THE PAST IS OUR FUTURE

[HostDave]

The past is everywhere you turn. It’s in the buildings of your downtown, in your favorite images of places you visited when you were young, in an old hotel from the 1800s and even an old supermarket from the 1960s. And everywhere you turn, the past is vanishing. Old is continually being torn down to be replaced with new. If we’re completely honest with ourselves, that is usually a good thing. A decrepit strip mall from decades gone by is replaced with a trendy collection of outdoor shops and townhouses. That certainly seems like an improvement doesn’t it?

However, something is lost when the past goes away. Admittedly, not everything is worth saving. That decrepit strip mall is one example. But keep in mind that someday, many decades from now, there won’t be a single example left of various kinds of architecture that once graced the country. That old hotel might seem musty, but it is a landmark. That gas station with the sweeping pointed roof that looks like it dropped from a Jetsons cartoon of the 1960s is a reminder of a time when architects strived to make the ordinary extraordinary.

At the American Queen Steamboat Company, we are particularly sensitive and aware of the past. You see it in the American Queen and our soon-to-be-added American Empress. Each is built to honor the riverboats of more than a century ago, but does so with every possible modern convenience for our guests. Importantly, the places to which we sail are steeped in history. Can you imagine what Natchez would be today if the city’s historic district of antebellum homes cradled by huge live oaks and kissed by the sweet scent of magnolia blossoms had been leveled to make way for motels and malls? What if Graceland, Elvis’ home in Memphis, had been bulldozed instead of lovingly preserved? New Orleans would not be New Orleans without the history and drama of the French Quarter. The Columbia and Snake rivers lose much of their meaning if you remove the story of Lewis & Clark and the tangible reminders of their courageous expedition more than two centuries ago.

Without the past, there is no need for cruises on America’s rivers. Indeed, there is no need for the American Queen Steamboat Company. Dig deeper and you can see that without our past, America is not America at all.

That’s one of the many reasons that we have partnered with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to help preserve American heritage, culture and promote National Treasures. As a key feature to the partnership, the American Queen Steamboat Company will make a corporate donation of five dollars to the National Trust for every river cruise booking as well as give guests the opportunity to match the donation. American Queen travelers have the opportunity to learn more about the National Trust’s National Treasure sites, located along the Mississippi River as well as the Pacific Northwest, where the American Empress will launch in April 2014. Special attention to preservation concepts and techniques, as well as the work of architects, historians and other professionals in the field of historic preservation are highlighted onboard and on shore.

Through the partnership with the National Trust, American Queen Steamboat Company has become a contributing sponsor for four of the National Trust’s National Treasures: Mississippi Delta Heritage Area, Manhattan Project Historic Sites in Washington State, Willamette Falls Navigation Canal and Locks in Oregon and a future site to be named at a later date.

The National Trust’s National Treasures are irreplaceable, critically threatened places across the country where the National Trust for Historic Preservation is making a deep organizational investment. Guided by more than 60 years of experience, the organization is taking direct action to protect these places and promote their history and significance, engaging local preservationists to help advance the cause of preservation nationally. The American Queen Steamboat Company is thrilled to help support the restoration and preservation of our past. We urge you to help us do so by booking one of our 2014 voyages.

If you make your reservations and pay-in-full before March 31, 2014, you can take advantage of one of two extraordinary offers. Choose to save up to $400 per stateroom* on any American Empress voyage from June through October, 2014 or instead select a two-category upgrade** on any 2014 departure of the American Empress in the Pacific Northwest or the American Queen on the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland rivers in 2014.

* Book by March 31, 2014, pay-in-full and Save $400 per stateroom ($200 per person) on any 2014 June-October American Empress voyage. Full payment is required at time of booking to redeem this offer. Offer expires on March 31, 2014. This offer cannot be combined with other offers, promotions or discounts; not valid on Group bookings or existing reservations. Savings are only on the price of the cruise, not valid on taxes, port charges, insurance, gratuities, or airfare. Promotional fares and amenities are capacity controlled, may vary by sailing and category of accommodations and may be withdrawn without notice. Fares quoted are in U.S. dollars, are per person and do not include air or land transportation. Port Charges of $69 to $159 per person are additional and not included in the fare. Additional terms and conditions may apply – call for details.

**Offer expires March 31, 2014 and is valid on new, paid-in-full bookings only. Full payment at time of booking is required to redeem this offer. Estimated savings of up to $3200 ($1600 per person) is based on double occupancy for a standard American Queen 9 day voyage. Offer is not valid on Group bookings or existing reservations and cannot be combined with other offers, promotions or discounts. The free 2 cabin category upgrade means that guests will be placed in cabin(s) that are 2 sequential categories above initial cabin(s) requested at time of reservation. This offer is not valid on cabin upgrades into American Queen categories LS, AAA, SO and SI; and American Empress categories LS, A and CS. This offer is based on cabin availability and only while inventory lasts. Cruise fare does not include taxes, port charges, insurance, gratuities, or airfare. Additional terms and conditions may apply - call for details.