American Queen Steamboat Company Ships
All that the Mississippi offers is waiting onboard none other than the grand 6-deck American Queen and American Duchess, crafted with traditional Colonial décor and styling. On American Queen Steamboat Company’s grand paddle steamers, you’ll be taken back in time to discover the tides of history along the great American Mississippi River not only at each historically and culturally rich destination but every aspect onboard. On each ship the Grand Saloon boasts an iconic appearance of a 19th century opera house modelled after Ford’s Theater, where stunning musical and historical performances take place each evening. Meanwhile, feel the spirit of the Mississippi in the ship’s stunning Mark Twain Gallery, the author famous for his writings on the Mississippi. Enjoy a sumptuous American dinner in the spacious JM White Dining Room in the evening before getting a good night’s rest in your veranda stateroom.
Dining
Just like every other part of your American Queen river cruise experience, dining perfectly mixes a feeling of nostalgia with all the modern standards expected by American Steamboat Company’s discerning guests. Experience the finest in American cuisine in any of the American Queen's four venues: the regal J.M. White Dining Room, the classic Front Porch Cafe overlooking the Mississippi, the River Grill & Bar and its relaxed atmosphere, and the ever popular Engine Room Bar.
As part of your river cruise package you are offered breakfast, lunch and dinner onboard each day with American Queen:
- Breakfast- visit the Front Porch Cafe for its Early Riser Coffee or indulge yourself with a buffet breakfast at the J.M. White Dining Room any time between 7.00 and 9.30 am. A selection of breads, cereals, and hot dishes ensure that you never run out of choice.
- Lunch- if you missed it at breakfast, another sumptuous buffet is offered at lunch in the J.M. White Dining Room from 11.30 to 1.30. If you’re still full from the buffet the Front Porch Cafe provides a number of wonderful light snacks and dishes in an al fresco dining experience.
- Dinner- dinner on the American Queen is a truly phenomenal experience, as you choose from a selection of traditional American meals. Enjoy a Fried Green Tomatoes with Corn and Crab starter, or a Crawfish and Tomato Bisque with roasted Creole tomatoes, Louisana crawfish tails and a Cognac finish - and that's only the start of the rich and wonderful tastes you'll experience!
- Snacks and Sandwiches- The Front Porch Cafe offers 24/7 ice cream along with cookies and a number of other treats and snacks. In the Main Deck Lounge, you can enjoy an Elegant Southern Tea session for the ultimate in refined luxury.
In addition, to make sure that all passengers can enjoy the cuisine, the team of dedicated chefs can tailor your meals to your dietary requirements. These include:
- Low sodium - no additional salt will be added, though some foods include natural sodium.
- Gluten free breads, pastas, sauces, ice cream and more.
- Vegetarian dishes such as Potato and Vegetable Curry with Chick peas along with a number of fresh fruits.
- Allergies - the Executive Chef will meet with your personally to discuss your particular food allergy.
- Heart Smart - low-calorie options are available on every menu (look for the heart icons).
Entertainment
There are plenty of activities and facilities with which to fill your free hours onboard an American Queen Steamboat Company ship. For those who want to stay active, The American Queen's fitness room is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that passengers get a healthy workout tailored to whatever they need. Get some weight and resistance training done on the workout bench, dumbbells or Kinesis One apparatus, or stick to lightweight cardio-based exercise with a jog on the treadmills or a ride on the static bike.
If you find yourself feeling tired after a day of shore excursions, take the weight of your feet with a visit to the onboard spa where you can have a variety of treatments performed for an additional charge. From Queen's Shea Butter Wrap and Tropical Indulgence Scrub & Wrap to the Restorative Body Scrub or River Stone Fusion Massage, you'll experience an hour of pure luxury at the hands of a professional masseur using a range of Pevonia specialist products.
To further enrich your cruise, the resident Riverlorian is available for lectures on the history and tales of the Mississippi, along with a number of guest historians covering different areas, periods and events surrounding the Mississippi. Discuss topics such as the heritage of America's Heartland and the Deep South, or immerse yourself in the wonder of Mark Twain's journey.
Each night, the Grand Saloon hosts magnificent performances such as cabaret shows from top entertainers. Standing two decks tall, the opulent opera house appearance of the Grand Saloon is simply stunning. The American Queen works with the College on the Mississippi to bring beautiful blends of regional music and historical performances.
If you want to mix your evenings up a little, head to the Engine Room Bar to dance the night away to exciting performances of jazz, blues, country and rock and roll or gather in the Main Deck Lounge for a cheery piano sing-a-long.
Destinations
As the grand lifeline of North America, the Mississippi holds the tales of its ancient inhabitants, the Native Americans, as well as hundreds of explorers and settlers who traversed the river during America’s early years. The Mississippi River was most significantly an agricultural haven to the settlers, who previously suffered from the harsh weather of America’s plains, and a strong trade route that, during the Civil War, provided an advantage for the Union forces and helped secure victories against the Confederacy.
Hightlights of the Mississippi with American Queen
- Memphis-famous for its deep history of music, Memphis is a must for Elvis fans.
- New Orleans- also famous for music in jazz and blues, New Orleans boasts a blend of cultures to create a vibrant local character as can be seen in the annual Mardi Gras.
- St Francisville- a quaint river town with a high number of listed buildings to explore.
- Natchez- the first city established on the banks of the Mississippi, and a fine example of preserved architecture to this day in its house, bars, restaurants and museums.
- Vicksburg-described by Abraham Lincoln as the "Key to the South", Vicksburg is the location of one of the major sieges in the American Civil War.
- Nottoway Plantation-a classic plantation mansion in a beautiful location, taking you back to the grand, yet dark, days of the old south.
If you decide you want something other than the Mississippi, the American Queen Steamboat Company are also proud to provide outstanding cruises on the Ohio, Tennessee, Columbia and Snake Rivers.
In addition, you can include your American Queen River cruise as part of a larger North American cruise and stay holiday, also exploring New York, the Rocky Mountains or Alaska.