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American Queen adds butlers, 'Mighty Mississippi' voyages in 2016

American Queen adds butlers, 'Mighty Mississippi' voyages in 2016
American Queen Steamboat Co.'s just-published 2016 brochure highlights the new Commodore River Butler Service for suites, two 'Mighty Mississippi' voyages stretching the entire length of the river and expanded theme programming including 'Presidents & Politics,' 'Five Rivers of the Heartland' and 'Holiday Christmas Markets.'

Looking to the company's fifth season, American Queen Steamboat Co. president and COO Ted Sykes expressed pride in 'steady enhancements ... earning us a high level of loyal repeat guests.'

New next year is Commodore River Butler Service for travelers booked in luxury suites on board American Queen and American Empress. The 24-hour 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.

Two 'Mighty Mississippi' voyages are epic 23-day sailings. The northbound cruise departs Aug. 14 and the southbound sailing on Sept. 4.

Three added themes for 2016 are 'Presidents & Politics,' with current events playing out in real time as this voyage coincides with the dates of the 2016 Republican and Democratic national conventions. American Queen departs Cincinnati during the GOP convention in Cleveland, and special presentations from guest speakers and historians will address such topics as American presidents, politics and elections.

Passengers aboard for American Queen's 'Holiday Christmas Markets' sailings can hear carolers perform on the levees and visit markets offering music, seasonal goods and locally produced crafts.

The special 'Five Rivers of the Heartland' itinerary touches five rivers in one voyage. The cruise embarks at St. Louis before traveling southbound on the Mississippi with a stop in Lincoln country at the mouth of the Illinois River. Then the riverboat will sail the Ohio and Tennessee rivers before concluding on the Cumberland River in Nashville. 

In the Pacific Northwest, the 223-passenger American Empress will embarks on its third season beginning March 19, 2016. The riverboat features 36 departure dates sailing between Portland, Oregon/Vancouver, Washington, and Clarkston, Washington.

In the Heartland, meanwhile, American Queen's fifth season begins Feb. 21, 2016. Forty-five itineraries will be offered.

All journeys include a one-night pre-voyage hotel stay, shore tours in every port, wine and beer with dinner and other amenities.