The American Queen Steamboat
The grandest steamboat on the river, and why she no longer sails.
Ask About Riverboat CruisesThe American Queen Steamboat: Rise and End
The American Queen steamboat was the largest river steamboat ever built and, for nearly three decades, the grand old lady of the Mississippi. Here is her story, and the plain facts about where things stand.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1995 | Completed at McDermott Shipyard in Morgan City, Louisiana, for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company. Some 418 feet long, with room for 436 guests. |
| 2001–2003 | Laid up when her owner’s parent company went bankrupt; back in service in 2003. |
| 2008–2011 | Taken back by the U.S. Maritime Administration over her mortgage and held in the reserve fleet. |
| 2012 | Relaunched by the Great American Steamboat Company, soon renamed American Queen Steamboat Company. |
| 2021 | Operator rebranded as American Queen Voyages. |
| February 2024 | American Queen Voyages ceased operations after its parent, Hornblower, went bankrupt; all cruises cancelled. |
| 2024–2025 | Bought by American Cruise Lines, offered to river towns for donation, then shown being dismantled at a Houma, Louisiana, scrapyard in early 2025. |
What Made Her Special
Unlike most modern riverboats, the American Queen was a genuine steamboat. Her stern wheel was driven by a steam engine salvaged from a 1932 Army Corps of Engineers dredge, the Kennedy, with modern diesel-electric thrusters added beside the wheel for speed and handling. Passengers could watch the engine room at work.
Inside, she was decorated in Victorian style, with a grand saloon, a gentlemen’s card room, a library of river books and a steam calliope on the top deck. For many travelers she was the steamboat cruise they had dreamed about since reading Mark Twain.
Looking for Something Similar Today?
No other overnight steamboat is sailing now, but American Cruise Lines’ paddlewheelers offer a comparable look, and the Viking Mississippi offers a modern alternative. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can suggest the closest experience available today. For real steam, add a day on the Natchez or the Belle of Louisville.
Former American Queen fans also enjoy Sternwheeler Cruises, which follows the sternwheelers still at work on America’s rivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the American Queen steamboat still sailing?
No. American Queen Voyages, the company that operated it, ceased operations on February 20, 2024. American Cruise Lines bought the boat at the bankruptcy sale, offered it for donation, and footage released in January 2025 showed it being dismantled at a scrapyard in Houma, Louisiana.
What happened to the American Queen Steamboat Company?
It was relaunched in 2012 under that name, renamed American Queen Voyages in 2021 when it added coastal and Great Lakes ships, and closed in 2024 after its parent company went bankrupt.
What were the sister ships?
American Duchess, American Countess and American Empress. American Cruise Lines scrapped the Duchess and Countess in 2024 and bought the Empress as well.
Find the Closest Thing to the American Queen
Tell us what you loved about the American Queen. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will suggest today’s nearest match and send free quotes.
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