2018 american empress® VOYAGES SAVE up to $1,000 per stateroom See page 27 he Steamboat Society of America®, our consumer loyalty program, was created to recognize our past guestsT and offer the opportunity to enjoy exclusive benefits and incentives for cruising frequently with us. In addition to our Classic membership, earned after completion of your first cruise on the American Queen®, American Empress®, or American Duchess™, we offer four levels of elite membership. These Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald and Diamond levels bring additional benefits and are reached after cruising the designated number of nights with us. Visit www.aqsc.com/ssoa for more information and to activate your account. Restrictions may apply. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Our Distinctions ..............................................................................4 Uniquely American Dining ................................................................6 Uniquely American Entertainment ....................................................8 Uniquely American Experiences ......................................................10 THE COLUMBIA AND SNAKE RIVERS Voyage Calendar ............................................................................12 Introduction and Voyage Map .......................................................14 Itineraries .......................................................................................16 Cruise Enhancements ....................................................................19 AMERICAN EMPRESS Deckplans ......................................................................................22 Suites and Staterooms ....................................................................23 Terms & Conditions ......................................................................26 Travel Protection............................................................................27 TravelAgeW est WAVE Awards Editor’s Pick Award Logo Treatments RECENT AWARDSteal = 70c0m20y25k gray = 0c0m15y55k 2017 Gold Winner 2016 World’s Top 2012-2016 2015 Editor’s Pick: 2012-2015 Best River Cruise River Cruise Lines Best Shore Best Onboard Dining Best Cruise Value: Line – U.S. Excursions Specialty Cruise Lines WWW.AQSC.COM 3 OUR DISTINCTIONS Discover the most all-inclusive river cruise experience in North America with American Queen Steamboat Company. One-night hotel stay to begin your journey with breakfast, taxes, porterage and transfer to the vessel H All onboard meals with regionally inspired, epicurean cuisine in multiple dining venues H Wine and beer with dinner H Warm hospitality and 24-hour room service from a friendly, all-American staff 4 (888) 749-5280 Coffee, tea, cappuccino, espresso, bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage H Broadway-caliber entertainment each evening and spotlight guest performances H Daily lectures by the Riverlorian, our resident history and culture expert H Signature Hop-On Hop-Off shore excursions in each port of call H Our own dedicated fleet of deluxe motorcoaches WWW.AQSC.COM 5 UNIQUELY AMERICAN DINING ining aboard the American Empress the Pacific Northwest with gilded columns, is as decadent as it is delightful. Our marble, rich upholstery and crystal chandeliers. Daward-winning culinary team takes A sumptuous array of selections is thoughtfully full advantage of Washington and Oregon’s prepared each evening to tempt your palate. diverse bounty of fresh, local ingredients to Each evening, the River Grill & Bar transforms prepare uniquely exquisite dishes while our into a reservation-only, specialty restaurant gracious, all-American staff charms you with where inventive entrées are served. Guests may attentive service so that you may enjoy each enjoy up to two dinner reservations per cruise meal in a most relaxed atmosphere. in the River Grill & Bar. Begin your morning with a fresh cup of coffee Whether you prefer the rich ambiance of The as you contemplate which of our dining venues Astoria Dining Room, the casual elegance appeals to your appetite. Linger in the lavish of the River Grill & Bar or the comfort and Astoria Dining Room for traditional service convenience of 24-hour room service, you will or enjoy the leisurely atmosphere of the River discover an abundance of sweet and savory Grill & Bar. Offering a casual breakfast or selections is always within reach. lunch with both indoor and seasonal outdoor seating, the River Grill & Bar has become a BEVERAGE PACKAGE favorite alternative dining location for guests While beer and table pouring wine is one to enjoy fabulous dishes and take in the of our signature inclusions with dinner, our majestic scenery. All-Inclusive Beverage Package affords you When the time comes for a tantalizing dinner, carefree enjoyment of your favorite spirits, beer savor each bite of the nightly five-course dinner and wine by the glass throughout your voyage. in the illustrious décor of The Astoria Dining Ask your reservations agent for details Room, a glorious and elaborate homage to and pricing. 