Construction on the first new riverboat for the Mississippi River in 20 years is well ahead of schedule, according to American Cruise Lines, Guildford, Conn.

The U.S.-flag small cruise ship operator said that both halves of the hull of its 150-passenger sternwheeler, Queen of the Mississippi, had been
joined last week on the launchway at Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Md.

The next phase in the construction process will be the completion of sections of the fourth and fifth decks.

The Queen of the Mississippi will make its debut during the summer 2012 cruising season. When delivered, it will have oversized staterooms, with private balconies and "all of the amenities today’s travelers expect, while maintaining the traditional style and feel of the Victorian riverboats of the past," says ACL.

“We have magnificent plans for this ship. From the inside out, Queen of the Mississippi will exemplify the highest level of quality,” says Timothy Beebe, Vice President, American Cruise Lines. “Building a riverboat of this class is no easy task, but we are fortunate to have a dedicated team of experts who know how to build with meticulous attention to detail.”

June 29, 2011

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