Growing demand for Memphis-New Orleans cruises

[HostDave]

The American Queen riverboat will be busy in 2016 as demand rises for overnight cruises on the lower Mississippi River.

Sales of next year's cruises are up 200 percent over this time last year, and American Queen operators say more Memphis-New Orleans trips are a big reason.

American Queen Steamboat Co.'s high expectations for 2016 come as it basks in the limelight of a Conde Nast Traveler Best Cruise Lines Readers' Choice Award. Readers of the travel publication ranked the American Queen No. 6 in river cruises, the only American company honored in that category.

The company is based in Memphis because city government helped finance the 436-passenger paddle-wheeler's purchase and return to service in 2012. The company employs about 225 people.