NEW ALBANY — American Queen Steamboat Company has announced loosened restrictions for fully vaccinated passengers and is celebrating with a new FREEDOM sale featuring savings of up to US$2,000.

As a result of the cruise line’s vaccination requirement for both guests and crew, first announced in February 2021, guests are no longer required to wear masks onboard or receive pre-cruise testing. They can now enjoy unrestricted hop-on hop-off shore excursions beginning with all Mississippi, Ohio and Cumberland river sailings departing as of July 1, 2021. 

“I want to thank our tireless crew, loyal guests, valued travel advisors and supportive port partners for their efforts as we have navigated this unique time in travel together,” said Shawn Bierdz, president, American Queen Steamboat Company. “Thanks to their unwavering commitment, we have been able to evolve our policies to further deliver an authentic river cruise experience without confusing restrictions.”

The brand new American Countess and boutique riverboat American Duchess began sailing in March with SafeCruise protocols, calling on ports that include New Orleans, Memphis, Louisville and Pittsburgh. The American Empress, sailing the Pacific Northwest on the Columbia and Snake rivers, welcomed its first guests as the first 100% vaccinated U.S. riverboat on June 14. American Empress guests will continue to take a PCR test at the pre-cruise hotel per Washington state guidelines.

In order to implement its 100% vaccination policy onboard, all guests must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination by uploading an image of their vaccination card prior to the pre-cruise hotel check-in. Guests who fail to provide proof will be denied boarding and subject to full cancellation penalties. Masks are no longer required onboard after embarkation, but a face covering must be worn during boarding and on shore excursion motorcoaches per CDC transportation guidelines. 

To celebrate  becoming the only fully-vaccinated U.S. river cruise line, American Queen Steamboat Company has launched the FREEDOM sale featuring bonus savings of up to $2,000 on select 2022 bookings made by Aug. 31, 2021. 

The sale is also applicable to Victory Cruise Lines’ 2022 itineraries. Charting all-new routes in addition to returning favourites, Victory Cruise Lines guests will travel to some of North America’s most desirable destinations on immersive and educational itineraries. Guests who book by Aug. 31, 2021 can maximize savings and enjoy up to $2,000 off per stateroom on select 2022 Victory Cruise Lines itineraries, including the Ocean Victory and its inaugural season in Alaska, as well as new itineraries to Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula and sailings along the U.S. southeastern seaboard. 

For more information about the FREEDOM sale go to ttps://www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com/freedom/.