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Pull out your stockings and put on your Christmas sweaters and float down America’s iconic rivers of rhythm to the sound of your favourite Christmas carols in 2021. The American Queen Steamboat Company and Australian small ship cruise specialist, Cruise Traveller, are offering Australians boutique cruise packages on four Christmas-themed river cruises aboard an authentic steamboat paddle-wheeler.

The four, eight-night, Christmas-themed cruise packages on the Ohio, Tennessee and Mississippi rivers are:

* Country Christmas – departing on December 5, 2021 from Memphis and ending in Nashville (Clarksville) aboard the American Duchess

* Country Christmas – departing on December 12, 2021, from Nashville and ending in Memphis aboard the American Duchess

* Creole Christmas – two cruises departing on December 19, 2021, from Memphis and ending in New Orleans aboard the American Queen or American Duchess

To help guests celebrate the 2021 festive season, AQSC and Cruise Traveller are offering travellers savings up to US$1800 per couple if booked by September 30, 2020. Guests can also receive a bonus US$100 cruise credit per booking by downloading the new American Queen Steamboat Company’s (AQSC) 2021 online brochure via Cruise Traveller’s website.

Guests will travel aboard the 166-passenger American Duchess or the 417-passenger American Queen – uniquely American, iconic paddlewheel riverboats, decked out with modern amenities and Christmas decor to get everyone aboard in the festive spirit.

A highlight of the cruises is the musical metropolis of Memphis, home to the king of rock’n’roll, Elvis Presley. The city is transformed during the festive season with carols on the famous Beale Street and amazing decorations and lighting displays at Graceland and Shelby Farms Park. Guests can also see the historic Fort Donelson in Dover and the beautiful views of the Mississippi Delta. Festive activities will be included throughout the duration of the cruises including gingerbread decorating, ornament making and Christmas carolling.

Exclusive to the ‘Country Christmas’ cruises, guests will be treated to musical performances by American music icon, Lee Greenwood (artists are subject to change).

The four, eight-night Christmas cruise packages include a night’s pre-cruise accommodation, a seven-night river cruise, guided, hop-on-hop-off shore excursions, locally-inspired festive gourmet meals, wine and beer with dinners onboard and onboard gratuities. The package fares start from US$2035 per person, twin share – a saving of US$300 per person (based on December 5 sailing). A Verandah Suite with private balcony is priced from US$3335 per person, twin share – a saving of US$900 per person. The savings are valid for bookings made by September 30, 2020. Guests can also receive a bonus US$100 cruise credit per booking by downloading the new American Queen Steamboat Company’s 2021 online brochure via Cruise Traveller’s website.

American Queen Steamboat Company’s new digital brochure for 2021 features a record 173 cruises on five of America’s most iconic rivers – The Mississippi, Ohio River, Tennessee River, Snake River and Columbia River. The 2021 season will feature the new American Countess as well as the American Queen, American Duchess and American Empress – all of which will offer an authentic and elegant American river cruise experience.

Consumers or travel agents can call the Australian representative for the American Queen Steamboat Company, Cruise Traveller, on 1300 680 374 or visit www.cruisetraveller.com.au/aqsc-australia where the 2021 brochure can also be downloaded.