The American Queen Steamboat Company has purchased the 2002-built Empress of the North and will rename her American Empress. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia / Creative Commons

Yesterday, we wrote about the American Queen Steamboat Company’s unique and varied entertainment options along the Mississippi aboard their American Queen sternwheeler. Now, they’re prepared to offer another exciting destination: the Pacific Northwest.

The line has struck a deal to purchase the 360-foot long Empress of the North from the US Maritime Administration, which has had possession of the 2002-built sternwheeler since the collapse of former owners Majestic America Line in 2008.

Currently laid up in Portland, Oregon, the Empress of the North will be renamed American Empress (and not Express as some media outlets are reporting), and will enter service along the Columbia and Snake rivers beginning next April.

Before entering service, American Empress will undergo a complete stem-to-stern refurbishment.

The American Queen has ushered in a rebirth of U.S. river cruising, welcoming thousands to discover the heartland of the United States and its iconic port cities,” said Ted Sykes, president and COO of the American Queen Steamboat Company. “Now the American Empress will continue that tradition as an ambassador to the Pacific Northwest.”

The 223-passenger vessel will sail weeklong itineraries between Portland, Oregon and Clarkston, Washington. Ports of call will include Astoria, Oregon; Stevenson, Washington; The Dalles, Oregon; Umatilla, Oregon; and Richland, Washington.

We’ll bring you more information on the American Empress and The American Queen Steamboat Company’s foray into Pacific Northwest river cruising as it becomes available.

Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock are both located within easy reach of Astoria, Oregon – one of the ports of call visited aboard American Empress. Photo © Aaron Saunders

More information on the American Queen Steamboat Company can be found by visiting our complete company and fleet overviews here on River Cruise Advisor.

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Besides offering one of the most unique cruise experiences afloat, the American Queen also has a striking roster of diverse entertainment present on each sailing. Photo © Ralph Grizzle

In a recent post on their blog, the popular riverboat cruise line highlighted some of the diverse live entertainment that is available on each American Queen journey this year. While there’s no sailing that is better than the others, their list acts as a fantastic overview for guests looking to create their very own theme cruise.

On tap for the American Queen’s 2013 season:

VEGAS RAT PACK SHOW
Close your eyes and you’ll swear it’s Ol’ Blue Eyes himself. Amazing performers evoke the sounds and memories of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, backed by our onboard orchestra. Enjoy hits that include Fly Me to the Moon, That’s Amore, Everybody Loves Somebody, New York, New York, When I Was Seventeen and others.
2013 Voyage Dates: September 6, September 20, September 27, December 13

NEW ORLEANS ALL-STARS
These maestros of the Big Easy’s jazz scene take the American Queen on a journey through the history of a purely American music genre.
2013 Voyage Dates: November 1, November 22, December 13, December 27

JUGGERNAUT JUG BAND
Delight in the authentic form of river music known as “jug music.” Rooted in the port towns of the Deep South, jug music includes styles of swing, jazz and bluegrass, performed by Juggernaut’s amazing artists.
2013 Voyage Dates: June 1, June 22, July 4, July 12, July 31, August 4, August 9, September 27, October 4, November 1

THE HARRY JAMES ORCHESTRA
Directed by Fred Radke, who played first trumpet for the master himself and is held in high esteem by jazz greats, this incredible orchestra stirs memories of the good old days with hits including All or Nothing at All, Ain’t She Sweet, Up a Lazy River and more.
2013 Voyage Dates:  June 1, June 8, July 4, July 12, October 11

STOREFRONT CONGREGATION
Listen to their smooth blend of bluegrass, country and blues and you will know why the band is called “bluegrass’s newest sensation.”
2013 Voyage Dates: June 8, June 15, July 31, August 4, August 9

LEWIS HANKINS
Spend the evening with Mark Twain as this impersonator spins tales that will leave you convinced that you’ve had a one-on-one conversation with the famed author himself.
2013 Voyage Dates: June 15, June 22, July 4, September 27, October 4, October 11, October 18, November 1, November 22

BILL WEIMUTH
Gambling and riverboats went hand-in-hand in the 19th century and Bill’s riverboat gambler persona recreates a lost part of America’s culture with an added magical touch.
2013 Voyage Dates: June 1, June 8, June 22, August 9, September 20, December 20, December 27

The Veranda aboard the American Queen reflects a time gone by. Photo © Ralph Grizzle

More information on the American Queen Steamboat Company and their iconic American Queen sternwheeler can be found by viewing our complete company and fleet overview here on River Cruise Advisor!

