American Cruise Lines named its new 140-passenger sternwheeler Queen of the Mississippi. The vessel, slated to enter service on the Mississippi River in June 2012, is currently two months ahead of the construction schedule at Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp. in Salisbury, Md.
“Queen of the Mississippi is a natural addition to our fleet, the name perfectly befitting of the grandeur she will exemplify,” said Charles A. Robertson, president of American Cruise Lines. “We truly look forward to carrying on the historic legacy of Mississippi steam-boating, taking it to the next level, and offering a riverboat cruising experience like never before.”
The riverboat will have open seating between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the main dining salon, which will have crystal chandeliers and fine works of art. A complimentary cocktail party will precede dinner; wine is served with the meal.
The Paddlewheel Lounge, featuring rich wood and comfortable furnishings, will offer panoramic views of the scenery and the large red paddlewheel at the stern. The décor is designed to capture the tradition of the riverboats that operated on the Mississippi back to the 1800s.
The first brand-new overnight sternwheeler built for the Mississippi in nearly 20 years, Queen of the Mississippi will offer oversized staterooms and most will have private balconies. American Cruise Lines will operate the sternwheeler over the entire Mississippi River system, with the option of cruising at significantly higher speeds to make more itineraries possible with longer visits to the many river towns. A number of seven-night cruises are planned that take passengers as far as St. Paul, Minn., on the Mississippi River and Pittsburgh on the Ohio River.
The Queen of the Mississippi will have a bow ramp that will allow passengers to walk off the ship directly onto land. It will have elevator service to all decks.
Entertainment will include four- or five-piece jazz bands and entertainers who will come on from ports of call for the evening.
American also operates the 120-passenger Queen of the West on the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest. The company about a year ago purchased the mailing lists of other defunct river operators such as Delta Queen Steamboat Company, Majestic America Line and American West Steamboat Company, Robertson said.
Fares for a seven-night cruise range from $3,995 to $4,685 per person, double occupancy. Single rate is $4,685. For more information, call The Cruise Outlet at 1-800-775-1884
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