American Queen Steamboat Company Moves Headquarters To Indiana
The American Queen Steamboat Company, the riverboat cruise operator founded in 2011 with the acquisition, renovation and relaunch of namesake vessel American Queen, recently moved its headquarters from Memphis, Tenn., to New Albany, Ind.
American Queen Steamboat Company, a division of HMS Global Maritime, released a statement on the move:
“In an effort to synergize shoreside operations with parent company HMS Global Maritime, the American Queen Steamboat Company recently moved to New Albany, Indiana,” the statement said. “The American Queen Steamboat Company remains committed to the Memphis community with the flagship American Queen and new American Duchess having 67 sailings that either begin or end in Memphis for 2018. This brings close to 20,000 affluent guests into Memphis annually. In addition, we have a significant number of crew onboard both vessels that contribute to the Memphis economy while in port.”
Memphis has always been a big part of the American Queen’s operation since its relaunch in 2011. Built in 1995, the American Queen became the property of the U.S. Maritime Administration in late 2008 when previous owner Majestic America Line collapsed during the Great Recession.
When the American Queen Steamboat Company and HMS Global Maritime acquired the vessel in 2011, it was with the help of a $9 million loan from the city of Memphis. The loan was repaid by way of an $89 boarding fee passengers pay when they board riverboats at Memphis’ Beale Street Landing. Priscilla Presley, the American Queen’s so-called godmother, rechristened the vessel in April 2012. Presley is the former wife of Elvis Presley, whose home, Graceland, is in Memphis.
And though the company’s headquarters has moved, Memphis still serves as the official homeport of the American Queen and the American Duchess, American Queen Steamboat Company’s newest riverboat christened last year. According to the company’s website, www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com, both the American Queen and American Duchess will call on Memphis at least through the 2019 season.
“Memphis is one of the American Queen Steamboat Company’s most popular ports,” the company’s statement concluded, “and we look forward to continuing to put the destination center stage for our guests.”
