American Duchess

The 2017-built/2024-scrapped cruise ship American Duchess was a paddlewheel steamboat.

The vessel (MMSI 367755720) started operations for American Queen Steamboat Company/AQSC (rebranded American Queen Voyages/AQV) on August 14th (2017), following the christening ceremony in New Orleans LA.

The all-suite, 166-passenger riverboat became the USA's first newbuild paddle-wheeler on the Mississippi River.

In September 2016, the company announced a fleet expansion with a new ship (American Duchess), scheduled for launch in July 2017. However, due to Mississippi's unseasonably high water levels, the launch was pushed back 6 weeks to August 13. The inaugural cruise was on August 14, with prices starting from USD 1500 pp (double-occupancy Interior Suite rates).

For the new all-suite ship was used the hull of a former casino ship ("Isle of Capri") homeported in Bettendorf (Iowa USA). The casino boat was retrofitted for premium cruises on Mississippi River and its tributaries. Ship conversion included adding a new (3rd) deck and a new stern paddlewheel. The vessel has capacity 166 passengers and features the largest US river cruise industry's suites (sized up to 550 ft2 / 51 m2). The ship also features the river travel industry's ever first Loft Suites (2-level staterooms).

In June 2023, American Duchess is scheduled to be laid up/out of service for a major refit and extensive refurbishment. The boat will reenter service in 2024 with upgraded facilities and services (details to be announced soon) and revamped itineraries.

The previous shipowner was Hornblower Group Inc (via Hornblower Cruises and Events).

Following the bankruptcy of Hornblower Group in 2024 (February), American Queen Voyages was placed for sale. Hornblower was sold to Strategic Value Partners and announced reorganization plans, focusing on its other subsidiaries.

In a Texas-held auction in March 2024, ACL/American Cruise Lines became the highest bidder and purchased four riverboats - American Duchess (US$0,2M), American Empress (US$1,6M), American Queen (US$2,15M), American Countess (US$1,6M) plus other AQV assets.

Following the acquisition, in May 2024, ACL announced that American Countess, American Duchess and American Queen would be scrapped. American Duchess ship's AIS last transmitted on April 25th (at 12:38 UTC) showing the 7-year-old riverboat at the MARS (Modern American Recycling Service Inc's yard) in Houma Louisiana.

Itinerary

American Duchess cruise itinerary program offers several overnight port stays and shorter roundtrip itineraries from Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Nashville TN and New Orleans, and also (for the first time) from Chicago (Ottawa, Illinois).

In addition to Mississippi, the riverboat cruises on Ohio, Tennessee and Illinois rivers. Cruise fares start from around USD 3000 pp.

Cabins

Staterooms (all in suite categories) as sizes range between 180 ft2 / 17 m2 (Interior Suite) and 550 ft2 / 51 m2 (Owners Suite and Loft Suite). All cabins offer as standard amenities individually controlled air-conditioning, flat TV (satellite reception), dark wood wardrobe, dressers (ample drawer space), mini-bar (fridge), personal safe, direct-dial phone, alarm clock, Keurig brewer (tea/coffee machine), binocular, luxury bath amenities (toiletries by Clarins, terry robes, hairdryer), plenty of outlets and lighting.

Staterooms are decorated and equipped with Victorian-style antiques and reproductions. All cabins as decoration feature polished wood, Victorian-era wallpaper patterns, framed paintings. Beds are comfortable, with ample under-bed storage space, luxury bedding sets. Handicap / wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers) are also available. The ship has no connecting or family cabins.

Most cabins are with private step-out balconies. Each cabin veranda is equipped with 2 wicker chairs and 1 cocktail table.

American Queen Steamboat Company cruise deals

Operated with all-inclusive cruise packages, American Duchess cruise tour deals are inclusive of:

• all shore excursions (“Steamcoach Tours” by luxury motorcoaches)
• 1-night pre-cruise hotel package
• soft drinks and bottled water (offered throughout the voyage)
• wines and beers (offered at dinner only)
• 24-hour room service (menu has the standard for breakfasts fare, plus sandwiches, burgers, macaroni & cheese, fresh salmon, desserts)
• Wi-Fi Internet
• Pilot House tour (of the ship's Navigation Bridge).
• Smoking inside the cabin and on the balcony is forbidden. The only smoking-allowed area on the ship is the sun deck.

"Commodore Services" is the company's set of exclusive services reserved for American Duchess cruise passengers booking categories LFS-Loft and OS-Owner suites. The list of bonus perks (price-inclusive / complimentary privileges) includes:

• gifts (upon arrival) - fruit basket and a bottle of wine
• suite tour (upon arrival)
• priority boarding and dining arrangements
• reserved balcony seating in "The Auditorium" (boat's theatre/show lounge), with a personal escort to the reserved seats
• private reception party with the ship's Captain and Senior Officers
• personal River Butler
• unpacking, hanging the clothes in the closet, packing, laundry, pressing service, shoeshine (conditioning)
• in-cabin dining - Afternoon Tea service, Breakfast and Dinner service (on the suite's balcony, upon request), pre-dinner canapes, post-dinner sweets).