American Queen Voyages

Originally founded under the name "Great American Steamboat Company," this business began operating in April 2012 under the brand AQSC (American Queen Steamboat Company LLC). For a decade (2011–2021), it operated as AQSC. In September 2021, the brand transitioned to AQV (American Queen Voyages), unveiling a new logo featuring the trademarked tagline "Discovery Runs Deep."

IMPORTANT: On February 20, 2024 (at 5 PM Indiana time / 12:00 UTC), American Queen Steamboat Company LLC officially ceased operations.

• In an internal letter, all employees and crew were informed that their contracts were permanently terminated due to "unfortunate business circumstances and an inability to obtain sufficient capital at a commercially reasonable rate to continue operations."
• All scheduled AQV sailings were canceled.
• AQV released a statement: "American Queen Voyages has made the difficult decision to shut down and all future cruises have been canceled. Guests and customers should expect to be fully refunded for canceled cruises."
• On February 22, 2024, AQV filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in a Texas court, proposing March 28 as the auction date for its assets, with March 24 as the bidding deadline. The company cited the financial impact of the COVID crisis, related travel restrictions, and a failed attempt to sell the business in 2023.
• The fleet’s layup costs were reportedly US$300,000 per week.
• AQV’s major unsecured creditors included: Seatran Marine ($3.996M), Pleasant Holidays ($0.944M), Easton Coach Company ($0.805M), Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services ($0.792M), US Postal Service ($0.744M), Bay Ship & Yacht Co ($0.694M), Vacations To Go ($0.57M), Port San Diego ($0.48M), Mittera Group ($0.451M), Harbor Fuels ($0.437M), American Express ($0.4M), Toast Inc ($0.375M), North River Shipyard ($0.366M), University of Georgia ($0.356M), Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska ($0.34M), SunStone Ships ($0.334M), FMC Globalsat Inc ($0.331M), Riverview Tug Service ($0.328M).

In January, AQV canceled all February sailings, with plans to resume operations in March. All major travel agencies stopped offering AQV cruises.

On February 21, 2024, Hornblower Group (AQSC's parent company) announced an agreement with its primary investor, Strategic Value Partners LLC (SVP, founded in 2001), to acquire a majority ownership stake and invest in Hornblower’s cruise operations. Crestview Partners (founded in 2004, NYC-based private equity firm) retained a minority stake in Hornblower.

As of 2024, SVP manages over US$16 billion in capital.

Through this agreement, Crestview Partners became the sole owner of "Journey Beyond" (Hornblower’s Australian travel group), while Hornblower Group received US$121 million in funding from SVP and Crestview, reducing its debt by approximately US$720 million.

Hornblower’s cruise division—American Queen Voyages—was sold and shut down due to poor financial performance.

Following Hornblower’s bankruptcy in February 2024, AQV was put up for sale. Hornblower was sold to SVP and announced restructuring plans to focus on its remaining business units.

In a Texas-based auction in March 2024, ACL / American Cruise Lines emerged as the highest bidder and acquired four riverboats—American Duchess, American Empress, American Queen, and American Countess—along with additional AQV assets.

In April 2024, AQV’s two coastal ships—Ocean Navigator and Victory I / Ocean Voyager—were sold at auction for a total of US$1,901,000 (US$950,500 per vessel) to John Waggoner (AQSC’s Founder). The backup bidder, Ship Management Group LLC, had offered US$1.801 million. The new owner announced plans for drydock refurbishments before both vessels are chartered or begin operations under a new operator.

AQV company

Under the AQV brand, "American Queen Steamboat Company" merged with "Victory Cruise Lines" (VCL) and expanded to include two additional sea regions—Alaska and Central America/Yucatán, Mexico.

Following the rebranding, the company trademarked the following subdivision names by destination:

• "American Queen Voyages RIVER" (USA)
• "American Queen Voyages EXPEDITION" (Alaska, Central America)
• "American Queen Voyages LAKES & OCEAN" (Great Lakes, Pacific Northwest, Canada, New England)

Note: "American Queen Steamboat Company" and "Victory Cruise Lines" are trademarked.

AQV's current President is Cindy D'Aoust (former CLIA President & CEO), while Isis Ruiz serves as the CCO (Chief Commercial Officer). Since 2022, AQV's riverboat fleet VP of Marine Operations is Captain Jethro Beck (former employee of Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, HAL-Holland America Line, Seabourn, Princess, P&O Australia, Shell Oil Co, Global Marine Group).

Since May 2022, AQV's Acting President has been David Giersdorf (contracted for 18 months), reporting directly to Kevin Rabbitt (Hornblower Group's CEO). David Giersdorf works alongside Adam Peakes (Hornblower Group's Executive VP & CFO). AQV's VP of Finance and Accounting is Mostafa Beshir (formerly with AOV-Atlas Ocean Voyages as Senior Director of Finance).

