Subscribe now using your favorite service:
Big-ship cruising is still grounded in the U.S., but the travel industry
took a big step forward this month with the restart of river cruising
for the first time since the pandemic began. American Cruise Lines and
American Queen Steamboat Company both launched ships on the Mississippi
with -- hopefully -- more to come.
The big news last week was the launch of American Queen's
paddlewheeler, the American Countess, a debut that was nearly 12 months
overdue. But even the ship's christening in New Orleans wasn't without a
hitch: The CDC nearly forced the line to call off the launch over a
dispute over the ship's operating certificate (even though American
Queen had committed to reduced capacity, the ship can technically carry
more people than the maximum currently required by the CDC to sail).
American Queen CEO John Waggoner, far right, claps as his daughter, Angie Hack, prepares to christen the American Countess. Photo Credit: Jeri Clausing
In this episode, senior editor Jeri Clausing and American Queen CEO
John Waggoner dialed in from the new American Countess, which operated
its inaugural cruise from New Orleans to Memphis last week. Waggoner
spoke with Clausing and Folo host Rebecca Tobin about the new ship; how
safety protocols for guests work onboard and on land; controversy around
vaccine requirements for river cruise guests; and the excitement of
getting back on the waters again.
Related reading:
First call, the American Countess
Dispatch, American Countess: Taking protocols in stride
American Countess' debut cruise is back on after CDC dispute is resolved
Domestic river cruise lines get rolling again today
American Queen and Victory cruise lines will require vaccinations
American Queen Steamboat Company