American Queen
Cruise line
American Queen Steamboat Company
American Queen Review and Specifications
Specifications of American Queen
| Year built | 1995 / Age : 24 |
| Flag state | USA |
| Builder | McDermott Shipyard (Houston, Texas) |
| Class | paddle-wheel steamboat |
| Building cost | USD 65 million |
| Owner | Hornblower Marine Services |
| Operator | American Queen Steamboat Company |
| Speed | 12 kn / 22 kph / 14 mph |
| Length (LOA) | 127 m / 417 ft |
| Beam (width) | 27 m / 89 ft |
| Gross Tonnage | 3707 gt |
| Passengers | 222 - 436 |
| Crew | 160 |
| Decks | 6 |
| Cabins | 222 |
| Decks with cabins | 4 |
| Last Refurbishment | 2019 |
| Christened by | Phyllis Dale |
Current itinerary / position of American Queen
American Queen current cruise is 8 days, one-way from Memphis TN to New Orleans. Prices start from USD 1768 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 09 Dec, 2019 and ends on 17 Dec, 2019.
All Itineraries Current Position| Date / Time | Port |
|---|---|
| 10 Dec | Departing from Memphis TN, Tennessee hotels |
| 11 Dec | Greenville MS, Mississippi |
| 12 Dec | Vicksburg MS, Mississippi |
| 13 Dec | Natchez MS, Mississippi |
| 14 Dec | Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| 15 Dec | St Francisville, Louisiana |
| 16 Dec | Nottoway Plantation, Louisiana |
| 17 Dec | Arriving in New Orleans, Port NOLA, Louisiana hotels |
Review of American Queen
The 436-passenger American Queen was built in 1995 for Delta Queen Steamboat Company (now defunct). This classic form of transportation on the Mississippi and its tributaries sees a continual rise in popularity. The ship is similar to fleet mate American Empress, and also to American Cruise Lines vessels Queen of the Mississippi and Queen of the West.
American Queen is the largest steamboat ever built in the world. Before relaunching in April 2012, the ship received a US$6.5 million renovation to make the Victorian decor. Cabins got new flat-screen TVs and bedding. A top-deck bar called River Grill was also added. Today, the steamboat feels much more like a historic boutique hotel than a riverboat.
American Queen cruises the Upper and Lower Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee rivers with 5- to 14-day theme cruises. Departure ports include New Orleans, St. Louis, St. Paul, Memphis and Cincinnati.
American Queen Steamboat Company cruise deals
Operated with all-inclusive cruise packages, American Queen cruise tour deals are inclusive of:
- all shore excursions (“Steamcoach Tours” by luxury motorcoaches)
- 1-night pre-cruise hotel package
- soft drinks and bottled water (offered throughout the voyage)
- wines and beers (offered at dinner only)
- 24-hour room service (menu has the standard for breakfasts fare, plus sandwiches, burgers, macaroni & cheese, fresh salmon, desserts)
- Wi-Fi Internet
- Pilot House tour (of the ship's Navigation Bridge).
- Smoking inside the cabin and on the balcony is forbidden. The only smoking-allowed area on the ship is the sun deck.
"Commodore Services" is the company's set of exclusive services reserved for American Duchess cruise passengers booking categories LFS-Loft and OS-Owner suites. The list of bonus perks (price-inclusive / complimentary privileges) includes:
- gifts (upon arrival) - fruit basket and a bottle of wine
- suite tour (upon arrival)
- priority boarding and dining arrangements
- reserved balcony seating in "The Auditorium" (boat's theatre/show lounge), with a personal escort to the reserved seats
- private reception party with the ship's Captain and Senior Officers
- personal River Butler
- unpacking, hanging the clothes in the closet, packing, laundry, pressing service, shoeshine (conditioning)
- in-cabin dining - Afternoon Tea service, Breakfast and Dinner service (on the suite's balcony, upon request), pre-dinner canapes, post-dinner sweets).
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 Queen - user reviews and comments
Other American Queen Steamboat Company cruise ships
American Queen Wiki
American Queen riverboat was built in the USA and christened in Nashville TN by Mrs Phyllis Dale. As flag state, the US flag requires all officers, crew and hotel staff on the vessel to be American (US citizens).
By design, this USA-based river cruise ship is classified as "paddle-wheeler" (paddle-wheel boat). The vessel is similar to the fleet mate American Empress, and the famous American Cruise Lines ships Queen of the Mississippi and Queen of the West. They all feature a huge, stern-mounted paddle wheel.
American Queen became second in 2012's Great Steamboat Race. First prize was for the steamboat Belle of Cincinnati.
American Queen is acknowledged to be the world's largest steamboat ever built. The ship is six-decks high and built as Mississippi riverboat replica vessel for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company (currently non-operational USA cruise line).
Just like the classic USA riverboats from the late 1800s which used to sail on the country's largest rivers (like Mississippi, Ohio, Snake, Columbia), the American Queen steamboat has a huge paddlewheel. It is a feature component of the vessel's main propulsion system. The impressive paddle wheel is driven by a hydraulic motor powered by a steam plant. Besides the paddle wheel, for better maneuverability and during emergencies, the ship uses its two Azimuth thrusters (aka Z-drives). These are modern marine propulsion units (diesel-electric propellers) mounted on either side of the stern paddlewheel. Both Z-drives are fully submerged underwater, and able to rotate at 360 degrees.
American Queen Itineraries
The below listed American Queen 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.
| Date | Cruise Name | Departure Port | Price from | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Nov 25 | 8 days, one-way from Memphis TN to New Orleans | Memphis TN | $1768 | |
| 2019 Dec 09 | 8 days, one-way from Memphis TN to New Orleans | Memphis TN | $1768 | |
| 2019 Dec 23 | 8 days, one-way from Memphis TN to New Orleans | Memphis TN | $1768 | |
| 2019 Dec 30 | 4 days, round-trip Round Trip New Orleans | New Orleans | $922 | |
| 2019 Dec 30 | 8 days, round-trip Round Trip New Orleans | New Orleans | $922 |
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