pot out of Mississippi mud. 

Adventure Life Rivers of Adventure and Wine cruise, Oregon, USA

Your transport for this food and wine-themed cruise along the Columbia River is the Wilderness Legacy, a beautiful vessel designed to resemble a Victorian steamer. During the cruise, which starts and finishes in Portland, you’ll visit some of Oregon’s most important historical sites, but it’s the food and wine-themed stops that really set it apart. In the Hood River Valley, you can sign up for cycle rides between local vineyards, and in the Washington city of Walla Walla, you’ll visit a local chocolatier, olive oil producer, and brewery.  

American Queen Voyages St Louis to Cincinnati cruise, USA

Get more bang for your buck from your river cruise by signing up for American Queen Voyages’ exploration of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Stop-offs on this spectacular paddle steamer cruise include the Illinois city of Alton, which has a rich history and became a base for abolitionists in the 1800s, and Henderson in Kentucky. It’s another cruise with fantastic excursions, our favorite of which is a jet boat ride along a stunning section of the Ohio River near Carrollton, Kentucky. 

American Queen Voyages Montréal to Detroit cruise, Canada and US

An 11-day cruise between two very different cities, this Montréal to Detroit sailing provides plenty of opportunities for urban explorations – you’ll visit Montréal, Québec City , Toronto and Cleveland, as well as quaint riverside towns such as Gananoque, in the heart of the Thousand Islands archipelago in Eastern Ontario. This particular cruise offers fantastic value for money – the cost of your sailing covers a wide range of excursions, including visits to Toronto’s CN Tower and catamaran tours of Niagara Falls.

St Lawrence Cruise Lines, Canada’s Capital North cruise, Canada

This Ottawa River cruise is a great way to explore two very different regions of Canada – more specifically Ontario and Québec. The six-day sailing is packed with fascinating stop-offs, including the wildlife-filled Thousand Islands, which straddle the border between America and Canada, and Fort Wellington, built in 1812. Love a lock? For many passengers, the highlight of this river cruise is the famous Carillion Lock, an enormous 182-tonne structure which has a flow rate of 2,000 cubic meters of water per second. 

Pearl Seas Cruises Great Lakes and Georgian Bay cruise, US and Canada

Sign up for this 11-night cruise from Toronto to Milwaukee and you’ll get the chance to see four of the most beautiful Great Lakes, with time to visit attractions lining the route. For many, the highlight is Georgian Bay, where 30,000 islands form the world’s largest freshwater archipelago, and where you’ll be able to check out destinations such as traffic-free Mackinac Island by horse-drawn buggy. There are plenty of big hitters too – you’ll take a guided tour of Niagara Falls and visit the legendary Henry Ford Museum in Windsor, Ontario. 

Le Boat Rideau Canal Cruise, Ontario, Canada

For something completely different, consider hiring your own river boat for a bespoke exploration of Canada’s Rideau Canal. The waterway, which is the oldest continuously-operated canal system in North America, is regarded as one of the world’s greatest engineering feats, and the UNESCO-listed canal is lined with historic sites. Your mode of transport? A luxury river boat kitted out with a kitchen, spacious bathrooms and sun deck. They’re surprisingly easy to drive too, thanks to powerful thrusters which make navigating locks a breeze. 

American Cruise Lines Hudson River cruise, New York, USA

This New York round trip  takes in the Hudson River’s best bits, busting the myth that its most spectacular section weaves through the Big Apple. You’ll explore it on the American Star, which has room for just 100 passengers and offers several stop-offs in the beautiful Catskill Mountains area. The cruise is especially popular with fans of architecture, who come to admire historic buildings such as the Vanderbilt Mansion (the former home of Franklin D. Roosevelt). 

Viking Great River cruise, Mississippi, USA

This is another fantastic option for history buffs – a Mississippi River cruise filled with visits to some of America’s most important historic sites. In Red Wing, Minnesota, you’ll learn how New Englanders joined forces with German and Irish migrants to farm the fertile landscape, and in Burlington, Iowa, you’ll discover how the arrival of both steamboats and the railroad transformed this once sleepy town, filled with listed buildings. Don’t miss the chance to stand under the famous Gateway Arch in St Louis, Missouri – a crossroads for nineteenth-century explorers. 

US Mailboat Cruises of Lake Winnipesaukee on the M/V Sophie C, New Hampshire, USA

Another fantastic option for anyone short on time, this cruise takes place on America’s oldest floating post office – a beautiful vessel which launched on Lake Winnipesaukee in 1945. During the two-hour cruise, you’ll visit several of Lake Winnipesaukee’s 253 islands, many of which were once home to indigenous people such as the Pennacooks. Don’t forget to send a postcard home – you’ll be able to post it on the boat, complete with an M/V Sophie C stamp.  

Craving a cruise? Check out our guide to the world’s most beautiful cruise ships

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Our Stop on the Tennessee River: The American Queen Voyage

Have you ever seen a beautiful steamboat floating down the tennessee river.

Well, we at Decatur Morgan County Tourism sure have! American Queen Voyages is a steamboat charter company that travels all over North America. This company started as American Queen Steamboat Company back in 2011 when they acquired the American Queen, the largest riverboat in the world. This company has a fleet of stunning steamboats that travel to many different destinations from Alabama to Alaska. American Queen Voyages offers passengers on their beautiful steamboats gracious service, elegant décor, fascinating lectures, and regionally inspired cuisine as they float down the winding rivers of America.

