TinCan782

6 hours ago, TinCan782 said:

April 27, 2020     To my American Queen Steamboat family, The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the world for a loop, and I recognize its impact on your plans for travel. River cruising and many other travel experiences that we love are changing – and that can be stressful. Rest assured, our team has the financial resources and resolve to face the challenges that lie ahead. American Queen Steamboat Company will sail again, with scheduled operations expected to resume in late June. We hope that you will join us on future sailings, and we look forward to hosting you on board. As the situation continues to evolve, please know we are being proactive and planning for the future. We, too, are learning from each new development and are adjusting our operations accordingly. Our company is working tirelessly and continuously on this mission. I cannot stress enough the efforts our leadership teams are putting forth at this time, and I say with absolute sincerity that each American Queen Steamboat Company team member is committed to keeping you informed and protected as we navigate these uncharted waters. Hospitality is who we are, and we aim to take care of you even when you are not sailing with us. We will uphold our commitments to safety, honesty and trust, which have allowed us to create the beloved travel experiences that we offer. Our existing standards to maintain and promote a healthy environment are high, and we are taking steps beyond recommendations to ensure that when our operations resume, you can cruise with confidence. American Queen Steamboat Company is not the same without you, and I cannot wait for the day when I can say “see you around the boat” face to face. Sending well wishes, John W. Waggoner Founder and CEO American Queen Steamboat Company     ©2020 American Queen Steamboat Operating Company, LLC

Email received today, 4/27. "Late June"...is that the 30th or, anytime after the 15th?

Yes, the website 

Yes, the website is now stating: "

Just now, TinCan782 said:

April 27, 2020     To my American Queen Steamboat family, The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the world for a loop, and I recognize its impact on your plans for travel. River cruising and many other travel experiences that we love are changing – and that can be stressful. Rest assured, our team has the financial resources and resolve to face the challenges that lie ahead. American Queen Steamboat Company will sail again, with scheduled operations expected to resume in late June. We hope that you will join us on future sailings, and we look forward to hosting you on board. As the situation continues to evolve, please know we are being proactive and planning for the future. We, too, are learning from each new development and are adjusting our operations accordingly. Our company is working tirelessly and continuously on this mission. I cannot stress enough the efforts our leadership teams are putting forth at this time, and I say with absolute sincerity that each American Queen Steamboat Company team member is committed to keeping you informed and protected as we navigate these uncharted waters. Hospitality is who we are, and we aim to take care of you even when you are not sailing with us. We will uphold our commitments to safety, honesty and trust, which have allowed us to create the beloved travel experiences that we offer. Our existing standards to maintain and promote a healthy environment are high, and we are taking steps beyond recommendations to ensure that when our operations resume, you can cruise with confidence. American Queen Steamboat Company is not the same without you, and I cannot wait for the day when I can say “see you around the boat” face to face. Sending well wishes, John W. Waggoner Founder and CEO American Queen Steamboat Company     ©2020 American Queen Steamboat Operating Company, LLC

Email received today, 4/27. "Late June"...is that the 30th or, anytime after the 15th?

1 hour ago, LDVinNC said:

I don't know if they are subject to the current rule that cruise ships cannot sail until July.  I suspect they will follow that guideline. 

I would also expect them to do so as well.

There is a link to the CDC document in this article. Trying to ascertain if this applies to river (domestic, inland) cruises).

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2020/04/09/coronavirus-cdc-extends-no-sail-order-cruise-ships/5128291002/

AMERICAN QUEEN STEAMBOAT COMPANY TEMPORARILY SUSPENDS SERVICE THROUGH MAY 16

and other info...

https://www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com/contact-us/alerts/

This update dated March 25, 11:30 AM (EST)

American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC), a Hornblower® Company, announced that it will temporarily suspend operations across all boats through May 16, 2020.

https://www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com/contact-us/alerts/?aliaspath=%2fcontact-us%2falerts&lang=en-US

Ask Corona virus related questions (symptoms), take passengers' temperature would be my guess. Pretty easy to implement.

Haven't seen anything on the deck plans that suggests that.

If I recall correctly, you leave the bags to be picked up just inside the door. The others you want to carry place elsewhere in your room.

I do NOT recall that happening on the American Empress several years ago.

USS Rowan (DD-782) - 390'6" long, 40'10" beam, 14'4" draft. Five crossings of the Pacific Jan '69 - Jan '72

You can look up (and reserve) shore excursions here ... 

https://www.reservemyexcursions.com/Home/

The system that connects many of the state’s rural communities may soon shut down.

The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS). This always sounded like a fascinating way to experience Alaska.

