The short version
American Queen Voyages, a U.S. river and small-ship cruise line best known for its Mississippi paddlewheelers, stopped operating in early 2024. Its ships were later sold at auction as part of bankruptcy proceedings. American Cruise Lines bought the four river vessels, and other ships went to a different buyer. Today the main names on the Mississippi are American Cruise Lines and Viking, along with smaller regional and day-trip operators.
What happened
American Queen Voyages, which traced its roots to the American Queen steamboat that entered service in the 1990s, ceased operations in early 2024. Its parent company was dealing with financial difficulties and bankruptcy proceedings at the time. Cruises were canceled, which left many booked passengers without trips. We do not have full details on the company’s finances, so consult news reports if you need specifics.
What happened to the ships
Cruise Industry News reported that the line’s six ships were sold at auction in April 2024 for about $9 million in total:
| Ship | Type | Guest capacity | Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Queen | Riverboat | 436 | American Cruise Lines |
| American Empress | Riverboat (paddlewheeler) | 223 | American Cruise Lines |
| American Duchess | Riverboat | 166 | American Cruise Lines |
| American Countess | Riverboat | 246 | American Cruise Lines |
| Ocean Navigator | Coastal ship | 202 | Bought by founder John Waggoner |
| Ocean Voyager | Coastal ship | 202 | Bought by founder John Waggoner |
The reported sale prices for the individual ships ranged from a few hundred thousand dollars for the American Duchess to a little over two million for the American Queen. What the new owners do with the ships, including names, refits and where they sail, is up to them and can change, so check current announcements instead of assuming the old itineraries.
If you had a booking
If you held a reservation with American Queen Voyages when it closed, the usual steps are to contact the company that handled payment, such as your credit card issuer, and any travel insurance provider. A travel advisor may also be able to help. Whether a refund is possible depends on how and when you paid and on bankruptcy rules, and we cannot give legal or financial advice. For future trips, many travelers find it helpful to book with a card that offers dispute protection and to read the cancellation terms carefully.
Who sails the Mississippi now
- American Cruise Lines is the largest U.S. small-ship operator on the river, running a variety of modern riverboats and paddlewheel-style vessels, and it acquired the old American Queen Voyages riverboats.
- Viking operates the Viking Mississippi, a purpose-built ship that carries roughly 386 guests and sails longer itineraries on the river.
- Regional and day operators offer shorter trips, such as steamboat sightseeing cruises in New Orleans and overnight trips on the upper river.
Offerings change from year to year, so confirm routes and dates with each operator.
Choosing between the options
- For more departures and smaller ships, American Cruise Lines is a common pick.
- For a larger, Viking-branded ship, look at Viking sailings, and compare dates.
- For a short taste, try a day cruise.
Next, compare prices in our guide to how much a cruise on the Mississippi costs, see the best time of year for a Mississippi River cruise, or read the main overview of Mississippi River cruises from New Orleans.