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American Queen Voyages Announces Grand 23-Day Journeys

8/7/2022

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Bold, diverse itinerary covers Ohio and Upper Mississippi Rivers

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American Queen in Pittsburgh before its Ohio River cruise to Louisville. American Queen Voyages announced that sister ship American Countess will offer 23-day Ohio and Upper Mississippi River trips in 2023.
By John Roberts
American Queen Voyages got a big push from the Pittsburgh Panthers and a group of student-athletes to announce the river cruise line's boldest itinerary in the company's 10-year history.
AQV partnered with athletes from the University of Pittsburgh in revealing a grand 23-day itinerary coming in 2023 that cruises between Red Wing, Minnesota and the Steel City.
The voyages are the most comprehensive ever for American Queen Voyages.
The first trip starts on July 24, 2023, as American Countess sails the new Grand Ohio & Upper Mississippi Rivers itinerary. This almost two-week journey starts in Red Wing bound for Pittsburgh, giving travelers the chance to explore the 1,772-mile route of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers together. This sailing is also available in reverse embarking in Pittsburgh on Aug. 14, 2023.
These voyages offer more miles, stop at more port cities and feature the most unlimited guided tours of any cruises in American Queen Voyages' decade of operating on U.S. rivers.
The announcement of this exciting new voyage coincided with the arrival of the company's flagship American Queen in downtown Pittsburgh.

Note: I am sailing on the 400-plus passenger American Queen and will have a review and plenty of videos highlighting the largest passenger riverboat in the world.
Keep your eye on In The Loop Travel for Facebook photo albums, Instagram posts, tweets, YouTube videos and, of course, stories right here own the website.

American Queen Voyages partnered with student-athletes at the university, including men's basketball player William Jeffress, to welcome the American Queen to Pittsburgh and to raise awareness about jobs on the world's largest paddlewheeler.
"Guests have made the 16-day Mighty Mississippi voyage between Minneapolis (Red Wing) and New Orleans one of our most popular itineraries, and we are pleased to reveal an even more immersive itinerary sailing to Pittsburgh that now incorporates the Mississippi and Ohio rivers," said Isis Ruiz, chief commercial officer of American Queen Voyages. "Pittsburgh has such a rich riverboat and sports history, so announcing the Grand Ohio & Upper Mississippi Rivers with the city's talented student-athletes and American Queen in the shadow of Acrisure Stadium (formerly Heinz Field) was a perfect fit."
While docked at Pittsburgh's North Shore Riverfront Park, hoops star Jeffress was joined by Panthers football players offensive lineman Carter Warren, defensive lineman Deslin Alexandre, and women's basketball player Lauren Wasylson and women's tennis player Alexandra Jaksec headlined a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) campaign raising awareness of American Queen Voyages Pittsburgh sailings along with hospitality and marine operations jobs available on the river.
The student-athletes created content and met with many of the crew to learn about onboard occupations, including captain, housekeeper, deckhand, entertainer and purser. Available
shoreside and shipboard positions are listed at www.aqvoyages.com/careers/.
"This has been a memorable day for the American Queen crew, who shared their contributions to the U.S. river cruising industry, and we wish to thank all the student-athletes who attended our event for spending time onboard," said Christina Hobbs, vice president, human resources of American Queen Voyages. "Utilizing this NIL partnership has been a unique way to recruit ourselves, while also showcasing our incredible onboard team."
American Queen is currently sailing nine-day Ohio River voyages between Louisville and
Pittsburgh with ports of call including Madison, Cincinnati, Maysville, Point Pleasant and Marietta.
AQV's newest riverboat, the 245-passenger American Countess, visited Pittsburgh earlier this year and will return September 6, 2022.
We sailed on American Countess on the Lower Mississippi during its first season. 
(Here is a video showing you the vessel and what to expect when you cruise on this pretty new riverboat.)
The new Minneapolis (Red Wing) to Pittsburgh voyage takes cruisers through the most scenic spots on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. It passes through 10 states, and the itinerary includes includes: La Crosse, WI; Dubuque, IA; Bettendorf, IA; Burlington, IA; Hannibal, MO; St. Louis, MO; Kimmswick, MO; Cape Girardeau, MO; Paducah, KY; Henderson, KY; Owensboro, KY; Brandenburg, KY; Louisville, KY; Madison, IN; Cincinnati, OH; Maysville, KY; Point Pleasant, WV; Marietta, OH; and Pittsburgh, PA.

Here are some excursions you van enjoy on the journey:
A Story of Cinema: The "Field of Dreams" Experience -- Dubuque, IA: Get a new perspective on the 1989 Academy Award-winning film "Field of Dreams." The excursion takes you to the very Iowa ballfield featured in the movie.
The National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY: With 600 pieces of art highlighting modern quilts, the National Quilt Museum brings a newfound appreciation of the craft. Each exhibit represents a different aspect of the global quilting community and celebrates the talent of these artists.
Tracing the Trail of Tears in Cape Girardeau, MO: Venture back in time to 1830 with a walk-through of the pristine 3,415 acres in the Trail of Tears State Park.
Mark Payton Glass Center in Louisville, KY: Discover the art of glass blowing with a tour of a glass-blowing studio in the heart of Louisville, KY. You will learn techniques and admire the artwork with a behind-the-scenes look at artists in action.
Old Courthouse/Gateway Arch in St. Louis, MO: Explore St. Louis with a look at the
Old Courthouse, one of the best examples of mid-19th century federal architecture. Then, check out the city's iconic Gateway Arch.
Anheuser House in Kimmswick, MO: Wander to historic Anheuser Museum and Estate. Constructed in 1867, the home includes family heirlooms, a family library and portraits of the Anheuser family.
Western Kentucky Botanical Gardens in Owensboro, KY: Stop and smell the roses at the Western Kentucky Botanical Gardens. Here, travelers will explore the wind sculptures, woven baskets, koi ponds, rose garden and more.
Madison Scenic Jet Boat Experience in Madison, IN: Hop aboard the Coast Guard-approved jet boat for a thrilling ride. The scenic jet-boat ride is a narrated journey exploring
the river and its picturesque nature views.

