Schlagwort: American Queen Steamboat Company

Taufe in Memphis

Noch in Pandemiezeiten ging auf dem Mississippi ein neuer Schaufelraddampfer der American Queen Steamboat Company an den Start: Am 21. März wurde die American Countess in New Orleans getauft. Es ist das vierte Flussschiff der Reederei. Michael Wolf stellt zusammen.

Posieren für ein Gruppenfoto bei der Taufe der AMERICAN COUNTESS:
Captain Bobby Duncan (links), Taufpatin Angie Hack, Claudette Waggoner und John Waggoner (Mitte).
Foto: Josh Brasted

Der Chairman und CEO von AQSC John Waggoner, musste bis zum letzten Moment bangen, dass das neue Schiff tatsächlich von der amerikanischen Behörde CDC die Ausnahmegenehmigung von der Regelung bekommen hatte, die zu diesem Zeitpunkt ein Betriebsverbot für Schiffe über 250 Menschen an Bord vorsah. „Ich muss mich mal kneifen,“, lachte er vor seiner Rede. „Ich kann immer noch nicht glauben, dass wir hier alle stehen“. Er nannte die American Countess ein „ein modernes amerikanisches Meisterwerk, das die Gäste unbedingt erleben wollen.“

Die geladenen Gäste mussten im Übrigen einen Tag vor der Taufzeremonie einen Covid-Test durchführen.

Louisianas Governor Billy Nungesser sagte bei seiner Ansprache, dass der Tourismus auf dem Mississippi rasch wieder seinen Stand wie vor der Pandemie erreichen möge. Dazu trägen besonders die Flusskreuzfahrten mit ihren diversen besuchten Ort am Fluss bei.

Die Taufe war auch diesmal wieder eine „Familienangelegenheit“ – während Waggoners Frau Claudette bereits 2014 Patin bei der Taufe der American Empress war, konnte seine Tochter Marissa Applegate 2017 die American Duchess taufen. Heute war die zweite der drei Töchter der Waggoners die Godmother – Angie Hack.

American Queen Steamboat Company / www.AQSC.com

Sie schleuderte an der Waterfront von New Orleans eine Flasche Maker‘s Mark Bourbon-Whiskey an die Bordwand. Whiskey statt Champagner zum Taufen – das hat bei American Queen Steamboat Company schon Tradition. Bei der Taufe der American Queen 1995 war es sogar eine 80 Liter-Flasche mit Tabasco, die „vertauft“ wurde….

…Lesen Sie weiter in der aktuellen AN BORD.

American Queen Steamboat Company™ Christens the American Countess March 21, 2021

New Riverboat Received Bourbon Blessing in New Orleans Followed by Preview Cruise to Memphis

Pressemitteilung

American Queen Steamboat Company, ™ a Hornblower® Family company, is excited to announce the successful christening of the American Countess in New Orleans on March 21, 2021. American Queen Steamboat Company followed strict SafeCruise™ health and safety protocols, welcoming guests to experience the new riverboat as it officially joined the paddlewheel fleet. The christening follows the American Duchess’ recent return to service with reduced guest capacity on March 15 on the Mississippi River. The American Empress and flagship American Queen will sail later this year. 

Captain Bobby Duncan, Angie Hack, Jerry Hack, Claudette Waggoner, John Waggoner, Kristin Fary, and Dickie Brennan (vlnr).
Foto: Josh Brasted for AQSC

American Queen Steamboat Company resumed its operations with newly enacted health and safety protocols which include, but are not limited to, mask mandates in all public areas where social distancing is not possible, 100% testing of all guests and crew and mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for all guests and crew that will go into effect for all sailings beginning July 1, 2021.

“As we celebrate the grand debut of the American Countess, I could not be more appreciative of the incredible team that made it possible,” shares John Waggoner, founder and CEO of American Queen Steamboat Company. “We listened to our returning guests’ feedback on what they would like to see in a new riverboat and created a contemporary American masterpiece that guests are eager to experience.”

In her debut following the christening, American Queen Steamboat Company is hosting an abbreviated VIP cruise aboard the American Countess on March 21 – 28, 2021 from New Orleans sailing northward along the Mississippi River, stopping in Nottoway and Natchez. The christening event on March 21 took place at the Mansion House at Mardi Gras World and dockside. 

American Queen Steamboat Company, Angie Hack, daughter of American Queen Steamboat Company CEO and founder John Waggoner, was named the American Countess’ godmother and christened her with a bottle of Maker’s Mark Bourbon, a signature American Queen Steamboat Company tradition, that was presented by award-winning restaurateur and New Orleans native, Dickie Brennan. Additional christening event highlights included special guest Billy Nungesser, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana and Brandy Christian, President and CEO of Port of New Orleans and Hornblower Group CEO Kevin Rabbitt.

Foto: Josh Brasted for AQSC

“Year after year, American Queen Steamboat Company has played an essential role in the U.S. river cruising renaissance benefitting the state of Louisiana from building boats in our shipyards, showcasing our iconic river cities and quaint towns to putting a spotlight on our state through its marketing efforts,” said Billy Nungesser, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana. “It was an honor to see this Louisiana-built gem today, and I look forward to her bringing thousands of travelers through ‘The Pelican State.’”

Following the christening and preview cruise, the American Countess will begin her maiden voyage revenue cruise on March 28, 2021, sailing from Memphis to New Orleans. This journey showcases the diversity of the Lower Mississippi River on an eight-day sailing beginning with a stop at the Port of the Mississippi Delta and continuing down the river to Vicksburg, Natchez, St. Francisville, Baton Rouge and the American Queen Steamboat Company exclusive port stop at Nottoway Plantation before arriving in New Orleans. Guests will enjoy the same signature distinctions that make American Queen Steamboat Company the most celebrated river cruise line in America, from fine dining and world-class entertainment to thoughtfully planned shore excursions.  

Built using the existing hull of former gaming vessel the Kanesville Queen, the American Countess was lengthened by 60-feet and underwent a total renovation in the Gulf Island Shipyard in Houma, L.A. Her sleek, contemporary design offers plenty of open space for guest gatherings, especially the portside bar, which will delight guests with an 80-foot panoramic view. With four decks, including a Sun Deck, and 123 inviting staterooms in four categories, this paddlewheeler is a home away from home on six- to 15-day itineraries. 

Text: PM American Queen Steamboat Company