american queen riverboat tours

American Queen

Discover the heritage and culture of America with a cruise onboard the elegant American Queen, an authentic paddlewheel steamboat. Luxurious amenities display the opulence of the American Victorian era while also featuring every modern convenience. Each stateroom features lush bedding and fine linens as well as in-room bottled water and fresh fruit. Onboard cuisine is gourmet and something to satisfy every craving is available 24 hours a day, from grand meals in the Dining Saloon to American favorites in the Front Porch of America. Complimentary wine and beer are available with dinner. There is always something to enjoy onboard during your leisure time. Enjoy a swim or a workout in the pool or athletic club or borrow a book in the Mark Twain Gallery; after a day of exploring, enjoy nightly entertainment that includes everything from showboat style performances to calliope concerts to swing dancing.

• Detailed Information
• Dining Info

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

7 Reasons A Stay On The World’s Largest Steamboat Is My Favorite U.S. Cruise

• Cruises and Sailing
• River Cruises
• Types of Travel

I have been on several cruises and travel adventures around the world, but recently, I’ve felt the need to focus on discovering great destinations closer to home. The U.S. is filled with countless experiences that travelers can unlock, and a river cruise offers the chance to see so many things in an efficient, hassle-free, and fun way.

Our summer cruise on the Ohio River took us from Pittsburgh to Louisville, and the itinerary included stops in Marietta, Ohio; Huntington, West Virginia; Augusta, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Madison, Indiana, before reaching Louisville.

I had been on voyages on the Mighty Mississippi River and even a couple in the Pacific Northwest on the Columbia and Snake rivers that traverse through Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. These itineraries are fairly well known, but I was fascinated to see what an Ohio River cruise was all about. I was happy to accept an invite from American Queen Voyages to review this special itinerary.

As it turns out, it’s filled with memorable experiences and a range of fun ways to spend your days. The best part about our trip, though, was how we got there. American Queen owns a special charm and an incredible river cruise program that makes it a favorite way to cruise within the U.S. Here’s why.

1. An Itinerary With Small Towns And Big Cities

Pittsburg, pennsylvania.

American Queen Voyages offers a pre-cruise hotel stay in Pittsburgh, and it was nice to explore the City of Bridges for a day. We had lunch at the famous Primanti Brothers, diving into our hearty sandwiches — complete with fries stuffed onto the pastrami between slices of Italian bread. And we washed it down with a couple of Iron City beers.

The embarkation pier for the riverboat sits at the doorstep of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ football stadium, making for a scenic sail away from the confluence of the three rivers (Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela).

Cincinnati, Ohio

The cruise also features a stop in Cincinnati and wraps up in Louisville, so travelers have opportunities to explore these interesting big cities and all they have to offer. We went for a bike ride on the riverfront, explored the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, and had lunch and craft beers at Moerlein Lager House.

Louisville, Kentucky

In Louisville, cruisers can explore city highlights like the famed Churchill Downs (Kentucky Derby track) or the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory before catching flights back home.

These big cities are nice, but it’s the small towns that really make this trip shine. Residents gather along the banks of the river to cheer our arrival or give us a friendly sendoff each day. Each riverside destination, no matter how small, loves to show off its slice of American history and regional attractions, such as quirky museums, pretty churches, and, of course, its local shops and eateries.

Marietta, Ohio

In Marietta, Ohio, attractions included Mound Cemetery, one of the oldest in the original Northwest Territory, the Ohio River Museum, and the Childen’s Toy & Doll Museum.

Huntington, West Virginia

When I went ashore in Huntington, West Virginia, the hop-on, hop-off bus loop took us to the Touma Medical Museum, a delightful little open-air railroad museum (a yard filled with colorful old rail cars), Ritter Park Rose Garden, and the Marshall University Campus, which features a wonderful grounds filled with statues, sculptures, trees, and flowers.

Augusta, Kentucky

In Augusta, Kentucky, AQV passengers were able to walk just a few hundred steps from our spot on the river to explore the Rosemary Clooney Museum. This is the former home of actress, singer, and aunt to superstar George Clooney. Highlights of this charming town also include Bates Garden, the 1811 Jail, and Baker-Bird Winery.

Madison, Indiana

There was another railroad museum to see in Madison, Indiana, and the town also lists the Schroeder Saddletree Factory, the Broadway Fountain, and Lanier Mansion as top attractions for visitors to check out.

2. Enriching Entertainment

While each port stop features a variety of things for cruisers to explore, this fancy riverboat offers a daily program with a mix of musical performances, trivia competitions, movies, bingo, and variety shows. 

Music, trivia, and enrichment talks are held in American Queen’s majestic Grand Saloon theater space. During our cruise, we saw Phil Westbrook several times, as the singer and piano man performed a tribute to Frank Sinatra as well as entertained passengers at the intimate Captain’s Bar just outside the main J.M. White Dining Room.

We also dropped by the theater for shows by guitarist Logan Reeves and a song and dance variety production on TV theme songs from the American Queen Ensemble and the Steamboat Syncopators house band. The shows draw on plenty of nostalgia but definitely favor an era more familiar to cruisers 70 and older. However, the overall mood is quite fun.

A hip vibe can be found nightly at the Engine Room Bar, where the ship’s musicians get the crowd dancing with a great mix of blues and rock tunes.

3. Regionally Inspired Cuisine

The American Queen chefs kept us well-fed. Meals are served in the main dining room and in the casual eatery called the Front Porch, which offers wonderful views as you cruise on the river. When the weather is nice, it’s worth having at least one dinner outside there to enjoy the sunset and sailing.

The menu includes items like chicken fried steak, frog legs, and a variety of steak and fish preparations. The cuisine is more hearty than healthy, but you can find some fresh fruits and salads in the mix at the lunch buffets. We were always tempted by the mouth-watering selection of homemade pies and slices of chocolate cake set out each day at lunch. There always is a delicious soup, gumbo, or chili available, too.

If you need a snack, you can swing by the Front Porch for a bag of fresh popcorn, a couple of cookies, or a soft-serve ice cream cone or dish.

4. Set Your Own Pace

As a person who loves his daily workouts, I’m happy that a river cruise on American Queen makes it easy. Not only is there a well-equipped gym, but the ship carries a fleet of bikes. Colleen and I started several days with a run along the riverside trails through small towns or by grabbing a couple of bikes to go exploring independently.

In general, river cruising allows travelers the chance to explore on their own in a hassle-free way. It’s so easy to stroll onto and off of the ship at your leisure, and the towns and cities are mere steps away. You can go set your own schedule for the day if you’re not interested in rigorously following the ship excursion program.

Pro Tip: Ask crew members for their insight on nice places to eat or go shopping — or for their favorite places to get a coffee or craft brew. We received great insight from lead butler Adam, who is a coffee connoisseur and loves to find and frequent local cafes along all the river towns he visits.

5. Hop-On, Hop-Off Tours

American Queen Voyages provides a wonderful service in its hop-on, hop-off bus routes in each city and on each river itinerary that it operates. Passengers walk off the ship and straight onto waiting buses with clear signage at each stop along the route at the attractions in town.

Cruisers love being able to have peace of mind that they will see a nice mix of highlights in each port without worrying about transportation. You can get off at each spot or pick and choose what you are interested in on the loop.

6. Plenty Of Space Onboard

American Queen itself is an attraction. Built in 2012 and carrying up to 417 passengers, this is the largest steamship ever built. The décor takes you back in time to a golden era of steamship travel. The Grand Saloon resembles a 19th-century opera house with private boxes wrapped around the theater and hanging over the main level and the stage adorned with a large red curtain.

Chandeliers fill the main restaurant, rocking chairs line the railings on the front porch, and gingerbread ornamentation accents the staircases and stateroom patios of the bright white ship. The signature big red paddlewheel churns at the stern of the ship helping to power the voyage along the river.

American Queen features a large Mark Twain Gallery that serves as a reading room (with a small computer area). It’s outfitted with vintage lamps and antique chairs and all kinds of mementos of a bygone time, including river ship models, paintings, books, vases, and other collectibles.

There are two parlors at the very front of the ship ahead of the Main Twain Gallery, and these spots also are carefully decorated and ideal for working on puzzles, reading, or enjoying the river views while relaxing with friends.

7. Scenic Sailing

I found the periods of sailing from town to town one of the most relaxing and satisfying parts of this river cruise. It was fabulous to watch the world floating by, with the pretty evening sunsets, flowing waters, and subtle bends in the river. We would pass under a variety of bridge styles and see trains on adjacent tracks and tugboats pushing coal barges.

Cruisers also enjoyed the process of watching our big riverboat pass through the locks along the way.

