When you travel aboard an American West Steamboat sternwheller, you not only cruise through history but you are cruising on the first overnight sternwheelers built to cruise the western waterways in more than 80 years. The Empress of the North and Queen of the West are two of the newest ships in the U.S.-flagged, small-ship category.
Each sternwheeler reflects an incomparable attention to detail, blending the timeless elegance of the 1800s paddlewheelers with state-of-the-art technology and all the modern amenities you would enjoy on a large ship: comfortable public spaces, gracefully appointed staterooms, spacious bathrooms, televisions with VCRs or DVD players and an elevator that reaches all four decks. All staterooms offer sweeping views, and most feature private verandahs.
Due to the smaller size of American West Steamboat’s ships, you can cruise up-close and personal to the lush Alaskan scenery. Unlike larger ships, their sternwheelers offer a friendly, informal atmosphere. No tuxedos or ball gowns here; the onboard ambiance is always comfortable and casual, making it easy to get acquainted with fellow passengers and make new friends.
Ship info
Queen of the West
The U.S.-flagged, 230-foot Queen of the West was the first overnight passenger sternwheeler to be built and operated in the West in 80 years. Launched in 1995, the Queen of the West is propelled solely by her three-story-high churning paddlewheel, just like sternwheelers of the past. But unlike those earlier craft, the Queen doesn’t rely on a steam engine. Instead, she is powered by a revolutionary hydraulic propulsion system that uses environmentally safe biodegradable hydraulic oil. Her 45-foot-long bow ramp allows passengers to go ashore anywhere along the river, much as the 19th-century vessels did. Dining
