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The Riverboat Cruise In West Virginia You Never Knew Existed

Allison Burnell

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When you think about riverboats, what typically comes to mind is the mighty Mississippi River, and the sternwheel crafts that operate on it. But did you know that WV has its own sternwheel river boat? Located on the broad Ohio River along the western edge of the state, the Island Belle Sternwheeler operates between Point Park in Parkersburg, WV and historic Blennerhassett Island in the middle of the Ohio.

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The schedule for Blennerhassett Island from May 4 – June 10 is Tuesday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Sunday, noon until 5:30 p.m. The Blennerhassett Museum opens one hour prior to the first boat departure.

Additional hours of operation for the summer season for the museum, the island, and the Island Belle are posted on The park website . Or call 304-420-4800.

What are some other noteworthy river tours in WV that you know of?

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Riverboat Tours Make Wheeling a Port of Call

The American Countess – the newest paddlewheeler in the American Queen Voyages fleet – was docked at Heritage Port in Wheeling on Monday and Wednesday this week for shore excursions to various sites around town during weeklong trips between Pittsburgh and Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

WHEELING — People out venturing into downtown Wheeling and enjoying the pleasant weather this week may have caught a glimpse of the massive American Countess at Heritage Port.

The newest paddlewheeler in the American Queen Voyages fleet is a four-deck vessel that was christened in 2020. With 123 staterooms and a crew of just under 100, the majestic boat inevitably causes heads to turn and prompts people to grab their cellphones to snap pictures of the spectacular sight each time it passes down the river or pulls into ports.

Now that warm weather has arrived and is expected to stay, the riverboats have made their way to northern routes. This past week, the American Countess stopped in Wheeling on its way to Pittsburgh on Monday and on its way from the Steel City on another voyage on Wednesday.

American Queen Voyages Tour Manager Judy LaMance of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was helping visitors find points of interest in the Friendly City Wednesday.

Although Wheeling is not always a regular stop on the river tours that pass through the Upper Ohio Valley, it’s one of the prime options for boats on trips that begin or end in Pittsburgh.

“We come here usually in late spring and early fall – two to three times per year,” LaMance said, noting that the tours basically migrate through the seasons by following the pleasant weather. “We do the lower Mississippi until late April, and then we do it again from October until the end of the year. In between we do the Ohio, Illinois and Tennessee, and then we’ll go all the way up to Red Wing, Minnesota, on the Mississippi.”

The specific stops depend on each different river cruise’s itinerary. The ports of call on a typical week-long or nine-day river cruise in this neck of the woods between Pittsburgh and Louisville, Kentucky, may hit Marietta, Ohio; Huntington; Augusta, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Ohio; and Madison, Indiana, with occasionally stops in cities such as Wheeling; Maysville, Kentucky and Point Pleasant.

“We’ll be here for a couple of weeks now and a couple of weeks in August,” LaMance said of the American Countess’ current tours that include the Upper Ohio Valley.

For cruises like the one that stopped in the area this week, a fleet of three tour buses follow the boat – or in many cases, the boat actually follows the buses since the land-based vehicles usually arrive at the destination first, LaMance noted. During stops in Wheeling, the paddle boat docks at Heritage Port, and guests can go ashore, hop on a bus and check out various points of interest in town.

“We go to the Artisan Center, to West Virginia Independence Hall, the Capitol Theatre and Centre Market on our hop-on, hop-off buses,” LaMance said. “And we have a premium tour that goes to the Oglebay museums.”

While riverboat cruising is similar to ocean liner cruising in many ways, the riverboats obviously carry only a couple hundred passengers as opposed to thousands that can be loaded onto today’s mega-ships.

“This is pretty laid back,” LaMance said of the American Countess. “It holds 245.”

Because of the limited size of the river boats, the shore excursions are a primary highlight of river cruising – and most excursions are included in the overall price of the cruise.

