Looking Ahead
Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 3:36 pm
By Timothy Rubacky, Senior Vice President
It seems like the holidays were only yesterday. Oh wait, they were! It’s amazing how quickly we change our focus and look ahead to what comes next. After days of preparation and weeks of anticipation, the big day has come and gone. It seems like the dishes aren’t even in the sink before we’re trying to figure out what to do next. Watch football? Play in the snow? Go see a movie? Go over to friends’ homes? In some ways, it reminds me of Thanksgiving. Hours are spent cooking and in 30 minutes it’s all over. Although at least case in that case our focus turns to the upcoming yuletide!
Here at the American Queen Steamboat Company, I can’t really say that our focus turns to 2013 because it has been on next year for some time now. That’s simply how a company is run. As our 2012 sailings fill, we turn our attention to recreating the same success in 2013.
Of course, this is also a good time to remind you that things never stay the same. Next week on January 1, 2013, our fares will be going up due to the tremendous demand for the American Queen. However, if having the holiday behind you makes you start looking ahead, then it’s time to think about your vacation choices for 2013. Book in the next four days to take advantage of our existing 2012 Inaugural Season prices before the fare increase on New Year’s Day.
But on certain additional voyages, you can even save off the already-low fares. If you book your February or March voyage (including our Mardi Gras sailing) by January 31, you can receive not only a $750 travel credit per stateroom, but also a two-category stateroom upgrade. Single travelers will appreciate our special offer of no supplemental cost for inside cabins and only a 20% single supplement on outside staterooms.
Savings extend all the way through Spring, Summer and Fall of 2013 as well with a Travel Credit of $200 per stateroom on itineraries of up to six nights and $400 on itineraries from seven to 12 nights.
Here are a few sailings you may want to consider:
BIG BAND
>Voyages between Memphis, TN and New Orleans, LA
7- and 8-night voyages in February
Get “in the mood” for our sensational Big Band Vacations, when special onboard guest orchestras play the tunes you know so well, all in the original arrangements that made them legendary. If you are a fan of the big bands, this is a sentimental journey you won’t want to miss. Depending upon your voyage, you will be joined by one or more of the following musical groups: Herb Reed's Platters, Artie Shaw Orchestra, New Orleans All-Stars, Tout Les Soir, Three Redneck Tenors, and The Harry James Orchestra.
MARDI GRAS
>New Orleans, LA to Memphis, TN
Feb. 7, 2013 - Feb. 15, 2013
8-night voyage
Break out the beads, the masks and your sense of adventure as we celebrate the quintessential New Orleans holiday! French for Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras is a time of good music, good friends and fantastic fun.
SOUTHERN CULTURE & SPRING PILGRIMAGE
>Voyages between New Orleans, LA and Memphis, TN
7- and 8-night voyages in March
The Pilgrimage Open House tradition began in the 1940s, when members of the garden clubs in Natchez, MS began hosting tours of their gardens in the spring. Later, they also opened their lovely homes and Pilgrimage became such a popular idea that it quickly spread throughout the Mississippi Delta. Join us in the spring and enjoy fascinating speakers, lively entertainment and informative demonstrations that will enhance your understanding of our antebellum legacy.
GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME
>Voyages on the Upper Mississippi River
5- to 9-night voyages in June, July and August
Straw hats, suspenders, cool pitchers of lemonade, brass bands, picnics, ice cream socials and porch swings were part of the fabric of summer in American not all that long ago. Be transported to a simpler time when summer was about fun, freedom, friends and food. Fly kites off the top deck, enjoy apple pies and cherry cobbler and immerse yourself in the music and stories of a time gone by.
Note that the Travel Credit is per stateroom, for new, individual bookings only, and does not apply to special group or negotiated rates. 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. Promotional fares and amenities are capacity controlled, may vary by sailing and category of accommodations and may be withdrawn without notice. Additional terms and conditions may apply.
It seems like the holidays were only yesterday. Oh wait, they were! It’s amazing how quickly we change our focus and look ahead to what comes next. After days of preparation and weeks of anticipation, the big day has come and gone. It seems like the dishes aren’t even in the sink before we’re trying to figure out what to do next. Watch football? Play in the snow? Go see a movie? Go over to friends’ homes? In some ways, it reminds me of Thanksgiving. Hours are spent cooking and in 30 minutes it’s all over. Although at least case in that case our focus turns to the upcoming yuletide!
Here at the American Queen Steamboat Company, I can’t really say that our focus turns to 2013 because it has been on next year for some time now. That’s simply how a company is run. As our 2012 sailings fill, we turn our attention to recreating the same success in 2013.
Of course, this is also a good time to remind you that things never stay the same. Next week on January 1, 2013, our fares will be going up due to the tremendous demand for the American Queen. However, if having the holiday behind you makes you start looking ahead, then it’s time to think about your vacation choices for 2013. Book in the next four days to take advantage of our existing 2012 Inaugural Season prices before the fare increase on New Year’s Day.
But on certain additional voyages, you can even save off the already-low fares. If you book your February or March voyage (including our Mardi Gras sailing) by January 31, you can receive not only a $750 travel credit per stateroom, but also a two-category stateroom upgrade. Single travelers will appreciate our special offer of no supplemental cost for inside cabins and only a 20% single supplement on outside staterooms.
Savings extend all the way through Spring, Summer and Fall of 2013 as well with a Travel Credit of $200 per stateroom on itineraries of up to six nights and $400 on itineraries from seven to 12 nights.
Here are a few sailings you may want to consider:
BIG BAND
>Voyages between Memphis, TN and New Orleans, LA
7- and 8-night voyages in February
Get “in the mood” for our sensational Big Band Vacations, when special onboard guest orchestras play the tunes you know so well, all in the original arrangements that made them legendary. If you are a fan of the big bands, this is a sentimental journey you won’t want to miss. Depending upon your voyage, you will be joined by one or more of the following musical groups: Herb Reed's Platters, Artie Shaw Orchestra, New Orleans All-Stars, Tout Les Soir, Three Redneck Tenors, and The Harry James Orchestra.
MARDI GRAS
>New Orleans, LA to Memphis, TN
Feb. 7, 2013 - Feb. 15, 2013
8-night voyage
Break out the beads, the masks and your sense of adventure as we celebrate the quintessential New Orleans holiday! French for Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras is a time of good music, good friends and fantastic fun.
SOUTHERN CULTURE & SPRING PILGRIMAGE
>Voyages between New Orleans, LA and Memphis, TN
7- and 8-night voyages in March
The Pilgrimage Open House tradition began in the 1940s, when members of the garden clubs in Natchez, MS began hosting tours of their gardens in the spring. Later, they also opened their lovely homes and Pilgrimage became such a popular idea that it quickly spread throughout the Mississippi Delta. Join us in the spring and enjoy fascinating speakers, lively entertainment and informative demonstrations that will enhance your understanding of our antebellum legacy.
GOOD OLD SUMMERTIME
>Voyages on the Upper Mississippi River
5- to 9-night voyages in June, July and August
Straw hats, suspenders, cool pitchers of lemonade, brass bands, picnics, ice cream socials and porch swings were part of the fabric of summer in American not all that long ago. Be transported to a simpler time when summer was about fun, freedom, friends and food. Fly kites off the top deck, enjoy apple pies and cherry cobbler and immerse yourself in the music and stories of a time gone by.
Note that the Travel Credit is per stateroom, for new, individual bookings only, and does not apply to special group or negotiated rates. 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. Promotional fares and amenities are capacity controlled, may vary by sailing and category of accommodations and may be withdrawn without notice. Additional terms and conditions may apply.