American Cruise Lines has purchased the successfully bid for the classic paddlewheeler American Queen and three other riverboats that sailed for the former American Queen Voyages (AQV). The acquisition was approved by US Bankruptcy Judge Marvin Isgur on March 28 at a hearing in Houston.
The acquisitions include the 417-passenger mothership American Queen, along with smaller ships American Duchess, American Countess and American Empress. Most of these ships, inspired by 19th-century riverboats, have regularly sailed Mississippi River and Columbia River itineraries.
Since 2011, American Queen Voyages operated cruises on the Mississippi and its tributaries, as well as the Snake and Columbia rivers out West. Its owner, Hornblower Group, which operates ferries, excursion boats, and the American Queen Voyages cruise line, filed for bankruptcy and shut down American Queen Voyages on Feb. 20 as part of a recapitalization plan.
American Cruise Lines did not immediately have details on how the American Queen ships would integrate into its existing fleet of 21 cruise ships.
