New Decade, New Dreams, New Destinations - American ...
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®
WINTER 2020 | Volume 6, Issue 1
New Decade, New Dreams, New Destinations
I t’s been a few months since I started on my American
Queen Steamboat Company journey, and it has been
quite exciting, yet challenging at the same time. I’m very
Ohio River from late May to mid-July, then return to the
Mississippi River for the balance of the year. The vessel
will accommodate 245 guests, and will offer the same
fortunate to be working with such a great group of people, high-quality onboard service and shoreside experiences as
both shoreside and on board our fleet. her sisters. This year, we also celebrate the 25th anniversary
of the American Queen,® our flagship paddlewheeler. We
Late last year, I was able to carve some time out of the have special events planned for that incredible milestone.
busy schedule to cruise on the American Duchess.™ I very We are also proud to share a stunning lineup of new
much enjoyed meeting some of you – our valued guests itineraries for our Victory Cruise Lines® voyages.
– and experiencing our award-winning product on the
Mississippi River. We are very proud of the overall guest On behalf of all of us in the American Queen Steamboat
experience, from the high-touch service of our staff to Company family, thank you for your loyalty, and we wish
the dining experience and entertainment to the historic you and your families a very happy and healthy new year.
destinations we explore with our shore excursions team.
We have some exciting initiatives as we look forward in
2020. In April, we will welcome our newest paddlewheeler Best wishes,
to our collection – the American Countess.™ She will Ares Michaelides, President,
initially operate in her inaugural season with an eight- American Queen Steamboat
day experience on the Lower Mississippi River (New Company/Victory Cruise Lines®
Orleans to Memphis and reverse), then transition to the
IN THIS ISSUE:
H Letter from the President H Wake-Up Call Cocktail Recipe
H USS LST 393 H Civil War Cruises
H SSOA Member Spotlight – Bill Taylor H 2021 Preview – Looking Ahead
2021 PREVIEW – LOOKING AHEAD
Glimpse into the future of river and coastal cruising. See a few of the sensational treats coming next year on
American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines.
Plans for 2021: SPECIAL SHOWCASES and NEW PLACES – see what’s in store!
SPECIAL-INTEREST SERIES
In 2021, we will introduce our Special-Interest Series, in which thoughtfully planned
cruises cater to personal preferences. Remarkable onboard events pair with exclusive
shore excursions to create meaningful and uplifting encounters with a focus on fun.
NEW ROUTE ON THE ILLINOIS RIVER
Embark on our BRAND-NEW Memphis-to-Chicago (Ottawa) and Chicago (Ottawa)-to-
St. Louis (Alton) journeys in 2021. History is built by those standing on the shoulders of
giants. Explore the legacy of an American legend – President Abraham Lincoln – partly
a product of this heartland full of patriots born of solid stock and bred to rely on steely
reserve. The hospitality of these quaint river towns touches the spirit of all who visit.
American Countess, Sep 18; Sep 25
Set your senses reeling with our NEW selection of 2021 VICTORY CRUISE LINES VOYAGES!
Travel up the Eastern The majesty of Canada’s Or migrate through the Who doesn’t love autumn
Seaboard on a charming Maritime Provinces springs magical Midwest on an epic in New England? Sail from
13-day journey from to life on a May cruise from summer roundtrip Chicago St. John to Boston for
Jacksonville to Halifax, Portland to Niagara Falls, cruise through the jewels an unmatched show of
exploring multiple historic with an expert naturalist on of the Great Lakes – nature’s bounty.
ports along the way. board to enhance the joys 16 days of adventure and
of whale-watching near the memory-making.
Saguenay Fjord.
USS LST 393
Battle-Worn Beauty – a Military Treasure
Walk through history in the footsteps of heroes in one of the newest ports
on our 2020 collection of Great Lakes itineraries. Visit the USS LST
(Landing Ship, Tank) 393 in picturesque Muskegon, Michigan.
While in service during World War II, this imposing amphibious vessel
participated in operations at Sicily and Salerno, Italy, and most notably
the pivotal D-Day invasion at Normandy, France.