Fares start around $7,200 for the entire 2023 Grand Ohio & Upper Mississippi Rivers sailing when paid in full by August 31, 2022. For more information, check out AQVoyages.com.

Thanks for reading, and happy travels!
JR
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American Queen Rebrands to Highlight Full Range of Cruise Styles

9/26/2021

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American Countess is the newest member of the American Queen Voyages River fleet.
By John Roberts 
For years, we've been telling you about American Queen Steamboat Company and its cruises on the Mississippi River and other "close to home" waterways throughout the United States. 
We took our first Mississippi River cruise on the company's brand-new American Countess in early 2021 and had a relaxing and fun time making our way north from New Orleans to Memphis.  
Check out the video recap of that journey:
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Did you know that the cruise line was part of a company that also offers adventures on lakes and oceans, as well as a range of active expedition cruises? Well, they are making a big move to make that perfectly clear to prospective travelers who seek a wide range of fun ways to explore. 
American Queen Steamboat Company is now American Queen Voyages, a new overarching brand that merges American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines. The company features a comprehensive portfolio of North American cruise trips. The new American Queen Voyages includes American Queen Voyages River, American Queen Voyages Lakes & Ocean (wrapping in the Victory Cruise Lines fleet) and American Queen Voyages Expedition, which includes new Alaska and Central America expedition journeys beginning in 2022. 
We're especially excited to learn of the new places that the expedition arm of American Queen Voyages will take adventurous and active cruisers.  
American Queen Voyages embraces the mantra "Discovery Runs Deep," enticing cruisers travelers to go off the beaten path to create unscripted memories and experiences while discovering more of North America. You can expect to interact with New England oystermen while warming up over salty fish tales, docking next to Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, or shadow marine science researchers from California Polytechnic State University as you approach a secluded cove via Zodiac. 
Embracing its Mississippi River and paddlewheel roots, the new brand celebrates its growth from the singular namesake vessel, American Queen, to becoming a seven-ship fleet with the acquisition of Victory Cruise Lines.

American Queen Voyages River 
American Queen Voyages River is led by namesake U.S.-flagged American Queen, the largest, most opulent riverboat in the world. The ship rises six decks in height, is laced with fanciful gingerbread trim and is known as a marvel of modern engineering. American Queen's journeys through the heartland give an in-depth insight into America's history, culture and landscape with departures from vibrant river port cities, including Memphis, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Louisville, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Minneapolis.  
In April 2014, American Queen Steamboat Company began serving the Pacific Northwest with American Empress, and the line added the American Duchess to the Mississippi River in August 2017. As mentioned, American Countess is the newest and fourth boat to join the river fleet. American Countess, which made its debut in March 2021, sails the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee rivers.

American Queen Voyages Lakes & Ocean 
The line's ships that cruise the lakes and oceans deliver voyages to Canada, the Great Lakes, New England and Eastern Seaboard and Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula. Sailing on identical 202-passenger ships -- formerly Victory I and Victory II (to be renamed Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator) -- American Voyages Lakes & Ocean offers small-ship cruising with immersive shore excursions and onboard programming. With itineraries widespread throughout coastal North America, American Queen Voyages Lakes & Oceans highlights U.S. diversity through some of its most historic ports, including Mackinac Island, and showcases a different perspective of New England's leisure side. Cities like Charleston and Savannah offer glimpses into coastal southern living, while the islands of the Bahamas are well known to be idyllic sun-splashed destinations.
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Ocean Victory is the line's first expedition ship, and it will sail voyages in Alaska beginning in 2022.
American Queen Voyages Expedition 
American Queen Voyages Expedition cruises feature newly built 186-passenger ships. These vessels will operate all-inclusive cruises to Alaska on Ocean Victory in 2022 and Ocean Discoverer in 2023. Ocean Victory will take 12- and 13-day journeys through the less-traveled regions of Alaska's Inside Passage led by a seasoned expedition team. Like-minded explorers will use kayaks and Zodiac tours to join their expedition leaders on the lookout for wildlife. You can also witness marine research by California Polytech University students in real-time and take part in engaging discussions with First Nation leaders. The focus of the expedition program is exploring Alaska up close. 
"To see America, you have to look beyond the roads, and American Queen Voyages embraces this notion with compelling travel encounters," said Kari Tarnowski, the cruise line's senior vice president of marketing and sales. 
Looking ahead, American Queen Voyages will offer eight vessels by 2023 and plans to feature encounter-driven itineraries throughout America's heartland rivers, the Great Lakes and Pacific Northwest, as well as Canada and the Eastern Seaboard, Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula and remote waterways in Alaska. 
"Through a decade of transformation, American Queen Voyages has surged from the great American rivers to include lakes, ocean and expedition experiences," American Queen Voyages President Shawn Bierdz said. "As we move into this new chapter and introduce our version of encounter travel, we uphold the originating vision of our company's founder and chairman, John Waggoner, and his unwavering belief in the renaissance of U.S. river cruising and close-to-home adventures."

Thanks for reading and happy exploring!
JR

Video Feature: Introducing American Queen Voyages

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