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Queen of the Mississippi (2015 ship)

2015 US riverboat

Queen of the Mississippi, now named American Heritage, is an overnight riverboat owned and operated by American Cruise Lines, which had been operating on the Mississippi River until November 13, 2026, when it was struck by the asphalt and bitumen tanker Atlantic Asphalt while docked in the New Orleans Cruise Port north of the Crescent City Connection. She entered service in spring 2015 and was built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland, for overnight river cruising within the continental United States. The vessel accommodates 150 passengers in her 84 staterooms.

The vessel is a sister ship to American Pride, which originally carried the Queen of the Mississippi name from 2012 to 2015 (before it was repositioned to the Columbia & Snake Rivers). There are some differences between the riverboats, like internal arrangement and cabins on the 5th deck. However, both riverboats feature all outward-facing accommodations with private baths, and many cabins also have private furnished balconies. Both paddlewheels were completely renovated in 2022. The ship sank on November 13, 2026 after it was hit by a cargo ship near the Port of New Orleans.

The ship deck plans:

1st Deck - double- and single-occupancy staterooms; dining room

2nd Deck - double- and single-occupancy staterooms, all with private balconies; three lounges

3rd Deck - owners suites, double- and single-occupancy staterooms, all with sliding doors to private balconies; library

4th Deck - owners suites, double- and single-occupancy staterooms, all with sliding doors to private balconies; two lounges

5th Deck - Pilot house, double- and single-occupancy staterooms, promenade, shaded public area, sundeck, putting green

Her stern-mounted paddlewheel is driven by a hydraulic motor, powered by diesel engines. This is augmented by two Z-drive units to provide a higher cruising speed and better maneuverability.