American River Cruises to double capacity in Pacific Northwest

American Cruise Lines will more than double its cruise capacity on two major rivers in the Pacific Northwest area of the United States when it repositions a three-year-old vessel currently plying the waters of the Mississippi River.

ACL’s existing Queen of the Mississippi will be renamed and will join the Queen of the West cruising the Columbia and Snake Rivers. The upmarket vessel, which features oversized staterooms and private balconies, will be relocated to the Northwest following its last cruise on the Mississippi in late November. It will be repositioned via the Gulf of Mexico and the Panama Canal, then up the Pacific Coast to the Pacific Northwest in early spring of 2016.

The Americawhich was launched Aug. 7, will replace the Queen of the Mississippi and is slated to start cruising the river in early May 2016.

New Columbia and Snake River Paddlewheeler
The addition of the new 185-passenger paddlewheeler America to the Mississippi River and the relocation of the Queen of the Mississippi will enable the line to meet the high demands for cruising on the Columbia and Snake Rivers while simultaneously providing more capacity on the Mississippi River system. Construction of a new Queen of the Mississippi is also underway. That vessel is slated for delivery in 2017.

The new Columbia River paddlewheeler features the largest, most well-appointed staterooms on the river with large sliding glass doors opening to private balconies, the company said in a statement announcing the new Pacific Northwest service.

The glass-enclosed dining room comfortably accommodates all guests in one seating and seven spacious lounges throughout the ship offer areas for entertainment, relaxation and conversation. While on board the guests learn about the Pacific Northwest history and culture, while enjoying personalized service.

Cruises on the Columbia and Snake Rivers are 8-day, 7-night sailings that leave from Portland, Ore., or Clarkston, Wash. A seven-night cruise is late September ranges from $7,950 to $13,740 for two people depending on the category of stateroom chosen, according to the line’s website. www.americancruiselines.com

American Cruise Lines, the largest U.S. cruise company, operates the newest fleet of riverboats and small cruise ships on more than 35 itineraries around the country including the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, New England, the Southeast and the entire Mississippi River system. American Cruise Lines has received multiple awards including Porthole Reader’s Choice Awards in 2014, World Travel Awards “World’s Leading River Cruise Company” in 2014, “Gold Award Winner” for Travel Weekly’s 2014 Magellan Awards and was a 2014 finalist for Condé Nast Traveler's Reader’s Choice Awards.

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Photo courtesy American Cruise Lines
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