Further, the 76-page brochure provides sample dining menus and outlines the company's award-winning shore excursions and two 'Mighty Mississippi' voyages stretching between St. Paul and New Orleans.
Commodore Services provide an exclusive level of hospitality and amenities to passengers in suite-level accommodations. Included are access to the pre-voyage hotel's club lounge, voyage check-in and pre-boarding privileges, a bottle of wine from the region or fruit basket upon arrival, preferred dining arrangements, reserved balcony seating in the Grand Saloon theater or The Show Lounge theater, a private reception with senior officers of the ship and River Butler services for those in luxury suites.
The 'Mighty Mississippi' voyages travel the entire length of the river with a southbound and northbound itinerary spanning three weeks.
Among the new themed voyages for American Queen are 'Presidents & Politics,' 'Holiday Christmas Markets' and ''Five Rivers of the Heartland,' which touches the Mississippi, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland rivers in a single itinerary.
The 223-passenger American Empress embarks on its third season sailing the Pacific Northwest March 19, 2016. Attractions along the Columbia and Snake rivers include Multnomah Falls, Mount St. Helens and the Walla Walla Wine Trail. The season offers 32 departures sailing between Portland, Oregon/Vancouver, Washington, and Clarkston, Washington. The season begins and ends with two round-trip Portland itineraries featuring Astoria, The Dalles and Stevenson.
American Queen, meanwhile, embarks on its fifth season on Feb. 18, 2016, to destinations along the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. The 46 itineraries next year offer history and culture, from pre-cruise hotel stays in New Orleans to tracing the steps of Mark Twain in Hannibal, Missouri.          Â
Nine-day sailings on American Queen are priced starting at $2,149, while American Empress fares begin at $2,649 per person, double occupancy. All journeys include a one-night pre-voyage hotel stay, shore tours in all ports, wine and beer with dinner and other amenities.
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