Pro Tip: Make sure to head up to the top deck for sail aways each day. Crowds gather along the banks of the river to wave you off and wish you well on the journey. And one of the musicians will come out to play some tunes on the boat’s steam calliope. It’s a fun spectacle!

Related Reading:

• 9 Reasons You’ll Love A Princess Cruise In The Western Caribbean
• 7 Things People Always Forget To Take On A Cruise Plus 8 Things They Should Leave At Home
• I Just Sailed On Royal Caribbean With My Grandchildren — Here Are My 10 Key Tips

John loves to explore the world while prioritizing fitness and active adventures. He specializes in cruise travel, with more than 100 sailings of all types under his belt. His passion is deep exploration and connection. He loves talking sports and craft beer with people in every destination he visits. John has been a writer and travel journalist for more than 20 years, regularly contributing to top travel magazines and websites.

American Queen Steamboat Company Cruises from New Orleans

The American Queen Steamboat Company has gone out of business. The ships were purchased by American Cruise Lines .

American Queen Steamboat Company offered cruises on the Mississippi River and its surrounding tributaries. The ships featured regional cuisine in two restaurants, a small pool, all-American staff, daily lectures by the Riverlorian, showboat-style entertainment nightly, and nightly dancing to swing, big band and Dixieland jazz music.

The video above is a tour of the American Queen. See the size and style of the ship. Tour staterooms, entertainment and dining.

The cruise fare included shore excursions in every port, one-night luxury hotel stay and transfers before the cruise, complimentary bottled water and soft drinks, and complimentary wine and beer with dinner.

American Queen Voyages, formerly American Queen Steamboat Company, offers overnight cruises aboard authentic paddlewheelers on the Mississippi River and its tributaries and on the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest. Ship decor exudes Americana, with gingerbread trim and lacy filigree adorning the decks.

Cruise fares include a pre-voyage hotel night, shore excursions, regionally inspired cuisine, daily entertainment, 24-hour room service, Wi-Fi access and unlimited soft drinks throughout the trip. Enjoy spirits, wine and local craft beer -- all included with your cruise. Themed sailings feature special activities that focus on Civil War history, musical interests and other topics.

Trip ratings on this site are based on the quality of accommodations, the number of included meals and activities and the level of service delivered. American Queen's vacations are categorized as deluxe on the industry rating scale (budget, first class or deluxe). In addition to river cruises, the line also sails in Alaska, the Great Lakes and other coastal regions in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, visiting inland harbors, secluded bays and remote ports that larger ships can't reach. To see itineraries and prices for the company's ocean and Great Lakes cruises , click here .

• CruiseMapper
• Cruise Lines

American Queen Voyages

History, review, itineraries, ships, deck plans, news.

•   Fleet
•   Review
•   Itinerary
•   News

American Queen Voyages fleet

Ocean navigator.

Ocean Voyager

Review of American Queen Voyages

Originally founded under the name "Great American Steamboat Company", in April 2012 this business enterprise started under the brand AQSC (American Queen Steamboat Company LLC). For 10 years (between 2011-2021), the company was branded as AQSC. In September 2021, the brand was changed to AQV (American Queen Voyages), as well as its logo (adding the trademarked "Discovery Runs Deep" tagline).

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 notified that their contracts were permanently terminated, citing "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's message stated: "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, in a Texas court, AQV voluntarily filed a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and proposed as a potential auction date (March 28th) for its assets, with March 24th set as a deadline for bidding. In the filing, AQV blamed the COVID crisis' impact on its business, followed by the government-imposed travel restrictions and the failure to sell the business in 2023.
• The fleet's layup costs alone were reportedly US$300,000 per week.
• As AQV's main Creditors (companies with unsecured claims) were listed 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 voyages, with a planned restart 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 main investor Strategic Value Partners LLC (2001-founded investment company/SVP) to acquire a majority ownership of Hornblower and provide investments in the Group's cruise shipping business. A minority stake in Hornblower remains in Crestview Partners (2004-founded, NYC-based private equity firm).

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

By the deal, Crestview Partners became the sole owner of the "Journey Beyond" (Hornblower-owned Australian travel group) and Hornblower Group received US$121 million in financing from its principal investors (SVP and Crestview), which reduced Hornblower's debt by ~US$720M.

Hornblower's cruise shipping division (American Queen Voyages) was sold and closed down due to AQV's underperformance.

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 , American Empress , American Queen , American Countess ) plus other AQV assets.

In April 2024, both AQV's coastal ships ( Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager ) were auctioned and sold for a total of US$1,901,000 (or US$950,500 per vessel) to John Waggoner (AQSC's Founder). Ship Management Group LLC was the backup bidder (US$1,801 million). The new shipowner announced that following a drydock refurbishment period, both boats would be chartered to/start services for a new operator.

AQV company

In the new brand, the "American Queen Steamboat Company" merged the brand "Victory Cruise Lines"/VCL and added two new sea regions (Alaska and Central America/Yucatan Mexico).

Following the rebranding, the company trademarked the following names for its subdivisions (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 company's current President is Cindy D'Aoust (former CLIA President & CEO) while Isis Ruiz is the CCO (Chief Commercial Officer). Since 2022, AQV's riverboat fleet's 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 is David Giersdorf (contracted for 18 months), who reports directly to Kevin Rabbitt (Hornblower Group's CEO). David Giersdorf works with Adam Peakes (Hornblower Group's Executive VP & CFO). AQV's VP of Finance and Accounting is Mostafa Beshir (previously employed by AOV-Atlas Ocean Voyages as Senior Director of Finance).

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

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

In June 2023 AQV announced its plans to concentrate on river cruises resulting in a series of fleet deployment changes/schedule updates for the period 2024-2025. As part of this strategic shift, AQV canceled the Great Lakes 2024 program and announced its plans to sell Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager.

AQSC company history and changes

AQV-American Queen Voyages (aqvoyages.com) fka AQSC-American Queen Steamboat Company (americanqueensteamboatcompany.com) is a 2011-founded USA passenger shipping company and cruise travel brand headquartered in New Albany (Indiana USA). In 2018, the company's headquarters were moved to New Albany IN from Memphis Tennessee .

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

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

In September 2020, Hornblower acquired SEA-Shore Excursions of America (2011-founded tour company, based in Easton, Pennsylvania, that specializes in exclusive cruise extension land tour packages. SEA was founded to serve exclusively AQSC and VCL/Victory Cruise Lines.

The AQV brand is affiliated with the corporation "HMS Global Maritime Inc" - Florida/ Fort Lauderdale -based company managing its marine operations.

In 2012, with PS American Queen AQSC resurrected the overnight Mississippi River cruise operations - a US travel service that was almost dead since 2008. SInce 2019, AQSC owns the company Victory Cruise Lines , which fleet is listed at CruiseMapper as part of AQSC.

Currently, the company is led by Ted Sykes. He previously worked in leadership and executive roles at Viking , Vantage, Grand Circle Travel , and Saga UK .

In 2023, AQV's finance team joined Lissette Balbiers (as Senior VP of Finance & Accounting/previously employed by iAero Airways as CFO), Susan Anderson (as Finance Director and Financial Controller/previously employed by Hornblower Cruises as Assistant Financial Controller) and Frits van der Werff (as Senior VP of Guest Experiences/hotel operations, previously employed by NCL-Norwegian , MSC , HAL-Holland America, St Regis Hotels & Resorts/Marriott International, Westgate Resorts).

This genuine USA cruise company employs resident experts who narrate the history of all towns visited along the itinerary routes. Onboard bicycles are also at hand, allowing passengers to enjoy biking along the river and through ports the riverboats call at.

All owned by AQSC/AQV ships are stern paddlewheelers designed as the British Victorian era's steam-powered riverboats. Their interior decorations are marked by rich upholstery, ornate chandeliers, custom-made furniture of polished wood and with brass ornaments.

AQV's boats offer modern hotel amenities, such as Wi-Fi in all public spaces, gourmet cuisine, ticket price-inclusive land tours/shore excursions. Still, they aim to evoke the "old timer's" memories of the 19th-century paddlewheel steamships. The riverboats are fitted with an original design steam plant. The steam engine drives a stern paddlewheel to propel the large vessel through water.

In September 2022, AQV partnered with the National Museum of the Great Lakes (Toledo Maritime Center on Maumee River, Toledo OH) to offer Lakelorian guided voyages starting May 2023. On two Toronto-homeported boats (Ocean Voyager, Ocean Navigator), each sailing features a permanent Lakelorian-licensed tour guide. The Lakelorians conduct onboard lectures and discussions (held in the ship's Compass Lounge or Seascape Tavern) themed on the visited city and also answer questions throughout the AQV cruise.