“We’re in ports most days,” LaMance said, noting that while cruising onboard, guests can enjoy a number of group activities, visit public areas and check out the ever-changing scenery. They have game shows, trivia contests, bingo, a library, a card room, a coffee shop room, a number of bars (with most drinks included) and on-shore tours every day. “There’s not food 24 hours a day like you see on the big ships.”

But there is plenty of great dining, she noted, as well as on-board entertainment, which is also included. This week, they have a mentalist performing and a show featuring a Mark Twain impersonator. There are also house entertainers and musicians on board.

Vessels in the American Queen Voyages fleet have the classic, historic look of riverboats of the past, but boast modern amenities. They may look old, but most were built in or around the 1990s.

“We have four paddlewheelers that do the rivers – three of them do the Mississippi and the tributaries, and then one does the Columbia and Snake rivers out of Portland, Oregon,” LaMance said. “We also have two boats that do the Great Lakes and coastal tours, and then we have an Alaskan expedition boat.”

The American Countess has some scheduled trips that will pass by the area in the future, but the next scheduled stop in Wheeling is not until August.

For more information about river boat cruises by American Queen Voyages, visit www.aqvoyages.com.

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Gateway Clipper River Cruise

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The signature event for the weekend and for the 250th celebration occurs on Saturday, June 22 at Wheeling’s beautiful Heritage Port. To celebrate the 170th anniversary of the city’s iconic Suspension Bridge, a National Historic Landmark, a full day of activities are on tap with something to offer for all ages. Artists will be set up in various locations near the river to participate in a Plein Air painting event in which each of them will demonstrate their craft as they paint the historic bridge. Coloring pages and art activities will be available for children. Live music from several genres will be provided throughout the day on the stage, while storytellers will present interesting history and anecdotes about the Suspension Bridge. Cultural ambassadors in 19th century costumes will be on hand to interact with visitors, along with first-person historic character programs. Several delicious food options will be available as the celebration is being held in conjunction with the Ohio Valley Rib and Chicken Cook Off, and adult beverages can be enjoyed in the beer garden. Perhaps most exciting, a Gateway Clipper riverboat will be on hand to offer ticketed tours throughout the day and evening to provide a fun and unique perspective of the Bridge and the mighty Ohio River. As dusk falls, attendees will be treated to a robust fireworks display to finish the day.

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Wheeling Heritage Port Sternwheel Festival

Held each year in September is the Wheeling Heritage Port Sternwheel Festival. Boats of the American Sternwheel Association are taking part in this festival.

Wheeling Heritage Port Sternwheel Foundation www.sternwheeling.org

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Come on down to the three rivers for Pittsburgh’s wildest St. Patrick’s Day Party with Bon Journey and the Clipper. It’s ’80s throwback with Pittsburgh’s own Bon Journey rockin’ the boat with the hottest 80s rock!

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For the best in Pittsburgh riverboat tours, choose to cruise with Gateway Clipper! For over 50 years, we’ve sailed the Three Rivers hosting Pittsburgh sightseeing and dining cruises.  The original Gateway Clipper became Pittsburgh’s first official sightseeing boat in 1958. The Gateway Clipper Fleet has since expanded to include five boats, and has become one of Pittsburgh’s most popular attractions!

For the best in Pittsburgh riverboat tours, choose to cruise with Gateway Clipper Fleet. For over 50 years, we have been sailing the Three Rivers hosting Pittsburgh sightseeing and dining cruises.

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The river cruise expo sails to vienna in 2025.

The American Society of Travel Advisors opened registration to members for the premier river cruising event.

Amsterdam, Netherlands, March 15, 2024 — The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) announced it will host its fourth annual ASTA River Cruise Expo March 12-15, 2025, in Vienna, Austria. 

The 2025 Expo along the Danube River will offer travel advisors the ability to tour more than a dozen river cruise ships, access to network with several river cruise line executives, and the unique opportunity for accommodation and dining on the ships themselves. Due to the expansive growth and interest the event has generated since it was launched in 2022, next year’s Expo is expected to sell out quickly.  

