AQV Extends Layups - Cancels February Cruises

[eroller]

I would say the writing is on the wall.  Between the delays with refunds and commissions, and now two ships going into extended layup, I would say the company is money strapped and probably hanging on by a thread. 

 

I think they got greedy and over extended themselves.  Instead of focusing on what they do best (American river cruising), they decided to also become an expedition cruise line and even moved their headquarters to Fort Lauderdale.  Seems to have failed miserably and might just bankrupt the company. 

 

I would be very cautious booking anything on AQV. 

 

https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/ship-operations/american-queen-voyages-cancels-february-cruises

 

 

[LDVinNC]

They have "encountered an occurrence"?  What does that mean?  Not sure that is even good English!

So sad, we have loved AQV.

[njhoo]

PSA for folks booked and then cancelled, immediately file a dispute with your credit card, they drag out refunds for 6+ months!  They used to be a great cruise line; however, between a horrible back office, money issues and a deteriorating onboard experience it’s best to avoid.  

[ericosmith]

12 hours ago, njhoo said:

a deteriorating onboard experience

Can you expand upon this a bit?

[MRVEGAS711]

The Ocean Navigator is STILL in Portland, Maine after its fire in October. Don't know if they have the money or parts to fix it. Neat looking ship, I pass it everyday. Hopefully my city seizes it and we have a new party boat!

[bob brown]

13 hours ago, MRVEGAS711 said:

The Ocean Navigator is STILL in Portland, Maine after its fire in October. Don't know if they have the money or parts to fix it. Neat looking ship, I pass it everyday. Hopefully my city seizes it and we have a new party boat!

They have already announced that the Ocean Navigator and the Ocean Voyager are up for sale (doubt anyone other than a scrapper will make an offer).

[bob brown]

On 2/2/2024 at 7:37 AM, LDVinNC said:

They have "encountered an occurrence"?  What does that mean?  Not sure that is even good English!

So sad, we have loved AQV.

Not sure if they ever restored the Z-drive

that they lost on the American Queen, that caused our Red Wing to New Orleans cruise last October to need an escort tug the whole way....

 

Could be that, or something else?

[DaveinCharlotte]

11 hours ago, bob brown said:

Not sure if they ever restored the Z-drive

Could be that, or something else?

But would that explain why two ships are being held up?

Maybe low water problems?  But "an occurrence" doesn't sound like that either...

Hmmm

[eroller]

Being so vague does not instill confidence.  Just another example of how poorly managed this company is.  Sad.  So much potential gone to waste.  

[Globalfish]

A similar article appears at https://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/American-Queen-Voyages-cancels-February-sailings.

 

Methinks that greedy venture capitalists took a long-standing company with a fine reputation and ran it right to the ground.  Not sure it can ever recover but wishing it the best.  The first step should be to get back to their roots on the Mississippi and chuck the expedition stuff (i.e. Alaska) and other “flotsam and jetsam.”

[bob brown]

17 minutes ago, Globalfish said:

A similar article appears at https://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/American-Queen-Voyages-cancels-February-sailings.

 

Methinks that greedy venture capitalists took a long-standing company with a fine reputation and ran it right to the ground.  Not sure it can ever recover but wishing it the best.  The first step should be to get back to their roots on the Mississippi and chuck the expedition stuff (i.e. Alaska) and other “flotsam and jetsam.”

Agree that they should not get into the Alaska market.  IIRC, they don't even own the expedition ship they use up there, but charter it from another company.  I would have liked them to stay on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence market, however...

[eroller]

History is repeating itself.  This is all reminiscent of Majestic America Line, which was the predecessor of AQV.  These lovely riverboats deserve better.  

[bob brown]

I wish they would be more like their rival, ACL, as far as investing in new boats and ships, although I haven’t sailed with that line yet to compare their products.

Due to AQV canceling my Great Lakes and St. Lawrence cruise this year, I will try ACL’s subsidiary, Pearl Seas Cruises, Pearl Mist for a similar itinerary.  Not sure if that will be a good measure of ACL or not, since the Pearl Mist is not a US registered ship, so a different crew experience…

[br111]

Their VP of Marketing has told the Natchez paper that the February cancellations were related to delays with layup work and that they'll be back sailing in March. Also that the issues with the commissions payments is due to the accounting department being behind...