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2020/01/alaskas-ferry-system-is-in-danger/605164/

We were on the Empress in October 2016, when we arrived at the dining room we requested, and were seated at, a table for two.

11 hours ago, ericosmith said:

I'm not sure where you found that but I never had to set up an account.  I did the guest information form and booked shore excursions but neither required a log in.  

Same experience for me.

Just found, on Google Play, an app called "AQSC Maps" (shore excursions)

"American Queen Steamboat Company is pleased to offer you the AQSC Maps mobile application that allows for real-time tracking of our charter buses. No more wondering and waiting for the bus. View the real-time location of each vehicle, see estimated arrival times, and much more with the app."

I've installed it on my Galaxy S9 and am just beginning to evaluate it. Will put it through its paces next summer on our next AQSC cruise.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ridesystems.AQSEzMaps&hl=en_US

How does that quoted rate compare to the cost of a "premium pre-cruise shore excursion"?

 "Enjoy Red Wing or Minneapolis/St. Paul at your leisure or consider a pre-cruise Premium Shore Excursion with afternoon transfer to the American Countess."

https://www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com/river-cruises/upper-mississippi/red-wing-(minneapolis)-to-new-orleans-15-day-saili/

Agreed. We did this cruise several years ago E to W. Haven't done the other direction. Part of our decision was our use of Amtrak to get to Spokane and return from Los Angeles. The Davenport (enjoyed the stay) is not far from the station and in Vancouver, the station there was a very short ride from the Empress with only a few hours wait to catch the southbound Coast Starlight.. If we do it again, it will definitely be the same direction.

5 hours ago, 2jnorbury said:

Hello!  I will cruising on American Empress for the Lewis & Clark adventure and would like any information on transportation from the Amtrak station to the Davidson hotel in Spokane.  This is the hotel everyone on the cruise is booked prior to embarkation.  I was wondering if anyone else will be taking Amtrak and would like to share transportation costs to the hotel or any information you could give me.  

 

Also would love to hear from anyone else who is going on this cruise as well.  I have taken several cruises but this will be my first river cruise.  Looking forward to it..........

When we did the cruise several years ago the hotel was the Historic Davenport Hotel and they sent a van to pick us up at the Amtrak station (I called on arrival)...not far away. You might contact the Davidson and see if they provide such a service. If not, guess it will be taxi, Lyft, etc.

I did a "test" booking San Luis Obispo to Long Beach (LBC) and saw several Amtrak Thruway connections to Long Beach listed.

Don't know what train you are arriving on and the time situation for connections but, another possibility. Also, you will have arrange transportation to the cruise terminal.

Long Beach Transit Gallery, Shelter A
107 East First Street
Long Beach, CA 90802

Bus Stop - Curbside Bus Stop only (no shelter)

No "single" bedrooms although you could book one just for one person. If two of the three adults don't mind being "cozy" (real cozy!) they could share the lower berth with the third person in the upper.

You might consider two Roomettes. That would accommodate up to 4 adults and would be less expensive than two bed rooms. If you call, you can ask/request that they can be across the corridor from each other. All of you would also have meals included.

Call Amtrak!

4 hours ago, LDVinNC said:

Nice.  We are doing the full Mississippi trip on the American Queen this June and are not getting any perks except for some OBC.

The "Unlimited Beverage Package" and "Prepaid Gratuities" are only for the Duchess. See the 2020 Cruise Atlas, page 2

42 minutes ago, LDVinNC said:

I am not sure about that - wine and beer at dinner, yes, and the HOHO excursions are included as always, but the website makes no mention of including gratuities or "all drinks".

A future sailing on the Duchess I just booked for 2020 does include "drink packages" for both of us as well as gratuities. The only included shore excursions are the usual hop-on, hop-off bus; premium excursions must still be booked and paid.

8 hours ago, gkbiiii said:

The ship is now sailing as an all inclusive venture, including all drinks, gratuities, shore excursions, etc.

Drinks and gratuities yes. The only included shore excursions are the usual hop-on, hop-off bus; premium excursions must still be booked and paid.

On 2/15/2019 at 6:54 PM, TinCan782 said:

I've only seen that when I received my booking confirmation (twice). One of the pages (itinerary) lists the ports with arrival and departure times.

Adding on to my earlier post...yes, the boat is generally docked "all" day. As with my previous Empress cruise and my upcoming Duchess cruise the day in port can vary from a full day (8-12 hours) or partial day (5 or 6 hours).

As far as doing both a paid excursion and the included hoho bus, its all dependent on the time in port, the time and duration of the paid excursion and how much time is available before and after the paid excursion. 

The only port times I've seen is what is included with my booking confirmation. I think that Toofarfromthesea has probably had the same experience.