In September 2016, the company announced a fleet expansion with a newbuild ( American Duchess ) scheduled for launch in July 2017. However, due to Mississippi's unseasonably high water levels, the launch was postponed for 6 weeks (to August 13th/christening ceremony). The Maiden Voyage was on August 14th, with prices starting from USD 1500 pp (double-occupancy Interior Suite rates). American Duchess was deployed to the rivers Mississippi and Ohio.

For the new riverboat 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 and its tributaries. The riverboat became the USA's first newbuild paddlewheeler. The vessel has capacity 166 passengers and features the American river cruise industry's largest suites (sized up to 550 ft2 / 51 m2) as well as the river travel industry's first-ever Loft Suites (2-level accommodations/on two decks).

American Duchess has a traditional for Mississippi paddle-wheeler design. The itinerary program offers several overnight port stays and shorter roundtrips from homeports Minneapolis-Saint Paul , Nashville , New Orleans and (for the first time) from Chicago (Ottawa, Illinois).

In 2018 was acquired the casino boat "Kanesville Queen" - previously operated by "Harrahs Council Bluffs Casino and Hotel" in Council Bluffs (Iowa USA). The vessel (renamed American Countess ) entered service in 2019, following drydock lengthening at Gulf Island Shipyard (Houma, Louisiana).

Ship stretching included cutting the existing hull in two and adding a 60 ft (18 m) long prefabricated midship section. Nearly 150 workers are currently involved in this project.

AQSC cruise deals

Operated with all-inclusive cruise packages, AQV deals are inclusive of:

• all shore excursions ("Steamcoach Tours" by luxury buses)
• 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 standard breakfasts fare, plus sandwiches, burgers, macaroni and cheese, fresh salmon, desserts)
• Wi-Fi Internet
• Pilot House tour (of the ship's Navigation Bridge)
• Since January 2, 2023, AQV's all-inclusive fares additionally include port charges, Gov taxes, service fees and onboard gratuities.

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 cruise ship 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 theater/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).

Victory Cruise Lines

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). Transaction terms were not disclosed. The acquisition deal was closed in mid-January 2019.

To the AQSC fleet were also added Ocean Victory (2021) and Ocean Discoverer (2023/2025). Both are Sunstone-owned newbuilds (operated under charter) and were deployed seasonally in Alaska.

These four vessels were in a separate fleet (VCL) and operated under the "American Queen Voyages EXPEDITION" brand.

For season 2019 (May through October) were scheduled 10-day Great Lakes voyages  operated with all-inclusive deals. Victory 1 was homeported in Montreal and Detroit MI , with route ports Quebec City , Kingston, Toronto (with crossing Welland Canal between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie), Port Colborne (gateway to Niagara Falls) and Cleveland . Victory 2 was homeported in Toronto and Chicago , with route ports Port Colborne, Cleveland, Detroit, Lake Huron (scenic cruising), Little Current (Manitoulin Island) , Soo Locks (connecting Lake Superior with Great Lakes). Sault Ste Marie , Mackinac Island , Lake Michigan.

In June 2024 was announced that the brand VCL/Victory Cruise Lines would be relaunched in July. VCL restarts revenue operations in summer 2025, with the John Waggoner-owned Victory I (fka Ocean Navigator) and Victory II (fka Ocean Voyager) sailing the Great Lakes.

VCL's Great Lakes itineraries range between 10- and 12 days.

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, AQSC suspended its entire fleet's passenger shipping operations (all riverboats) canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 14, 2020, through May 2021. Fleet operations resumed on the following dates in 2021 (by ship).

• 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 Cruise Lines ships) Victory I and Victory II (May 1)
• Note: Under CERTS (Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act), in August 2021 the company received USD 64 million (CAD 80,67M / AUD 87,31M / EUR 54,23M) grant from the USA's government. The CERTS provides grants to eligible (USA-based and all American-crewed) passenger transportation companies (motorcoach, school bus, shipping, pilotage) that have experienced 25% or more annual revenue losses due to the COVID crisis.

Previously, passenger shipping operations were planned to resume on August 2 (American Empress), August 8 (American Countess, American Queen) and August 16 (American Duchess). All affected bookings received a full refund (100% cash) or 125% refund as FCC (future cruise credit) with rebooking. Any booking may move to another departure date in 2020 and their current cancellation penalty applies to the new departure date. The new booking must be of equal or greater value and the customer is responsible for any fare increase. AQSC covers flight change fees for all immediately rebooking customers.

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. In late-May, AQSC also canceled the entire 2020 program of Victory 1. Victory Cruise Line's suspension was due to Canadia's travel restrictions. All affected bookings received a full monetary refund (100%) or 125% refund as FCC with rebooking.

Itinerary of American Queen Voyages

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.

NOTE : Since 2021, the brand "American Queen Voyages"/AQV groups the travel brands "American Queen Steamboat Company" (AQSC) and "Victory Cruise Lines" (VCL). Both companies are owned by Hornblower Group Inc (1980-founded) via its subsidiary Hornblower Cruises and Events (1974-founded).

Memphis TN is an important homeport for AQV. American Queen (fleet's most famous ship) docks there regularly - at the city attraction Beale Street Landing. In April 2014, a second boat (American Empress) joined the fleet after a major refurbishment. The vessel formerly sailed under the name "Empress of the North" - another famous American steamboat. With American Empress, in 2014 the company introduced its Pacific Northwest program.

AQSC/AQV owns and operates four (for now) paddle-wheeler riverboats sailing on some of the biggest rivers in the USA.

• American Duchess (2017-built)
• American Empress (2004-built/2013-acquired) on Snake and Columbia (Pacific Northwest)
• American Queen (1995-built/2011-acquired) on Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee.
• American Countess (1995-built as "Kanesville Queen" casino boat/2018-acquired) on Mississippi River

Into the subsidiary Victory Cruise Line merged the new brands "American Queen Voyages EXPEDITION" (Alaska, Central America) and "American Queen Voyages LAKES & OCEAN"). The fleet currently includes two pairs of sisterships - Ocean Voyager (fka Victory 1) and Ocean-Navigator (fka Victory 2) , as well as the chartered from SunStone Ships Inc (USA-based shipowner) newbuilds Ocean Victory (2021) and Ocean Discoverer/Douglas Mawson (2025).

The following AQV cruise itinerary map shows the company's destinations and all itineraries as rivers and ports of call. The company's main departure ports/homeports are with capital letters and bolded. These are Minneapolis-St Paul (Minnesota) , Chicago (Illinois) , St Louis (Missouri) , Nashville (Tennessee) , Memphis (Tennessee) and New Orleans (Louisiana) .

Special Edition Voyages ( theme cruises ) are regularly scheduled annually by AQV and are themed on "Memorial Day", "July 4th" (Star-Spangled, Salute to Veterans), "Thanksgiving", "Christmas and New Year" (Home for the Holidays, Creole Christmas, Country Christmas, New Year"s Celebration), "History and Culture" (Art of Discovery, Civil War), music (American Music Festival, Star-Spangled Spectacular, The Rhythm of the Rivers, Big Band, A Music of the 1950"s-60"s), food and wine (Culinary and Cocktails, Bourbon - An American Spirit, Cajun-Creole Culinary Experience, American Culinary Experience), sports (The Kentucky Derby, American River Golf Classic), other (Past Guest Reunion).

AQV cruise itineraries 2023 (Lakes & Ocean)

Due to "unprecedented demand" for 2022 voyages, in mid-February 2021 AQSC and VCL announced their 2023 ship deployment and itineraries. The season's highlight was the introduction of the chartered ship Ocean Discoverer .

American Queen (on Lower Mississippi) has scheduled for 2023 a total of 28 departures on itineraries between Memphis and New Orleans. American Duchess (on Ohio River) has scheduled for 2023 a total of 6 itineraries between Louisville KY and Pittsburgh PA .

American Countess operates on Mississippi River (between Minneapolis-Saint Paul MN and New Orleans) and on Ohio-Cumberland-Tennessee rivers. American Empress (Pacific Northwest USA/March 23 thru November 26, 2023) operates 9-day itineraries between Portland OR and Spokane WA ( Vancouver WA and Clarkston WA ).

Ocean Discoverer's Maiden Voyage (May 12, 2023) is planned as a repositioning cruise from Puerto Caldera (Puntarenas, Costa Rica) to San Diego CA . The inaugural 2023 season is based on 11-12-day Alaskan itineraries Sitka AK - Vancouver BC and Sitka- Seattle . Ocean Victory's Alaska 2023 program (between Vancouver BC and Sitka AK) also offers seasonal relocation cruises between Puntarenas and San Diego.

