American Heritage

The 2015-built (as "American Eagle") American Heritage cruise ship (formerly "Queen of the Mississippi") is a stern-paddlewheel riverboat operated by ACL. She sails Ohio and Mississippi river cruises departing from homeports such as New Orleans, Memphis TN, St. Louis MO, and Cincinnati OH.

Following a full refurbishment and redesign in 2021-2022, Queen of the Mississippi was renamed "American Heritage." Fleetmates America (now American Splendor) and Queen of the West (now American West) underwent similar upgrades and renaming.

The vessel is USA-flagged (MMSI 367648680) and registered in Port NOLA (New Orleans).

History - Construction and Ownership

Owned by American Cruise Lines (ACL), the USA’s largest river cruise company, the brand has been operational since 1991 and is headquartered in Guilford, Connecticut. ACL specializes in voyages along America's largest inland waterways (rivers and lakes), as well as coastal cruises on the East and West Coasts and in Florida. ACL ships offer some of the industry's most spacious cabins (with private balconies), elegant lounges and public spaces, fine cuisine, complimentary excursions, and highly personalized service provided by an all-American crew.

All ACL vessels are US-flagged and built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland.

Unlike the original Queen of the Mississippi, the newer vessel has crew quarters on Deck 1 instead of Deck 5, which now features balcony cabins and suites. Most staterooms (300–600 ft²) come with private balconies, allowing for alfresco in-cabin dining. The ship’s cuisine emphasizes regional dishes, especially Cajun and Creole. Onboard amenities include lounges of various sizes, a library, a showroom, a card room, a putting green, a complimentary self-service launderette, three Internet computers, and free Wi-Fi.

The vessel was initially named "American Eagle," but ACL later reassigned the name "Queen of the Mississippi" to her, renaming the original 2012 ship "American Pride." On August 4, 2015, ACL announced the renaming and repositioning of the original vessel to the Columbia-Snake River System, replaced on the Mississippi by the new "America." A sistership entered service in 2017 and was named America (renamed American Splendor in 2022).

American Heritage shares a design with American West/Queen of the West, operating on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Both vessels have 23-ton stern paddlewheels powered by hydraulic motors connected to diesel engines. Additional Z-drive azimuth thrusters enhance maneuverability and speed.

Decks and Cabins

American Heritage has six passenger decks and accommodates 150 guests in 78 staterooms, including 6 Suites, 49 Balcony, and 22 Riverview cabins (with non-opening windows) across seven categories. All cabins have private bathrooms, windows, interior entrances, and Wi-Fi. They are among the most spacious in the river cruise industry. An all-American crew ensures a personalized guest experience.

Shipboard Facilities and Amenities

This large riverboat redefines overnight travel on America’s inland waterways. Hidden beneath its classic wooden décor is modern cruising technology that ensures a comfortable and luxurious experience.

Dining and lounge venues include: Grand Dining Salon, Natchez Lounge (entertainment), Magnolia Lounge (club), Paddlewheel Lounge (observation), Sky Lounge (observation), Upper Lounge (cards), Mark Twain Library, and the Sun Deck (Promenade area with Top Deck Café Bar, shaded seating, rocking chairs, live calliope music, putting green, and outdoor gym).

American Heritage cruise fares are per person (USD), based on double occupancy, and are subject to change depending on promotions, group bookings, or last-minute deals.

Itineraries

American Heritage offers 7-night itineraries on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, with departures from New Orleans LA, Memphis TN, Nashville TN, and St. Louis MO.

• Roundtrip Mississippi cruises from New Orleans
• Memphis to Nashville, Nashville to St. Louis, and Nashville to Memphis
• Memphis to St. Louis and vice versa, St. Louis to Cincinnati
• "Lower Mississippi River Cruise" — New Orleans to Memphis and vice versa
• "Upper Mississippi River Cruise" — St. Louis to St. Paul
• "Ohio River Cruise" — St. Louis to Pittsburgh
• "Grand Heartland Cruise" — St. Paul to New Orleans
• "Cumberland River Cruise" — Nashville to St. Louis
• "Arkansas River Cruise" between Memphis TN and Tulsa OK. It visits three ports in Oklahoma (Tulsa, Catoosa, Muskogee) and four ports in Arkansas (Fort Smith/Van Buren, Russellville, Little Rock, and Pendleton).
• "Great Smoky Mountains Cruise" itinerary runs between Knoxville TN (overnight) and Huntsville AL. It visits two ports in Alabama (Huntsville, Decatur), and five ports in Tennessee (Chattanooga, Fort Southwest Point, Pigeon Forge, Knoxville, Nashville) and features a visit to the Great Smoky Mountain NP.

