NEW ALBANY — For the first time in its history, American Queen Steamboat Company will be operating a full season in the U.S. Midwest, with 30 Ohio River sailings scheduled to sail in 2022.

As the only overnight operator on the Ohio River, and in response to increased demand for less-travelled routes, the American Queen, American Duchess and the new American Countess will sail through the U.S. heartland, from Kentucky to Ohio to Pennsylvania. 

Plus, with the Spring Sale, guests can save up to US$2,000 per stateroom on select 2022 sailings, including Ohio River itineraries, when booked by June 30, 2021 using the code ‘SPRING.’ Fares start at US$1,799 per person, plus port fees, taxes and gratuities. 

Here is a sampling of AQSC’s 2022 itineraries featuring the Ohio River:

Louisville to Pittsburgh (or reverse)

The nine-day ‘Ohio River Exploration’ sailing includes visits to Heinze History Center and the Duquesne Incline, plus guests will learn the history of the area at the Ohio River Museum in Marietta, Ohio and sample wines from the oldest commercial estate winery in America at the Baker-Bird Winery in Augusta, Ky. Cincinnati is also a port-stop favourite with excursions to Fountain Square, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Cincinnati Art Museum, and a stop in Louisville featuring options to visit the Kentucky Derby Museum and Churchill Downs. Ports of call on ‘Ohio River Exploration’ include: Pittsburgh, Pa.; Wheeling, W.Va.; Marietta, Ohio; Huntington, W.Va.; Augusta, Ky.; Cincinnati; Madison, Ind.; and Louisville, Ky.

Memphis to Louisville (or reverse)

This nine-day sailing takes guests along the Ohio River with ports of call that include Louisville, Ky.; Brandenburg, Ky.; Owensboro, Ky.; Henderson, Ky.; Columbus, Ky.; and Memphis, Tn. Highlights include a visit to Paducah, Ky., a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, and an option to visit the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park, tour the Lincoln Museum and explore Fort Knox in Brandenburg, Ky.

Louisville to Nashville (Clarksville) (or reverse)

Highlights on this nine-day itinerary include stops at famed Kentucky river towns like Paducah, Henderson, Owensboro, Brandenburg and Louisville, followed by visits to the charming Tennessee port towns of Dover and Clarksville. Guests can select from a number of excursions throughout the sailing, including a visit to Fort Knox and the General George Patton Museum of Leadership in Brandenburg, a private tour of the Churchill Downs back-stretch in Louisville and in-depth tours of Tennessee Valley Brewing Company, Old Glory Distilling Company and Beachaven Vineyards and winery in Clarksville, Tn.

“With the addition of the American Countess, our team has the flexibility to develop more itineraries than ever before, including routes that showcase the Ohio River in particular, as our guests continue to seek out more accessible, close-to-home cruising options,” said Shawn Bierdz, president, American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines. “From major urban centers like Louisville, Ky. And Pittsburgh, Pa., to charming port towns like Madison, In. and Brandenburg, Ky., we are thrilled to introduce our guests to these compelling destinations along the Ohio River.”

AQSC resumed operations in March 2021 with enhanced health and safety policies including, but not limited to, pre-cruise COVID-19 testing of all guests and crew and a mask mandate in all public areas where social distancing is not possible. Its COVID-19 vaccination mandate for all guests and crew will go into effect for all sailings beginning July 1, 2021.