The American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC) has revealed a new dedicated website specifically for the Australian market, created and managed by Cruise Traveller.
The revamped website – aqsc.com.au – has been designed to make it quicker and easier to search for a paddlewheeler cruise on American rivers, with search fields including region, vessels, dates and special themed sailings.
The new localised platform is modelled on the look of the American AQSC site-site, and features offers specifically for the Australian market.
Package offers that include flights from Australia will soon be listed in Australian dollars. Additionally, deals for departures in 2022 will be released soon (in US dollars).
From the website, brochures can be accessed and agents and consumers will find the latest special offers.
A new feature is a ‘city stay’ page providing options for three-day packages comprised of accommodation, meals, touring and attractions, in cities such as Memphis, New Orleans, Nashville and Portland.
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Cruise Traveller has also created a password-protected portal for travel agents where they can download images and join the new-look International Steamboat Academy which offers on-demand, information training modules as well as certificates and a certified agent logo for agents who complete the training.
To gain access to the agent portal, email Cruise Traveller via aqsc@cruisetraveller.com.au or contact Key Partnership Managers Julie Donaldson (NSW & ACT) – julie@cruisetraveller.com.au – or Karen Revell (QLD, WA, NT, SA, VIC & TAS) – karen@cruisetraveller.com.au
Guests and agents can register on the new website to receive news on the latest offers and programs as soon as they are released.
The new website highlights the new 2022 program for AQSC which features 163 cruises on five of America’s most iconic rivers – The Mississippi, Ohio River, Tennessee River, Snake River and Columbia River.
The 2022 season will also include AQSC’s latest river ship, the 245-passenger paddlewheeler, American Countess, which joins the American Queen, American Duchess and American Empress to offers guest classic, elegant and modern American river cruise experiences.
Fares for all AQSC cruises now include a complimentary, onboard unlimited beverage package, all onboard meals, a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay, ship gratuities and complimentary hop-on, hop-off shore excursions with a dedicated fleet of deluxe motor coaches.
To mark the launch, savings of up to US$2,000 per couple are available for bookings on 2022 cruises made by the end of March, 2021, through Cruise Traveller.
Cruise Traveller is offering an eight-night package in 2022 that includes a seven-night cruise between Memphis and New Orleans – AQSC’s most popular itinerary – and one night’s accommodation pre-cruise. Fares are available from US$2,235 per person, twin-share (11 and 18 December, 2022 departures aboard American Queen) in an interior cabin – a saving of US$300 per person. An Open Veranda stateroom (Category B) is available from US$3,435 per person, twin-share – a saving of US$1,000 each, when booked by 31 March, 2021.
Meanwhile, American Queen Steamboat Company has introduced a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for all guests that will be implemented from 1 July, 2021.
The vaccination requirement will also apply to shipboard crew members and non-shipboard employees across all vessels in the AQSC fleet and that of Victory Cruise Lines.
This latest protective measure expands upon the enhanced health and safety measures announced in 2020, which includes, but is not limited to, pre-cruise COVID-19 testing of all guests and crew and mask mandate in all public areas where social distancing is not possible.
Call Cruise Traveller on 1300 680 374 or visit the new website – aqsc.com.au