Demand pushes cruise fares up

The American Queen Steamboat Company reports that it will raise fares beginning Jan. 1, 2013, as a result of unprecedented demand for the upcoming second season of the American Queen. According to the operator of the 436-passenger riverboat, many of next year’s sailings are selling out, particularly voyages between the paddlewheeler’s homeport of Memphis and New Orleans. Overall bookings are up 300% compared to 2012 and the fare increase will be an average of $200 per guest per voyage. American Queen Steamboat Company CEO Jeffrey D. Krida said that “Since her return to the rivers this past April, the American Queen has rekindled the desire for travellers to discover the historic and enchanting river towns of the U.S. from Natchez, Miss., to Red Wing, Minn., with grace and elegance aboard the grandest riverboat in the world. Resulting from the popularity of river cruising she has forged once again, we are seeing tremendous volume in 2013 reservations.” Go to http://www.AQSC.com for further details.