Table Of Content
These four vessels are in a separate fleet (Victory Cruise Line) and operated under the "American Queen Voyages EXPEDITION" brand. In mid-November 2018, AQSC announced an agreement to acquire the brand "Victory Cruise Line" and its two chartered (Sunstone Ships-owned) vessels Ocean Voyager/fka Victory I (2001-built) and Ocean Navigator/fka Victory II (2004-built). He previously worked in leadership and executive roles at Viking, Vantage, Grand Circle Travel, and Saga UK. Since May 2022, AQV's Acting President is David Giersdorf (contracted for 18 months), who reports directly to Kevin Rabbitt (Hornblower Group's CEO).
American Queen Voyages suspends cruise service on Columbia River - The Seattle Times
American Queen Voyages suspends cruise service on Columbia River.
Posted: Thu, 22 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
What to Expect on Board
AQV operates unique paddlewheel-boat voyages along the USA's rivers Ohio, Tennessee, Columbia, Cumberland, Snake, Mississippi. The vessels are all traditional-designed American stern-paddlewheelers featuring luxurious and spacious staterooms, top-quality service, authentic onboard and ashore experiences themed on geography, history, culture, music, cuisine. Germany-based FTI Cruises and Spain-based Pullmantur Cruises also ceased operations during the pandemic.
American Queen Steamboat Company cruise deals
Today, the steamboat feels much more like a historic boutique hotel than a riverboat. I'm no longer at an age where I want to see and do everything at a break-neck pace. Given that most U.S. river cruise passengers tend to be in their golden years, the pace of onboard life is as leisurely as a float down a river.
Explore More Mainstream Cruise Lines
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. 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. 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. American Queen Voyages River experiences are expected to commence the 2024 season with the Lower Mississippi route between New Orleans (Port NOLA, Louisiana) and Memphis TN (Tennessee) on the paddle-wheelers American Countess, American Duchess, and American Queen. AQV-American Queen Voyages released its 2024 season, marking the furthest in advance a cruise season has opened for reservations in the 10-year history of the company.
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. American Queen Voyages is just the latest in a string of more than a dozen small cruise operators around the world to shut down since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The cruise line posted the news to an official website created to provide information in the aftermath of the shut down. Travelers who were set to go on a now-canceled voyage with the company were instructed to request a refund online by filling out a claim form. 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.
Explore Ships in this Line
Part of the corporation are also HMS Ferries, Seaward Services (ship repairs/maintenance/management) and HMS Consulting (maritime business development, risk management, technical services). Designed to carry about 400 passengers, American Queen is the largest paddlewheeler in the U.S. river cruise industry. The fact that there were only about 250 cruisers on board during my sailing was an added bonus. The vessel's size means that it has some amenities — like a plunge pool, fitness center, spa, a navigational chart room and theater with a stage — not found on other riverboats. The single stand-out feature onboard the ship is the crew and it was really noteworthy how well they worked together as a team. Many of them, including officers, the hotel director, maitre d' and waitstaff, have worked on large cruise ships and openly say they prefer being on a small vessel where they feel part of a floating family and have time to chat to passengers and get to know them.
The refunds will not come from American Queen Voyages, as the brand is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, it said. Of all these brands, luxury line Crystal is the only one that was able to restart operations. Crystal resumed operations in July under new owners, the high-end travel company A&K Travel Group.
Rocking chairs and swings often made me feel like I was on the covered front porch of a southern farmhouse as we glided past small towns and made our way through a fascinating system of locks along the way. At all-day stops in places such as Port Colborne and Mackinac Island, there is also the opportunity for independent explorers to go out and do their own thing. For example, at Niagara Falls we were particularly keen to see the newly opened Journey Behind the Falls attraction, where visitors to the former power station can walk along a 100-year-old tunnel to a viewing platform and enjoy a different view of the Horseshoe Falls. However, except for the American Empress, they all have small gyms that get the job done for exercise fanatics. Pools aren’t a standard amenity, though they can be found on both American Queen Riverboat and Ocean Victory. Additionally, several, but not all, ships have spas and offer salon treatments.
ALL CRUISE LINES (1543 SHIPS)
With American Empress, in 2014 the company introduced its Pacific Northwest program. The AQSC-owned company "Victory Cruise Lines" also suspended passenger shipping operations. The Victory 1 ship cruises were initially canceled through June 30, 2020 (planned to resume on July 5), while the Victory 2 ship (Ocean Navigator) cruises scheduled for 2020 were all canceled.
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. 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. 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.
Cruise Critic is just back from sailing on American Queen Voyages' 10-night Splendor of the Great Lakes itinerary which runs from Toronto to Chicago or in reverse. The sailing took place on the 286-foot-long Ocean Voyager, which carries 202 passengers and 84 crew members. With the ongoing complexities of international post-pandemic travel, many North Americans are looking to cruise closer to home and discover places they might never have been. Which is why Great Lakes cruising has become a bright spot in summer 2022, particularly for those who can drive to Midwest and Canadian ports. Cruises include unlimited beverages, including an extensive wine list, choice spirits, local craft beers, and specialty coffees. Complimentary in-room dining is available, and chefs can accommodate passengers with dietary restrictions.
The paddle-wheelers will also cruise through America’s heartland, showcasing the Cumberland and Ohio rivers through cultural experiences. The Mighty Mississippi journeys return to offer a deeper exploration of the river and its tributaries. For some reason, the boat's garbage is stored forward on the main deck, where it sits in open dumpsters outside. Whenever I wanted to enjoy the veranda outside my cabin, I was met with the overpowering smell of rotting refuse baking in the 80-degree heat. For that reason, I didn't utilize my room's outdoor space as much as I would have liked.
The floor-to-ceiling windows that run the length of the space perfectly frame the passing river vistas. 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. It took several days, but during our call on Cincinnati, I returned to the boat to find a crew member hard at work scrubbing each of the decks and climbing up into the eaves to wipe down the cobwebs with rags. American Queen recommends resort-casual attire; however, expedition cruises tend to be more informal.
No comments:
Post a Comment