Travel advisors can register for the 2025 ASTA River Cruise Expo, here: www.astarivercruiseexpo.org/2025 .  

"We are deeply grateful and privileged to witness the overwhelming success of our event,” said Zane Kerby, President and CEO of the American Society of Travel Advisors. “The idea for this event came from the visionary mind of the late Bob Duglin, who served on ASTA’s executive staff for over 8 years. Bob would undoubtedly take pride in witnessing the Expo's transformative impact as a catalyst for business growth and educational enrichment within the travel industry. Travel advisors who are here with us receive years' worth of knowledge in just four days, returning home better equipped to advise their clients and tap into the enormous potential of river cruising.” 

Registration for the 2025 ASTA River Cruise Expo is available to ASTA members only. If you are interested in becoming an ASTA member or would like to check your ASTA membership status, please visit www.asta.org/membership or contact [email protected] . 

Our 2025 promotional video featuring Alle Pierce, Emmy Award-winning television host, luxury travel advisor, content creator, and recently named Godmother of the Riverside Debussy, can be found here .  

Photos from the event are updated regularly here .

ABOUT ASTA Rebranded in 2018 as the American Society of Travel Advisors, ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel advisors, the travel industry and the traveling public. Its members represent 80 percent of all travel sold in the United States through the travel agency distribution channel. Together with hundreds of internationally-based members, ASTA’s history of industry advocacy traces back to its founding in 1931 when it launched with the mission to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. For more information about the Society, visit our mission statement .  

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River cruise packing list: What to pack when traveling by riverboat

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You booked your river cruise, and the departure date approaches. Now you’re panicking about what to pack.

You want to pack light, given you won’t have much space in your cabin to store bulky suitcases. However, you also want to be prepared with the right clothing and gear for changeable weather on the river, visits to religious sites and the many walking and cycling tours you plan to do in port. How will you fit everything in a carry-on?

It seems like a lot, but there’s no need to feel overwhelmed about packing for a river cruise. I’ve been on more than 125 cruises, including many river sailings.

Below are my top packing tips and a river cruise packing list for a river cruise in Europe, the United States, Asia or Africa. Follow these tips to take the stress out of your pre-trip prep.

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What to pack on a river cruise

The first thing to understand is that where you cruise will dictate what you pack. The Nile River in July will be quite different than the Rhine in November, and you’ll need different clothing and gear.

However, river cruises are often during warmer times of the year in places that may not see ice and snow. Typically, heavy outwear isn’t needed. (At least not much of it — I was on a Tennessee River cruise in early November, and it snowed for several hours one day!)

Here’s what to pack to get maximum use out of minimal luggage.

Related: Booking your first river cruise? Here’s what you need to know.

Lightweight layers

The key to river cruise packing is layering.

On some rivers in Asia and Africa, such as Egypt’s Nile River, it can get extremely hot during the day — we’re talking 90-plus degrees Fahrenheit — but cool in the evenings.

Late-summer weather in Europe can also change frequently. During a river cruise in the Netherlands in early September, some days were hot and others rainy and chilly. For all these destinations, you’ll want to be able to peel layers off and put them on again.

Layers are also convenient should you need to cover up your shoulders and legs to enter religious buildings like temples, monasteries and cathedrals.

Light scarves are useful for covering shoulders in religious places and covering your head and face when it’s hot or dusty. Colorful scarves can also be a great accent piece for a dinner outfit on board.

For the best layering, think about packing several thin long- and short-sleeved T-shirts, as well as a jacket, such as an outdoorsy zip-up jacket or vest from Patagonia. I often bring a dark denim jacket for layering. It’s warm and looks stylish when worn over T-shirts and accented with scarves.

Related: Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Casual clothes for day and night

River cruises involve full days of touring on land, so casual and comfortable clothing is key.

