It was always on the cards after American Queen Voyages announced it was calling it a day.
It simply couldn’t compete with American Cruise Lines’ increasing dominance of the nation’s waterways, so it comes as no surprise that it is ACL who have bought their four river cruise vessels – American Queen, American Duchess, American Countess and American Empress.
“American Cruise Lines is pleased to be the successful bidder for AQV’s river vessels,” American Cruise Lines said in a statement.
“We look forward to announcing additional details after this portion of the Hornblower Holdings bankruptcy process concludes.”
The American Queen – the largest paddlewheel steamboat ever built – sold at auction for $2.15m, while American Empress and American Countess each fetched $1.6m. The American Duchess was purchased for $200,000.
Image: American Cruises Lines’ modern paddlewheeler Queen of the Mississippi