American Cruise Lines, which emerged as the winning bidder for the American Queen Voyages paddlewheel fleet, has confirmed it has scrapped the American Countess and Duchess, while it continues to evaluate plans to the American Queen.
“American Cruise Lines remains focused on modernizing and elevating the domestic cruise industry with new ships, large staterooms, modern technology, and rigorous environmental standards,” the company said in a statement.
“We have recycled the former AQV vessels Countess and Duchess. We continue to evaluate options for the Queen, including the possibility of donation to a municipal or non-profit entity.”
The Countess has capacity for 246 guests, the Duchess carried 166 passengers and the American Queen has capacity for 436 guests.
The company did not reveal plans for the American Empress.
American Cruise Lines picked up the ships at the American Queen bankruptcy auction in March at the following prices:
- American Queen: $2,150,000
- American Empress: $1,600,000
- American Countess: $1,600,000
- American Duchess: $200,000
(Cruise Industry News)
Malcolm says: Is “recycle” the new name for “scrap”. This is very odd: The American Duchess was built as a casino boat in 1995 and was reconstructed as a river cruise vessel in 2017. The American Countess also was built as a casino boat in 1995 and converted to an overnight ship in 2021. They are both modernised luxury boats, built in a vintage paddle steamer style. Why pay over $3 million for both of them, if you want to scrap them? Maybe it was to remove any possible competition?
As for the American Queen, she was built in 1995, but has a real steam engine powering her paddle wheel. She is the biggest paddle steamer ever built. She is a wonderful vessel.