Cargo pants or shorts are a great idea on a river cruise, especially for the popular cycling and walking excursions. You can stash your phone, a thin wallet and even sunscreen or bug spray in the large pockets, leaving your hands free to navigate a bicycle or walking sticks.

It may sound counterintuitive, but for very hot places in Southeast Asia, India, Egypt, Amazon region and Europe in August, it’s best to wear long sleeves when touring, even in the hottest summer months. This will protect you from sunburn.

Prepare for various temperatures and pack lightweight breathable fabrics. I prefer thin cotton tops, while my husband likes the moisture-wicking shirts from Arcteryx and similar brands. Both kinds take up little suitcase space and dry quickly when hand-washed.

Some of the newer riverboats from lines like AmaWaterways and Scenic have small pools on deck, so pack a swimsuit if you’d like to take a dip.

Related: Best river cruise lines around the world

When it comes to dining, river cruises are generally casual. You can even have dinner wearing what you wore on the afternoon’s excursions — within reason. I wouldn’t wear cargo shorts to dinner, but I’d wear jeans.

That said, especially on Europe river cruises, most folks like to wear a nicer shirt or top for dinner layered with a nice scarf, vest or a thin easy-to-fold jacket. Passengers on higher-end river cruise lines in Europe (such as Uniworld and AmaWaterways) tend to dress up in the evenings more than guests on more affordable cruises.

No river cruise line will expect you to bring suit jackets or sparkly clothes. However, I’ve seen women in cocktail dresses and men in sport coats on Europe and Mississippi river cruises.

Related: What to wear on a cruise: Cruise attire and cruise line dress codes

Bring a pair of sturdy sneakers or light trekking shoes for excursions that may require long city walks in Europe and the U.S. or hiking on dirt roads or rocky paths in more rural areas in India, Laos, Cambodia and the Amazon. Alpine-style hiking boots are not necessary.

For Southeast Asia and India river cruises, bring a comfortable slip-on shoe, like a pair of Crocs, that are easy to get off and on because you’ll have to remove shoes before going into temples. You’re usually allowed to wear socks, so bring multiple lightweight ankle or no-show socks you can easily wash in your cabin sink when they get dusty from walking on dirt roads.

Ideally, bring a third pair of shoes to wear inside your cabin and around the boat’s interior, such as sandals, boat shoes, flats or whatever casual lightweight shoe you prefer. I never travel without my hot pink Birkenstocks; they’re cute and versatile, without or with socks.

Accessories and travel gear

Clothing isn’t the only thing you’ll need to pack for your river cruise. The No.1 accessory you should pack is a lightweight backpack, fanny pack or sling bag that is easy to carry on walking or biking tours or on more active treks.

Riverboats that offer the use of bicycles should provide helmets, but the options may not always fit the way you like. If you plan on cycling a lot (we cycled daily, sometimes twice a day on a recent AmaWaterways Netherlands and Belgium river cruise), consider bringing your own. The helmet may take up valuable real estate in your luggage, but it’s a must if you’re fussy about what you put on your head.

I like to wear a thin baseball cap under the helmets I borrow from cruise lines. The visor of the cap keeps the sun or rain away from your eyes. Also, if you’re uncomfortable wearing a previously-worn helmet, a ballcap can be a barrier to keep you from touching the hat directly. You can also tie a bandana on your head before putting on the borrowed helmet.

Ask your cruise line if it gifts passengers a reusable aluminum-style water bottle to fill up on board and use during shore excursions. If yours doesn’t, bring your own lightweight refillable water bottle as an eco-friendly practice to cut down on single-use plastic waste.

Related: 20 must-have cruise items — including a roll of duct tape

If river cruising in Southeast Asia, India, South America or Africa, bring a small bag of your preferred medicines because you might not find the brands or names you’re used to in port. Also, bring your pain reliever of choice, and anti-diarrhea medicine, just in case.