In 2022-Q4/2023-Q1, AQV's leadership team added John Kingston (VP of Human Resources), Angela Composto (VP of Marketing, previously with Ritz-Carlton Yachts, Crystal, and Silversea), and Alex Dormoi (PMO/Project Management Officer, previously with Anew Recruit and Alpha Plus Transportation).

AQV's Expedition brand was officially launched on March 7, 2022, with Ocean Victory departing from Vancouver BC Canada. The ceremony was attended by John Waggoner (AQV's Founder, Chairman, and CEO), Kathy DeLisser (AQV's Canada VP), Ceres (AQV's Canada Terminals), and Tom Corsie (Vancouver Fraser Port Authority's Real Estate VP).

In June 2023, AQV announced plans to focus on river cruising, resulting in fleet deployment changes and updated schedules for 2024–2025. As part of this strategic shift, AQV canceled the Great Lakes 2024 program and announced the sale of Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager.

AQSC company history and changes

AQV-American Queen Voyages (aqvoyages.com), formerly AQSC-American Queen Steamboat Company (americanqueensteamboatcompany.com), was a USA-based passenger shipping company founded in 2011 and headquartered in New Albany, Indiana. In 2018, the headquarters relocated from Memphis, Tennessee, to New Albany.

AQSC/AQV and Victory Cruise Lines were owned by Hornblower Group Inc (founded in 1980 by Terry MacRae, current CEO) via its subsidiary Hornblower Cruises and Events (founded in 1974, San Francisco-headquartered). The shipowner was part of HMS Global Maritime (founded in 1994 as Hornblower Marine Services), which also includes HMS Ferries, Seaward Services (ship repairs/maintenance/management), and HMS Consulting (maritime business development, risk management, technical services).

Hornblower also owns "Niagara Falls Cruises" (via Hornblower Canada Co), and through Hornblower USA Co, owns the ferry companies/brands "Alcatraz Cruises" (to Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay), "Statue Cruises" (NYC, between Liberty Island and Ellis Island), "Hornblower New York Cruises" (sightseeing on NYC's East and Hudson Rivers), and "NYC Ferry" (operating on the East River between Lower and Midtown Manhattan).

In September 2020, Hornblower acquired SEA-Shore Excursions of America, a 2011-founded tour company based in Easton, Pennsylvania, specializing in cruise extension land packages created exclusively for AQSC and VCL/Victory Cruise Lines.

The AQV brand was affiliated with HMS Global Maritime Inc, a Florida/Fort Lauderdale-based company managing marine operations.

In 2012, with PS American Queen, AQSC revived overnight Mississippi River cruise operations—a US-based travel service that had nearly disappeared since 2008. Since 2019, AQSC also owned Victory Cruise Lines, whose fleet is listed on CruiseMapper as part of AQSC.

The company was led by Ted Sykes, who previously held executive roles at Viking, Vantage, Grand Circle Travel, and Saga UK.

In 2023, AQV's finance team welcomed Lissette Balbiers (Senior VP of Finance & Accounting, formerly CFO at iAero Airways), Susan Anderson (Finance Director and Financial Controller, previously with Hornblower Cruises), and Frits van der Werff (Senior VP of Guest Experiences, formerly with NCL-Norwegian, MSC, HAL-Holland America, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, and Westgate Resorts).

This authentic US-based cruise company employed resident experts who narrated the history of towns visited along itineraries. Onboard bicycles were also available for passengers to explore ports along the river.

All AQSC/AQV-owned ships are stern paddlewheelers, styled after British Victorian-era steam-powered riverboats. Their interiors feature rich upholstery, ornate chandeliers, and custom-made furniture crafted from polished wood with brass accents.

AQV vessels offer modern hotel-style amenities, including Wi-Fi in public areas, gourmet dining, and shore excursions included in the cruise fare. Despite their contemporary comforts, the ships are designed to capture the nostalgic charm of 19th-century paddlewheel steamers. Each riverboat is equipped with an original steam plant that powers a stern paddlewheel for propulsion.

In September 2022, AQV partnered with the National Museum of the Great Lakes (Toledo Maritime Center on the Maumee River, Toledo OH) to introduce Lakelorian-guided voyages starting May 2023. A licensed Lakelorian tour guide joined each sailing aboard the Toronto-homeported Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator. These guides led themed lectures and discussions in the Compass Lounge or Seascape Tavern and were available throughout the voyage to answer questions about the visited ports.

New ships

In September 2016, AQSC announced a fleet expansion with a newbuild, the American Duchess, originally scheduled to launch in July 2017. Due to high water levels on the Mississippi River, the christening was postponed to August 13, with the Maiden Voyage departing August 14. Prices started from USD 1500 per person (double-occupancy Interior Suite). American Duchess was deployed on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.

