A LOT OF SOMETHING FOR NOTHING

[HostDave]

You’ve heard the old saying that “you can’t get something for nothing” and in a world where every minute of extra time on your cell phone costs exorbitant amounts of money, hotels have a mandatory charge for access to a fitness center you might not even use and restaurants are going so far as to suggest how much to tip on the bill itself, that phrase rings truer than ever before.

It’s a common phrase, but it’s not one that we recognize at the American Queen Steamboat Company. When we were founded three years ago in 2011, we made a conscious effort to give vacationers much more than they ever expected and one of the most important ways to do so is to turn that phrase on its head and actually give everyone something for nothing. We do it before your cruise starts with a complimentary pre-cruise night in a hotel in your embarkation city which includes breakfast, taxes, porterage and transfers to your riverboat. We do it on board with complimentary wine and beer with dinner and complimentary cappuccino, espresso, bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage. And we also do it ashore with a complimentary shore excursion in every port of call.

We decided to offer free shore excursions because we wanted to find a way to make sure our guests experienced as much of each destination as possible. As we all sat around the conference table trying to decide which shore excursion it should be in each port, someone pointed out it might be helpful if we created a special shore excursion instead. Perhaps we could offer an excursion that allowed guests to see the full sweep of their destination yet spend as much or as little time as they chose at each attraction. We decided that if we ran our motorcoaches on a continuous loop from one popular spot to the next, our guests could get on and off when they choose. It would allow our guests to define exactly what they wanted out of their vacation. And that’s how our acclaimed Hop-On, Hop-Off complimentary shore excursion program came to be.

The move was so enthusiastically received by our guests on the American Queen on the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland rivers, we knew that when we made plans to add the American Empress in April of this year on 9-day voyages on the Columbia and Snake rivers that we had to continue the tradition. As a result, we’ve assembled an enticing array of complimentary Hop-On, Hop-Off shore excursions in the Pacific Northwest.

In Astoria, Oregon, the tour beings with a stop at the Riverwalk, a four-mile paved walkway overlooking the beautiful Columbia River and includes stops at the Flavel House, Astoria Column and the Heritage Museum. In Stevenson, Washington, we take guests to the manmade wonder of the Bonneville Dam and then on to the natural drama of the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center. The Bonneville Dam was completed in 1938 and is an electrical power generator for the local area that guests can tour as either a self-guided walk or with a ranger.

The Dalles, Oregon is a special place marking the end of the fabled Oregon Trail. On our Hop-On, Hop-Off excursion, guests can visit the Original Courthouse Museum, built in 1859 and renowned as the first courthouse of the Rocky Mountains. Here, guests can experience exhibits that showcase the history and the culture of the local region. Additional stops include The Dalles Visitors Center, the Fort Dalles Museum and Interpretive Center and the Sunshine Mills Winery (don’t forget that Dalles is in the heart of the wine-producing region of the Pacific Northwest).

Lewiston, Idaho is situated (appropriately, we might add) just across the river from Clarkston, Washington. The area is so rich with history that it is certain to be one of the highlights of every American Empress voyage. Guests can visit the Nez Perce National Historical Park to learn more about the Nez Perce people who are known for their involvement and assistance with the Lewis and Clark expedition. Tour the Nez Perce County Historical Society and Museum that preserves and interprets the history of the local region and its culture. Both Clarkston and Lewiston have wonderful downtown areas worth exploring as well.

Located at the confluence of the Columbia and Snake rivers, Sacajawea State Park marks a significant point in American History for our guests who can explore the Interpretive Center on the park grounds which feature the history of Lewis and Clark and their expedition team commissioned by Thomas Jefferson as the Corps of Discovery. The exhibits focus on their journey to these grounds with the helpful guidance of their Native American interpreter, Sacajawea. The excursion also includes a visit to The County Mercantile Store filled with gourmet foods, jams, homemade ice cream and one-of-a-kind gifts.

It’s easy to see why cruises on the elegant American Empress are in such high demand. But if you act quickly, the concept of getting something for nothing reaches new heights. 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.