American Queen

The 1995-built/2024-scrapped cruise ship American Queen was initially operated by Delta Queen Steamboat Company (now defunct) and until 2024 by AQSC/AQV/American Queen Voyages).

The 436-passenger riverboat is similar to fleetmate American Empress, and also to ACL-American Cruise Lines vessels Queen of the Mississippi/now American Heritage and Queen of the West/now American West.

The American Queen vessel (MMSI 366950740) was the largest steamboat ever built in the world. Before relaunching in April 2012, the ship received a USD 6,5 million renovation to make the Victorian decor. Cabins got new LCDTVs and bedding. A top-deck bar (River Grill) was also added. Today, the steamboat feels much more like a historic boutique hotel than a riverboat.

American Queen's voyages were on the Upper and Lower Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee rivers with 5- to 14-day itineraries leaving from homeports New Orleans, St Louis MO, Minneapolis-St Paul MN, Memphis TN, Cincinnati OH.

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 Queen (US$2,15M), American Duchess (US$0,2M), American Empress (US$1,6M), 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 Queen ship's AIS last transmitted on May 21st (at 18:08 UTC) showing the 29-year-old riverboat at the MARS (Modern American Recycling Service Inc's yard) in Houma Louisiana.

American Queen Steamboat Company cruise deals

Operated with all-inclusive cruise packages, American Queen 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).