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American Empress

American Empress cruise ship
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American Queen Steamboat Company

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American Empress Review and Specifications

Specifications of American Empress

Year built2003  /  Age : 16
Flag state USA
BuilderNichols Brothers Boat Builders (Freeland, Washington)
Classpaddle-wheel steamboat
Building costUSD 50 million
OwnerAmerican Queen Steamboat Company
Length (LOA)110 m / 361 ft
Beam (width)18 m / 59 ft
Gross Tonnage5975 gt
Passengers223
Crew83
Decks6
Decks with cabins4
Last Refurbishment2019
Former namesEmpress of the North (Majestic America Line)
Christened byClaudette Waggoner

Current itinerary of American Empress

American Empress current cruise is 8 days, one-way from Vancouver WA to Clarkston WA. Prices start from USD 2922 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 13 May, 2019 and ends on 21 May, 2019.

Date / TimePort
14 May    Departing from Vancouver WA, Washington hotels
15 May    Astoria, Oregon
16 May    The Dalles OR, Oregon
17 May    Stevenson WA, Washington
18 May - 19 May    Richland WA, Washington(Overnight)
19 May    Richland WA, Washington
20 May - 21 May    Clarkston WA, Washington(Overnight)
21 May    Arriving in Clarkston WA, Washington hotels

Review of American Empress

American Queen Steamboat Company bought American Empress (former Empress of the North owned by Majestic America Line) in 2013 and completely renovated the vessel, launching it officially in spring 2014. This paddlewheel boat is the biggest sailing the rivers of the Pacific Northwest. The ship is similar to fleetmate American Queen, and also to American Cruise Lines vessels Queen of the Mississippi and Queen of the West.

The refurbishment of American Empress was a dramatic overhaul; all cabins and public spaces got new carpet, wallpaper, paint, lighting and general updating. The minute you step onboard, you're transported to a time when the regular sight on America's rivers were steamboats.

American Empress cruise ship

Ship's surroundings feature contemporary influences. Astoria Dining Room is light-filled with plenty of 2-tops and the newly added venue River Grill features a bistro-like experience. American Empress is often described as "a steamboat without steam", but there is no missing the iconic paddlewheel painted in red.

American Empress cruise ship

American Queen Steamboat Company cruise deals

Operated with all-inclusive cruise packages, American Empress cruisetour 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 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" are the company's set of exclusive services reserved for American Countess 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 theater / show lounge), with 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 Empress wiki

American Empress riverboat was built in the US and christened in Portland Oregon on April 5, 2014. The ship's godmother was ms Claudette Waggoner - wife of John Waggoner (Chairman and CEO of the American Steamboat Company). As flagstate, the USA flag requires all officers, crew and hotel staff on the boat to be American (US citizens).

By design, this big river cruise ship is in the "paddlewheeler" class (a classic stern paddle-wheel boat). The vessel is similar to the fleetmate American Queen, and also to the American Cruise Lines ships Queen of the Mississippi and Queen of the West. These unique riverboats feature a stern-mounted paddle wheel.

American Empress is the largest overnight river cruise boat west of Mississippi. The ship's home port is in the US - Vancouver WA (Portland metro area).

American Empress steamboat was initially built as "Empress of the North” for Majestic America Line. Following a 5-year long period out of service, the vessel was acquired in 2013 by "American Steamboat Co”. The next year Empress of the North was renamed to "American Empress”.

This cruise ship is famous for being powered by a genuine steam engine (professionally called steam plant). However, the riverboat also has a marine diesel engine as an alternative propulsion system, which is used only for better maneuverability in tight river areas or in special/emergency cases.

Just like all the onboard public rooms, all passenger staterooms are furnished with Victorian-style reproductions and antiques. All cruise cabins also feature Victorian-era wallpaper patterns, polished wood, traditional paintings.

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American Empress Itineraries

The below listed American Empress 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 Apr 29 8 days, one-way from Vancouver WA to Clarkston WA Vancouver WA $2615
2019 May 06 8 days, one-way from Clarkston WA to Vancouver WA Clarkston WA $2922
2019 May 13 8 days, one-way from Vancouver WA to Clarkston WA Vancouver WA $2922
2019 May 20 8 days, one-way from Clarkston WA to Vancouver WA Clarkston WA $2922
2019 May 27 8 days, one-way from Vancouver WA to Clarkston WA Vancouver WA $2922
2019 Jun 03 8 days, one-way from Clarkston WA to Vancouver WA Clarkston WA $2922
2019 Jun 10 8 days, one-way from Vancouver WA to Clarkston WA Vancouver WA $2922
2019 Jun 17 8 days, one-way from Clarkston WA to Vancouver WA Clarkston WA $2922
2019 Jun 24 8 days, one-way from Vancouver WA to Clarkston WA Vancouver WA $2922
2019 Jul 01 8 days, one-way from Clarkston WA to Vancouver WA Clarkston WA $2922
2019 Jul 08 8 days, one-way from Vancouver WA to Clarkston WA Vancouver WA $2922
2019 Jul 15 8 days, one-way from Clarkston WA to Vancouver WA Clarkston WA $2922
2019 Jul 22 8 days, one-way from Vancouver WA to Clarkston WA Vancouver WA $2922
2019 Jul 29 8 days, one-way from Clarkston WA to Vancouver WA Clarkston WA $2922
2019 Aug 05 8 days, one-way from Vancouver WA to Clarkston WA Vancouver WA $2922
2019 Aug 12 8 days, one-way from Clarkston WA to Vancouver WA Clarkston WA $2922
2019 Aug 19 8 days, one-way from Vancouver WA to Clarkston WA Vancouver WA $2922
2019 Aug 26 8 days, one-way from Clarkston WA to Vancouver WA Clarkston WA $2922
2019 Sep 02 8 days, one-way from Vancouver WA to Clarkston WA Vancouver WA $2922
2019 Sep 09 8 days, one-way from Clarkston WA to Vancouver WA Clarkston WA $2922
2019 Sep 16 8 days, one-way from Vancouver WA to Clarkston WA Vancouver WA $2922
2019 Sep 23 8 days, one-way from Clarkston WA to Vancouver WA Clarkston WA $2922
2019 Sep 30 8 days, one-way from Vancouver WA to Clarkston WA Vancouver WA $2922
2019 Oct 07 8 days, one-way from Clarkston WA to Vancouver WA Clarkston WA $2922
2019 Oct 14 8 days, one-way from Vancouver WA to Clarkston WA Vancouver WA $2922
2019 Oct 21 8 days, one-way from Clarkston WA to Vancouver WA Clarkston WA $2922
2019 Oct 28 8 days, one-way from Vancouver WA to Clarkston WA Vancouver WA $2922
2019 Nov 04 8 days, one-way from Clarkston WA to Vancouver WA Clarkston WA $1999
2019 Nov 10 4 days, round-trip Roundtrip Vancouver Vancouver WA $1615
2019 Nov 17 4 days, round-trip Roundtrip Vancouver Vancouver WA $1615