In a sign that cruising is coming back, a new cruise vessel is christened in New Orleans
For the first time in more than a year, a cruise vessel has been christened in North America.
Angie Hack, the daughter of American Queen Steamboat Company founder John Waggoner, on Sunday officially named the riverboat line's newest vessel -- American Countess -- in New Orleans with the smash of a bottle of Maker's Mark bourbon against its hull.
"We have all waited so patiently after a tumultuous year of unknowns, ready more than ever to celebrate the newest darling to the American Queen Steamboat Company," Hack said in advance of the bottle smash during a ceremony across from the vessel at the Mardi Gras World pavilion. "For so many of us, it's like hitting the reset button."
Speaking to an audience of more than 100 invited guests that included company executives, their friends and family, and local dignitaries, Hack noted the christening originally had been scheduled for early 2020. It was postponed for nearly a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has forced an unprecedented year-long shutdown of cruising in North America.
"As of Wednesday, we were still holding our breaths," Hack quipped, referencing a last-minute glitch in the line's government approvals to sail that was quickly resolved.
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As the first christening of any cruise vessel in North America since the coronavirus-caused industry shutdown in March 2020, Sunday's event is being seen as a milestone moment in what appears to be a budding comeback of cruising in North America.
It comes just a week after another American Queen Steamboat Company riverboat and a small coastal cruiser operated by American Cruise Lines became the first cruise vessels to restart operations in U.S. waters since the pandemic began.
With vaccinations for COVID-19 becoming more available and case counts dropping, several other cruise companies that operate in North America also have recently announced definitive plans to restart voyages in the coming months out of ports in The Bahamas and the Caribbean.
For some cruise industry leaders and tourism officials at Sunday's American Countess christening, including American Queen Steamboat's Waggoner, it seemed almost too good to be true that the year-long halt to cruising in North America seemed finally to be coming to an end.
"I can't believe we're actually here," Waggoner said at the start of an address at the event. "I am going to pinch myself here and then start my speech."
Brandy Christian, the president and CEO of the Port of New Orleans, suggested the vessel's debut was a turning point for the city's cruise business after a tough year.
"I cannot begin to tell you how excited we are to have this vessel sailing with us today," she said. "It's been a long year, a long road. But this day really marks the return of a vital economic engine to our city as well as our state."
Christian noted that about 90% of people who cruise on ocean and river cruises out of New Orleans come from outside the state, and about 73% of them stay an extra night or two in the city, spending money that helps drive the local economy.
Attendees also heard from the Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana, Billy Nungesser, who also suggested that the rebound of cruising out of New Orleans was critical to the city and state's economy. He noted that a record 53.2 million people visited Louisiana in 2019.
"I'm sure that this cruise will help us bounce back to those record-breaking tourism numbers that we saw before the COVID took over this country and the world," he said.
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Docked along the Mississippi River during Sunday's ceremony, American Countess is designed to travel up and down the river as well as the Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. It's American Queen Steamboat's fourth river vessel.
Shortly after Sunday's christening, the newly named riverboat set off with passengers for the first time, heading upriver on the Mississippi on a five-night voyage to Memphis.
Built using the existing hull of a former gaming vessel (the Kanesville Queen), American Countess is designed to offer both the feel of an authentic paddlewheeler and innovative, modern design.
The four-deck-high vessel has forward-facing windows to allow for sightseeing as it rolls along the river. It also has a portside bar with an 80-foot-long wall of windows looking out over the water.
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Four options for dining on American Countess include a Grand Dining Room outfitted with custom Italian fabrics and rich walnut accents that also has floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views. There's also the small bite-serving Grand Bar & Lobby, the casual River Grill and 24-hour room service.
Other features of American Countess include a theater that will offer performances by an onboard theater group and a house band; a library; a card room; a chart room; and a small gym. The vessel has 123 cabins ranging in size from 170 to 255 square feet -- some with balconies. Like other American Queen Steamboat riverboats, it travels with "riverlorians" who will recount local river lore and history.
The American Countess was initially designed to cruise with up to 245 passengers. But American Queen Steamboat has made temporary modifications to the vessel (and has had it recertified by the U.S. Coast Guard) to sail with just 166 or fewer passengers.
With the modifications, American Countess will operate with a maximum of just 249 passengers and crew -- below the threshold that would make it subject to the current cruising restrictions imposed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Citing the continuing coronavirus outbreak, the CDC has been blocking cruise vessels that operate with more than 250 passengers and crew from sailing in U.S. waters since March of 2020.
American Queen Steamboat is implementing a long list of new health protocols on American Countess that are aimed at reducing the chances that COVID-19 could spread on vessels.
The new measures include testing all passengers for COVID-19 using a PCR test in advance of sailing and pre-board health screenings. There also will be a mask-wearing requirement on board the vessel in situations where social distancing is not possible.
In addition, all the air conditioning systems on the company’s vessels have been refitted with disinfecting ultraviolet lighting systems, and the vessels will sail with a licensed nurse on board. The company has formed new partnerships with entities in every port it visits to ensure that anyone who becomes sick can get quick care.
Attendees of Sunday's christening event for the vessel received a PCR test for COVID-19 in advance of attending.
The first cruise of the American Countess that began on Sunday was a non-revenue sailing with company employees, their families and friends, and local officials. The vessel's first voyage with paying passengers will kick off March 28.
American Countess initially will sail between New Orleans and Memphis but eventually will operate across the entire Mississippi River complex.
Fares for cruises on the American Countess start at $1,999 per person, including shore tours and onboard internet access.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.