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American Duchess

American Duchess cruise ship
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American Queen Steamboat Company

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American Duchess Review and Specifications

Specifications of American Duchess

Year built2017  /  Age : 2
Flag state USA
BuilderNichols Brothers Boat Builders (Freeland, Whidbey Island WA)
Classpaddle-wheel steamboat
OwnerAmerican Queen Steamboat Company
OperatorAmerican Queen Steamboat Company
Speed12 kn / 22 kph / 14 mph
Length (LOA)104 m / 341 ft
Beam (width)30 m / 98 ft
Gross Tonnage3560 gt
Passengers166
Crew90
Decks4
Cabins83
Decks with cabins2
Last Refurbishment2019
Former namesIsle of Capri, Bettendorf Capri (casino boat)
Christened byMarissa Applegate

Current itinerary of American Duchess

American Duchess current cruise is 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans. Prices start from USD 1692 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 11 Feb, 2019 and ends on 19 Feb, 2019.

Date / TimePort
12 Feb     Memphis, Tennessee   
13 Feb     Greenville, Mississippi   
14 Feb     Vicksburg, Mississippi   
15 Feb     Natchez, Louisiana   
16 Feb     St Francisville, Louisiana   
17 Feb     Baton Rouge, Louisiana   
18 Feb     Nottoway Plantation, Louisiana   
19 Feb      Arriving in New Orleans, Port NOLA, Louisiana   

Review of American Duchess

American Duchess cruise ship is a paddlewheel steamboat. The vessel started operations for the shipowner American Queen Steamboat Company in 2017 (August 14), following the christening ceremony in New Orleans. The all-suite, 166-passenger riverboat became USA's first newbuild paddle-wheeler on Mississippi River.

American Duchess cruise ship

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

American Duchess cruise ship

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

Itinerary

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

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

Cabins

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

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

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

American Queen Steamboat Company cruise deals

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

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

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

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

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.

American Duchess wiki

The casino ship MS Isle of Capri was bought from "Isle of Capri Casinos Inc" in August 2016. The vessel had MMSI 367020470, length 85 m (280 ft), width 30 m (87 ft).

American Duchess riverboat's launch was delayed by 6 weeks, resulting in changes in the ship's 2017 cruise schedule. The completely renovated riverboat was launched on August 13 (2017) instead of the pre-scheduled July 1. Several of its summer 2017 Inaugural itineraries were affected.

Marissa Applegate served as the ship's godmother. She is the daughter of the cruise company's Chairman John Waggoner. The christening ceremony was on August 14, 2017, held in New Orleans. Highlights of the naming ceremony included a bottle of Maker’s Mark bourbon (instead of the traditional Champagne) and live performances by local musicians. The special event was led by godmother Marissa Applegate (daughter of John Waggoner - the Steamboat Company's Chairman).

The Inaugural Cruise on Mississippi River (23-days itinerary, August 13 - September 4) was from New Orleans (Louisiana) to Red Wing (Minnesota). Prices started from USD 7300 pp (double occupancy Interior Suite rates), inclusive of 1-night Boutique Hotel in New Orleans. The maiden voyage's ports of call were New Orleans LA (overnight hotel stay), Nottoway LA, Francisville LA, Natchez MS, Vicksburg MS, Greenville MS, Memphis TN, Ashport Landing TN, New Madrid MO, Paducah KY, Cape Girardeau MO, Chester IL, St Louis MO, Clinton IA, Dubuque IA, La Crosse WI, and Red Wing MN (overnight onboard stay).

The vessel is a retrofitted (functioning) paddle-wheeler that cost USD 2 million. Additionally, the shipowner American Queen Steamboat Company paid nearly USD 3 million for steel alone, building the hull from the ground up. Also new is the boat's propulsion.

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American Duchess Itineraries

The below listed American Duchess cruise prices on itineraries are only indicative and Per Person (in US dollars, based on double occupancy). These are the cheapest American Queen Steamboat Company fares on the ship’s lowest category cabins available for booking. Cruise fares typically change with departure dates approaching, last minute deals, discounts, promotions, independent travel agency offers.

DateCruise NameDeparture PortPrice from
2019 Jan 28 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$1692
2019 Feb 04 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$1845
2019 Feb 11 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$1692
2019 Feb 18 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$1845
2019 Feb 25 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$1692
2019 Mar 04 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$1845
2019 Mar 11 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$1692
2019 Mar 18 5 days, round-trip Roundtrip New Orleans New Orleans$1845
2019 Mar 18 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$1845
2019 Mar 18 8 days, round-trip Roundtrip New Orleans New Orleans$1845
2019 Mar 18 7 days, round-trip Roundtrip New Orleans New Orleans$1845
2019 Mar 25 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$1692
2019 Apr 01 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$1845
2019 Apr 01 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Apr 08 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Apr 15 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$1845
2019 Apr 15 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Apr 22 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Apr 29 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Apr 29 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$1845
2019 May 06 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 May 13 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$1845
2019 May 13 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 May 20 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 May 27 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$1845
2019 May 27 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Jun 03 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Jun 10 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Jun 10 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$1845
2019 Jun 17 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Jun 24 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Jun 24 22 days, one-way from New Orleans to Red Wing New Orleans$4615
2019 Jun 24 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$1845
2019 Jul 08 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$1845
2019 Jul 08 15 days, one-way from Memphis to Pittsburgh Memphis$3692
2019 Jul 22 8 days, one-way from Pittsburgh to Louisville Pittsburgh$1999
2019 Jul 29 8 days, one-way from Louisville to St Louis Louisville$1999
2019 Aug 12 15 days, one-way from Red Wing to New Orleans Red Wing$3384
2019 Aug 12 8 days, round-trip Roundtrip St. Paul Minneapolis-Saint Paul$1845
2019 Aug 19 22 days, one-way from Minneapolis-Saint Paul to New Orleans Minneapolis-Saint Paul$5384
2019 Aug 26 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$1768
2019 Sep 02 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Sep 09 5 days, round-trip Roundtrip New Orleans New Orleans$1999
2019 Sep 09 8 days, round-trip Roundtrip New Orleans New Orleans$1999
2019 Sep 09 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$2307
2019 Sep 09 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Sep 09 7 days, round-trip Roundtrip New Orleans New Orleans$1999
2019 Sep 16 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$2307
2019 Sep 16 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Sep 23 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Sep 23 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$2307
2019 Sep 30 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$2307
2019 Sep 30 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Oct 07 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$2307
2019 Oct 07 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Oct 14 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Oct 14 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$2307
2019 Oct 21 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$2307
2019 Oct 21 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Oct 28 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$2307
2019 Oct 28 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Nov 04 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$2307
2019 Nov 04 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Nov 11 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Nov 11 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$2307
2019 Nov 18 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$2307
2019 Nov 18 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Nov 25 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$2307
2019 Nov 25 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$2307
2019 Dec 02 8 days, one-way from Memphis to Nashville Memphis$1845
2019 Dec 02 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$2307
2019 Dec 09 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$2307
2019 Dec 09 8 days, round-trip Roundtrip Nashville Nashville$1845
2019 Dec 09 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$1615
2019 Dec 16 8 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis New Orleans$2307
2019 Dec 16 8 days, one-way from Nashville to Memphis Nashville$1845
2019 Dec 23 8 days, one-way from Memphis to New Orleans Memphis$1615
2019 Dec 30 5 days, round-trip Roundtrip New Orleans New Orleans$922
2019 Dec 30 8 days, round-trip Roundtrip New Orleans New Orleans$922
2019 Dec 30 7 days, round-trip Roundtrip New Orleans New Orleans$922