A Record End to 2012

[HostDave]

By Timothy Rubacky, Senior Vice President

Building a company from nothing isn’t easy. Just ask the dedicated team at the American Queen Steamboat Company that has returned the American Queen to America’s rivers. In the early days, we faced challenges reaching agreement with the U.S. Government, which owed the boat. It wasn’t easy to find out the details of the paint colors when we decided to restore the American Queen to appear just as she did when she first entered service. Hiring a team of dedicated professionals who love Steamboating was easy, but putting together the reservations system, establishing operational guidelines and training crew members took plenty of work. One of our biggest challenges in the early days was to convince loyal fans of predecessors such as the Delta Queen Steamboat Company that we were for real, understood the importance of riverboats, and would honor the past while simultaneously aiming for the future.

I’m here to tell you today that I’m thrilled we have succeeded on all counts. No one starts a business just for the fun of it; the overall goal is to make enough money to pay the bills, reward employees with good salaries, and salt away some funds to grow that business in the future.

As we head into the American Queen’s second season, overall bookings for 2013 are up 300% compared to 2012. Many voyages are already selling out. Since her return to the rivers this past April, the American Queen has rekindled the desire for travelers to discover the historic and enchanting river towns of the U.S. from Natchez, MS, to Red Wing, MN, with grace and elegance aboard the grandest riverboat in the world. Resulting from the popularity of river cruising she has forged once again, we are seeing tremendous volume in 2013 reservations.

This success allows us to better match supply with demand by instituting a fare increase, averaging $200 per guest per voyage, for all bookings made beginning January 1, 2013. At this time of year, we are often more focused on family and the holidays than planning our next vacation but I would urge everyone who has an interest in sailing with us to take advantage of our current 2012 pricing and make a reservation before prices rise at the end of the year. Even with the fare adjustments, we believe that American river cruising with the American Queen Steamboat Company is one of the best vacation values today.

Offering the most inclusive river cruise experience in North America, fares will begin at $1,345 per guest based on double occupancy beginning January 1, 2013, and include a one-night pre-voyage hotel stay, shore tours in every port onboard deluxe Steamcoaches, the acclaimed cuisine of legendary chef Regina Charboneau and complimentary wine and beer with dinner. Not only do we have multiple specialty dining options, all at no additional charge, we also offer complimentary cappuccino, espresso, specialty coffees, bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage. A variety of holiday lengths ranging from five days to fourteen offer exceptional value and convenience, with little or no flying required.

Among the 2013 Voyage Highlights:

A total of 30 departures from Memphis and New Orleans, showcasing the legendary Lower Mississippi’s plantations, civil war battlefields, history and Southern culture.

Five special departures featuring Natchez’s Spring Pilgrimage Pageant "Blue Hawaii,” an Elvis Tribute

New themes – Blues & Barbeque, Louisiana History & Culture, Mystical Krewe of Steamboating Mardi Gras, Dixie Fest, Southern Spirits, Gardens of the River, In the Good Old Summertime, Baseball Legends, Manifest Destiny, The Great Steamboat Era and the first annual Delta Queen Steamboat Company and Paddlewheel Steamboat Society Of America™ Reunion voyages Epic Civil War voyage between Memphis and Chattanooga.

It has been a wonderful year for the American Queen, our guests, our travel partners, our crew and our shoreside staff in Memphis. Before we bid 2012 a fond farewell, think ahead to 2013 and which of our voyages has the greatest appeal to you. Book before January 1, 2013 and you can still take advantage of this year’s rates on all sailings next year. We thank you for your support and look forward to welcoming you aboard in the very near future.