The river cruise line that operates the world’s largest steamboat has added four new itineraries for the UK market, including the Upper Mississippi and its tributaries.
American Queen Voyages has published its 2024 brochure featuring a total of 14 voyages, including the 10-day sail-and-stay holidays that are on offer for the first time to passengers from the UK. They are an Upper Mississippi cruise from St Louis to Minneapolis which also takes in the Illinois River and a trio of America’s Heartlands sailings from Memphis to Louisville and Louisville to Pittsburgh, on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and Nashville to St Louis on the Mississippi, Tennessee and Cumberland rivers.
The company is famous for its fleet of traditional paddlewheel steamboats including the 417-passenger American Queen. Christened in Memphis in 2012 by Priscilla Presley, the 418ft vessel is the largest steamboat every built and has grand interiors including a large theatre. The line also operates three other paddle wheelers and two ships that sail on American lakes and rivers.
It also has the environmentally friendly expedition vessel Ocean Victory, and the new brochure includes an Alaskan sailing on the 186-passenger vessel.
Additionally, there are new five, six and 10 day New Orleans roundtrip itineraries on the Lower Mississippi, and a nine day roundtrip Portland itinerary on the Snake and Columbia rivers.
American Queen Voyages’ UK representative Rupert Thomson said:
“Up to now cruises on the Lower Mississippi, between New Orleans and Memphis, have been the most popular with UK travellers. It’s really exciting to now be able to offer cruises on the stretch of the Mississippi above New Orleans, and also the lesser-known tributaries of the river.
“The Upper Mississippi and its tributaries, as depicted in Mark Twain’s novels, bring a changing lush landscape, combined with small-town America historical towns and sites, alongside famous cities such as Nashville, St Louis and Minneapolis.”
The all-inclusive cruises are mostly seven nights, packaged as nine or 10 day itineraries with pre-cruise hotel nights. Prices start from £3,999 per person.
Fares include flights, a city highlights tour prior to the cruise and a full-board cruise including all meals, drinks, excursions, entertainment and enrichment programme, Wi-Fi and tips. You can view the online brochure with this link.
Author Bio:
Known as the ‘River Cruise Queen’, Jeannine Williamson is an award-winning travel writer, cruise expert and our cruise correspondent, who has clocked up thousands of nautical miles.
Photographs courtesy of American Queen Voyages
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