The sisterships Ocean Voyager/ex Victory 1 and Ocean Navigator/ex Victory 2 have scheduled for 2023 itineraries (11- to 16-days long) leaving from homeports Chicago, Toronto, Detroit, Montreal. The itinerary's call ports include Marquette, Mackinaw Island, Sault-Ste Marie (Soo Locks passing), Savannah, Charleston, Fernandina Beach FL. Ocean Navigator also operates in the Western Caribbean (Yucatan Mexico) with roundtrips out of Cozumel .

In 2023 is scheduled the introduction of AQV's new 23-day itinerary "Grand Ohio and Upper Mississippi Rivers" (ship American Countess) departing from Minneapolis on July 24th and ending in Pittsburgh. The reverse 23-day itinerary leaves from Pittsburgh on August 14th. The new route features 1772 mi/2850 km of river cruising and visiting 19x port cities in 10x states - MN (Red Wing), WI (La Crosse), IA (Dubuque, Bettendorf, Burlington), MO (Hannibal, St Louis, Kimmswick, Cape Girardeau), KY (Paducah, Henderson, Owensboro, Brandenburg, Louisville), IN (Madison), OH (Cincinnati), KY (Maysville), WV (Point Pleasant), GA (Marietta).

AQV cruise itineraries 2024

In mid-December 2021 were announced details on AQV's 2024 program, marking it the company's ever furthest (3 years in advance) season open for booking.

"American Queen Voyages River" 2024 season is on the Lower Mississippi (between New Orleans and Memphis) and based on the boats Duchess, Countess and Queen. The three boats also sail on the rivers Ohio and Cumberland.

"American Queen Voyages Lakes and Ocean" itineraries are along the USA-Canada coasts, America's Great Lakes , Yucatan Mexico. Signature cruisetours visit Niagara Falls, Chicago, Martha's Vineyard Island , Bar Harbor, Newport.

"American Queen Voyages Expedition" 2024 Alaskan season (company's third and brand's second) is based on two newbuilds - Ocean Victory (2021) and Ocean Discoverer (2023).

American Queen Voyages related cruise news

American Countess and American Duchess to be scrapped by ACL-American Cruise Lines

The future of 4 out of 6 former AQV-American Queen Voyages ships has been decided. Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator will return to sailing the...

ACL-American Cruise Lines acquires 4 paddlewheelers/riverboats from AQV-American Queen Voyages

ACL-American Cruise Lines has completed the acquisition of all four paddlewheelers previously belonging to the AQV-American Queen Voyages fleet...

American Queen Steamboat Company (American Queen Voyages/AQV) ceased operations

On February 20, 2024, (at 5 pm Indiana time/12:00 UTC) American Queen Steamboat Company LLC (which operates under the travel brand American...

AQV-American Queen Voyages cancels February sailings due to operational concerns

AQV-American Queen Voyages has announced the cancellation of several sailings scheduled for February. The decision stems from an unforeseen...

Fire breaks out on AQV's Ocean Navigator cruise ship in Portland ME

During a scheduled stop in Portland Maine, the 2001-built Ocean Navigator ship, operated by AQV-American Queen Voyages, faced an unexpected incident...

AQV's ship Ocean Voyager is the last to dock in Escanaba Michigan

The final docking of an AQV-American Queen Voyages ship in Escanaba (Michigan USA) occurred on October 2, marking the conclusion of the 2023 season...

AQV-American Queen Voyages launches new 5- and 6-day itineraries for 2024

Renowned River and Expedition cruise line, AQV-American Queen Voyages, has just announced the launch of new 5- and 6-day itineraries starting in...

Port Thunder Bay (Ontario Canada) to host 15 cruise ship calls in 2023

In season 2023, Thunder Bay (Ontario, Canada) is set to accommodate 15 cruise ship visits, a double increase compared to the 9 calls it handled in...

AQV-American Queen Voyages cancels Great Lakes cruises, sells Ocean Navigator and Voyager ships

American Queen Voyages (AQV) has unveiled its plans to shift its focus to river cruises, implementing a series of changes and updates that will...

Viking River Cruises kicks off stops in Greenville (Mississippi)

Viking River Cruises USA will commence stops in Greenville (Mississippi) this Friday, February 24th, bringing thousands of vacationers over a period...

•   show more news

“Traveling on the American Queen is something that some have dreamed about all their life. Our hope is that when you leave our boat, you’ve gotten to see these uniquely American experiences here on the river. Nothing beats sitting on a rocker, allowing the breeze to blow through your hair and watching the sun set.”

Ryan Faino The American Queen Cruise Director

There is no more authentic way to explore the Mississippi River than on a steam-driven paddlewheeler like the American Queen. Cruising the Mighty Mississippi takes viewers along for an unforgettable trip aboard the largest paddle-wheeler ever built from Memphis to New Orleans, stopping at many charming and historic southern towns along the way.

The half-hour public television program documents the on-board experience and the many off-boat excursions of the eight-day river journey. Viewers are treated to the magnificent scenery, local culture, food, music and fascinating history that makes this riverboat journey through America’s heartland such a unique adventure.

Even before passengers board the American Queen to begin the cruise, they explore the departure city of Memphis. Music is the heart and soul of Memphis, from Elvis’ Graceland to Beale Street, the home of the blues. “Memphis is a city that you can’t just read about in books,” says Carolyn Michael-Banks, owner of A Tour of Possibilities. “You have to feel it.”

After departing Memphis, follow along as the American Queen stops at a number of Mississippi River towns. One of the most anticipated stops is Vicksburg and a visit to the Vicksburg National Military Park, site of a pivotal battle of the Civil War. The military park has more than 1300 monuments, making it one of the greatest collections of outdoor art in the country. It also has the largest Civil War cemetery in the country, with 17,000 Union soldiers buried there.

Another stop is Natchez, the oldest town on the Mississippi River. Chef, cookbook author, and restaurateur Regina Charboneau welcomes passengers from the American Queen into her home where they learn the secret to her famous butter biscuits and enjoy a home-cooked lunch.

In Baton Rouge, passengers explore the Louisiana state capital and the many highlights of the LSU Rural Life Museum. They also join the Cajun Pride Swamp Tour with veteran bayou captain Thomas Billiott. “We’re going to see alligators all over,” Billiott assures visitors. He captivates passengers with a show-and-tell featuring some of the “creepy things” found in the swamp.

The program celebrates the American Queen, the largest paddlewheeler ever built. “What most guests want,” says chief engineer Tim Daly, “is the authenticity of the paddle wheel, to get that sense of being back in time.” The six-deck boat offers many amenities including a fine dining restaurant, quality nightly entertainment, and plenty of spaces to relax and contemplate the passing river. “Everybody comes for the Mighty Mississippi,” says John Waggoner, founder and CEO of the American Queen Steamboat Company. “And what we want you to do is sit in a rocking chair, watch the river go by and relax.”

Cruising the Mighty Mississippi , produced by WNED-TV, Buffalo/Toronto and Driftwood Productions, Inc., allows viewers to vicariously experience an unforgettable journey on the lower Mississippi aboard the iconic American Queen.

Contact your local public television station to see when the program is scheduled to air in your area.

American Queen Steamboat Company

Cruising the Mighty Mississippi

American Queen Voyages shuts down, cancels future cruises amid reported service issues

American Queen Voyages has shut down.

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.

The message directed listeners to www.aqvrefunds.com “to begin the refund process,” and said they could find more information at www.aqvinfo.com .

"Despite our best efforts, demand for overnight cruises has not recovered following the pandemic, and AQV has become financially unsustainable," a guest FAQ section on the second website reads. "We thank you for your support and deeply regret any inconvenience this causes you."

No ships were sailing at the time of the closure. Adam Peakes, president of the line's owner Hornblower Group, said it plans to "sell the company, or, if a sale cannot be achieved, its operations will be wound down."

"Please know this decision was not made lightly," he said in an emailed statement shared with USA TODAY. "We are deeply proud of our employees and crew for the outstanding services they have provided our guests over the years. As the backbone of the AQV experience we extend our deepest appreciation to our team for their unwavering commitment, passion and hard work, which has been exceptional. We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our guests, partners, agents and the local communities where we call who have each been integral to our journey."

Your cruise was canceled: Now what?

The news comes after the line reportedly canceled three season-opening sailings set to take place on the Mississippi River later this month, attributing the changes to an extended layup schedule. Multiple industry groups previously suspended sales of American Queen Voyages cruises because of service issues, including delayed commission payments, Travel Weekly reported in January.

