American Cruise Lines is building a brand new authentic paddlewheeler, the Queen of the Mississippi. She is currently under construction in Salisbury, MD.
Even before her inaugural season begins in August, the 2013 schedule is posted. Civil War cruises, and the popular fall foliage cruises are already sparking interest.
American Cruise Lines operates the newest fleet of small ships in the industry and offers more than 30 unique itineraries along the inland waterways and rivers of the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, the Mississippi River System and East Coast of the United States, from New England to Florida.
With only 78 staterooms, the authentic paddlewheeler features the largest staterooms on the Mississippi. The Queen of the Mississippi maintains the elegance and traditional Victorian luxury of classic turn of the century riverboats.
If you have never tried small ship cruising, the new Queen of the Mississippi will be a great place to begin your love affair with these intimate travels. The advantage is that the small ships can get closer and to more locations than the mammoth cruise ships.
Sliding glass doors access private balconies on the third and fourth deck staterooms and suites, allowing for entirely private and unobstructed viewing of the Mississippi River. 85% of the Queen of the Mississippi's staterooms will feature private balconies.
Features include six unique lounges, a library, an elegant dining salon, elevator service to all decks. The Paddlewheel Lounge, one of the six lounges on board, offers a luxurious sitting area with live music. Listen or even dance to the sultry sounds of solo acts or the live music of Dixieland bands.
“The entertainment on Queen of the Mississippi will be substantial,” said Timothy Beebe, Vice President, American Cruise Lines in a press release. “It’s an important element of our Mississippi cruises and we look forward to offering passengers the best entertainment program; one that will truly take them back in time and have them talking about for years to come.”
In the Calliope Lounge, passengers can play the calliope or enjoy a drink. A Mark Twain impersonator will tell tales of other steamboats and adventures gone by. Onboard experts and lecturers will offer programs and share stories.
The Queen of the Mississippi will be cruising at significantly higher speeds than any past Mississippi riverboat to offer more itineraries with longer visits to the river towns and less night traveling, especially on upriver itineraries.
Cruises on the Queen of the Mississippi begin in August from New Orleans. Depending on the itinerary, 7, 10, and 14-day cruises are planned to take passengers as far as St.Paul, MN on the Mississippi River and Pittsburgh, PA on the Ohio River.
To view which cruises start or end in St. Louis, visit their website.
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