Thinking about a Mississippi riverboat cruise conjures up so many diverse thoughts.
For many of us, Mark Twain, Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer race across our minds, followed quickly by places like Natchez, Vicksburg, Chattanooga and of course, the biggest “happening” in the States, the one and only New Orleans. You’ll experience history up close and personal as you visit antebellum mansions and the places that molded America for ever. And while we think of steamboating along the mighty Mississippi, you can also enjoy (during select times of the year) the luxurious American Queen along the 1,000 miles of the Ohio River as well.
By the way... Before we tell you more about how enjoyable and rewarding an American Queen cruise will be, we think it is very important to note that ALL American Queen ships are ADA Compliant which means they can welcome almost everyone on board one of their beautiful river ships to enjoy a cruise.
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The Queen is the first modern, yet most authentic overnight paddlewheel sailing in America.
When you think about steamboating, you may initially think of old, rickety ships with squeaky floors, billowing smoke and Bret Maverick roaming the decks, but you would be so wrong. Although from afar she looks just like what you envision, the American Queen is the antithesis of that memory, that long-ago era, and that genre of passenger.
She was built to exacting specifications of 19th century paddle wheelers, but with the tastes of today’s discriminating travelers in mind. The American Queen accommodates about 450 passengers in a myriad of beautifully appointed suites and staterooms, including single cabins at very affordable rates. No matter which accommodations you select, you can enjoy the resort-casual environment, sip on a “mint julep” and leave the formal wear at home. Aboard the Queen, you will be treated like kings and queens by an all-American crew who are focused on one specific charge: to provide you with the best and friendliest service imaginable, and to make this one of your most memorable cruise vacations ever.
Public areas of the ship are expansive and like your beautiful stateroom, decorated in Victorian style with real period antiques. The lounges are reminiscent of bygone times aboard river cruises and we guarantee you’ll be amazed and entertained by the nightly showboat-style entertainment duringyour cruise. They even have an opportunity to play a song on the ship’s own calliope or just sit down and listen to an old-fashioned calliope concert or two… bet you can’t get that anywhere else. The Queen even has what is called a “Riverlorian,” a resident river historian that provides fascinating lectures about the various historical places you’ll visit along the river. And, if you enjoy a dance or two, there’s nightly dancing with big band music to swing to.
American Queen adds more authentic paddlewheelers on the Mississippi.
Offering incomparable spacious luxury, the American Duchess is a floating masterpiece. Joining the Queen a few years ago, this boutique-style riverboat offers exquisite dining, beautiful decks and exceptional amenities to just 166 fortunate guests. Her suites range from 180 to 550 square feet, allowing guests to stay in some of the largest accommodations on the rivers. Unique to the American Duchess are her Loft Suites, which feature two stories enhanced by floor-to-ceiling windows, two full bathrooms, a comfortable dining area, a beautiful lounge with a queen sofa-bed, a private balcony and an upstairs bedroom.
AQS' strikingly beautiful American Countess offers many of the same exciting heartland and Mississippi River cruise itineraries as her sisters, American Queen and American Duchess. Built from an existing hull, the American Countess underwent significant reconstruction before her launch in 2020, including lengthening the boat by 60 feet. The best way to experience this fabulous riverboat may be on her own Mighty Mississippi cruise — an epic 15-day voyage in the tradition of the American Queen and American Duchess. This journey takes guests from welcoming Red Wing, Minnesota along the Upper Mississippi, all the way to New Orleans, with thrilling stops along the way. Ask one of our American Queen river cruise experts for details and a FREE quote soon... this beauty sells out every season!
DINING. And while you may enjoy some grits for breakfast should you choose, the meals you’ll enjoy while aboard this marvelous vessel are more like fine southern cuisine, than the cafeteria style food you get on other cruise ships. The delightful menus you will experience are designed and orchestrated by master chef Regina Charboneau, and can be enjoyed in a number of unique, period dining venues aboard the Queen. Oh, did we say that you’ll also enjoy complimentary fine wines and beers with your evening meal, and bottled waters and soft drinks at any time.
