Going That Extra Mile

[HostDave]

What makes one vacation stand apart from another? At the American Queen Steamboat Company, we don’t believe there’s a single answer to that question. We include a complimentary one-night deluxe hotel stay before every voyage, a shore excursion in every port of call, wine and beer with dinner as well as specialty coffees and bottled water throughout your voyage. But we wouldn’t say that including so many extras is the only thing that sets us apart. We have an onboard historian, our Riverlorian, who guides you through every voyage with historical tidbits and stories and is happy to sit down one-on-one and discuss the culture and legacy of the rivers on which the American Queen travels. But our commitment to understanding and enrichment isn’t the single thing that defines us.

Our entertainment brings alive the music of the rivers and includes notable headliners and orchestras yet there is more to our story than performances by Herb Reed’s Platters, the New Orleans All-Stars or the Harry James Orchestra. Sit down for breakfast, lunch or dinner in the J.M. White Dining Room or choose to grab a late night or mid-afternoon snack from the Front Porch Café and you’ll enjoy authentic Southern cuisine that both honors family recipes but has been give a modern and sophisticated twist for the new century. As delectable as each meal is, that’s not the only reason our loyal guests return to us time and time again.

The friendly service from our American staff and crew makes every traveler feel at home but it’s not their warm smiles that start to set us apart, it’s their willingness to please. At the American Queen Steamboat Company, we believe that what makes a vacation with us different than any other vacation options is our personalized service. We all want to feel special when we are on vacation and it is the combination of so many different touches that create that feeling on the American Queen. For example, most hotels or restaurants struggle to accommodate special dietary requirements. At the American Queen Steamboat Company, making you happy at the table is a core part of our commitment to getting to know you and meeting your unique needs.

Our professional culinary staff is ready to meet your special needs. Whatever your dietary restrictions and preference, our welcoming staff can assist you in finding the perfect course for your nutritional needs without sacrificing taste or overall enjoyment. If you’re on a low sodium diet, take heart that no additional salt will be added to any food item. While dining gluten-free might be challenging ashore, on the American Queen most of our menu items can be prepared to meet your requirement. We can provide gluten-free breads, pastas, soups, sauces, muffins, ice cream and other desserts using nutritious alternative ingredients like quinoa, a super grain. Vegetarians have never had it so good. There are options at every meal, including dishes such as Potato and Vegetable Curry, Chick Peas with Jasmine Rice or Saffron Risotto with Spinach and Pine Nuts. Fresh fruit and other vegetarian snacks are always available at the Front Porch Café, day and night. If you have food allergies, your Chef will meet with you personally to ensure you have both a safe and delicious dining experience.

It seems as though everyone is paying more attention to what they eat and striving for a healthier lifestyle. But food low in calories does not have to be low in taste and flavor. Our low-calorie selections include appetizers like Marinated Blue Crab Meat with Asparagus-Dill Mousse; Smoked Wild Trout Canapé with Horseradish and Arugula; and the Cast Iron Vegetable Tower with Seared Eggplant, Zucchini, Yellow Squash and Red Cabbage topped with a Savory Tomato Sauce. Our Creole Vegetable Soup made with Tomato Broth, Roasted Yams, Turnips, Potatoes and Mustard Greens is almost as big of a hit as our Asparagus, Beet and Romaine Salad with Maytag Blue Cheese Gin Vinaigrette. For your main course, go guilt-free with delicacies such as Pan-Seared Catfish with Black-Eyed Pea Vinaigrette and Smoked Tomato Coulis, Seared Ahi Tuna with Fresh Arugula and Chilled Mango Salsa, or Pan-Seared Duck Breast with a Currant and Orange Glaze and Saffron Rice Pilaf.

Cuisine that is tailored to your dietary needs is not what sets us apart. Our willingness to do whatever it takes to make certain you have the most relaxing, enjoyable, comfortable and elegant vacation is, however, precisely what makes an American Queen voyage special. Our staff’s desire to go that extra mile for you is what makes the difference. If you like sweet tea, you just might find you’re handed a tall, cool glass without asking by your favorite waiter. If you prefer potatoes over rice, your server will take note and always ask when you order. If you want to avoid fat on a menu, our dining room team will always steer you in the right direction.

It’s our spirit of service and desire to please and to add that extra touch that sets the American Queen Steamboat Company apart. We invite you to join us and experience the difference.