The line began sailing as American Queen Steamboat Company in 2011 and was rebranded as American Queen Voyages in 2021 after merging with Victory Cruise Lines.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

This 23-day Cruise Takes You to 10 States on Some of the Most Scenic Rivers in the U.S.

American Queen Voyages announced its longest-ever itinerary, sailing from Minneapolis to Pittsburgh, aboard the 245-passenger American Countess .

American Queen Voyages is launching its longest-ever itinerary next year, which will spend nearly three weeks sailing from Minneapolis to Pittsburgh.

The company will kick off the 23-day journey on July 24, 2023, on the American Countess , the cruise line shared with Travel + Leisure . The ship will sail more than 1,700 miles from Minnesota down the Ohio River and Upper Mississippi River , calling on more ports and offering more guided tours than ever before.

The ship will then turn around and sail back north from Pittsburgh on Aug. 14, 2023.

"Guests have made the 16-day Mighty Mississippi voyage between Minneapolis (Red Wing) and New Orleans one of our most popular itineraries, and we are pleased to reveal an even more immersive itinerary sailing to Pittsburgh that now incorporates the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers," Isis Ruiz, the chief commercial officer of American Queen Voyages , said in a statement provided to T+L.

Travelers who board the cruise will pass through 10 different states and explore cities like La Crosse , Wisconsin ; St. Louis ; Louisville; and Cincinnati .

Travelers can visit the baseball field from the movie " Field of Dreams " in Dubuque, Iowa, learn all about the art of quilting at The National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky, visit the 1867 house of the Anheuser family in Kimmswick, Missouri, and even board a Coast Guard-approved jet boat in Madison, Indiana, to explore the river.

The American Countess , first christened in 2020, is American Queen Voyages' newest riverboat and can host 245 passengers on board. It features a grand lobby bar, a gym, a theater, and more.

The trip, which can be booked online , includes a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay, unlimited group tours, unlimited drinks, and unlimited Wi-Fi.

American Queen Voyages sails river cruises, lake, and ocean cruises, as well as expedition voyages to Alaska. To sail with the company right now, all guests and crew must be fully vaccinated, according to the cruise line , though taking a COVID-19 test prior to boarding is no longer required.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram .

Related Articles

Protect Your Trip »

The 7 best mississippi river cruises for 2024.

Explore the history, culture and cuisine of the U.S. while cruising along the Mighty Mississippi.

The Best Mississippi River Cruises

Courtesy of American Cruise Lines

The more than 2,300-mile Mississippi River invites travelers to discover its multifaceted heritage, with a vast range of deeply rooted culture, music and history. A cruise is a fantastic way to discover many of the riverfront cities on a single trip, from the comfort of your modern riverboat or traditional paddle-wheeler.

The following Mississippi River cruise itineraries can help you choose from cruises of various lengths and options for the Lower and Upper Mississippi. Note that all fares are listed as double occupancy (based on two people per cabin), and that they might not reflect taxes, port fees or gratuities. The itinerary availability listed is also subject to change.

American Cruise Lines

Courtesy of American Cruise Lines | www.AmericanCruiseLines.com

American Cruise Lines operates small ships accommodating between 90 and 180 passengers that are built, flagged and crewed in the U.S. – and it's the only company in the world operating a 100% U.S.-flagged fleet of riverboats and cruise ships. ACL's itineraries traverse waterways across 35 states, with 11 itineraries dedicated to the Mississippi River. Cruisers can choose to sail on modern riverboats with a sleek interior design or while away their time aboard classic paddle-wheelers reminiscent of days gone by.

ACL offers variety as well as versatility: This line boasts both the longest and shortest sailings on this list with cruises ranging from eight to 60 days in length, including The Great United States. This inaugural 60-day voyage spans four major rivers and 20 states, making it the longest U.S. river cruise in history.

Complimentary hotel and transportation packages are available from every departure city before your cruise. You can book certain premium packages for added perks, such as two nights spent next door to Graceland in Memphis – with VIP tickets and a city tour included in the price.

Music Cities Cruise

Length: Eight days Price: Starts at $3,610 per person

Spend a week getting lost in the sounds of the Memphis blues, rock 'n' roll and country music legends on the seven-night Music Cities Cruise. A hotel stay the night before your sailing is included, but embarking in Memphis means you also have the chance to splurge on a two-night pre-cruise package near Elvis' former home Graceland .

Ports of call include Paducah, Kentucky; Dover, Tennessee; and Clarksville, Tennessee, with an overnight in Nashville and an included excursion to a show at the Grand Ole Opry. Two scenic sailing days feature picturesque views of America's Heartland along the Mississippi, Ohio and Cumberland rivers as well as Lake Barkley.

2024 dates: In 2024, there are two available itineraries in September and November.

Grand Heartland Cruise: St. Paul to New Orleans

Length: 15 days Price: Starts at $9,455 per person

This 15-day voyage allows you to explore America's rich history in towns along the Upper and Lower Mississippi River. The immersive voyage covers six states and 12 cities including St. Paul, Minnesota ; Dubuque, Iowa; St. Louis, Missouri ; Memphis, Tennessee; Natchez, Mississippi; Baton Rouge, Louisiana ; and more.

Take a step back in time while visiting Mark Twain's boyhood home in Hannibal, exploring stately historic estates in Natchez and Civil War sites in Vicksburg. At the end of a busy day ashore, you'll have plenty to chat about with fellow passengers during the evening cocktail hour.

2024 dates: American Heritage – ACL's traditional paddle-wheeler – and three modern riverboats set off on this journey from August to October in 2024.

Complete Mississippi River Cruise: New Orleans to St. Paul

Length: 22 days Price: Starts at $14,935 per person

If you want to see the entire Mississippi in one shot, check out this multiweek sailing that begins in New Orleans and ends in St. Paul, Minnesota. Along the way, you'll sail 1,393 miles, visit 10 states and experience a staggering 20 ports of call as you tour Louisiana and then head northbound to Minnesota.

In the South, walk the battlefields of the Civil War and sample delicious Southern barbecue before listening to the rhythms of jazz, the blues and rock 'n' roll. Then, explore the small and larger cities along the upper parts of the river. Remember to take time to gaze out at the picturesque scenery and the rolling farmlands of America's Midwest before disembarking in St. Paul.

2024 dates: Three of ACL's modern riverboats sail this itinerary in May, June and August in 2024.

The Great United States

Length: 60 days Price: Starts at $51,000

This two-month long journey – the longest domestic itinerary ever created – will check all the boxes for U.S. history and Civil War buffs, music and nature lovers, culinary enthusiasts, and beer and distilled spirits aficionados alike as the ship traverses America's iconic waterways through 20 states and 50 ports of call.

This epic journey showcases the natural beauty and living history of the U.S. from sea to shining sea. The sailing embarks in Portland, Oregon , on the Pacific Coast before traveling east to the Atlantic shore along four major rivers that highlight some of the country's most stunning coastlines. Upon arrival in New York Harbor, guests will have an unforgettable view of one of the most iconic landmarks in the U.S.: the Statue of Liberty .

Passengers can follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark along the Snake and Columbia rivers; cruise along Ol' Man River in search of Mark Twain and Elvis; see the vibrant colors of fall during peak season on the Hudson River; and take in the coastal breezes (and fresh seafood) along New England's rocky coastline.

This curated adventure also includes two flights: Jackson, Wyoming , to New Orleans as well as St. Paul to Portland, Maine , plus a land package through Glacier , Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. All-inclusive pricing covers the pre-cruise hotel stay, all flights and hotels between cruise segments, an ACL jacket and gear pack, daily excursions, all meals and beverages, gratuities and port charges, entertainment, and Wi-Fi.

2024 dates: The inaugural cruise sets sail on August 16, 2024.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks Newsletter

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

Viking River Cruises

Courtesy of Viking

Viking is no stranger to sailing Europe's rivers; the brand is synonymous with river cruising worldwide aboard its dozens of ships. However, Viking River Cruises is a newcomer to U.S. rivers, with its purpose-built ship: the 386-passenger Viking Mississippi. Looking to carve out its own niche in the American river cruising category, Viking claims it has the region's "first truly modern cruise ship" with its distinct Scandinavian design and expansive top sun deck with an infinity plunge pool.

Viking's mostly all-inclusive fares include a complimentary excursion in each port, destination lectures and performances, beer and wine at meals, free Wi-Fi, specialty coffees and teas, and more. The line offers five itineraries ranging in length from eight to 22 days along the Mighty Mississippi. Pre- and post-cruise extensions can be added to all voyages for an additional expense.

