During an event this week in Savannah, GA, American Queen Voyages (AQV) marked the return of the 202-passenger Ocean Navigator. The small-ship, oceangoing vessel is AQV's final "Lakes & Oceans" vessel to return to passenger operations.
Welcoming guests aboard for the first time in two years, Ocean Navigator was greeted in downtown Savannah at River Street Market Landing by city leaders and dignitaries. Mayor Van R. Johnson toured the vessel and visited with the ship's crew and officers before guests embarked in the afternoon.
Discovering North America
“Travelers are ready to make up for lost time and deeply discover North America now,” said John Waggoner, founder and chairman, American Queen Voyages. “The return of Ocean Navigator signals yet another opportunity to explore with us beyond the Mississippi River."
Now in progress, Ocean Navigator's first voyage is a 17-day "Eastern Seaboard" itinerary with port calls at Charleston, SC; Norfolk, VA; Baltimore, MD; Newport, RI; Nantucket, MA; and more. The voyage will end in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Sister ship, Ocean Voyager, will sail northward towards the Great Lakes after completing a final southeastern U.S. sailing from Jacksonville, FL, on April 12. Both "Lakes & Oceans " vessels arrive in Toronto May 10 and 12 after exploring the Eastern Seaboard and St. Lawrence Seaway. The first highly anticipated arrival at Chicago’s Navy Pier will be Ocean Navigator on May 18.
The month of April also marks the 10th anniversary of American Queen Voyages. In addition, its first, new expedition ship, Ocean Victory, will debut on May 6, sailing between Vancouver, B.C. and Sitka, AK.
Newly Added Mississippi Voyages
In June, the small-ship line will celebrate the anniversary with four newly added Lower Mississippi River itineraries on the flagship American Queen. Operating between Memphis and New Orleans, those nine-day itineraries will depart on June 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2022.
Waggoner will host the June 12 sailing and serve as special guest Riverlorian. He'll host exclusive lectures and share company tales, memories from river ports, the making of the line's newest paddlewheeler, American Countess, and more.
Adding to the festivities on those four dates are newly added experiences with Regina Charboneau, the line's culinary ambassador. Guests booking a Luxury or Owner’s Suite will receive a complimentary exclusive cooking class and brunch hosted by Charboneau at her Natchez cooking school while the ship is in port.
All guests will also be joined onboard by Charboneau for a special pre-sail biscuit demonstration and champagne toast before departing Natchez.
For more information, visit www.aqvoyages.com.
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