River cruising is a rapidly growing industry in the United States, and we couldn’t be more excited about it! While there are several companies you could choose to travel with, let us try to convince you why cruising with American Queen Steamboat Company is the best choice!  

STEP ON AS FRIENDS, LEAVE AS FAMILY

  Our hospitality is renowned in the industry and ultimately the key to our success. While onboard, crew will often call you by name and charm you with the finest service. The most common feedback we receive from past guests is how they feel like family upon disembarking from their river cruise, followed by mention of their excitement to travel with us again. Crewmember quality scores consistently achieve superior ratings; usually an easy feat because of the quality of people we employ. You are guaranteed to see friendly faces and encounter wonderful hospitality throughout your experience.  

LOCALLY INSPIRED CUISINE

  Our chef works tirelessly to refine menus for our vessels, showcasing fabulous regional dishes using fresh, local produce and products. The decadent display of culinary art is delivered to each table with a stunning presentation – almost too pretty to eat. Not to worry, you will recognize the comfort food behind the beauty once you take a bite and realize that you made the right choice by cruising with us.  

ENTHRALLING ENTERTAINMENT

  Entertainment onboard our vessels is some of the finest, not only in the river cruise industry, but throughout the luxury ocean-going cruise industry as well. There is always something happening onboard to keep guests highly engaged. Each activity is carefully crafted by our very own cruise director to deliver fun activities, enriching presentations and Broadway-caliber entertainment throughout the trip. Nightly shows often reflect and incorporate the region through which you are cruising.  

AWARD-WINNING SHORE EXCURSIONS

  You have probably chosen a river cruise for the flexibility of experiencing multiple ports of call, but nobody does shore excursions quite like we do. Each cruise boasts unique, Hop-On Hop-Off tours included with the cruise fare, offering circular routes with several stops to iconic sites via our own fleet of motor coaches. In addition, we have put together a variety of Premium Shore Excursions that are available for purchase and will further immerse you in the history, culture, and distinctiveness of the region. Every detail is meticulously planned out, so that all you need to do is sit back and enjoy. If this hasn’t sparked the adventurer in you yet, see what others have to say about it.  

ICONIC VESSELS

  From all perspectives, American Queen Steamboat Company vessels are testimonies to the floating palaces of long ago and a culmination of their finest qualities. Grand in every sense of the word, you will discover a blend of every bold paddle-wheeler innovation along with pristine, authentic paddle-wheeler design. While onboard, witness the latest high-tech electronics that help us navigate our classic riverboats up the changing currents. From Engine Room viewing and Pilot House tours to enchanting discussions with our insightful Riverlorian, life on the river has never been better!   Check our river cruise itineraries to see if one fits best for you. We hope to see you onboard soon!

Nostalgia is an interesting concept. It is a remembrance of a time past, but it undeniably glosses over the less appealing portions of those memories. There is a distinct difference between recreation and nostalgia. When it comes to travel on rivers such as the Mississippi, nostalgia and not recreation is the order of the day. The American Queen was built in 1995 to follow the lines and interior décor of the romantic steamboats of the 1870s and 1880s. She is a faithful interpretation of the original designs. She is not, however, a recreation. The American Empress, which entered service in 2014, is also an authentic interpretation, but not a slavish recreation of a Pacific Northwest riverboat from the late 1800s. A recreation, such as some of the buildings in Williamsburg, stays true to the original, eschewing modern conveniences and safety features. It would be illegal today to build a riverboat without modern lifesaving equipment, satellite navigation, fire-suppression systems and contemporary communications capabilities. Even if the original designers of the American Queen and American Empress had wanted to craft a faithful recreation of a 19th century riverboat, it would be impossible. Thankfully, technology has advanced far beyond that utilized on the original riverboats and as a result, travel is infinitely safer. Read full story