Riverboat tours: American Queen Steamboat Company's American Empress (2024)

The 223-passenger American Empress arrives in Portland, Ore. for its christening ceremony on April 5, 2014.

The 223-passenger American Empress arrives in Portland, Ore. for its christening ceremony on April 5, 2014.

The American Empress' giant red paddle wheel.

Located at the back of the American Empress overlooking the paddle wheel is the Paddle Wheel Lounge, a central gathering place popular for pre- and post-dinner drinks.

The American Empress' paddle wheel is framed in the windows of the vessel's Paddle Wheel Lounge.

The American Empress' Paddle Wheel Lounge is home to live piano music nightly.

The Paddlewheel Lounge also houses a small library area.

The American Empress' Show Lounge is home to live musical entertainment in the evenings and also is used for wine tastings and other events during the day.

The bar in the American Empress' Show Lounge.

The Show Lounge has a small stage for performances as well as a small dance floor.

The American Empress' Astoria Dining Room is open for full-service breakfast, lunch and dinners.

The Astoria Dining Room offers come-when-you-want, flexible seating (no fixed dining times) and has a mix of table sizes.

A server in the Astoria Dining Room brings pastries to passengers.

The American Empress' Purser's Office doubles as a shore excursion desk.

A small gift shop is located next to the Purser's Office on the Explorer Deck.

A grand exterior staircase connects the American Empress' decks at the front of the vessel.

White rocking chairs line an observation area at the front of the American Empress on Deck 3.

There are six suites with veranda on the American Empress.

The biggest of American Empress' 112 cabins are its five suites, one of which is shown above.

Suites on the American Empress feature large dressers for storage.

A notable addition to cabins during the renovation of the American Empress was Keurig coffee machines.

American Empress suites also feature large wardrobes for storage.

The interior of wardrobes in American Empress suites have room for hanging clothes as well as shelving and a safe.

Televisions in American Empress cabins are built into wall units.

American Empress suites have desk areas with telephones.

A bathroom in an American Empress suite.

Cabin bathrooms on the American Empress have showers but no bathtubs.

Bathrooms in American Empress cabins feature upscale Clarins of Paris soaps, shampoos and lotions.

Suites on Deck 4 of the American Empress have balconies that are open to a walkway that encircles the vessel.

A promenade for passengers extends around the Vista View Deck, the highest of four passenger decks on the vessel.

Hallways and public areas on the American Empress feature a large collection of Native American art assembled when the ship was part of the Majestic America Line.

The art collection on display on the American Empress also includes historic photos of riverboats from the 19th century.

The ship's art collection also includes pieces depicting Western scenes including card games.

One of the more unusual displays on the American Empress are Faberge eggs that were amassed when the ship was owned by Majestic America Line.

Motor coaches dedicated to the American Queen meet the vessel in port towns to take passengers on free 'hop-on-hop-off' tours.

The American Empress' paddle wheel provides thrust for the vessel in addition to underwater Z drives that can rotate 360 degrees during maneuvering.

The American Empress' two large smokestacks can be lowered when the vessel goes under bridges.

The front of the American Empress features a moveable walkway for landings at destinations that don't have docks.

The American Empress' pilothouse.

American Empress passengers can take a tour to see the vessel's bridge.

The American Empress carries bicycles for use by passengers during port stops.

A highlight of a sailing on the American Empress is passage through the Columbia River Gorge.

Originally unveiled in 2003 as the Empress of the North, the American Empress sailed for the now-defunct Majestic America Line until it collapsed in 2008.

The American Empress has two elevators that connect its four passenger decks.

Small sitting areas near the elevators on several decks of the American Empress offer a place for conversation or reading.

Four computers with Internet access are available for passengers use in a corner of the Paddlewheel Lounge.

Normally off limits to passengers, the American Empress' engine room contains engines named after entertainer Dolly Parton and Claudette Waggoner, the wife of American Queen Steamboat Company chairman John Waggoner.

An electrical panel within the engine control room of the American Empress. The area normally is off limits to passengers.

The American Empress has four interior passenger decks with 112 cabins, two lounges, a dining room and a grill.

Passengers can mail letters from the American Empress via a mailbox near the Purser's Office.

The 223-passenger American Empress docked in Stevenson, Wash., on the Columbia River.

Claudette Waggoner, wife of American Queen Steamboat Company chairman John Waggoner, smashes a bottle of sparkling wine against the American Empress during a christening ceremony for the vessel on April 5, 2014.

American Empress godmother Claudette Waggoner receiving congratulations moments after christening the vessel on April 5, 2014.

American Queen Steamboat Company chairman John Waggoner and wife Claudette at the christening ceremony for the American Empress.

Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood speaks at the christening of the American Empress.

American Queen Steamboat Company chairman John Waggoner with former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood at the christening of the American Empress.

The American Empress stern lists Camas, Wash., as its home port.

The American Empress has a traditional white-on-white steamboat decor.

The American Empress sails into the sunset on the Columbia River.