 

https://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2024/02/12/spokesperson-american-queen-cruises-should-resume-in-march/

 

Edited February 13 by br111

[Host Jazzbeau]

On 2/13/2024 at 1:32 PM, br111 said:

Their VP of Marketing has told the Natchez paper that the February cancellations were related to delays with layup work and that they'll be back sailing in March. Also that the issues with the commissions payments is due to the accounting department being behind...

 

https://www.natchezdemocrat.com/2024/02/12/spokesperson-american-queen-cruises-should-resume-in-march/

 

I hope that's the case, but the reaction of various travel agencies has already done them major damage.  Once a spiral like that starts, it often has its own momentum...

[MRVEGAS711]

On 2/3/2024 at 9:57 PM, bob brown said:

They have already announced that the Ocean Navigator and the Ocean Voyager are up for sale (doubt anyone other than a scrapper will make an offer).

The Ocean Voyager has moved into Portland Maine harbor, tied up alongside the Ocean Navigator. I wish the city could buy them cheap and get some runs going out of here. They look sad, kinda alone and cold.

[eroller]

I’ve heard rumors that a bankruptcy announcement was going to happen last week.  That past.  Now I’m hearing this week but who knows.  
 

In any case things are not good.  

Edited February 14 by eroller

[br111]

On 2/14/2024 at 12:15 PM, eroller said:

I’ve heard rumors that a bankruptcy announcement was going to happen last week.  That past.  Now I’m hearing this week but who knows.  
 

In any case things are not good.  

As someone who was about to book(!!) an April departure wondering where you're hearing these rumors and how reliable you think they might be. Was told a few days ago that they couldn't process payments because their system is "down" and they would have an update on Feb. 20, which is obviously pretty odd!

[eroller]

17 minutes ago, br111 said:

As someone who was about to book(!!) an April departure wondering where you're hearing these rumors and how reliable you think they might be. Was told a few days ago that they couldn't process payments because their system is "down" and they would have an update on Feb. 20, which is obviously pretty odd!

 

My advice is to hold off.  The sources are pretty reliable.  You might hear something more tomorrow.  If I see anything confirmed via the usual cruise news outlets I’ll be sure to post it.  

[br111]

Thanks! At the moment, they apparently can't take anyone's money until Feb. 20 anyway!

[mainelycruising]

On 2/14/2024 at 7:40 AM, MRVEGAS711 said:

The Ocean Voyager has moved into Portland Maine harbor, tied up alongside the Ocean Navigator. I wish the city could buy them cheap and get some runs going out of here. They look sad, kinda alone and cold.

Both ships are listed For Sale at $14,995,000 each:

 

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2004-cruise-ship---205-passenger----stock-no.-s2692-8929809/

 

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2001-cruise-ship---202-205-passenger----stock-no.-s2697-8923798/

[eroller]

I mentioned I would post an update should I hear anything.  AQV employees were advised today that this date (Feb 20) would be their last day. The company will cease operations effective today.  
 

We knew this was coming but just didn’t know the exact date.  It should be in all the traditional cruise news outlets tomorrow.  

[Globalfish]

Very sad.  They expanded without thinking.  A lesson to all never to bite off what one can’t chew.

 

As a person who has taken over 100 Road Scholar trips (albeit not cruises), I feel especially sorry for all those who had 2024/25 Road Scholar cruises on AQV ships — on the Mississippi, Ohio, and Columbia Rivers, as well as their Alaska expedition.

[eroller]

8 minutes ago, Globalfish said:

Very sad.  They expanded without thinking.  A lesson to all never to bite off what one can’t chew.

 

As a person who has taken over 100 Road Scholar trips (albeit not cruises), I feel especially sorry for all those who had 2024/25 Road Scholar cruises on AQV ships — on the Mississippi, Ohio, and Columbia Rivers, as well as their Alaska expedition.

 

I agree completely.  They tried to become an ocean expedition cruise line.  Tagging on the explosive success of many expedition lines. Leasing ships but no experience and not known for that niche market.  They got greedy instead of just focusing on the core river product which was wonderful and could hold its own.  

[eroller]

https://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/American-Queen-Voyages-has-shut-down