American Queen Voyages is born
American Queen Steamboat Company announced that it has now become American Queen Voyages, the new global brand combining American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines.
Offering a diverse and comprehensive catalog of North American itineraries, American Queen Voyages includes American Queen Voyages River, American Queen Voyages Lakes & Ocean (welcoming the Victory Cruise Lines fleet) and American Queen Voyages Expedition, which includes new destinations in Alaska and Central America beginning in 2022.
American Queen
American Queen Voyages invites travelers to leave familiar itineraries behind and venture out to discover the beauty of North America at its best. New worlds and new encounters await guests, from interacting with New England silica oysters while docking near Heinz Field to following marine science researchers from California Polytechnic State University aboard a Zodiac.
Shawn Bierdz, president of American Queen Voyages, said that through a decade of transformation, American Queen Voyages has added the Great Lakes, sea cruises and experiences of all kinds to the destination of America’s great rivers.
It’s been a remarkable growth for the company, which began with the use of its namesake ship, the American Queen, until expanding to a seven-ship fleet with the acquisition of Victory Cruise Lines. Looking ahead, American Queen Voyages will offer eight ships by 2023 and plans to offer encounter-driven travel experiences through the rivers of America’s heartland, the Great Lakes and Pacific Northwest, as well as Canada and the East Coast, Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula and the wilds of Alaska.
American Queen
American Queen Voyages, River
American Queen Voyages’ river cruises are taken on the exclusive American Queen, the world’s largest and most opulent riverboat. Longer than a soccer field, six decks high and adorned with fanciful gingerbread trim, she is a marvel of modern engineering. Her voyages offer a unique perspective on America’s history, culture and landscape with convenient departures from America’s river port cities, including Memphis, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Louisville, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Minneapolis.
In April 2014, American Queen Steamboat Company began operations in the Pacific Northwest with American Empress and added American Duchess on the Mississippi River in August 2017. The newest and fourth vessel to join the American Queen Steamboat Company fleet is American Countess, which made her debut in March 2021 and sails the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee Rivers.
American Countess
American Queen Voyages Lakes and Ocean
Formerly Victory Cruise Lines, American Queen Voyages Lakes & Ocean includes voyages to Canada, the Great Lakes, New England, Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula. The itineraries are operated on twin 202-passenger ships, formerly Victory I and Victory II, which will be renamed Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator. With diverse itineraries throughout the North American coastline, American Queen Voyages Lakes & Oceans will reveal to guests the diverse cultures of the United States through some of its most historic ports, including Mackinac Island, cities such as Charleston and Savannah that offer a glimpse of southern coastal life, and the islands of the Bahamas that present a tropical oasis.
Victory II
Victory I
American Queen Voyages Expedition
American Queen Voyages Expedition ushers in the brand’s entry into expedition cruises. Consisting of newly built 186-passenger ships, the American Queen Voyages Expedition fleet will operate all-inclusive Alaska cruises with Ocean Victory in 2022 and Ocean Discoverer in 2023. 12- and 13-day voyages through the less-traveled regions of Alaska’s Inside Passage are expected.
Ocean Discoverer
The news regarding the new American Queen Voyages, revealed to us at the Seatrade in Miami, is really a lot and we are excited to soon experience all the new cruise products, from the fascinating Mississippi to the incredible landscape of Alaska.
For more information, tips and American Queen Voyages Reviews on Cruising Journal, with opinions, photos and cruises on offer.