6 (888) 749-5280 EXAMPLE MENU DINNER RIVER GRILL & BAR CLASSIC STARTERS ENTREES “Hot” Smoked Pacific Salmon Double-Cut Lamb Chop King salmon, blini, crème fraiche, red onion, Seasoned with fresh herbs, mint capers and lemon tomato marmalade Washington State Dungeness Crab Grilled Filet Mignon Sweet local crab meat served hot or cold with Certified angus beef topped with drawn butter or creamy dijon mustard sauce compound butter Beggar’s Purse Char-Grilled Salmon Fillet Golden brown bundle of local morel mushrooms Seasonal fresh local catch, sautéed with truffle cream sauce Washington crayfish and béarnaise SOUP AND SALAD Lobster Tail 7-oz. cold-water lobster tail prepared Iceberg Wedge grilled or steamed Bleu cheese, crisp bacon, local tomato, candied walnuts, cucumber and lemon vinaigrette Polenta Cake With vodka marinara and braised baby kale Hand-Tossed Caesar Traditional dressing, chopped romaine, garlic croutons, aged Parmesan cheese DESSERT Grilled Maryhill Peaches with Raspberry Coulis Molten Chocolate Cake with Espresso Sauce Sugar-Free Washington Apple Dumpling WWW.AQSC.COM 7 UNIQUELY AMERICAN ENTERTAINMENT ach day and evening lends a splendid THE PADDLEWHEEL LOUNGE variety of entertainment to keep you The vessel’s Paddlewheel Lounge is a Efully engaged throughout your American popular, alternate venue featuring smooth Empress voyage. Whether it is a themed voyage solo performances and soft piano music in special event, a captivating tale told by our the afternoon. Take pleasure in this intimate onboard Riverlorian or an energized musical atmosphere which is ideal for sharing performance led by top entertainers, there is pre-dinner cocktails. For your late-night always an impressive line-up of entertainment entertainment, we pick up the pace and play that is sure to satisfy. all of your favorites so you can dance the THE SHOW LOUNGE night away. The Show Lounge on the American Empress RIVERLORIAN boasts rich décor, enormous crystal chandeliers, Given that history plays such a large part of comfortable seating and an elevated ceiling, your river cruise experience, our knowledgeable which provides the perfect venue for our Riverlorian is onboard for each voyage to acclaimed entertainment. Settle in for rousing impart the history, legends and lore of the musical revues, high-energy cabaret and stand- Columbia and Snake Rivers. As you wind up comedy. Our house band and singers are through the dramatic mountains and forested some of the best around, so rest assured that ridges of the great Pacific Northwest, we each cruise offers wonderful entertainment to encourage you to join our Riverlorian on-deck keep your toes tapping. for insightful and entertaining narratives which may include a spellbinding account of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. 8 (888) 749-5280 THEMES waterways. Everyone can safely enjoy this Our new theme, A Pacific Northwest Adventure, guided experience as they are securely tethered offers soft-adventure activities that appeal to onto a course consisting of eight lines zipping guests of all ages, making it the ideal choice throughout the lush, green forests of Oregon. for a phenomenal summer family vacation. SELF-GUIDED ART TOUR Enjoy enticing shore excursions which Boasting a vast collection of some of the finest highlight the beautiful terrain and one-of-a- historical artifacts and artwork of the Native kind experiences that nature has to offer in Alaska, Russian, Gold Rush and sternwheeler this captivating corner of America. Grab a eras, the corridors of the American Empress partner for a tandem ride on a kayak, or take hold nearly as much beauty and intrigue as a relaxing solo-ride down the Columbia and the dramatic scenery unfolding on the river Yakima Rivers as you board your own personal outside. You needn’t be an art enthusiast to vessel and glide onto the surface of the water. appreciate the captivating display of Pacific Sit back and feel the excitement rise as you Northwest heritage that this unique collection enjoy an exhilarating jet boat ride through represents. Each piece of art is identified the narrowest sections of Hells Canyon, with a numeric plaque that corresponds to North America’s deepest gorge. If you are the description in our printed gallery guide. feeling brave and willing to extend beyond We invite you to explore this rich collection your comfort zone, experience the Pacific while onboard. Northwest from one of the best vantage points – high above the ground zip lining through the towering trees and over the region’s