American Duchess
By Peter Knego.
American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC) provided a glimpse of its newest addition, the 1,600-gt, 166-guest AMERICAN DUCHESS prior to her christening in New Orleans.
AMERICAN DUCHESS departing New Orleans on her Coast Guard trials. * Photo: Peter Knego
The AMERICAN DUCHESS is the third and newest vessel in river cruise line American Queen Steamboat Company’s (AQSC) fleet, which also includes the legendary Mississippi River steamboat AMERICAN QUEEN and the grand Columbia River paddlewheeler AMERICAN EMPRESS.
AMERICAN DUCHESS was retrofitted with a genuine, functioning paddlewheel that cost $2 million. * Photo: Peter Knego
The 340-by-100-foot vessel was completely rebuilt from the hull of the 1995-built casino boat BETTENDORF CAPRI. Major structural work, which included the addition of a third deck and the installation of a working paddlewheel (to augment four z-drives and two bow thrusters) was completed at the Bollinger Shipyard in Amelia, Louisiana, near New Orleans.
AQSC COO and President Ted Sykes hosts a media tour of the AMERICAN DUCHESS on the eve of her christening. * Photo: Peter Knego
During a recent press gathering, Ted Sykes, AQSC’s president and COO, shared that rebuilding an existing ship versus building one from scratch cut a year off the delivery date and cut costs by 40%.
After already having delayed the ship’s cruising debut from June to August 14, inclement weather further stalled the outfitting and trials, resulting in the scrubbing of a two-night press and agent preview cruise scheduled for August 11.
AMERICAN DUCHESS sails upriver from New Orleans Riverwalk and under the St. Charles Bridge. * Photo: Peter Knego
The ship passed Coast Guard trials with flying colors on August 11 and returned to her berth at New Orleans Riverwalk to complete outfitting, with not a moment to spare.
The media was given a brief look at some of the ship’s public spaces and treated to dinner and a show on board on August 13, the night prior to the DUCHESS‘ christening on August 14.
AMERICAN DUCHESS Deluxe Suite sitting area. * Photo: Peter Knego
AMERICAN DUCHESS Deluxe Suite bedroom. * Photo: Peter Knego
AMERICAN DUCHESS Deluxe Suite loo. * Photo: Peter Knego
With much last minute work still in progress, the limited tour included a look at the ship’s 18-foot-tall, 550-square-foot, dual level Loft Suites (which were still being fitted out), 550-square-foot Owner’s Suites, 450-square-foot Deluxe Suites, 240-to-330-square-foot Veranda Suites, and 180-to-220-square-foot Interiors.
AMERICAN DUCHESS Veranda Suite. * Photo: Peter Knego
AMERICAN DUCHESS Interior Suite. * Photo: Peter Knego
The DUCHESS is the first all-suite river cruise ship in American waters and is geared towards a slightly younger demographic than its siblings. It is further distinguished by the lofty ceiling heights of its two lower decks.
A fourth ship may join the company soon, most likely to be rebuilt from an another casino ship’s hull and, according to John Waggoner, AQSC’s CEO and chairman, to possibly have a more mass market appeal and price point than the line’s current upmarket fleet.
AMERICAN DUCHESS Lincoln Library, facing aft. * Photo: Peter Knego
Public spaces seen on the media tour included the Lincoln Library — built on a mezzanine level between Main Deck (1) and Observation Deck (2).
AMERICAN DUCHESS Grand Dining Room, as viewed from the Lincoln Library. * Photo: Peter Knego
The Lincoln Library has windows that peer down into the Grand Dining Room.
AMERICAN DUCHESS Lobby Bar, facing port. * Photo: Peter Knego
AMERICAN DUCHESS Lobby Bar, facing starboard/aft. * Photo: Peter Knego
The Lobby Bar is located on Main Deck at the base of the grand staircase and features dark paneling and crystal chandeliers.
AMERICAN DUCHESS The Art Walk, facing forward. * Photo: Peter Knego
On the port side of the Lobby Bar, the Fine Arts Gallery is a passage that allows guests to discretely enter and leave the showroom without interrupting performances therein.
AMERICAN DUCHESS Starboard portion of Grand Dining Room, facing aft. * Photo: Peter Knego
AMERICAN DUCHESS Center portion of Grand Dining Room, facing aft. * Photo: Peter Knego
AMERICAN DUCHESS table setting. * Photo: Peter Knego
Accessed via the Lobby Bar, the Grand Dining Room has 20-foot-tall windows on either side flanking double deck alcoves that are reminiscent of the J.M. White Dining Room aboard the AMERICAN QUEEN, although the look is far more contemporary than the AMERICAN QUEEN’s Victoriana.
Custom carpet design specifically for AMERICAN DUCHESS by David William Kelly. * Photo: Peter Knego
The AMERICAN DUCHESS interiors are the product of David William Kelly, who has also contributed to the interior design of Oceania Cruises’ MARINA and RIVIERA and recent refits of AMERICAN QUEEN and AMERICAN EMPRESS.
Preview performance in the Show Lounge on the eve of the ship’s entry into service. Note musician’s balcony above the stage. * Photo: Peter Knego
Other public spaces either not seen or not ready during the media tour included the Showroom, Baristas coffee bar, a gym, the casual River Club and Terrace eatery, and the open areas on the uppermost Sun Deck.
AMERICAN DUCHESS Godmother Marissa Applegate. * Photo: Peter Knego
At 1:00 PM Monday, the ship was christened by Marissa Applegate, the daughter of AQSC’s CEO and chairman John Waggoner, who successfully smashed a bottle of Maker’s Mark bourbon onto the ship’s bow railing.
The AMERICAN DUCHESS’ maiden voyage, a 23-night cruise up the Mississippi to Red Hook, Minnesota, is now underway.
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All photos by and copyright Peter Knego 2017 unless otherwise noted.
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