Yet another travel options has become available for travelers looking for a new experience. Of course, the new option is really a return of an old option and has ties back into history. The American Queen steamboat is once again accepting reservations for travelers. The Great American Steamboat Company is gearing up for the maiden voyage of the paddlewheel steamboat in April 2012. Anyone looking for a different kind of vacation, a change of pace, or even for a nice tour of America can again explore waterways including the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.
Wasn’t the American Queen a popular riverboat before?
The American Queen has had a bumpy existence. The boat was built in 1995 at a cost of $60 million, but the five cruise lines that used the American Queen were shut down over the past decade. The boat has not carried passengers since 2008, when the Majestic America Line closed.
What kind of amenities does the boat have?
The boat can carry 436 passengers and has 222 staterooms, and is a monstrous 418 feet long. In addition to two restaurants and a showroom, guests can expect live music and some great scenery as they cruise the Mississippi river and its tributaries. The staterooms are even equipped with flat-screen televisions and in-room Starbucks coffee, and the fares include land excursions in cities along the way.
Why does another company think river cruising will work this time?
The Great American Steamboat Company is trying to revive interest in paddlewheel cruising by using a management team with cruise backgrounds. The team is going to operate the huge vessel in a traditional manor, when the ship was profitable. Obviously, they feel enough interest exists in riverboat cruising to give the industry another chance. Perhaps proof is on the horizon, as a second company is getting ready to join in on the fun on the Mississippi. American Cruise Lines is building a 149 passenger boat, Queen of the Mississippi.
What kinds of trips are available?
The American Queen will sail pretty much according to seasonal patterns. During the colder months the boat will stay near New Orleans, but in the warmer months it will sail as far as Pittsburgh. Of course, the ship will be based out of Memphis. Plus, a tour as far north as St. Paul, Minnesota is planned. The consistent itineraries will provide travelers with the opportunity to explore new and unique settings at different times of the year.
Jason Gallagher is a former travel professional with a decade of experience in the industry. He remains an avid traveler and hotel fan with exposure to technology and trends in properties across the United States.