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The new Viking Star will be the launch vessel for Viking Ocean Cruises, Viking River Cruises oceangoing cruise arm. Illustration courtesy of Viking Cruises.

While you can view detailed coverage of the new ship and the event on our sister-sites The Avid Cruiser and From the Deck Chair, we thought we’d compile some information that might be of interest to the line’s frequent river cruise guests in one easy-to-find place.

Will Viking offer back-to-back river cruise and ocean cruise packages?

Currently, Viking doesn’t plan to offer packages that feature a week aboard one of its river cruise vessels coupled with a voyage aboard the new Viking Star. This is mainly due to the logistics involved with these two similar but distinct products.

While Viking won’t be offering cruise packages that span both its river and oceangoing cruise products, guests can certainly put their own river and cruise combination journeys together. Photo © Aaron Saunders

Viking’s ports of embarkation for the Viking Star are typically not near ports of embarkation for the line’s river cruise ships, which would necessitate long overland journeys or multi-connection flights.

Viking Cruises Chairman Torstein Hagen was quick to point out that passengers could create their own custom journeys by booking a river cruise aboard one of the line’s ships, then travelling at their own pace to embark Viking Star if the disembarkation and embarkation dates worked in their favor.

Will Viking honor its past river cruise guests aboard Viking Star?

Onlookers gathered in March 2012 during the christening of the first four Viking Longships at the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam. Viking’s past guests will be recognized as such aboard the line’s forthcoming Viking Star cruise ship. Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders

In a word, yes: Past guests aboard Viking’s river cruise product will be treated as past guests aboard Viking Oceans and the new Viking Star. Details of what that means currently are being mailed to Viking’s guests, and we’ll be posting those details here on River Cruise Advisor as they become available.

Who will staff the new Viking Star?

According to Hagen, the line has already seen great interest from the line’s current river cruise ship employees — many of whom have extensive deep-ocean cruise experience — in serving aboard the new Viking Star. Expect the same friendly, international service to be in place aboard the company’s oceangoing ship when she sets sail in the spring of 2015.

Will Viking Star offer a river cruise-like experience?

The Aquavit Terrace, made popular aboard the line’s stunning Viking Longships, will return in oceangoing form aboard the upcoming Viking Star. Photo © Aaron Saunders

For the most part, yes. Viking has taken great strides to make its oceangoing cruise product as similar to its river cruise product as possible, and the company seems to have done a good job of noting what guests expect from the line.

To that end, beer, wine and soft drinks will be served complimentary with lunch and dinner. Specialty coffees, teas, and soft drinks will be complimentary around the clock, as will room service and onboard Wi-Fi internet access. Self-service laundry facilities will be provided free of charge, and guests will be invited to enjoy one complimentary shore excursion per port of call on each voyage.

When do these new Viking Ocean sailings go on sale?

Viking is taking bookings for Viking Star as of right now. The only exception are bookings for the ship’s Owner’s Suite, which will be available for booking in 2014 after the design of the 1,448-square foot room has been completed by Hagen himself.

Your travel agent should, but may not, have all the details regarding Viking Oceans just yet. It’s best to reference the line’s website in the meantime, or print your selected itinerary to bring to your favorite travel provider.

 The reveal at the Beverly Hilton. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

More information on Viking River Cruises can be found by viewing our complete Viking River Cruises profile here on River Cruise Advisor. We’ll have more information on Viking Oceans as it is released.

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Last night, from the International Ballroom at The Beverly Hilton, Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking River Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises, says cruises on Viking Star will cost 38 percent less than similar cruises in the ship’s competitive set. © 2013 Ralph Grizzle

THE BEVERLY HILTON, BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA — Perhaps the biggest surprise announced last night during the Viking Ocean Cruises’ reveal: lead-in per diems at just under $300 per person with included WiFi, an included tour in each port of call, overnight stays in embarkation and disembarkation ports, and complimentary beer and wine with lunch and dinner.

When bookings open on Friday May 17, the new Viking Star’s 15-day cruises between Bergen and Stockholm will go for $4,499 per person for accommodations in a 270-square-foot Veranda Suite, featuring a king-sized bed, a sitting area, an expansive balcony, and  a large bathroom with a shower spacious enough to bathe in “without touching any of the walls,” says Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking River Cruises, and, as of last night, Viking Ocean Cruises.

