American Queen Voyages officially kicked off its 2022 Great Lakes season Friday with a celebration for the trade aboard its Ocean Voyager vessel, which was docked in Toronto having arrived on tour from Chicago on its first voyage of the summer, and with a full slate of sailings ahead.
The event for trade partners and media also marked the company’s 10th year of offering a comprehensive portfolio of North American itineraries.
Cruise line execs were on hand, participating in a plaque ceremony and hosting a luncheon designed to show off the ship’s exquisite cuisine.
Accommodating 202 guests, attended by 84 staff, the five-deck Ocean Voyager boasts 101 suites and staterooms, ensuring an intimate and immersive experience throughout its sailings as well as “maximum comfort and numerous opportunities for exploration.”
Formerly part of the Victory Cruises fleet, Ocean Voyager was renamed when AQV rolled its Victory vessels into the larger brand.
With five scenic Great Lakes journeys this summer between Chicago and Toronto (in each direction), stops include Mackinac Island (MI), Sault Ste. Marie (Soo Locks, MI), Little Current (Manitoulan Island, Ont.), Detroit, Cleveland, and Port Colborne, Ont.
Expanded web site
Meanwhile American Queen Voyages, part of the Hornblower Group, has unveiled a new website (www.aqvoyages.com) for consumers and travel advisors that brings together all of the cruise line’s Rivers, Lakes & Oceans, and Expedition products under one digital umbrella for the first time.
On the new website, travellers can filter their searches to home in on desired dates, ships, types, and destinations under the Voyage feature. Now, the site incorporates the ability to buy a voyage online, another first in the company’s history. Users are able to secure a cruise directly in the booking engine, including the specific stateroom through an interactive deck plan, which allows passengers to explore what the vessel offers on each deck and in each cabin.
“American Queen Voyages has transformed from the great American rivers to include lakes, oceans and expedition experiences over the last 10 years, and the reimagined website is a critical tool to tell the next chapter in our story,” says AQV chief commercial officer Isis Ruiz. “Evolving the way we present the brand digitally is a key pillar of our go-to-market strategy.”
The site contains detailed descriptions of regions, cities, and quaint ports, which are featured in a comprehensive cruise calendar complemented by stunning photography. Additional sections include the new loyalty program, American Queen Voyages blog and other content.
There is also the ability to select a pre-or post-cruise “City Stay Package” such as a tour of Montana’s Glacier National Park from the American Empress or the Ultimate New Orleans Experience before embarking on the American Queen, American Duchess, or American Countess.
New flexibility on 2022 sailings
In addition to unveiling the website, AQV is offering a new Risk-Free Booking program to give guests added flexibility for 2022 bookings made by June 30. Guests booking a sailing departing by Dec. 31, have the flexibility to move to another 2023 voyage penalty free up to 14 days prior to departure.