Also, carry a small container of insect repellent, for excursions and your room, on cruises in tropical places where mosquitos and other bugs are prevalent.

Since evening entertainment on a river cruise is minimal — typically a bit of music after dinner or nothing at all — consider packing your own evening entertainment.

Bring books, an e-reader or a tablet, but make sure to download books and movies to your device before your trip. Wi-Fi can be weak on riverboats anywhere in the world, so you may not have a signal to read the newspaper in real-time or stream the latest episode of your favorite show.

Tips for river cruise packing

River cruise boat cabins are often on the small side compared to cabins on big cruise ships, so you don’t want to over-pack.

Riverboat cabins are also not as uniform as those on ocean-going ships. European fleets may be more similar, but lines in North America and Asia can have quirky, one-of-a-kind ships. Don’t assume you’ll have as much room on one line as you did on another.

Riverboats may not provide much (or any) space under the beds for bulky suitcases, and closets (if there are any) are compact, so small suitcases or soft duffels are ideal.

There are exceptions, such as the high-end riverboats in Europe from lines like Uniworld and AmaWaterways; larger riverboats like the 417-passenger American Queen on the Mississippi River; and luxury lines like Aqua Expeditions cruising in Asia and the Amazon. These ships offer more storage space in generally larger cabins.

Related: Cruise ship packing mistakes you want to avoid at all costs

Many riverboats also don’t include self-service laundry rooms (though some deluxe Europe riverboats will). Some don’t have laundry service either. If you want to pack light, bring undergarments and layering tops that dry quickly, so you can wash in the bathroom sink and hang them to dry.

River cruise packing list

With all this in mind, here is a suggested packing list for your river cruise vacation:

• Multiple lightweight tops and T-shirts, including long-sleeved versions for sun protection.
• Bottoms, such as leggings, lightweight cargo pants, jeans, khakis, slacks and skirts.
• Evening wear like casual dresses, slacks and nice shirts.
• Multiple pairs of lightweight underwear and socks.
• A lightweight cotton scarf or sarong.
• A lightweight but warm jacket, cardigan and/or thin fleece for chilly mornings or evenings.
• Sturdy shoes, such as sneakers or simple hiking shoes.
• A comfortable slip-on shoe for visiting religious sites or for evenings on board.
• Light backpack or fanny pack for excursions.
• Water-proof zip-top or small bag for your phone and camera for protection in rainy weather and when aboard small launches used for excursions.
• Local and U.S. currency in small bills for purchasing drinks, snacks and souvenirs and for tipping local guides.
• Reading materials (books and e-readers) and/or a tablet.
• Sunscreen and bug spray.
• Sunglasses.
• Lightweight compact umbrella for both rain and sun protection. (Many river cruise lines provide umbrellas, but they’re often the large non-folding kind that aren’t convenient to carry around all day.)
• Prescriptions and basic medicines.
• Chargers for your electronics, plus a portable charger to ensure your phone is always juiced up on long excursions.
• Multi-prong adaptors so you can use both the North American 100- to 120-volt and European 220- to 240-volt outlets on the river cruise boat. (The newest luxury riverboats may have standard USB charging outlets in the lamps on the bedside tables.)

Bottom line

The key to river cruise packing boils down to two important themes.

First, don’t over-pack or bring giant suitcases that won’t fit in your cabin.

Second, dress for success with lots of lightweight layers. Understand the climate and the activities you’ll experience in your river cruise destination, and you have a recipe for the perfect packing job.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

• CruiseMapper
• American Queen Voyages

American Queen

Cruise line American Queen Voyages

• New Orleans (Port NOLA Louisiana)
• Memphis TN (Tennessee)

American Queen current position

American Queen current location is at Gulf of Mexico (coordinates 29.94909 N / -90.02484 W) cruising en route to NOTTOWAY. The AIS position was reported 6 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of American Queen

American Queen current cruise is 7 days, one-way from New Orleans to Memphis TN . Prices start from USD 2499 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 11 Mar, 2024 and ends on 18 Mar, 2024 .