In developing the concept for Viking’s ocean product, Hagen wanted a no-nonsense ship that delivered in seven key areas:

• The destination will be key to the experience
• Small ship, but at a great value
• Designed for comfort, function and understated elegance
• Great food, locally inspired
• Culturally enriching shore excursions and onboard programs
• No nickel and dime’ing
• Don’t be everything to everybody

There will be no casino, no charge for speciality restaurants, no formal nights — and no ties. The vessel will carry 928 passengers, all double occupancy veranda staterooms (in several categories and some suites), not family friendly but appealing to “explorers” ages 55 and up.

Speaking from the same stage where the Golden Globe Awards ceremony is presented annually, Hagen displayed renderings to media and some of the nation’s top cruise sellers that showed Viking Star to be innovative — with sliding windows that open in the main dining room for al fresco dining, a spa that features a sauna and snow room, a forward-facing two-level Explorer’s Lounge, an infinity pool with an aft glass wall exposed to the sea, and much more.

Viking Star begins service in 2015. Stay tuned. We’ll have more about the new Viking Star this weekend. Meantime, check out renderings of the new Viking Star in the Youtube video below.

Trouble viewing the video? Click here.

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With Scenic’s highly successful Space Ships, the line has made substantial investments in the underlying technology used aboard its ships. Photo courtesy of Scenic Tours.

Travel Weekly writes that this new vessel, dubbed Scenic Jade, will be a continuation of Scenic’s highly successful “Space-Ship” class of river cruise ships, and will sail the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. The company had cited “unprecedented demand” as the motivation behind the rapid expansion.

What is particularly fascinating about this announcement is that it comes hot on the heels of a major stem-to-stern refurbishment of Scenic’s existing (and extremely young) fleet or river cruise ships. Almost no detail went unturned during these refits, which stripped ships as young as 18 months down to their metal frames in order to bring them in line with the recently launched Scenic Jewel.

Apple Mac Mini computers were installed and linked to HD televisions manufactured by Samsung, providing in-stateroom access to the ship’s upgraded WiFi system using Satellite and UMTS Mobile Technology.

Casual meals can be had in the River Café, including gourmet pizza made fresh onboard. The line’s Table La Rive is dedicated to a full degustation dining experience, while Portobellos has undergone a complete re-design, along with The Bar, which now features additional coffee machines and Eurocave wine dispensers.

The Scenic Cruises fleet is set to grow to nine by 2014. Photo courtesy of Scenic Tours

Scenic ships even have a unique GPS-aided commentary units that use the actual position of the vessel to provide relevant commentary along the way.

At the time of the Scenic Jewel’s christening, Scenic founder Glen Moroney announced that an eighth vessel, Scenic Gem, would enter service in 2014. With a ninth now on the way, the Australian-based tour operator has managed to solidify its presence in the river cruising arena.

More information on both Scenic Gem and Scenic Jewel will be included here on River Cruise Advisor as it becomes available.

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German-based Peter Deilmann Reederei returns to river cruising in 2013, and has entered into a partnership with Fred.Olsen’s new river cruise arm, Fred.\ River Cruises.

No, that’s not a typo; the new division is really called Fred. \ River Cruises. But regardless of the eccentricities of the name, one thing that’s not up for debate is the impact this will have on the UK market. Fred.Olsen’s new river cruise division will use the MS Mozart, operated by long-standing German tour operator Peter Deilmann, to offer voyages designed specifically for the UK market along the Danube.

“The MS Mozart river cruise is of exceptional quality and a really good transitional product for agents who have cruising clients looking for a river cruise with the same standards found on an ocean cruise. Also, unlike many operators, we have access to very good availability right across the season,” said Paula Jackson, sales executive with Fred.\ River Cruises.

The MS Mozart underwent an extensive refurbishment three years ago, and will be solely sold and marketed by Fred. Olsen’s new river cruise arm.

The striking indoor pool aboard the MS Mozart.

What is particularly noteworthy about this is that while Viking Ocean Cruises is poised to take the wraps off the first plans for two new ocean-going cruise ships tomorrow night in Los Angeles, this marks one of the few times a traditional cruise operator has begun offering a river cruise product.

