WHY IT RATES: Guests traveling with American Queen Steamboat Company have a lot in store this spring.—Codie Liermann, Associate Editor
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Luxury riverboat operator American Queen Steamboat Company invites guests to enjoy the magic of springtime onboard one of its three famed paddlewheelers: American Queen, American Duchess and American Empress.
Guests will have the opportunity to experience the unique landscapes of the history-rich waterways and to participate in distinctive shore excursions that blend unmatched scenery with the history and culture of each iconic destination.
“With the blooming landscapes and warming temperatures that are a hallmark of the season, spring is an ideal time to explore the soul of America’s heartland along the Lower Mississippi and the majesty of the Pacific Northwest along the Columbia and Snake Rivers,” says John Waggoner, Chairman and CEO of American Queen Steamboat Company. “We are excited to share these picturesque regions with guests on our one-of-a-kind voyages.”
Along the Lower Mississippi River, guests onboard the American Queen and American Duchess will explore the region’s history with plantation and battlefield tours amidst century-old oak trees and rolling acres of sugar cane plantations and cotton fields.
Shore excursion highlights include visits to New Orleans’ Garden District, Nottoway Plantation, the Angola Penitentiary in St. Francisville and Graceland Mansion in Memphis.
Onboard the American Empress, the magnificence of the Columbia and Snake Rivers will transport cruisers to the days of Lewis and Clark. Shore excursions will bring the region’s history to life with visits to Multnomah Falls, The Riverwalk overlooking the Columbia River, the Bonneville Dam and Portland’s Lan Su Chinese Garden.
Please see below for a selection of spring 2019 voyages onboard the American Queen, American Duchess and American Empress:
Jewels of the Lower Mississippi – Memphis to New Orleans (American Queen – March 10- 18 & June 16-24 /American Duchess – June 9-17 & June 23-July 1):
Showcasing the diversity and drama of the Lower Mississippi River, this journey allows guests to explore the land of bawdy blues and Southern belles. History is everywhere—in silent Civil War cemeteries and throughout the city of Memphis, which is best known for blues, barbeque and the King of Rock and Roll and his home at Graceland.
Ports of call include Helena, Arkansas (American Duchess only); Vicksburg, Mississippi; Natchez, Mississippi; Baton Rouge, La.; St. Francisville, Louisiana; and Nottoway Plantation (an American Queen Steamboat Company exclusive port) in White Castle, Louisiana.
A Taste of the True South – New Orleans to Memphis (American Queen – March 31-April 8, May 26-June 3 & June 9-17 /American Duchess – March 24-April 1, June 2-10, June 16-24):
Memory flows deep and sentiment swirls along the Lower Mississippi River where guests can experience authentic Southern culture as they journey through living history and soak in the spirit of the antebellum South.
Ports of call include Nottoway Plantation (an American Queen Steamboat Company exclusive port) in White Castle, Louisiana; St. Francisville, Louisiana; Natchez, Mississippi; Vicksburg, Mississippi; and Greenville/Tunica, Mississippi.
Pacific Northwest Splendor – Vancouver, WA (Portland) to Clarkston, WA (American Empress – April 14-22, April 28-May 6, May 12-20, May 26-June 3 & June 9-17):
Beginning in Vancouver near the Pacific Ocean, the intended destination of Lewis and Clark’s expedition, this voyage invites guests to experience the same sense of excitement and wonder while visiting historic sites and natural landscapes along the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
Guests may also choose a premium shore excursion such as Multnomah Falls or the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum. Ports of call include Astoria, Washington; Stevenson Washington; The Dalles, Oregon; Richland (Tri-Cities), Washington; and Clarkston, Washington.
American Queen Steamboat Company offers the most inclusive river cruise experiences in North America. Fares on Lower Mississippi River and Columbia and Snake River voyages begin at $2,199 per person. All sailings include a one-night, pre-voyage hotel stay, hop-on-hop-off shore excursions in all ports, wine and beer with dinner and a host of other amenities.
For additional information and reservations, please contact the American Queen Steamboat Company at 888-749-5280, visit AmericanQueenSteamboatCompany.com or call a professional travel agent.
SOURCE: American Queen Steamboat Company press release.
