Great American Steamboat Company's American Queen Arrives in Memphis for Christening

 

Priscilla Presley and Jeff Krida at the Godmother brunch on American Queen

The Great American Steamboat Company’s American Queen arrived in its homeport of Memphis after her first voyage up the Mississippi River since 2008. The U.S.-flagged steamboat was welcomed to the revitalized Beale Street Landing marking the return of overnight cruises on the rivers of America’s heartland and the continuation of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company legacy.

Originally built in 1995 by the Delta Queen Steamboat Company, the American Queen can accomodate 436-guests. As the American Queen approached downtown Memphis, it was met by the city’s residents and family members of the crew. The Great American Steamboat Company hired over 300 employees from the area, including the steamboat crew, and an economic impact of $89 million is anticipated for the region.

Guests began disembarking to explore sites including Graceland and the ducks of the Peabody Hotel boarded the vessel for an honorary inspection on behalf of Memphis. Friday, April 27, Priscilla Presley will serve as godmother of the American Queen in an afternoon christening ceremony at Beale Street Landing.

After the christening, the American Queen will depart for her inaugural voyage up the Mississippi River to the Ohio River with stops in Henderson, Ky., Louisville, Ky., and Madison, Ind., before arriving in her disembarkation city of Cincinnati, Ohio. On May 2 in Louisville, she  will take part in the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Great Steamboat Race with the Belle of Louisville and Belle of Cincinnati.

A variety of voyage lengths, ranging from three nights to ten nights, and fares beginning at $995 per guest, are available with little or no flying required.

Stay tuned to www.travelagentcentral.com, where we will be reporting from a Kentucky Derby cruise on the ship next week.

For more information, visit www.GreatAmericanSteamboatCompany.com.