New Orleans & Southern Charms: Round-trip from New Orleans

Length: Eight days Price: Starts at $3,999 per person

If you don't know which Viking Mississippi itinerary to choose, start here. A round-trip voyage from New Orleans is convenient for booking flights and offers an excellent opportunity to extend your stay in NOLA. Six guided tours are included across eight days, from the historic estates of Natchez to Vicksburg National Military Park. A stop in St. Francisville gives you the chance to marvel at some of the 140-plus buildings it has on the National Register of Historic Places.

If you extend your stay in New Orleans, plan to sample the local Creole cuisine and take in some of the city's nightly jazz entertainment. In the morning, grab a beignet and a steaming cup of chicory coffee au lait at the original Café du Monde in the French Market.

2024 dates: This itinerary is available on select dates in February, November and December.

Heart of the Delta: New Orleans to Memphis

Length: Nine days Price: Starts at $4,299 per person

Similar to its round-trip New Orleans Southern Charms itinerary, the Heart of the Delta cruise begins in New Orleans and calls on the same five ports, before sailing through the Lower Mississippi and disembarking in Memphis. Enjoy scenic views of the serpentine river route – perhaps with expert commentary or a local cooking demonstration – and then take time to explore the birthplace of the Memphis blues, which is also a center of civil rights history.

2024 dates: In 2024, this cruise is available in February, March, April, May, June and November.

America's Great River: St. Paul to New Orleans

Length: 15 days Price: Starts at $12,999 per person

This Viking voyage sails from St. Paul to New Orleans on a two-week trip that calls on 13 ports with one day of scenic sailing. This itinerary combines the best of Viking's other Mississippi sailings for an all-encompassing Midwestern and Southern experience with 12 guided tours.

Included in the fare is a tour of Graceland; a stroll through small-town Burlington, Iowa, to see Snake Alley, deemed the most crooked street in the world; and a visit to the National Eagle Center of Red Wing, among others. For an additional fee, hop on an airboat ride through the Atchafalaya Swamp in Baton Rouge or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery of St. Louis.

2024 dates: Viking has availability for this itinerary in July, September and October.

Want to cruise the Mississippi River? See the top cruises on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

You may have seen riverboat gambling ships or are at least familiar with riverboat gambling along U.S. waterways. However, while high rolling on the river sounds like an exciting way to spend a night (or two, or more) while on your riverboat cruise, you'll have to jump ship to play the slots, roll the dice, spin the wheel or play a hand of Texas Hold 'em. Gambling on cruise ships sailing on internal waters is prohibited by U.S. law.

Gambling on boats in the U.S. is a complicated matter. While you will find some ships sailing along American waterways that are only set up for gambling, they are not carrying passengers from port to port. Most vessels that feature riverboat gambling are now moored, offering sports betting, table games, entertainment, live music and dancing while tethered to shore.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, paddle-wheelers on America's waterways, and an 18-stateroom river ship on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. Most recently, she traveled on a small luxury expedition vessel in Antarctica and crossed the notorious Drake Passage twice. She covers the travel and culinary industries, specializing in cruises, for major publications including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top River Cruise Lines
• The Top All-Inclusive Cruises
• Cruise Packing List Essentials
• The Top Cruise Insurance Plans

Vacation Ideas for Every Traveler

Tags: Travel , Cruises

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

The 27 most haunted hotels in america.

Alissa Grisler Sept. 16, 2024

Top Indoor Water Park Resorts

Holly Johnson and Amanda Norcross Sept. 16, 2024

Adults-Only All-Inclusive Mexico Resorts

Sept. 13, 2024

Romantic Getaways in Texas

Marisa Méndez Sept. 13, 2024

The Best NYC Food Tours

Ann Henson Sept. 12, 2024

The Best Tower of London Tours

Laura French Sept. 11, 2024

Romantic Getaways in Florida

Alissa Grisler and Gwen Pratesi Sept. 9, 2024

The Best Weekend Getaways From NYC

Alissa Grisler and Jessica Colley Clarke Sept. 5, 2024

The Best Beach Resorts in the World

Sept. 5, 2024

The Best Rome Food Tours

Laura Itzkowitz Sept. 4, 2024

First impressions of a US river cruise on American Queen

Note: American Queen Voyages ceased operations in February 2024, following financial difficulties stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Booked passengers seeking refunds can request them by filling out a form on the dedicated website American Queen Voyages set up to handle claims.

I've taken several river cruises in my time as a cruise writer, but until this summer, they were all on foreign rivers like the Rhine and the Mekong. I thought I knew what to expect on U.S.-based American Queen river cruises — I researched the ports, pored over facts about the boat and even looked up local attractions in advance — but nothing prepared me for the sheer splendor of seeing American Queen Voyages' most iconic vessel in person.

My first glimpse of the boat in the wild (or, rather, docked in Pittsburgh, on the Ohio River near Acrisure Stadium, where the Steelers play) left me impressed. Not only was it a lot bigger than I expected, but it immediately made me feel like I had stepped back in time — or, perhaps, onto a ride at Disney World.

A quintessential American paddlewheel steamboat, American Queen looks every bit the part. Its crisp white exterior, bright red paddlewheel and black smokestacks topped with festive crowns befitting a queen complete the picture of grandeur. Wherever the boat goes, it draws curious, awestruck stares, and locals line up along the riverbanks to greet it when it arrives and wave goodbye when it leaves.

From its lacy gingerbread trim to its shrill-but-wholesome calliope music, the boat evokes an air of southern Gilded Age luxury so strong I fully expected to bump into Mark Twain in one of the onboard lounges.

Here's what I loved and what I didn't during my voyage.

What I loved

The boat's size.

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. But the low capacity meant most areas didn't feel crowded.

Another pleasant result was that we frequently ran into the same people over and over again, which added to the jovial and somewhat familial onboard vibe.

The ports of call

While ocean vessels often focus on large cities or beachy destinations, the small towns found along American rivers are replete with charm and hospitality that are hard to come by elsewhere. The locals I met were exceptionally welcoming, and American Queen's daily tour schedule directed me to hidden-gem attractions I might have otherwise overlooked.

Free for the vessel's passengers in all ports, buses run along a predetermined route at regular 15- or 30-minute intervals. Designated stops along the way feature points of interest where passengers can hop off for a visit before catching the next bus to another attraction or back to the boat.

Highlights for me included the Schroeder Saddletree Factory Museum — where a local family spent two generations making the inner frames for horse saddles — and the historic mansions in Madison, Indiana, as well as the Augusta Distillery in Augusta, Kentucky. There, we deviated from the suggested activities and stopped in for an excellent tasting where we were allowed to draw or "thief" our own bourbon from barrels where it was aging.

The focus is largely on smaller stops, but that doesn't mean there aren't big cities on the list, too. The most powerful place I visited was the Underground Railroad Museum during our call on Cincinnati. Exhibits covered everything from the history of slavery to modern-day human trafficking and implicit bias. It was a sobering look at the amount of work we still have left to do.

As I grow older, I've noticed I prefer to slow down a bit when I cruise. 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. I found plenty of ways to relax, from joining low-key hosted trivia and doing self-led puzzles during the day to listening to live music at night.

I spent many an evening on the boat's outer decks, taking in the sights from passing towns, riverside factories and locks, which often left mere inches on either side of the vessel during transit.

While ashore, I enjoyed leisurely strolls along the riverbank whenever I wasn't lazily making my way between points of interest.

The slower, more relaxed pace helped me to maximize my enjoyment because I felt like I was able to be in the moment instead of thinking about where I had to be next. Because I was traveling with my dad on our first father-daughter trip , that was especially important to me.

The historical elements

The entire American Queen experience — from the ship's exterior design and interior furnishings to the history of the places we visited — evokes the mid to late 1800s. Although it has backup engines that help with maneuvering, American Queen boasts a large wooden paddlewheel that's powered by a pair of 90-year-old steam engines rescued from a retired steamboat.

Elements like a steam-powered calliope (which one of the onboard musicians plays several times on each cruise, usually during sailaways) and the J.M. White Dining Room with its serious New Orleans ambiance add to the feeling of authenticity throughout.

Additionally, the lounges and cabins are largely furnished with antiques that fit with the time period the boat represents. My personal favorite is the Mark Twain Gallery, a rich, warm, dark lounge that's great for working, reading, lounging with a cup of coffee or anachronistically checking email at the provided bank of computers. Bonus: Display cases filled with antique oddities flank both sides of the lounge, and the windows in between offer both cozy seating alcoves and views into the dining room below.