An amazing part of this North American Cruise is the excursions or stops along the way offered on the steamboat's journey. There are three cruises this year that will be making their way through Decatur, AL on their path down the river! The steamboats will be making a journey from Nashville to Chattanooga, or Memphis to Chattanooga. Those steamboats are the American Duchess, that made her appearance on May 27, 2022, the American Countess who will be arriving in Decatur on October 26, 2022, and finally the American Queen arriving on November 5, 2022! These steamboats are a real beauty to see, as they dock at Rhodes Ferry Park in Decatur for their passengers to make an excursion. 

While the steamboats dock in Decatur their passengers are greeted by charismatic tour guides and treated to a tour of our charming and historic town!

The American Queen steamboats will typically dock in Decatur starting at 7:00 AM. From then on passengers will exit the steamboat and board buses that will take them on a guided tour of Decatur starting at 8:30 AM which lasts until 12:30 PM. Tour guides Bill Nelson, Keilee Terry, Leah Brown, and Peggy Towns lead passengers on a trip through Decatur's top tourist attractions.

Once on the bus, guests of the American Queen Steamboats will visit four of Decatur's iconic destinations: the Old State Bank, the Historic Train Depot, The Princess Theatre, and Carnegie Visual Arts Center. At each destination, visitors receive a detailed tour of the building and are given time to explore the surrounding areas.

While discussing American Queen Voyages with tour guide Keilee Terry, she explained the passengers' favorite parts of the Decatur excursion. She said, " The passengers seem to love every stop in Decatur! They especially love the tours at the Train Depot given by Judge Breland and the tour at The Princess Theatre by Mary McDonald! " She continued," They love the history of The Old State Bank and are very excited by the art exhibits at Carnegie Visual Arts". When asking what passengers typically take away from the experience Keilee shared that, "the candied pecans from Tennessee Valley Pecan Company are a favorite."

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Decatur, Alabama 35601

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What we know about the container ship that crashed into the Baltimore bridge

• The ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday was the Singapore-flagged Dali.
• The container ship had been chartered by Maersk, the Danish shipping company. 
• Two people were recovered from the water but six remain missing, authorities said.

A container ship crashed into a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing its collapse into the Patapsco River.

A livestream showed vehicles traveling on the Francis Scott Key Bridge just moments before the impact at 1:28 a.m. ET.

Baltimore first responders called the situation a "developing mass casualty event" and a "dire emergency," per The Associated Press.

James Wallace, chief of the Baltimore Fire Department, said in a press conference that two people had been recovered from the water.

One was uninjured, but the other was transported to a local trauma center in a "very serious condition."

Wallace said up to 20 people were thought to have fallen into the river and some six people were still missing.

Richard Worley, Baltimore's police chief, said there was "no indication" the collision was purposeful or an act of terrorism.

Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland, declared a state of emergency around 6 a.m. ET. He said his office was in close communication with Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary.

"We are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration," Moore added.

Understanding why the bridge collapsed could have implications for safety, in both the shipping and civil engineering sectors.

The container ship is the Singapore-flagged Dali, which is about 984 feet long, and 157 feet wide, per a listing on VesselFinder.

An unclassified Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency report said that the ship "lost propulsion" as it was leaving port, ABC News reported.

The crew notified officials that they had lost control and warned of a possible collision, the report said, per the outlet.

The Dali's owner is listed as Grace Ocean, a Singapore-based firm, and its manager is listed as Synergy Marine, which is also headquartered in Singapore.

Shipping news outlet TradeWinds reported that Grace Ocean confirmed the Dali was involved in the collapse, but is still determining what caused the crash.

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Staff for Grace Ocean declined to comment on the collision when contacted by Business Insider.

"All crew members, including the two pilots have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries. There has also been no pollution," Synergy Marine said in a statement.

The company did not respond to a request for further comment from BI.

'Horrified'

Maersk chartered the Dali, with a schedule for the ship on its website.

"We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected," the Danish shipping company said in a statement.

Maersk added: "We are closely following the investigations conducted by authorities and Synergy, and we will do our utmost to keep our customers informed."

Per ship tracking data, the Dali left Baltimore on its way to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, at around 1 a.m., about half an hour before the crash.

The Port of Baltimore is thought to be the largest in the US for roll-on/roll-off ships carrying trucks and trailers.

Barbara Rossi, associate professor of engineering science at the University of Oxford, told BI the force of the impact on one of the bridge's supporting structures "must have been immense" to lead to the collapse.

Dr Salvatore Mercogliano, a shipping analyst and maritime historian at Campbell University, told BI: "It appears Dali left the channel while outbound. She would have been under the control of the ship's master with a Chesapeake Bay pilot onboard to advise the master.

"The deviation out of the channel is probably due to a mechanical issue as the ship had just departed the port, but you cannot rule out human error as that was the cause of the Ever Forward in 2022 just outside of Baltimore."

He was referring to the incident two years ago when the container ship became grounded for a month in Chesapeake Bay after loading up cargo at the Port of Baltimore.

The US Coast Guard found the incident was caused by pilot error, cellphone use, and "inadequate bridge resource management."

Claudia Norrgren, from the maritime research firm Veson Nautical, told BI: "The industry bodies who are here to protect against incidents like this, such as the vessel's flag state, classification society, and regulatory bodies, will step in and conduct a formal investigation into the incident. Until then, it'll be very hard for anyone to truly know what happened on board."

This may not have been the first time the Dali hit a structure.

In 2016, maritime blogs such as Shipwreck Log and ship-tracking site VesselFinder posted videos of what appears to be the stern of the same, blue-hulled container vessel scraping against a quay in Antwerp.

A representative for the Port of Antwerp told BI the Dali did collide with a quay there eight years ago but couldn't "give any information about the cause of the accident."

The Dali is listed as being built in 2015 by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea.

Watch: The shipwreck at the center of a battle between China and the Philippines

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