The new riverboat was built using the hull of the former casino ship "Isle of Capri," previously homeported in Bettendorf (Iowa, USA). The vessel was retrofitted for upscale river cruising on the Mississippi and its tributaries, becoming the USA's first newly built paddlewheeler in decades. With a capacity of 166 passengers, American Duchess boasts the largest suites in the US river cruise industry (up to 550 ft² / 51 m²) and the industry’s first-ever Loft Suites (two-level accommodations).

American Duchess features a traditional Mississippi paddlewheeler design. Her itineraries include several overnight port stays and shorter roundtrips from homeports Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Nashville, New Orleans, and (for the first time) Chicago (Ottawa, Illinois).

In 2018, AQSC acquired the casino boat "Kanesville Queen," formerly operated by "Harrah's Council Bluffs Casino and Hotel" (Iowa). The vessel, renamed American Countess, entered service in 2019 after an extensive drydock lengthening at Gulf Island Shipyard (Houma, Louisiana).

The ship was lengthened by cutting the existing hull and adding a 60-ft (18-m) midship section. Approximately 150 workers were involved in the project.

AQSC cruise deals

All AQV cruises were offered as all-inclusive packages, covering:

• all shore excursions ("Steamcoach Tours" via luxury buses)
• 1-night pre-cruise hotel stay
• soft drinks and bottled water available throughout the voyage
• wines and beers served at dinner
• 24-hour room service (including breakfast items, sandwiches, burgers, macaroni and cheese, fresh salmon, and desserts)
• Wi-Fi Internet
• Pilot House tour (Navigation Bridge)
• As of January 2, 2023, fares also included port charges, government taxes, service fees, and gratuities.

Smoking is prohibited inside cabins and on balconies. The sun deck is the only designated smoking area.

"Commodore Services" refers to the exclusive service program for guests booking LFS-Loft and OS-Owner suites. Included complimentary perks:

• fruit basket and bottle of wine on arrival
• private suite tour
• priority boarding and dining reservations
• reserved balcony seating in "The Auditorium" (show lounge) with personal escort
• private reception with the Captain and senior officers
• personal River Butler service
• assistance with unpacking, packing, laundry, pressing, and shoeshine
• in-cabin dining (Afternoon Tea, breakfast, dinner served on the suite's balcony upon request), pre-dinner canapés, and post-dinner sweets

Victory Cruise Lines

In November 2018, AQSC announced the acquisition of the "Victory Cruise Line" brand and its two chartered (Sunstone Ships-owned) vessels—Ocean Voyager/Victory I (built 2001) and Ocean Navigator/Victory II (built 2004). The acquisition was finalized in January 2019, with terms undisclosed.

Also added to the AQSC fleet were Ocean Victory (2021) and Ocean Discoverer (2023/2025), both Sunstone-owned newbuilds operated under charter and seasonally deployed in Alaska.

These four ships operated under the separate VCL fleet and were branded as "American Queen Voyages EXPEDITION."

For the 2019 season (May through October), Victory Cruise Lines offered 10-day Great Lakes cruises with all-inclusive packages. Victory I was homeported in Montreal and Detroit MI, visiting Quebec City, Kingston, Toronto (transiting the Welland Canal), Port Colborne (gateway to Niagara Falls), and Cleveland.

Victory II was homeported in Toronto and Chicago, with calls at Port Colborne, Cleveland, Detroit, Lake Huron (scenic cruising), Little Current (Manitoulin Island), Soo Locks, Sault Ste Marie, Mackinac Island, and Lake Michigan.

In June 2024, it was announced that the Victory Cruise Lines (VCL) brand would be relaunched in July, with revenue operations restarting in summer 2025. John Waggoner, owner of Victory I (formerly Ocean Navigator) and Victory II (formerly Ocean Voyager), plans to operate Great Lakes cruises once again.

VCL's Great Lakes voyages are scheduled to last between 10 and 12 days.

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, AQSC suspended all passenger shipping operations (entire fleet) from March 14, 2020, through May 2021. Operations resumed in 2021 on the following dates:

• American Duchess – May 3 (from Louisville)
• American Empress – May 4 (from Clarkston)
• American Countess – May 14 (from Memphis)
• American Queen – August 9 (from New Orleans)
• Victory I and Victory II – May 1
• Note: In August 2021, the company received USD 64 million under the CERTS (Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act), which provided grants to US-based, American-crewed transportation companies with revenue losses of 25% or more due to COVID.

Initially, operations were planned to resume on August 2 (American Empress), August 8 (American Countess and American Queen), and August 16 (American Duchess). Affected bookings received either a full refund (100% cash) or a 125% Future Cruise Credit (FCC). Customers could rebook for a different 2020 departure with equal or greater value, with AQSC covering flight change fees for immediate rebooking.

Victory Cruise Lines also suspended operations. Victory I cruises were canceled through June 30, 2020 (planned to resume July 5), while Victory II's 2020 season was fully canceled. In late May, the entire 2020 program for Victory I was also canceled due to Canada's travel restrictions. Affected customers received either a 100% refund or a 125% FCC.