A resident "riverlorian" — a historian who is well-versed in the history of the rivers on which the vessel sails — also gives several talks during each voyage. Ours provided lots of fun facts about the efficiency and capacity of cargo riverboats, which far exceed those of semi-trucks and trains.

The outdoor spaces

True to its name, the Front Porch — the boat's main outdoor lounge area — was just that but on a grand scale. 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.

When we were underway, I spent a lot of time there, either writing or reading. Plus, with the Front Porch Cafe buffet attached, it was easy to enjoy alfresco lunch or dinner, weather permitting.

Other great areas included the River Bar, which affords spectacular views of the paddlewheel in action (but beware of the calliope, which is extremely loud and will startle you if you're not expecting it) and the boat's two sun deck areas — one near the plunge pool and one just outside the Chart Room.

Also, keep your eye out for hidden outdoor areas that will allow you to view the paddlewheel up-close.

The surprises

Hidden outdoor areas aren't the only surprises on American Queen sailings.

I thoroughly enjoyed poking around the vessel and discovering new areas, including The Theater, which is used only a few times per voyage to show movies.

I'm also a fan of the Engine Room Bar, where I enjoyed nightly music and views of the boat's paddlewheel. But the secret lies behind a door in the bar with a sign that's barely noticeable. Pop inside, and you can make your way down to the engine room, which is open to passengers interested in learning more about how the vessel operates.

Another surprise came when I stumbled on a series of doors in the same hallway that leads to the Engine Room Bar. On each was a list of cabin numbers, indicating that my cabin — 505, an open-veranda suite — had access to the Grand Saloon's private balcony boxes. As a result, my dad and I had fantastic views of the shows we saw there.

However, the quirkiest surprise was that, at least once during every voyage, passengers are allowed to play the calliope. Under the guidance of the boat's pianist — calliope keys are similar to keys you'd find on a piano — any cruiser who was able to play at least five notes would receive a certificate from the captain, declaring them official calliopists.

What needs work

The staffing issues.

I would be remiss if I didn't start this section by saying that every crew member I met on the sailing was friendly, helpful and eager to please. They always gave me passing smiles, waves and greetings, no matter how busy they were, and it was obvious they were all working hard.

Like the rest of the U.S. hospitality industry, American Queen Voyages acknowledged that it is experiencing staffing shortages. Most of the things that could have been improved on my American Queen sailing were likely caused by a lack of workers. With more crew, they are almost certain to disappear.

The day I boarded, I couldn't help but notice that the back of the boat was looking kind of dingy. I saw quite a bit of dirt and grime around the paddlewheel area, with the red paint on the wheel itself looking faded. That night, while I was outside watching the stars as we sailed, I noticed the outer decks were overrun by an alarming number of spiders and their webs.

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. (I'm unsure if it was part of the regular schedule, but I suspect it might have had to do with the fact that John Waggoner, the line's founder and chairman, was booked on the next voyage.) The engine room crew also worked diligently to repair paddlewheel boards and power wash the structure to restore the wheel to its bright red color before our cruise was up.

Another place where the experience fell short was the onboard dining. Overall, the food was decent. I'm a picky eater, but on American Queen I was able to find something I enjoyed at every meal. However, on the second morning, during breakfast, I cut into my pancakes and was dismayed when raw batter oozed out.

Not wanting to make a big deal about it (particularly because we arrived 15 minutes prior to the closing time), I didn't say anything. Our waitress, who was experienced enough to see there was a problem without my saying a word, sent the head waiter over to ask what was wrong. I quietly told him, and he apologized, stressing that passengers should always speak up so the crew can do better next time.

That same head waiter sat us every night at dinner and always made sure we had what we needed. However, by the final night of the sailing, he looked frazzled and exhausted. All of the waitstaff did.

In fact, we hardly saw our dinner waiter. Every night, he greeted us, took our orders and brought each course, but there was virtually no following up in between courses to see how we were doing. I expect he was too busy juggling a large number of tables to have time to check in routinely with any of them.

One of our last nights at dinner, about halfway through, we noticed broken glass on the table. It's obvious something broke before we sat down. It was cleaned up, but why the table setting wasn't changed is a mystery. We did alert our waiter before we left, just so he wouldn't cut himself while cleaning up.

I found little requests were often met with lackluster service, too. My dad loves a banana with his breakfast each morning. On days when they weren't immediately available at the buffet, he would ask for one. It wasn't a problem until one morning when a particularly haggard waiter went to grab one for us and came back a few minutes later with an apology that he "just can't find them right now."

There were other incidents, too. From our cabin, per instructions from the in-room literature, we called the front desk twice to request an ironing board, which never showed up. Neither did our room service breakfast order, despite our having put the menu card outside our door well before the deadline the previous night. We didn't pursue the ironing board further and instead simply wore rumpled clothes to dinner, but a call to the front desk about the breakfast meant food showed up at our door within 20 minutes.

These are, of course, small niggles that didn't greatly affect my enjoyment of the cruise overall. But, for such a luxurious ship, they were a bit unexpected and certainly not reflective of an experience that starts at about $3,000 per person for weeklong cruise.

It's impossible to talk about the heyday of riverboating without also broaching some painful subjects. While wealthy, white travelers were busy enjoying themselves on riverboats up and down U.S. waterways in the early part of the 1800s, enslaved people fought for freedom throughout the country — particularly in the pre-Civil War south.

With that in mind, the fact that — even on my recent 2022 sailing — American Queen's onboard guest population is predominantly white while the crew is predominantly Black struck me as particularly poignant.

When I asked about the line's demographics, a representative from American Queen Voyages told me that the company is actively looking to expand its customer reach.

"Like all cruise lines, we are always seeking guests new to cruise and new to U.S. river cruising," said Michael Hicks, a spokesperson for American Queen Voyages.

AQV also prides itself on hiring from the local communities along the rivers it travels. Given that American Queen usually sails the Mississippi and hires from the surrounding communities, many of its employees are Black.

"American Queen Voyages riverboat crew members come from across the United States," Hicks said. "An emphasis is placed on hiring from port partner cities, including St. Louis, Memphis, Cincinnati and New Orleans, as well as regional communities including Jackson, Mississippi; Metairie, Louisiana; and Owensboro, Kentucky."

Additionally, the line is working with local groups in the places it visits in order to make sure programming is historically accurate, even if it means telling stories that are sobering and difficult to hear.

"American Queen Voyages works with the ports [it visits] to select and curate experiences that tell the full history of destinations," said Hicks. "These include such rich and immersive experiences as the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati; the Hotel Metropolitan in Paducah, Kentucky; The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Cleveland, Mississippi; the Mississippi Delta Chinese Heritage Museum in Terrene Landing, Mississippi; and the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture in Natchez, Mississippi.

"We are continually working with convention and visitors bureaus and [using] these organizations' local expertise to improve, as well as provide new and diverse experiences for our guests."

For some reason, the boat's garbage is stored forward on the main deck, where it sits in open dumpsters outside. My cabin, which was four decks up, was almost directly above it. 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.

One suggestion for fixing this would be to store the trash below deck or move it to an outdoor area at the back of the boat, where the wind would blow the smell back over the wake instead of into passenger areas.

The environmental impacts

In general, cruises aren't known for being particularly environmentally friendly, but at a time when other lines are making a big deal of becoming more fuel efficient and cutting back on single-use products — particularly plastics — I was surprised by some of what I saw on American Queen.

First, it's important to acknowledge that paddlewheel vessels are less fuel efficient than boats that operate with more modern engines. Part of the charm of American Queen is the paddlewheel itself, so some allowances are made by default. A bit of fuel efficiency is sacrificed in the name of nostalgia.

However, the line could try harder to make some smaller things greener. These were most noticeable in the boat's Front Porch Cafe buffet area, where plastic spoons and paper bowls were the only options available next to the soft-serve ice cream machine, and paper cups with plastic lids were put out for beverages, rather than reusable cups, glasses or mugs that could be washed between uses.

The other experience that made me cringe was when I boarded one of the line's free charter buses for a ride to town during one of our port stops. I was one of five people on a bus built for 50. It struck me as super wasteful. It's likely the ship has no way of knowing how many people will need the buses later in the day, but perhaps smaller vehicles could be considered as alternatives after the initial passenger rush dies down.

Bottom line

American Queen is a beautiful boat that allows modern-day travelers to experience some of what life on the rivers might have been like 200 years ago. It's an impressive ode to history, complete with comfortable and richly furnished accommodations, great service, delicious food and visits to some of America's small towns. Although American Queen Voyages, like the rest of the domestic travel market, is still struggling with staffing issues, the experience was superior overall.

