American Queen is Rollin' on the River

Posted April 16, 2012

American Queen sailed today from New Orleans with a full complement of passengers on its maiden voyage for the Great American Steamboat Co.

The Memphis-based start-up company revived the largest paddlewheel steamboat ever built and brought it back to the river after five years out of service.

Tim Rubacky, svp sales, marketing and product development, called this a history-making day.

Once again, the melodic strains of the calliope are wafting across the Mississippi, the laughter of guests carries across the decks and the joy of music and camaraderie fills her grand halls. Once again, the American Queen carries forward the fabled legacy of our predecessor company, Delta Queen, and 200-plus years of steamboating history through the heartland of our great country, Rubacky wrote in a note to the Great American Steamboat Co. team.

Describing the embarkation in New Orleans, he said crew lined the pier and when passengers stepped on board, they were greeted by waiters carrying silver trays of chocolate-dipped strawberries.

By all accounts, it went off spectacularly in New Orleans, Rubacky told Seatrade Insider.

He acknowledged the 180 officers and crew on board, evp Greg Brown and his team for overhauling the boat and vp hotel operations David Kelly and his team for their work in bringing the interiors up to a high standard.

American Queen is scheduled to be christened by Priscilla Presley two weeks from today, April 27, in Memphis.

Source: