NEW ALBANY, IN, October 4, 2019 – American Queen Steamboat Company(AQSC), a Hornblower® Family of Companies and leader in U.S. river cruising, invites guests to enjoy the magic of a winter getaway onboard its boutique-style paddlewheeler the American Duchess. Beginning in 2020, American Duchessguests will be delighted by additional regal inclusions that will now be offered on every voyage.
Fares will include an Unlimited Beverage Package and prepaid gratuities, in addition to the inclusions that guests have always enjoyed.
“Voyages on the American Duchess have something for everyone,” shares John Waggoner, founder and CEO of American Queen Steamboat Company. “For guests that want to escape the winter blues, traveling on the Lower Mississippi will transport them not only to warmer days but also offer a rich Southern experience that they won’t forget.”
Along the Lower Mississippi River, guests onboard the 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 excursions include visits to New Orleans’ famous French Quarter, the South’s largest antebellum mansion, Nottoway Plantation; a stroll down Royal Street in St. Francisville and a visit to Graceland Mansion in Memphis.
Please see below for a selection of January through March 2020 voyages onboard the American Duchess:
Antebellum South – New Orleans to Memphis and in reverse (January 5-13, January 12-20, January 19-27, January 26-February 3, February 2-10, February 9-17, March 15-23, March 22-30, March 29-April 6):
This journey showcases the diversity and drama of the Lower Mississippi River. From Memphis to New Orleans, the river rolls slowly and expansively, smooth as a southern drawl. The bayous and woodlands along the shore create dramatic landscapes that are virtually unchanged since the days of the French fur traders. Gracious towns with palatial mansions and tree-lined streets abound. History is everywhere - in silent Civil War cemeteries and the streets of Memphis, best known for jazz, barbecue, The King of Rock and Roll and his home at Graceland. Ports of call include: Nottoway Plantation, La. (AQSC exclusive port); St. Francisville, La.; Natchez, Ms.; Vicksburg, Ms.; Port of the Mississippi Delta and Memphis, Tn.
Southern Sampler – Roundtrip from New Orleans (March 8-16):
The grandeur of the South unfolds on this glorious and enlightening trip along the waters of the Lower Mississippi River. From the vivacious vibes of lively New Orleans to sprawling antebellum mansions steeped in history, guests experience the diverse culture, stories, songs and flavors of the region. Learn the lore of this hallowed route from lectures and chats with AQSC’s resident Riverlorian and catch a glimpse of life before the Civil War at the famed Nottoway Plantation. Each night, guests will enjoy the Broadway-caliber talents of the onboard entertainers. Ports of call include: New Orleans, La.; Francisville, La.; Natchez, Ms.; Vicksburg, Ms.; Baton Rouge, La. and Nottoway Plantation, La.
American Queen Steamboat Company offers the most inclusive river cruise experiences in North America. Fares on Lower Mississippi River begin at $2,099 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.
Now is the time to lock in savings on your 2020 vacations. Call now, or contact a travel professional, to save up to $1,200 on select 2020 voyages.
For additional information, please contact AQSC at 888-749-5280, visit www.AmericanQueenSteamboatCompany.com or call a professional travel agent.
American Queen Steamboat Company
American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC), a leader in U.S. river cruising based in New Albany, Ind. was founded in 2011. The company’s fleet of U.S. flagged riverboats sail America’s heartland and the Pacific Northwest on itineraries from six to 23 days. Ushering in a renaissance of travel on U.S. rivers with an all-English speaking crew, AQSC has earned multiple accolades for the company’s high levels of service, gourmet cuisine and authentically delivered shore excursions. AQSC’s flagship vessel, American Queen, launched in 2012 and offers authentic and timeless experiences inspired by the palatial Mississippi steamboats of the Mark Twain era. In April 2014, AQSC christened American Empress to sail the Pacific Northwest with the same opulence and grandeur, followed by the American Duchess, a unique boutique paddlewheeler in the U.S., which set sail in August 2017. The new American Countess, currently under construction in Louisiana, will debut in April 2020, joining the American Queen and American Duchess on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. For more information on American Queen Steamboat Company or to book a cruise on the American Queen, American Duchess, American Empress and upcoming American Countess, please visit www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com/, call 888-749-5280 or contact your travel agent.
Victory Cruise Lines
New Albany-based Victory Cruise Lines operates Victory I and Victory II, identical 202-passenger ships, and has a new build 180-passenger vessel, the Ocean Victory, on order for 2021. Victory Cruise Lines operates all-inclusive cruises to Canada, the Great Lakes and New England. For more information about Victory Cruise Lines, contact a travel agent or visit www.victorycruiselines.com.
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