American Cruise Lines will start operating seven-night itineraries aboard the recently acquired Queen of the West (pictured) on the Columbia and Snake rivers in 2010. Queen of the West, a 120-passenger, U.S.-flagged ship, is currently the only authentic paddlewheel overnight passenger vessel, operating in North America. The company 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, Ore., and Clarkston, Wash., starting in summer 2010. Stops along the route will include the Columbia River Gorge, Multonomah Falls, Mt. St. Helen’s, The Dalles, Hells Canyon and Astoria. The company will make some modifications to the ship including a number of larger staterooms and a decrease in passenger capacity. For more information, call 800-814-6880 or visit American Cruise Lines Expands West

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