Originally built for the Mississippi River – and named Queen of the Mississippi – American Pride began its life in 2012 exploring cities like St. Louis, Memphis, and Louisville.
In 2016, the line renamed the paddle wheeler and moved it to the Snake and Columbia rivers for itineraries that focus on Lewis and Clark, as well as Pacific Northwest cuisine and scenery. While Cruise Critic sailed on the ship’s Ohio River itinerary, most of the vessel’s attributes have stayed the same.
Onboard, the service is superb, which is somewhat surprising, considering American Cruise Lines’ employment policy limiting waiter/room attendant contracts to three months per any nine-month period.
The mostly young crew, therefore, is new to the job, though they make up for any lack of experience with friendliness, eagerness to serve, and a genuine interest in your well-being.
The food is excellent, the accommodations spacious and comfortable, and your fellow passengers, of which there are only 150, are keen to meet you and chat. With no assigned tables, you quickly get to know the majority of others on the boat.
American Pride (2012-built as “Queen of the Mississippi”, last refurbished in 2015) is an authentic late 1800s design steamboat paddle-wheeler owned by the American Cruise Lines company.
The company’s other riverboats with paddle-wheel designs are Queen of the West/American West (sistership), America (2016 as “American Eagle”, sistership), and Queen of the Mississippi/American Heritage (2015).
American Pride river cruise ship deck plan has a total of 78 staterooms for 150 passengers served by 43 crew/staff, with 5 passenger decks (accessible via 2 elevators), 6 bars and lounges, and 1 restaurant. The riverboat features both historic decor and a framework of top modern maritime technology.
The modern amenities and comfort, special onboard activities, and uniquely designed history- and culinary-themed shore excursions simply add more to the USA river cruising vacation experience along the American Pride itinerary route.
American Pride itineraries offer USA cruise travel along the rivers Columbia and Snake (Pacific Northwest USA). In addition to its modern amenities and comfort, this American Cruise Lines ship also provides themed onboard entertainment and specifically designed tours and excursions themed after the region’s culinary, history and traditions.
PHOTOS
FULL SPECIFICATION
Specifications of American Pride
| Year built | 2012 / Age: 10 |
| Flag state | USA |
| Builder | Chesapeake Shipbuilding (Salisbury, Maryland USA) |
| Class | paddlewheel riverboat |
| Speed | 12 kn / 22 kph / 14 mph |
| Length (LOA) | 90 m / 295 ft |
| Beam (width) | 14 m / 46 ft |
| Gross Tonnage | 2700 gt |
| Last Refurbishment | 2021 |
| Former names | Queen of the Mississippi |
| Christened by | Lines Phyllis Dale |
| Owner | American Cruise Lines Inc |