Specifications of American Queen

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

American Queen Itineraries

American queen review, review of american queen.

The 1995-built American Queen cruise ship was initially operated by Delta Queen Steamboat Company (now defunct ). Now operated by AQSC (American Queen Voyages) , the 436-passenger riverboat is similar to fleetmate American Empress , and also to ACL-American Cruise Lines vessels Queen of the Mississippi/now American Heritage and Queen of the West/now American West .

American Queen is the largest steamboat ever built in the world. Before relaunching in April 2012, the ship received a USD 6,5 million renovation to make the Victorian decor. Cabins got new LCDTVs and bedding. A top-deck bar (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 itineraries. Departure ports include New Orleans , St Louis MO , Minneapolis-St Paul MN , Memphis TN , Cincinnati OH .

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).

American Queen - user reviews and comments

Photos of american queen.

American Queen ship related cruise news

American Queen Steamboat Company (American Queen Voyages/AQV) ceased operations

On February 20, 2024, (at 5 pm Indiana time/12:00 UTC) American Queen Steamboat Company LLC (which operates under the travel brand American...

AQV-American Queen Voyages cancels February sailings due to operational concerns

AQV-American Queen Voyages has announced the cancellation of several sailings scheduled for February. The decision stems from an unforeseen...

AQV-American Queen Voyages cancels Great Lakes cruises, sells Ocean Navigator and Voyager ships

American Queen Voyages (AQV) has unveiled its plans to shift its focus to river cruises, implementing a series of changes and updates that will...

American Queen Voyages/AQV is the first cruise line with fleetwide SpaceX Starlink Internet

AQV-American Queen Voyages announced SpaceX Starlink upgrades to its entire fleet of 7, including the award-winning lines Rivers, Lakes & Oceans...

Viking Octantis is the first cruise ship to arrive in Duluth (Minnesota USA)

A Viking Ocean's cruise ship will be the first to arrive and use the brand new customs facility at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center today...

American Queen Voyages marks the return of its final Lakes & Oceans ship, Ocean Navigator

AQV-American Queen Voyages marked the return of Ocean Navigator, the final Lakes & Oceans ship to be added back to the fleet, as she welcomed her...

American Queen Voyages 2024 season's new routes & itineraries

AQV-American Queen Voyages released its 2024 season, marking the furthest in advance a cruise season has opened for reservations in the 10-year...

American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC) rebranded American Queen Voyages (AQV)

AQSC-American Queen Steamboat Company, which is part of Hornblower Group, is now the new brand merging AQSC and VCL-Victory Cruise Lines - American...

AQSC-American Queen Steamboat Company's flagship American Queen returns to service

AQSC-American Queen Steamboat Company announced that its American Queen ship had welcomed her first revenue guests in 18 months on Monday, August 9...

AQSC-American Queen Steamboat Company and VCL-Victory Cruise Lines release 2023 season

In response to demand for the 2022 cruise season, AQSC-American Queen Steamboat Company and VCL-Victory Cruise Lines, Hornblower Family Companies...

•   show more news

Other American Queen Voyages cruise ships

• American Countess
• American Duchess
• American Empress
• Ocean Discoverer
• Ocean Navigator
• Ocean Victory
• Ocean Voyager

American Queen Wiki

American Queen riverboat was built in the USA and christened in Nashville TN by Godmother Phyllis Dale (owner of Phyllis Dale Travel Agency, Winter Springs Florida). As flag-state , the USA 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/American Heritage and Queen of the West/American West . They all feature a huge, stern-mounted paddle wheel.

American Queen became second in 2012's Great Steamboat Race. The first prize was for the steamboat Belle of Cincinnati. The vessel is acknowledged to be the world's largest steamboat ever built. The ship is 6-decks high and built as a 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.

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.