Summary
River cruise line American Queen Voyages has shut down, canceling all future cruises and instructing future guests to apply for refunds.
River cruise line American Queen Voyages has shut down, canceling all future cruises and instructing future guests to apply for refunds.
“Despite great efforts by our team, crew and partners, American Queen Voyages (AQV) unfortunately has been unable to rebound from the effects of the pandemic. The overnight cruise industry was especially affected by changes in travel preferences and, as a result, AQV has become financially unsustainable.”
Before the shutdown, American Queen Voyages operated the overnight cruise division of the Hornblower Group, which will be acquired.
The cruise line, formerly the American Queen Steamboat Company, adopted the name American Queen Voyages in 2021 after merging with Victory Cruise Lines. The company sailed river cruises, lake, and ocean cruises, along with expedition voyages to destinations like Alaska. In fact, the company was known for having some of the best river cruises in the United States, journeying along the Mississippi, Ohio, and Cumberland rivers on board classic paddle wheelers.
Service issues plagued the company, with several industry groups suspending sales of American Queen Voyages cruises. Sunstone Tours & Cruises had stopped selling and promoting American Queen Voyages cruises prior to the cease of operations.
With the closure of American Queen Voyages, the following 7 classic riverboats, coastal vessels and expedition ships are now up for auction:
- American Queen: Built in 1995, river steamboat, 436 guests
- American Empress: Built in 2003, former name: Empress of the North, paddle-wheeler, 223 guests
- American Duchess: Built in 2017 (using the hull of 1995-built casino ship), former names: Battendorf Capri, paddle-wheeler, 166 guests
- American Countess: Built in 2020 (using the hull of 1995-built casino ship), former names: Kanesville Queen, paddle-wheeler, 166 guests
- Ocean Victory: Built in 2021, expedition ship, 186 guests
- Ocean Navigator: Built in 2001, former names: Cape Cod Light, Coastal Queen 2, Clipper Discoverer and Sea Discoverer, coastal vessel, 202 guests
- Ocean Voyager: Built in 2001, former names: Cape May Light, Sea Voyager, Saint Laurent and Sea Voyager, coastal vessel, 202 guests