The USS LST 393 made, all told, 30 roundtrips at Omaha Beach,
delivering crucial equipment and supplies and returning with human
cargo – prisoners and the wounded.
She is one of but two such tanks out of more than 1,000 to survive in her
original configuration. Walking her decks and exploring her spaces takes
veterans and civilians alike into the time and place of a national crisis from
which the bold and the brave arose and conquered.
After American liberty had been secured, the enormous ship continued
her service in the early 1950s as the MV Highway 16, shipping Michigan’s
most plentiful commodity – automobiles – across the Great Lakes on
their way west. She carries only stories now, and this decorated freedom
fighter is ready to share her sagas.
Each spring, the Rolling Thunder Michigan Chapter 4 veterans’ support
group sponsors a huge two-day celebration on the lakefront, with live jazz,
a throwback air show, a pin-up expo, swing dancing, costumed re-enactors,
weapons, artifacts and more.
The museum is closed for the season, and will reopen on May 2.
Don’t miss your chance to visit on an included tour on select
Victory Cruise Lines voyages.
Victory I ™ – May 20
Victory II ™ – May 13, 27; Jun 10, 24; Jul 8, 22; Aug 5, 19; Sep 2
GET SOCIAL WITH US
FACEBOOK TWITTER
Follow American Queen Steamboat
Company and connect with fellow INSTAGRAM YOUTUBE
Steamboat Society of America members.
DON’T MISS OUR BLOG AT AQSC.COM/BLOG
5
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT – BILL TAYLOR
Emerald-Level Member Bill Taylor “The boat is the show! I love every aspect of a cruise on
of Jackson, Ohio, is a funeral director, the American Queen,” Bill laughed.
a former Ohio state trooper and a former
governmental auditor. He’s also a man “Cruises on the rivers aboard a paddlewheel steamboat afford a state
of passions. One of the things he’s of relaxation I've never found on any other type of vacation. There is
passionate about is river cruising. no reason for the world to go past at more than 8 miles per hour! I
love the quality of the entertainment in all venues... the scrumptious
Since his first cruise in 1998 on the meals... the wonderful people I meet from around the country and
American Queen – then operated by Delta the world – even if we don't stay in contact, but I have with many –
Queen Steamboat Company – he has and most certainly the WONDERFUL crew! I consider several of
embarked on 60 river cruises. the crew members as personal friends.”
“My first cruise was a four-night roundtrip Cincinnati,” he said. Friendship and helping others is important to Bill. “If I can do to one
“I fell in love with it!” small thing for someone to make his or her life better – even if they
The ensuing years found Bill cruising on the American Queen, the may not remember it five minutes later – if at that point I've helped
Delta Queen, the Mississippi Queen and Majestic America Line’s them, then it’s good within my heart.”
Empress of the North – now probably more familiar to many of you as Chance are high that you’ll
our own charming American Empress.® encounter Bill if you cruise
In 2012, with the launch of our American Queen, Bill started cruising on the American Queen this
with us almost exclusively, and racked up another 30 voyages. “I did year. As one of our most
one ocean cruise in 2001. I came right back to the river!” he joked. enthusiastic ambassadors,
he’ll be more than happy to
At the close of 2019, Bill completed three back-to-back voyages – 21 help welcome you aboard.
days – on the American Queen, and had already booked three more
back-to-backs beginning in February.
Photo courtesy of Bill Taylor
While his former favorite had been the Delta Queen, he’s now an
American Queen devotee.
PADDLEWHEELER WINTER RECIPE
The Wake-Up Call Take a trip back in time…
Adapted from Heritage Distilling Co.®
Civil War
Photo courtesy of Heritage Distilling Co.
CRUISES
Journey through living history, and explore
the legacy of the Civil War, both on board
Although it’s winter now, before we know it, we’ll be setting those and in ports of call.
clocks an hour ahead to “spring forward” for Daylight Saving Time.
Losing an hour can leave us in a fog, so in preparation for that not-
so-cherished tradition, let’s all have an appropriate cocktail – the
Wake-Up Call.