We’ll keep you updated on Fred.\ River Cruises and its itineraries aboard the MS Mozart as more information becomes available.

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What should you do in Budapest? Opera and architecture buffs alike will want to head to the stunning Hungarian Opera on Andrássy Ave. 22. Knowing that before you go, however, can save you time and money. Photo © Aaron Saunders

Fortunately, when we travel to Europe, there are five things we always try to do that improve our experience — and can improve yours on your next river cruise, making those choices a little easier.

1. Read & Research

The Hungarian Parliament, as seen on Google Street View. An invaluable resource!

The first reason seems basic, but we do it before every trip: Read about and research every single port of call on our river cruise itinerary. This doesn’t have to be the sort of tedious research that people used to have to do on a microfiche in a library. Instead, launch your browser — the internet has made research a lot of fun.

Take Google Earth, for instance. You can use it to locate your hotel, river cruise ship dock, or any other location and virtually “walk” through almost any city before you get there. We always do this before visiting a new city; it’s amazing how quickly you can get your bearings when you’re there in real life after having “been there” before.

It’s also worthwhile to look up some of the cities and towns along your way. Find out what makes them tick, or what makes them special. This can help you get a better idea of how you want to spend your time when you’re actually there; leaving you more time to enjoy and less time to worry.

2. Watch Movies

Arles, France features prominently in the 1997 Robert de Niro movie, Ronin. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia / Creative Commons

It sounds like an odd thing to do (particularly as so many movies aren’t actually filmed in the cities they’re set in), but watching a movie can help get you excited about seeing a particular place. A few even do a great job at highlighting the city itself, like the 2008 dark comedy In Bruges; or the 1997 drama Ronin, which was filmed in Paris, Arles and Nice.

3. Lose Yourself

Overlooking Stift Durnstein from Durnstein Castle. Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders

This applies particularly for the small towns you’ll visit along the way: Throw away the map and instead just wander the streets. This goes for towns like Durnstein, Austria, where you can never really get lost, even though there are numerous streets, paths and trails. Explore and discover. The fact that you set off with no plan can make exploring these small towns and villages all the more fun.

4. Eat Ashore

Mmm … Bratwurst mit Sauerkraut at the Wurstkuchl in Regensburg, Germany. Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders

Possibly the most important advice we can give is to make sure to sample the local specialties. Have a stroopwaffel in Amsterdam, or a glass of lager in Bavaria. Get the bratwurst mit sauerkraut in Passau, or relax with a café melange in Vienna. Your tastebuds will thank you.

5. Disconnect

River cruising presents an excellent way to relax and disconnect from the rush of everyday life. Photo courtesy of Avalon Waterways

We can’t do disconnect  because when we cruise we’re working. But you can. Unfortunately, we see too many other people who are also working when they should be enjoying what they paid for, a vacation. They’re glued to their iPhones, iPads and computers. Our advice: Turn everything off and enjoy the brilliant silence of sailing down Europe’s waterways. Except, perhaps for the iPhone — it’s always nice to post a photo or two of you enjoying your way along the river.

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The 166-guest Avalon Expression was christened in the city of Koblenz, Germany on Monday, May 6^th; just one month after the launch of the slightly smaller Avalon Artistry II. The new Avalon Expression is part of the line’s highly-successful Panorama Class that began with the launch of the Avalon Panorama in 2011.

Avalon Expression is the newest member of the line’s Panorama-class of river cruise ships. Photo courtesy of Avalon Waterways.

Avalon Expression features two full decks of suites that have Avalon’s signature “Wall to Wall Panoramic Windows” that turn stateroom living space into an open-air balcony. At 200 square feet, these Panorama Suites make up the vast majority of accommodations aboard the ship; in fact, there are only 16 “standard” staterooms offered aboard the Avalon Expression.

Onboard, Avalon Expression boasts an expanded fitness center for exercising on the go, and the line offers bicycling excursions in both Amsterdam and Durnstein. Nordic walking sticks are also available, as are “Leisurely”, “Traditional”, and “Essential” on-shore activity levels.

Guests can also enjoy lighter fare in the Panorama Bistro, or enjoy a meal in the ship’s stylish main restaurant before relaxing in the ship’s Main Lounge.