Some cruises are themed, including "Food and Wine," "Fall Foliage," "American Civil War," "Music," "Savories of the South," "Mark Twain Tribute," and holiday sailings for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year.

Main U.S. departure ports:

• New Orleans LA
• Memphis TN
• St. Louis MO
• St. Paul MN
• Cincinnati OH

Ports of call (by state and county):

• Louisiana – Oak Alley (Vacherie), St. Francisville, Baton Rouge, Houmas (Burnside)
• Mississippi – Natchez, Vicksburg
• Kentucky – Columbus, Paducah, Louisville, Henderson, Maysville
• Missouri – Cape Girardeau, Hannibal
• Illinois – Chester, Cave-in-Rock
• Indiana – Madison
• Iowa – Davenport, Dubuque
• Wisconsin – La Crosse
• Minnesota – Red Wing
• Ohio – Portsmouth, Gallipolis, Marietta
• Tennessee – Dover, Clarksville, Nashville
• West Virginia – Point Pleasant, Wheeling
• Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh

ACL cruise deals include complimentary Wi-Fi, all shore excursions, flight and coach transfers, nightly live entertainment, daily expert lectures, food and beverage tastings, 24-hour coffee/tea, bottled water (replenished daily), and twice-daily room service.

Queen of the Mississippi riverboat cruises in the USA, offering a unique travel experience on a market that was once booming, later dormant, and today considered exotic—unlike any other. Mississippi River paddle boats were the "cruise ships of the old days," providing both leisure travel and cargo services in the late 1800s. However, unlike her predecessors, Queen of the Mississippi features modern amenities and comforts never before seen on these routes, including spacious cabins with private verandas and bathrooms, Wi-Fi Internet, upscale room service, elevators to all decks, complimentary shore excursions, and themed onboard entertainment.

The ship is a classic sternwheeler (paddle-wheeler) and began service on December 25, 2016. It features floor-to-ceiling sliding doors in all staterooms and offers some of the industry's most spacious cabins with private balconies, ranging from 268 to 460 ft² (25–43 m²).

By design, this paddlewheel riverboat is a sister ship to fleetmates American Pride (formerly the original "Queen of the Mississippi" / 2012) and America (2017). It is also similar to Queen of the West/American West as well as American Empress and American Queen from American Steamboat Company's fleet.

The paddlewheel is an integral part of the vessel's propulsion system. It is powered by a hydraulic motor driven by two Caterpillar marine diesel engines (CAT C32 ACERT). The paddlewheel serves as the primary propulsion unit, complemented by three Azimuth thrusters for enhanced maneuverability and cruising speed. Also known as "Z-drives", these fully submerged propulsion units can rotate 360 degrees.

Although powered by diesel engines, the Queen of the Mississippi is still often referred to as a "steamboat" due to her authentic design, modeled after the iconic 19th-century paddle steamers that sailed the Mississippi, Ohio, Columbia, and Snake rivers. These historic vessels were driven by steam engines rotating stern or side-mounted paddle wheels.

The ship operates 7-night / 8-day itineraries along the Columbia and Snake Rivers, with one-way departures from Portland, Oregon, and Clarkston, Washington.

The new Queen of the Mississippi was originally christened as "American Eagle" on April 25, 2015. The naming ceremony was held on the ship's bow and led by godmother Cheryl P. Landrieu (U.S. attorney and wife of New Orleans Mayor M. Landrieu). Attendees included American Cruise Lines CEO Charles Robertson and a cappella group Victory Belles, who performed during the event.

Following the ceremony, American Eagle departed on her 7-night Inaugural Cruise along the Lower Mississippi River, with port calls in Natchez, Vicksburg, Saint Francisville, and Vacherie. The ship was renamed in 2016.

The riverboat also features advanced water purification systems that minimize the impact of greywater discharges into the Mississippi River. The hydraulic paddlewheel at the stern works in combination with the three 360-degree rotating Z-drive azimuth thrusters for optimal propulsion and maneuvering.

Below is an infographic of the American Pride cruise ship, a sister vessel to Queen of the Mississippi and America. It offers an overview of the ship’s layout and features.

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