Fifth Season Include Butler Service Debut and Epic “Mighty Mississippi” Voyages

[HostDave]

American Queen Steamboat Company, operator of America’s most opulent and luxurious paddlewheel vessels, announces its new brochure highlighting voyages for the 2016 season is now available.

The 75-page brochure highlights the new Commodore River Butler Service with butlers for luxury suites, two Mighty Mississippi Voyages stretching the length of the entire river and expanded theme programming including Presidents & Politics, Five Rivers of the Heartland and Holiday Markets.

“As we shift attention to spotlight the upcoming 2016 season and our fifth season operating the American Queen, I am proud of our steady enhancements to the American Queen Steamboat Company experience, earning us a high level of loyal repeat guests eager to pursue their passion for river cruising,” shares American Queen Steamboat Company President and COO Ted Sykes.

“As the first riverboat company to return to America’s heartland with regular overnight service and operating the only member vessels of the Historic Hotels of America, we are proud ambassadors of modern U.S. river travel and embrace our legacy.”

New for 2016

Commodore River Butler Service
Guests booked in luxury suites onboard the American Queen and American Empress can enjoy Commodore River Butler Service. The 24-hour personalized butler service includes private check-in, laundry services, shoe shines, afternoon in-suite tea, breakfast and dinner service, in-suite canapés and post-dinner sweets along with a personal escort to reserved balcony seating in the Grand Saloon theater.

Mighty Mississippi Voyages
In response to requests from past guests, the 2016 season will feature two Mighty Mississippi Voyages, traveling the length of the entire river with a southbound and northbound itinerary spanning three weeks. Departing on Aug. 14 southbound or on Sept. 4 northbound, the 23-day sailing is an epic opportunity to discover or rediscover America.

New Themed Voyages
Building on a rich tradition of themed voyages led by Bourbon Voyages, the Antebellum South and the Civil War, three added themes for 2016 are adding to the highly anticipated season.

– Presidents & Politics
Guests onboard the Presidents & Politics sailings will immerse themselves in the history of the American presidency. Current political events play out in real time as this voyage coincides with the dates of the 2016 Republican and Democratic National Conventions. The American Queen departs Cincinnati during the GOP convention in Cleveland, and guests will enjoy special presentations from guest speakers and historians addressing such topics as American presidents, politics and elections.

– Holiday-Christmas Markets
Basking in the glitter and elegance of an American Queen holiday, guests can revel in the holiday spirit as carolers perform on the levees during the Holiday Christmas Market sailings. An exclusive lineup of Christmas markets offers something for everyone including music, seasonal goods and locally produced crafts.

– Five Rivers of the Heartland
America’s rivers are its natural highways and the perfect avenue to explorer the interior of the U.S. The special Five Rivers of the Heartland itinerary allows American Queen guests a rare opportunity to touch five rivers in one incredible voyage. The itinerary embarks from St. Louis before traveling southbound on the Mississippi with a stop in Lincoln country at the mouth of the Illinois River. Continuing on the journey, the riverboat will sail the Ohio River and enjoy scenic views of the Tennessee River before concluding on the Cumberland River in Nashville.

American Empress Itinerary Overview
The largest and most elegant riverboat west of the Mississippi, the 223-guest American Empress, embarks on her third season sailing the Pacific Northwest beginning March 19, 2016. Embarking on compelling stops along the Columbia and Snake Rivers, such as Multnomah Falls, Mt. St. Helens and the Walla Walla Wine Trail, the riverboat features 36 departure dates sailing between Portland/Vancouver, Wash. and Clarkston, Wash.

American Queen Itinerary Overview
Embarking on her fifth season on Feb. 21, 2016, the American Queen transports guests back in time with antebellum décor and stops along the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. With 45 total itineraries in 2016, each voyage is steeped in history and culture from pre-cruise hotel stays in New Orleans to tracing the steps of Mark Twain in Hannibal, Mo.