American Queen Steamboat Company's new 245-passenger paddlewheel river ship will sail along the Tennessee, Ohio, Cumberland, and Mississippi rivers. The inaugural cruise is set to launch on March 28 and will offer a chance for a positive beacon in navigating travelers out of the choppy waters of this COVID-19 world.
AQSC has decided on a policy of mandatory vaccinations for crew and passengers, and the line will operate with a maximum of 166 cruisers for the time being as we all push to get to the other side of the pandemic.
The American Countess offers plenty of open space in its design -- with its forward-facing windows and the portside bar with an 80-foot view giving cruisers on these historic American rivers the chance to soak in the stunning scenery.
The first sailing, from Memphis to New Orleans, visits charming and historic destinations along the Mighty Mississippi. The one-way routes from New Orleans to Memphis (and reverse) on the Lower Mississippi is billed as Charms of the South, with exploration of these two cities, as well as stops at Nottoway Resort to see the South's largest antebellum mansion; the town of St. Francisville, La., with more than 140 buildings in the National Registry of Historic Places; Natchez and Vicksburg, Miss., and various other visits at small ports within the historic Mississippi Delta region.
Onboard American Countess, travelers will savor fresh regional cuisine in the Grand Dining Room while taking in panoramic views of the shoreline though floor to ceiling windows.
The riverboat features a modern gym with brand-new equipment. So, you can work up a sweat and an appetite while exercising amid a dramatic river backdrop. The suites offer flat-screen TVs and premium linens and plush bedding. Other public spaces on the vessel include the Card Room, Library and Theater.
The completely renovated riverboat has four decks and also features the River Grill eatery, Perks self-serve coffee and snacks area and the top Sun Deck with comfy lounge seating and a walking track.
We're planning to join one of the first Mississippi River cruises on this exciting new riverboat. We've never sailed on the Mississippi, and it's something we've been looking forward to for several years.
We'll have all the stories of our trip coming up right here on the website, as well as a full array of video reviews on our YouTube channel.
Have you taken a Mississippi River cruise? What are we going to love?
Thanks for reading,
JR