2 oz vanilla vodka 1 oz heavy cream
1 oz citrus vodka Coffee beans
1 oz strong brewed coffee SEVERAL DATES IN 2020
American Queen: Mar 15, Nov 15
Pour all ingredients over ice into a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously, American Duchess: Apr 5, Sep 13
American Countess: Oct 25, Nov 1
and strain into a coupe filled with ice. Garnish with coffee beans.
6
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
EXCITING NEW PROGRAM COMING IN 2020 – LOOK FOR DETAILS SOON.
ACTIVATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TODAY
Take advantage of all the benefits that await you by registering for our loyalty program. There are three ways to register:
1: ONLINE: www.AQSC.com/SSOA 2: ONBOARD 3: CALL: (888) 749-5280
Steamboat Society of America RUBY
(35-69 cruise nights)
T he Steamboat Society of America, our guest loyalty program, was
created to recognize our past guests and offer the opportunity to
enjoy exclusive benefits and incentives for cruising frequently with us.
All Classic benefits, plus:
“Members only” luggage tags; a membership
status name badge; a dedicated reservations
line; a $50 onboard credit per member;
In addition to our Classic membership, earned after completion of pre-boarding privileges*
your first cruise on any of our vessels, we offer f our levels of elite
membership – Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald and Diamond. Each level SAPPHIRE
(70-139 cruise nights)
brings additional benefits, and is reached after cruising the designated
All Ruby benefits, plus:
number of qualifying nights with us. Preferred reserved dining room seating;
an additional $50 onboard credit ($100
After membership activation, all Classic members will receive: per member); complimentary laundry service**;
a “welcome back” signed card from the
H The Paddlewheeler quarterly newsletter captain, plus a set of exclusive notecards
H Advance information on new itineraries
EMERALD
H Exclusive invitations and promotions (140-209 cruise nights)
H A designation pin mailed after activation and upon All Sapphire benefits, plus:
A one-cabin-category upgrade at time
reaching each level milestone of booking (subject to availability); a 10%
H A cocktail party hosted by the captain and senior discount in the onboard gift shop
officers onboard
DIAMOND
H Friends and family may come aboard for a tour and breakfast (210+ cruise nights)
or lunch aboard the American Queen,® American Empress,® American All Emerald benefits, plus:
An additional $50 onboard credit ($150
Duchess™ or American Countess™ while in port when member is a per member); a two cabin-category upgrade
cruise guest. Reservations required at least 14 days in advance. at time of booking (subject to availability)
H Access for breakfast or lunch when the American Queen,
American Empress, American Duchess or American Countess
After reaching Sapphire, Emerald or Diamond status, members
are in port near member’s hometown. Reservations required will be honored during an onboard Captain’s Presentation that
at least 14 days in advance. includes gifts of a deluxe official wall certificate and a framed,
signed painting by maritime artist Michael Blaser.
For questions or more information about the Steamboat Society of America, please visit
our website at www.aqsc.com/ssoa, email ssoa@aqsc.com or call us at (888) 749-5280.
*Benefit not available on American Empress voyages. **Complimentary laundry service is limited to one in-room laundry bag per 7-day cruise.; no dry cleaning services available.
Only sailings operated by American Queen Steamboat Company® (as of April 2012) and Victory Cruise Lines® (as of May 2019) count toward membership level. Membership
benefits are non-transferable, combinable with other applicable promotional offers and must be applied to future cruise travel; hotel nights do not count toward membership;
cruise nights are calculated after completion of a cruise. Additional rules and conditions apply. Cabin-category upgrades are subject to availability, and available only up to category
AAA on the American Queen, category A on the American Empress and category DS on the American Duchess. Vessel access and onboard visits by members: capacity-controlled on a
daily basis, not available in ports of embarkation/disembarkation, reservations and government guest security information is required, guests must be accompanied by member
and visits are limited to four per calendar year. Onboard Captain’s Presentations are held on the cruise subsequent to a member reaching Sapphire, Emerald or Diamond status.
American Queen Steamboat Company reserves the right to change Steamboat Society of America program rules, benefits, terms and/or conditions at any time without notice.
©2019 American Queen Steamboat Operating Company, LLC 082619
7
222 Pearl St.
New Albany, IN 47150
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