The cruise experience is largely geared toward older travelers, but that shouldn't stop younger vacationers from checking it out. Anyone who has an appreciation for relaxation, old-timey vibes and the Americana associated with tiny riverside towns will likely enjoy a sailing on American Queen.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Matador Original Series

This over-the-top river cruise is the all-american trip you need to take.

F ew things feel more like a Southern cliché than sitting on a rocking chair with a glass of ice-cold sweet tea while looking at the Mississippi River from the deck of a paddlewheel steamboat. And I, a French, along with my partner, a Canadian, embraced it wholeheartedly. To add another layer of Americana, it was July 5, and the vessel, the iconic American Queen, and most of its passengers were still festooned in red, white, and blue the day after the Fourth of July.

Photo: Jesse Adams

The American Queen, a picture-perfect 1995 recreation of a Mississippi River paddlewheel steamboat, took us from Memphis to Nashville . The full journey took nine days to cover less than 200 miles. Granted, we stopped along the way, but still, this is slow travel taken to the extreme. Obviously, nobody on board would have it any other way — we had nine days of great food, free drinks, river lectures, music, excursions, and brand-new (to us, at least) scenery to look forward to — all in a luxurious time capsule. The pilots could take it as slow as they needed.

The American Queen steamboat is not your average river cruise ship

A cruise on the Mississippi River is one thing, but a cruise on the emblematic American Queen is another deal entirely — it is undeniably the largest and fanciest steamboat ever built. Modeled after two luxurious steamboats from the 19th century (the Grand Republic for the elegant exterior, and the J.M. White for the opulent decorations and furnishings inside) the American Queen is very grand. Yet, despite the Tiffany lamps, the grand pianos, and the dress code in the main dining room, the crew and the passengers are relaxed and appreciative of the beauty of the vessel rather than stiff-necked and uncomfortable at the lavish displays.

The Mark Twain room is the most opulent room on the American Queen. Photo: Jesse Adams

The cruise company, American Queen Voyages, has three more steamboats in its fleet: the American Countess, the American Duchess, and the American Empress. And while the boats may all look the part from afar, they cannot hold a candle to the American Queen. Passengers who had journeyed on several of the company’s steamboats made clear to us that they would not cruise on any other vessel than the American Queen, and after we got a good look at the American Countess while we were anchored in the port of Paducah, Kentucky, we agreed. It looked nowhere near as dignified or as old-timey as our boat. And I must admit that our feeling of superiority and pride at sojourning on the most sumptuous vessel to ever travel on the Mississippi was certainly reinforced by the people who stood on the banks to take photographs and wave at us everywhere we went.

The rooms and amenities on the American Queen

With 222 cabins spread out over six decks, the American Queen can accommodate 417 passengers and 172 crew members. While we were on board, the vessel was filled to only a little more than 50 percent of its capacity, making for a lot of room to roam and an extremely attentive crew.

Beyond having crew members devoted to your every need and whims, the vessel itself makes passengers feel at ease all the time. The relentless heat and humidity of the South is soothed by the constant AC; the food is ever present whether you feel like having soft serve ice cream, popcorn, biscuits, tea, coffee, or cocktails throughout the day; the pool and cozy lounge chairs on deck six seem always empty, ready to welcome you; and the rooms are cleaned to perfection twice a day. If it’s a restful vacation you’re after, there are fewer better options.

On vacation aboard the American Queen, you can do lots or do very little

You’re onboard this amazing vessel to chill out, and if you wish you can do that and only that. You can sit by the pool with a cocktail all day long and book an appointment at the spa when you feel like being pampered. But if you want to get to know the region you’re traversing, there are excellent excursions just about every day.

Excursions from the American Queen are done via comfy, air-conditioned hop-on hop-off buses with knowledgeable tour guides. That said, if the vessel sets anchors close to where the excursion takes place, you’re under no obligation to ride the bus or visit the places selected, you can just walk off using the gangway and do your own thing — as long as you’re back before the deadline given to you.

Photo: Murals on the New Madrid Museum. Photo: Jesse Adams

During our trip, we stopped at Ashport Landing, Tennessee, home to Fort Pillow State Historic Park where Confederate and Union soldiers fought during the Civil War; In New Madrid, Missouri, a tiny town whose claim to fame is having suffered the biggest earthquakes in American history in the early 19th century; the fun and artsy town of Paducah, Kentucky; and the small town of Dover, Tennessee, located in Stewart County, the most armed county in the United States and home to fewer than 15,000 people (but there are 57 churches).

Not all excursions are exciting. The towns of New Madrid and Dover are small and don’t have an awful lot to offer to passing tourists, yet visiting them allows passengers to peek into how people live, which is exactly what travel is all about.

Entertainment in the Grand Saloon on the American Queen. Photo: Jesse Adams

In between excursions and tanning sessions by the pool, there’s plenty of entertainment to be had aboard the American Queen. For music, there are jazz and blues concerts in the Engine Room Bar (from where you can see the paddlewheel doing its job), piano and sing-along sessions at the Captain’s Bar, and Broadway music in the highly decorated Grand Saloon. There are also bingo games and trivia during which you can win a big wad of dollar bills or items from the gift shop.

What to eat aboard the American Queen

There’s plenty of barbecue, as to be expected on the cruise in the American South, but it’s certainly not the only appetizing offer. You can get amazing ribs and roast beef and all sorts of classic sides like mashed potatoes, grits, Coca-Cola green beans, etc. from the Front Porch Café on the third deck. Vegans and vegetarians don’t need to worry about getting their fair share of scrumptious foods: Every meal offers a vegan option, whether that be breakfast power bowls and quinoa porridge in the morning, or cauliflower steak and a creamy rich vegetable curry for dinner. Every espresso machine on board is also equipped with non-dairy milk alternatives.

And it’s the same when it comes to beverages. There’s nothing outdated about what’s on the menu. Cocktails of the day — think Americanos, Moscow mules, and bourbon punches — are announced the evening before on the daily schedule deposited on your bed at turn-down service, so you can go to sleep assured you won’t go thirsty the next day. But if you don’t feel like having the daily highlighted beverage, you can ask for whatever drinks you want and the bartender will take care of it. My partner enjoyed all the daily cocktails (and some), and I asked for virgin versions, all of which were very well executed. And remember, when you’re onboard, all the drinks are included.

All the things you don’t want to miss aboard the American Queen

The excursions, the entertainment, and the food and drinks should keep you very busy during your time aboard the American Queen. That said, there are some activities that are less flashy but that passengers would be remiss to pass on.

Try your hands at the Calliope

Every time the American Queen leaves a port, one of the on-board pianists makes his way to the River Grill bar on the fifth deck and plays the Calliope, a steam-whistle organ. It’s a very loud and unusual instrument, which you can try if you wish. Just ask the musician in charge that day and they’ll give you a couple of tips so you don’t burst anyone’s eardrums. If you’d rather just look, make sure to take a peek at the whistle pipes releasing the steam on the sixth deck.

When a lock is coming, get on the deck

Going through the Kentucky Lock aboard the American Queen. Photo: Jesse Adams

A 418-foot-long vessel going through a lock is an impressive sight. It requires a lot of skills from the pilots and the crew for the American Queen to fit in the lock and be securely tied without any accidents. But not all locks are created equal — some are fun to witness, others are mind-blowing. Take Olmsted Lock on the Lower Ohio River, between New Madrid and Paducah. It has a chamber that’s 37 feet high and the water level increases by around 30 feet inside. It’s cool to see, but you won’t lose sleep over it. Going through the Kentucky Lock, however, is eerie and claustrophobic. At the confluence between the Tennessee River and the Cumberland River, the chamber is 94-feet-high and the boat is raised by about 90 feet in less than 30 minutes. It’s freakish and you should not miss it.

When a bridge is on the horizon, make your way to the prow

The American Queen is fitted with two 109-foot-tall smokestacks topped with a crown-like design. Those stacks, as charming and old-school as they look, are made with contemporary navigating in mind. When the vessel needs to pass below a bridge, the stacks are lowered, going from vertical to fully horizontal in the blink of an eye. Keep an eye on the horizon so you’ll know when to head to the prow and see the towering stacks being lowered.

Visit the engine room

More like this

Trending now, where to play, eat, and stay in springfield, missouri, missouri knows fine dining. here’s where to eat and drink on your trip., discover matador, adventure travel, train travel, national parks, beaches and islands, ski and snow.

We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners.

For more information read our privacy policy .

Matador's Newsletter

Subscribe for exclusive city guides, travel videos, trip giveaways and more!

You've been signed up!

Follow us on social media.

Our new 2025 Brochure

Order your free copy today.