NEW ORLEANS — Walking onto American Queen Steamboat Co.'s third and newest vessel, one senses a drastic departure in look and feel from the company's first two paddlewheelers. The 166-passenger American Duchess, which was christened here last week, is a much more contemporary interpretation of the classic steamboats the company has refurbished in the past.
From the soaring, 36-foot-high lobby decked out with geometric chandeliers and large pieces of modern art to the simple yet sleek furnishings in the spacious staterooms, American Queen Steamboat Co. is clearly out to capture a new audience with the Duchess.
Simple but sleek furnishings are in an outside verandah suite. Photo Credit: TW photo by Michelle Baran
"What we wanted here was something that is a little bit newer, a little bit more modern, [that] caters maybe to a little bit younger crowd," chairman and CEO John Waggoner said onboard the Duchess on the eve of the christening. "What we're trying to do is offer our guests a menu of products."
The crew raced to put finishing touches on the American Duchess last week as it welcomed its first passengers for an inaugural 23-day journey up the Mississippi River. After experiencing a number of delays during the refurbishment process, including high water levels that postponed delivery to the shipyard where it was rebuilt, some parts of the vessel remained unfinished as launch day approached. Notably, the alternative dining venue, the River Club & Terrace, was still closed. The company said it would be finished by the end of last week.
All told, the American Duchess feels more similar to the modern interiors found on many ocean-going cruise ships and on European river vessels than to the cozy Americana charm of the company's American Queen and American Empress riverboats.
The ship’s lobby, which features soaring ceilings and modern art. Photo Credit: TW photo by Michelle Baran
Instead of the historical-feeling, opulent Grand Saloon of the American Queen, the American Duchess features a more modestly outfitted Show Lounge, which still presents the same high quality entertainment. There is also a fully equipped fitness center with windows overlooking the river and a coffee station called Baristas that was also not open yet.
One particularly unique feature of the Duchess is a pleasant hallway and sitting area called the Art Walk showcasing various works of art.
The company did not completely abandon the steamboat style with the Duchess, adding a working paddlewheel to the vessel and designing a Grand Dining Room that mimics the J.M. White Dining Room on the American Queen, complete with the Lincoln Library, a mezzanine piano bar and sitting area that overlooks the restaurant.
However, in keeping with the contemporary theme, the furnishings in the American Duchess dining room are more au courant.
The American Duchess was a former gaming vessel purchased by the American Queen Steamboat Co. a year ago, after which it was gutted and transformed into an overnight passenger cruise vessel with 83 staterooms, ranging from 180-square-foot interior cabins to 550-square-foot owner's suites and loft suites.