Steamboats are only part of the story as American Queen Steamboat Co. changes its name to American Queen Voyages. The new brand blends in Victory Cruise Lines to offer not only river and lake voyages, but also Alaska and Central American expeditions, starting in 2022.
The announcement made at the Seatrade industry conference in Miami introduced a new slogan: Discovery Runs Deep.
“Through a decade of transformation, American Queen Voyages has surged from the great American rivers to include lakes, ocean and expedition experiences,” said Shawn Bierdz, president, of American Queen Voyages, which is part of the Hornblower Group.
Embracing its Mississippi River and paddlewheel roots, the newly imagined brand is celebrating growth from operating a singular namesake vessel, the American Queen, to expanding to a seven-vessel fleet with the acquisition of Victory Cruise Lines. Looking ahead, American Queen Voyages will offer eight vessels by 2023 and plans to deliver encounter-driven travel experiences throughout America’s heartland rivers, the Great Lakes and Pacific Northwest, as well as Canada and the Eastern Seaboard, Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula and the wilds of Alaska.
American Queen Voyages River is led by namesake U.S.-flagged American Queen, the largest, most opulent riverboat in the world, longer than a football field, towering six decks in height and laced with fanciful gingerbread trim. Sister paddle wheelers are American Empress in the Pacific Northwest and American Duchess on the Mississippi.
The American Queen Voyages Lakes & Ocean division includes the brand’s voyages to Canada, the Great Lakes, New England and Eastern Seaboard and Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula. Sailing on identical 202-passenger ships, formerly Victory I and Victory II, which will be renamed Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator.
American Queen Voyages Expedition consists of newly built 186-passenger vessels, created for intimate access with an innovative X-Bow design. All-inclusive cruises to Alaska start with Ocean Victory in 2022 and the Ocean Discoverer coming in 2023.