The duties of christening Avalon’s newest vessel were given to Patricia Schultz, author of 1000 Places to See Before You Die. At the ceremonies, Avalon Waterways managing director Patrick Clark hinted that there were more Panorama-class vessels on the way for the 2015 cruise season, meaning that the three vessels Avalon has slated for entry into service next year may not be the last in this highly-successful class.

An Avalon Waterways ship sails into Budapest, Hungary. Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders

Sailing Amsterdam-Budapest and Amsterdam-Nuremberg itineraries, Clark stated that Avalon Expression is already nearly sold out for its entire maiden season, with the exception of a handful of sailings.

With those kinds of numbers, it’s clear that the industry is growing by leaps and bounds. With more new ships on the way in 2014 and beyond, Avalon is poised to take advantage of the influx of travellers keen to experience a cruise along Europe’s storied waterways.

More information on Avalon Waterways and the new Avalon Expression can be found by visiting our complete Avalon Waterways profile here on River Cruise Advisor.

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Europe’s Christmas Markets are a stunning tradition and vacation opportunity rolled into one. Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders

This eight-day journey from Prague to Frankfurt (or reverse) kicks off with a two-night stay within reach of the Czech town’s greatest highlights, like the Astronomical Clock, Prague Castle and the historic Charles Bridge.

In Nuremberg, Germany, guests embark the Avalon Vista for their cruise through the winter wonderland along the Main-Danube Canal before reaching the waters of the Danube. A day and a half is provided in this pivotal German city, allowing ample time to explore its famous Christmas Market — dating back to 1628 — in the heart of Nuremberg’s painstakingly reconstructed Old Town.

Residents and visitors alike converge on Nuremberg’s historic Christmas Market. Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders

Avalon Vista sails on to Bamburg, where you can walk through this stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site. During December, the town is resplendent in Christmas cheer and décor, and features nativity scenes that the townspeople have constructed by hand. Of course, no visit to the heart of Bavaria is complete without sampling some of the region’s legendary beers.

Guests will then visit Wurzburg, where guided tours will all you to explore the magnificent Bishop’s Residenz before having free time to wander the gorgeous Christmas market and sample some Gluhwein.

There’s nothing like a European Christmas river cruise. Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders

In Wertheim and Miltenberg, the Christmas spirit is in full swing. If you’re lucky, you might be treated to a light dusting of snow in December, turning these picturesque Bavarian villages in to veritable winter wonderlands. The Christmas Markets are the main draw at this time of year; don’t forget to indulge in some traditional Lebkuchen, or ginger bread — made, interestingly, with far more nuts and far less “ginger” than its North American counterpart.

The cruise comes to a conclusion in Frankfurt. It’s worth lingering a while in this modern city, which still has a few remaining traces of its historic past visible — along with its own Christmas market — near the Hauptwache square.

Frankfurt may be modern, but holiday traditions still run deep here. Photo © Aaron Saunders

More information on Avalon Waterways, its fleet and itineraries, can be found by viewing our complete company overview here on River Cruise Advisor.

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In March, Viking River Cruises broke a Guinness World Record for the largest number of ships christened on a single day by a single company. Now, the line is poised to move into ocean cruising. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

At a dinner  next week on the evening of May 16 in Los Angeles, Viking will officially unveil details about the two 47,000 GRT cruise ships the company has on-order with Italy’s Fincantieri shipyards. The two as-yet-unnamed vessels are tentatively scheduled for delivery in 2015 and 2016. Another two, slightly larger, will also follow in 2017 and 2018.

While these aren’t river cruise ships, they will undoubtedly be of interest to Viking’s existing passenger base. Because of that, we’ll have full coverage of Viking’s announcement and details on the company’s new ocean cruises here on River Cruise Advisor.

Besides being noteworthy for the line’s past guests, Viking’s foray into ocean cruising is noteworthy for marking the first time a major US-based river cruise line has done so. The line is targeting the “upper premium” niche of the market currently occupied by Azamara Club Cruises and Oceania Cruises for the Viking Ocean product.

Viking’s new Viking Ocean product will reportedly draw influence from the company’s Viking Longships. Photo © 2013 Aaron Saunders

Can a successful river cruise line also be a successful ocean cruise line? Based on the success the line has had with its Viking Longships, there’s no reason to assume otherwise. We’ll be in LA for the details on May 16.

More information on Viking River Cruises can be found by viewing our complete company profile here on River Cruise Advisor. Stay tuned for news from the Viking Ocean announcement in Los Angeles.

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