American Cruise Lines announced today after undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation, Queen of the West has successfully completed its first cruise out of Portland, Oregon since the completion of its makeover which included reconstruction of major areas such as passenger staterooms, community areas, the galley and engine room. The updated deck plan can be found here and reflects the addition of private balconies, a new library on the third deck, and the conversion of several staterooms into singles to reduce the capacity from 150 to 120.

“Our goal was to make a great riverboat even greater and to maximize the comfort and amenities available to our passengers,” said Timothy Beebe, Vice President of American Cruise Lines.  “Now enhanced due to various renovations, Queen of the West truly fits the bill as a member of the industry’s newest fleet and we look forward to continuing to provide the most unique and enjoyable cruises on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.”  

Aimed at providing a more comfortable and elegant atmosphere for passengers, meticulous care and attention to detail went into the reconstruction, from the newly designed and custom built furniture, to the fresh interior décor, the expanded size of staterooms and the addition of more private balconies. The new authentic paddlewheel makes for a quieter and smoother cruise aboard the new Queen of the West, while having less impact on the environment. 

Queen of the Mississippi is also underway and ahead of schedule for its August 2012 inaugural season with construction and planning on the interior, shore excursions, entertainment and cuisine in full effect. Stay tuned for additional announcements on Queen of the Mississippi’s progress.