Photo by Joshua Michaels on Unsplash
American Queen Voyages Ceases Operations and Cancels Future Cruises
February 22, 2024
American Queen Voyages has ceased operations. The steamboat company announced the news on its website.
A message to customers states, “Despite great efforts by our team, crew and partners, American Queen Voyages (AQV) unfortunately has been unable to rebound from the effects of the pandemic. The overnight cruise industry was especially affected by changes in travel preferences and, as a result, AQV has become financially unsustainable..”
The statement continued by saying that the business was “shutting down,” and all future AQV cruises have been canceled. The company claims it is proud of its crew and the “outstanding” travel experiences and services they have provided guests.
The company sincerely regrets any inconvenience this has caused passengers. The message directed readers to www.aqvrefunds.com for refunds.
The Hornblower Group, a San Francisco-based experience and transportation company, owns the cruise line. Hornblower announced on Wednesday that an investment firm, Strategic Value Partners, will acquire it.
President of Hornblower Group, Adam Peakes, told USA Today that the group plans to “sell the company, or, if a sale cannot be achieved, its operations will be wound down.” He added that the decision to shut down operations was not made lightly.
The line began sailing as American Queen Steamboat Company in 2011. It merged with Victory Cruise Lines and renamed American Queen Voyages in 2021.
According to Cruise Hive, American Queen Voyages featured the cruise ships “American Queen, a 417-guest ship built in 1995; American Countess, a 245-guest ship that launched in 1996; American Duchess, with a capacity for 166 guests and built in 1996; and American Empress, a 217-guest ship that entered service in 2003.” Additionally, the company owned the ship Ocean Victory.
Before American Queen Voyages ceased operations, its “river ships operated on the Lower and Upper Mississippi, Cumberland, Tennessee, Columbia, and Snake rivers. Ocean Victory typically sailed Central America itineraries in winter and Alaska cruises in summer.”
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