A WHOLE NEW OUTLOOK

[HostDave]

How often do you sit down and assess your future, taking a long, hard look at the next year of your life and what you plan to do, what you plan to accomplish, and where you plan to travel? If you’re like most people, the answer is “almost never.” Who really has the luxury of looking so far ahead when there’s so much to do right now in our everyday lives?

But if you’re a company, you just don’t have that option. At the American Queen Steamboat Company, we’re always looking ahead and each year, we encapsulate all our research and planning into a single document: our annual brochure. We recently launched our new 68-page brochure showcasing our 2015 season, the first full year of operating both the grand American Queen in the Heartland and the elegant American Empress, just added in April 2014, in the Pacific Northwest.

You’ll find a number of exciting new adventures in 2015. For example, we are constantly evolving our product in response to your comments and for 2015, we heard your desire for more of our Premium Shore Excursions, in addition to continuing our immensely popular complimentary Hop-on, Hop-off tours in ports of call. While every cruise includes a complimentary One-Night Pre-Voyage Hotel Stay in your embarkation city, for 2015 we’ve also added additional optional Post-Voyage City stays for those who want to experience more time in cities such as Memphis, TN; New Orleans, LA; Nashville, TN; Portland, OR; and Spokane, WA.

The brochure features new photography from the American Empress’ inaugural season, capturing her stunning backdrops, dining venues, dynamic public spaces and opulent decor. The 223-guest riverboat’s itineraries for 2015 include compelling stops along the Columbia and Snake Rivers such as Multnomah Falls, Mt. St. Helens, the Walla Walla Wine trail and much more. A total of 32 nine-day voyages allow guests to experience the natural splendor of Pacific Northwest and historical landmarks that signify the living legacy of the regions first settlers.

A celebration of America’s cultural quilt will take place onboard the American Queen’s Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland River cruises, featuring six total itineraries in 2015. Historic ports of call include Cincinnati, OH; Paducah, KY; St. Louis, MO; and the line’s newest destination and Country Music Mecca: Nashville, TN. There, guests will enjoy tours of the stately Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame and an exclusive tour of President Andrew Jackson’s home.

Featuring 12 Upper Mississippi voyages, the American Queen will continue to call on favorite ports, including Mark Twain’s hometown of Hannibal, MO, and Red Wing, MN, as she sails between St. Louis and St. Paul. A variety of themed cruises characterize the Lower Mississippi itineraries that encapsulate Southern Culture, Gardens of the River and Old-Fashioned Holidays.

Naturally, for 2015 we are continuing all of the amenities and value-added touches that our past guests have come to expect and which set the American Queen Steamboat Company apart. Look for included shore excursions in every port of call and an included deluxe hotel stay before your voyage with breakfast, taxes, porterage and transfers to the American Queen or American Empress.

Aboard our riverboats, you’ll find complimentary wine and beer with dinner as well as complimentary cappuccino, espresso, bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage. Our friendly, all-American staff provides gracious service in a comfortable country club casual ambiance with no formal wear required. You’ll also be treated to daily lectures by the Riverlorian, our onboard history and culture expert. Top-notch entertainment, ranging from revues to intimate jazz bands, is once again on the schedule for 2015. Ashore, you’ll ride in our own dedicated fleet of luxury coaches where your guides and drivers quickly become old friends.

In the brochure’s welcome letter, American Queen Steamboat Company President & COO Ted Sykes sums up what we plan to achieve in 2015: “Spring of 2014 marked the expansion of our elegant and intimate style of travel to the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the Pacific Northwest. The soaring mountains, dramatic landscapes, abundant wildlife and frontier spirit of the fascinating West are the perfect complements to the cultural history, quiet towns and genteel character of our voyages on the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Just as the American Queen embodies the Heartland and legacy of Mark Twain, the American Empress was exclusively designed to celebrate the rich tradition of exploration in the West. Nature’s beauty and the historical tapestry that blankets this land have been in the making for countless generations. Regardless of which riverboat captures your imagination and regardless of which region wins your heart, a vacation aboard the American Queen or the American Empress is one unlike any other. Each voyage offers unique perspectives on America’s history, culture and landscape that you can’t get anywhere else: up-close, in-depth and unforgettable. Step aboard and delight in the luxurious modern amenities, gracious service and endless authentic experiences that are synonymous with American Queen Steamboat Company river cruising.”

While we promise some terrific deals for 2015 such as the ability to save $600 per stateroom on most cruises if you book and pay-in-full by September 19, 2014*, you don’t have to wait to take advantage of fantastic offers. You can save 50% on selected August 2014 American Empress cruises in the Pacific Northwest** and on select June, July and August 2014 American Queen voyages in the Heartland.*** On certain July, August and September 2014 American Queen departures, you can save $2,000.****

*Offer expires September 19, 2014 and is valid on new, paid-in-full bookings only. Full payment at time of booking is required to redeem this offer. Not valid on Group bookings or existing reservations; cannot be combined with other promotions or discounts. Save $600 per stateroom ($300 pp) on any 2015 American Empress voyage. Save $600 per stateroom ($300 pp) on any 2015 American Queen 7-day or longer voyage during the following 2015 months: February, March, June, July, August, November and December. Promotional fares and amenities are capacity controlled, may vary by sailing and may be withdrawn without notice. Fares quoted are in U.S. dollars, are per person and do not include taxes, port charges, insurance, gratuities, land transportation or airfare. Additional terms and conditions may apply - call for details.

**Offer expires July 31, 2014 and is valid on new, paid-in-full bookings only. Space cannot be held – full payment is required at time of booking to redeem this offer. This offer is based on cabin availability and only while inventory lasts. Offer of 50% savings applies to regular cruise fare only, regardless of cabin category, and is only valid on these 2014 American Empress voyage dates: 8/16, 8/23 and 8/30. Offer valid on U.S. and Canada resident bookings only. Offer is not valid on Group bookings or existing reservations and cannot be combined with other offers, promotions or discounts. Cruise fare does not include taxes, port charges, insurance, gratuities, or airfare. Additional terms and conditions may apply - call for details.

***Offer expires July 30, 2014 and is valid on new, paid-in-full bookings only. Offer of 50% savings applies to regular cruise fare only, regardless of cabin category, and is only valid on these 2014 American Queen voyage dates: 6/20, 6/23, 6/27, 7/03, 8/01 and 8/29. Offer valid on U.S. and Canada resident bookings only.

****Offer expires July 30, 2014 and is valid on new, paid-in-full bookings only. Save $2,000 per stateroom ($1,000 pp) on these 2014 American Queen voyage dates: 7/08, 7/15, 8/08, 8/15, 8/22 and 9/05. This offer is not valid on American Queen cabin categories G, H and I. Full payment at time of booking is required to redeem these offers-space cannot be held. Offers are based on cabin availability and only while inventory lasts. Offers are not valid on group bookings or existing reservations and cannot be combined with other offers, promotions or discounts. Fares quoted are in U.S. dollars. Cruise fare does not include taxes, port charges, insurance, gratuities, or airfare. Additional terms and conditions may apply - call for details.