Popular Iowa Mississippi River Boat Cruise Closes Permanently

It's nice seeing those beautiful big riverboats going up and down the Mississippi River here in the Quad Cities. This summer, that sight won't exist.

A popular riverboat cruise company that shows visitors from all over the world the beautiful Mississippi River and the towns along it has ceased operation. The American Queen Voyages is no longer in business which is not a good thing for tourism in the Quad Cities.

American Queen Voyages Couldn't Stay Afloat

In an announcement on Wednesday, owners of the American Queen Yoyages riverboat cruise company said the company has shut down. Operating three riverboats including the American Queen, American Duchess, and American Countess, American Queen Voyages' boat made stops in Muscatine and Bettendorf last summer.

"We are saddened to share that American Queen Voyages (AQV) has made the difficult decision to shut down. The overnight cruise industry was especially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and related changes in travel preferences," the announcement read. "Despite great efforts by our team, Crew and partners, demand has not recovered, and AQV has become financially unsustainable."

Owners say they are proud of the Crew and the travel experiences and service they have provided to guests. "As we reflect on our journey, we are filled with gratitude for the privilege of serving our guests, partners, and agents and for being part of our incredible local communities. Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives," the announcement said.

Effective immediately, all future AQV cruises have been canceled and the company says it regrets any inconvenience this decision causes, and guests should expect to have their cruise deposits refunded in full. Additional information is available at www.AQVinfo.com. Refund information is available at www.AQVrefunds.com.