American Cruise Lines is pleased to announce it will start operating 7-night itineraries aboard the recently acquired Queen of the West, on the Columbia and Snake Rivers in 2010. Queen of the West, a 120-passenger, U.S. flagged cruise ship, is currently the only authentic paddlewheel, over-night passenger vessel, operating in North America. The ship now joins American Cruise Lines’ newest fleet of cruise ships in the industry. American Cruise Lines plans to announce plans for even further expansion to the west coast in early 2010.

“Bringing our 30 plus years of small ship cruising experience to the West Coast is a very exciting prospect for us,” said Timothy Beebe, Vice President of American Cruise Lines. “To bring Queen of the West back to the spectacular Pacific Northwest while applying our ‘Small Ship Cruising Done Perfectly’ methodology creates an enormous opportunity for discerning passengers looking to explore the best destinations in America.”

American Cruise Lines is planning several different itineraries that will depart from Portland, Oregon and Clarkston, Washington, starting in the summer of 2010. Stops along the route will include the Columbia River Gorge, Multonomah Falls, Mt. St. Helen’s, The Dalles, Hells Canyon and Astoria. Passengers can look forward to a few modifications to the ship including a number of larger staterooms and a decrease in passenger capacity, allowing for an even higher level of personal service from the all-American crew.

Passengers who have had the pleasure of cruising on Queen of the West in the past can still expect the same unparalleled experience they had aboard this grand ship. But now they can discover the additional features, such as exceptional cuisine and the highest level of personalized service, for which American Cruise Lines is known, making it the most successful small ship cruise line today.