Nashville, Tennessee – American Queen Voyages, a cruise line based in Nashville, Tennessee, has made the difficult decision to suspend operations. The company announced that all future cruises have been canceled and that guests and customers should expect full refunds for their canceled trips.
The decision to shut down comes after the line reportedly canceled three season-opening sailings scheduled to take place on the Mississippi River later this month. This decision was attributed to an extended layup schedule. Additionally, multiple travel advisor groups had previously suspended sales of American Queen Voyages cruises due to service issues, including delayed commission payments.
An automated voice message on the company’s customer information hotline announced the decision to suspend operations and provided information on how guests could begin the refund process. Despite efforts to attract demand for overnight cruises following the pandemic, the cruise line found itself financially unsustainable.
The closure announcement has left many passengers and travel advisors with questions and concerns about the future of the company. However, a spokesperson for American Queen Voyages did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the closure, leaving many in the dark about the circumstances surrounding the decision.
The news of the company’s closure has left many in the travel industry and future passengers disappointed and uncertain. For the time being, it remains to be seen what impact this decision will have on the cruise industry as a whole and how it will affect travelers who had plans to sail with American Queen Voyages in the future.
As the company begins the process of issuing refunds and addressing the concerns of its customers, the travel community will be watching closely to see how this turn of events will ultimately impact the industry. This decision also serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the travel and hospitality sectors in the wake of the global pandemic.