THEMED CRUISES. One of the other really cool features that you may enjoy aboard the American Queen is the ability to pick a departure date based on a cruise “theme.” While some cruise lines offer one or two, the queen offers a theme on almost every departure throughout the year. We don’t have room to mention them all, but consider; Lincoln and the Civil War, American Hootenanny, Fall Foliage, Thanksgiving, Southern Culture, Southern Gardens, Baseball Legends and the list goes on and on.
The American Empress on the Columbia and the Snake.
The launch of the American Empress on the Columbia made her the largest river ship west of the Mississippi. She sails through some of the world's most dramatic scenery — from the lushly forested Cascade Mountains to the breathaking Columbia Gorge — it's all here waiting for you. This is without a doubt one of the best if not the best "close to home" cruise you could ever enjoy and the scenery of the area is absolutely spectacular.
DINING. While the Empress is not a brand new ship, she has been completely rebuilt including the addition of a beautiful indoor/outdoor dining venue called the River Grill which serves breakfast and lunch as well as a reservations-required gourmet dinner. The space is very similar to the very popular "Front Porch" on the American Queen, and we guarantee that dinner here will be one of the highlights of your river cruise experience.
STATEROOMS. The accommodations on the Empress range from 150 square-foot veranda cabins (no insides on this beauty) to spectacular 410 square foot luxury suites. This is most certainly not your grandfather's type of steamboat as she is ultra-luxurious with all the amenities of a fine four star resort.
EXCURSIONS. To make this Northwest adventure even better, all of your shore excursions are inlcluded, even an hop on hop off type sightseeing tour with their own fleet of buses that shadow the ship. Also included in your fare are complimentary wines and beers at dinner, coffee's, teas and soft drinks at any time during your voyage and some of the best lecturerers by a wonderful group of "Riverlorians" that make you feel a part of the living history that surrounds your Columbia & Snake River cruise.
It's past-time to enjoy a fine American river cruise experience.
North American river boat cruises are available for reserving, and best early booking values are going on right now. Demand for "close to home" cruising has grown so much in the last few years you MUST BOOK SOON, to ensure your vacation plans. We GUARANTEE the BEST prices right now! Please call and speak with one of our river cruise experts to get the inside scoop on a truly remarkable experience and book your memorable American Heartland river cruise.
For complete cruise information, itineraries and pricing please call the United States and North American river cruise experts at Premier River Cruises, today... 855.255.1200 toll free, or email to info@premierrivercruises.com.
Bon Voyage... American-style!
PS: For your reading pleasure, we've included the following links to help you get started planning your memorable American Queen river cruise vacation.
• American Queen Mississippi Basin River Map
• American Empress Columbia and Snake River Map
• American Queen Deck Plan with Stateroom Diagrams
• American Empress Deck Plan with Stateroom Diagrams
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Unless otherwise noted, prices and offers are in USD, cruise only per person, based on double occupancy and do not include airfare, taxes or fees. The displayed prices are based on minimum category riverview window stateroom and applicable only to the sailing date(s) shown. Prices for other dates may vary based on the date and stateroom selected. Other than “Hot Deal” offers, price does not reflect any cruise line or Premier savings. Where Premier includes “prepaid tips” in an offer, it applies only to the cruise portion of the trip and not any land portion or shore excursions. To obtain the best price, please use the "Get Quote" button or call one of our river cruise and small ship cruise specialists. Certain discounts or prices may require full payment at the time of booking in order to be eligible. We urge you to book early as river and small ship cruises sell out almost a year in advance. Prices and availability may change without notice and are not guaranteed until a deposit is received and applied to your reservation. Call 1-855-255-1200, for complete details. We reserve the right to correct any informational or typographical errors. ©2010-2023 Premier River Cruises, LLC, a Travel of America Company. All rights reserved worldwide. CST #1015320-40.
