A LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER AND CEO

To my American Queen Steamboat family –

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the world for a loop, and I recognize the impact that it has had on your plans for travel. River cruising along with many other experiences that we’ve come to know and love are changing – and that can be stressful. Rest assured that we are being proactive and planning for the future.

While there are many unknowns with COVID-19, it is possible for us to help protect our employees and customers, and thus enable a safe return to business by following certain safety measures and guidelines. To make sure we’re on the right track, we are working with Ochsner Health to address concerns regarding COVID-19 by using Ochsner’s Safe to Return Employer Solutions.

Ochsner Health is Louisiana’s largest non-profit, academic, healthcare system. In order to keep guests, crew and the communities it visits safe in the face of COVID-19, Ochsner has agreed to take on crew-testing and passenger-screening for the Mississippi River itineraries, in addition to providing AQSC medical consultation services and telehealth capabilities to guests on any of our vessels. We will also employ a panel of other medical providers in different regions.

We've also implemented multiple processes to identify and combat the risk of COVID-19 on our boats. These include new steps in pre-cruise screening, crew screening and boarding processes. Both onboard and ground operations will feature enhanced cleaning procedures.

Hospitality is who we are, and we’ll take care of you when you vacation with us. I can’t stress enough the efforts that each of our leadership teams are putting forth at this time. And I can say with sincerity that each American Queen Steamboat Company team member is committed to keeping you informed and protected.

Sending well wishes,

John W. Waggoner

Founder and CEO

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING:

PRE-CRUISE SCREENING
BOARDING PROCEDURES
SANITATION PROCEDURES
GROUND TRANSPORTATION
CHANGE POLICY
TRAVEL AGENT RESOURCES

Gangway Screening 
 
American Queen Steamboat Company representatives will greet each visitor at the vessel access point. The following procedures will be enforced and will be managed by the Master and a medical representative.

• One controlled access point will be maintained on the vessel.

• We will require a 24-hour notice for anyone that needs access to the vessel and has not been pre-screened during hotel screening. This includes all guests, crew, visitors and contractors.

• A representative will be used to conduct screening, complete the health and safety survey and provide reports to the Master and each Hotel Director.

• Thermal cameras will take the temperature of each guest and crew member boarding the vessel in addition to the manual temperature checks completed in the pre-cruise screening.

Screening and Monitoring During Your Cruise

Monitoring both guests and crew during the cruise for symptoms and ensuring compliance with written policies and procedures is vital to maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Screening during the cruise will be handled through the following methods.

• Trained staff will maintain protocols and observe passengers and crew for symptoms. The Master and medical representative will respond to medical calls, keep records, practice quarantine procedures and utilize shoreside medical facilities for passenger and crew follow-up.

• The vessel access point will be monitored when in port, and controlled access to the vessel will be maintained. All passengers and crew will be passively monitored by thermal imaging when returning to the vessel.

• American Queen Steamboat Company vessels will support random manual screening at the primary vessel access point in addition to passive thermal screening. In the event of a confirmed positive case, the vessel will manually screen 100% of all individuals coming and going from the vessel.

• If a guest or crewmember has an elevated temperature, he or she will be evaluated by a medical representative before being allowed to board the vessel.

• Any guest who has an elevated temperature, shows signs or symptoms of illness or that vessel management feels needs to be further assessed will be sent directly to a local medical care partner for evaluation and testing. Any guest or crew that tests positive for any contagious condition will not be allowed to rejoin the vessel.

Cleaning Procedures

We have instituted new training procedures for all housekeeping and sanitation staff. Increased sanitation of all contact surfaces such as handrails, tables, chairs, desks, work surfaces, door handles, telephones and elevator controls in both front and back of house will be conducted hourly with higher concentrated solutions.

Sanitation will occur at scheduled times and as further required with emphasis on high touch points.
 

For a full list of cleaning procedures, click here.

Each of our vessels carries a certified onboard medical representative to respond to and assist guests with urgent medical care and coordinating shoreside medical assistance as needed.

Telehealth resources will now be available on board. Guests who wish to speak with a medical representative will now have the opportunity to chat with an Ochsner professional without leaving the boat.

Given the nature of our river itineraries, we have the ability to reach shore-based medical facilities very quickly. We have established a relationship with Ochsner Health along our Mississippi River vessel routes. While in port most days, our guests and crew have priority access to shoreside medical evaluation and treatment if needed on any cruise.

Quarantine procedures are in place for short term separation of potentially ill guests or crew until our next port of call, at which advanced medical care can be accessed. Upon a positive test or elevated response, the American Queen Steamboat Company response team will determine what additional company resources are required.

In an emergency, we have the ability to quickly transfer passengers and crew to emergency medical services ashore by coordinating pick-up at municipal landings and docking facilities.

We will feature new protocols for all motor coach sanitation and safety. A reduced number of guests being transported on each motor coach (targeting 52% of capacity) will allow adequate space between individuals.

For a full list of cleaning procedures, click here.