River Tours News

If you want to book a plush river cruise vacation in America’s heartland – say on the Mississippi or Ohio Rivers – you can do it. The American Queen Steamboat Company’s website offers as many as 13 river cruises in 2018. Certainly, the ‘bourbon cruise,’ aboard the lavish American Duchess sounds like fun. Or, maybe next year you can sign up for the nine-day ‘Derby Cruise.’ And, next year means 2019 because the 2018 cruise is sold out. Maybe the most fun is that passengers themselves…

A little-known annual American commemoration is coming up again on May 22 - National Maritime Day. It was declared by Congress in 1933 to call attention to America’s proud maritime heritage and to honor the men and women who serve and have served as U.S. merchant mariners. It’s also a day to recognize and reflect on the rewards that America’s ports bring the country in terms of jobs, economic development, goods movement and international competitiveness. For the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)—the unified and recognized voice of seaports in the Americas—National Maritime Day offers the nation’s ports a great opportunity to showcase the value of their facilities, operations and personnel to their respective communities.

Host of U.S. A little-known annual American commemoration is coming up again on May 22: National Maritime Day, declared by Congress in 1933 to call attention to America’s maritime heritage and to honor the men and women who serve and have served as U.S. merchant mariners. It’s also a day to recognize and reflect on the rewards that America’s ports bring the country in terms of jobs, economic development, goods movement and international competitiveness. For the American Association…

A record 9.8 million passengers are using the River Thames‎, two years on from the launch of the Mayor's River Action Plan, it was announced today. The River Action Plan, launched in February 2013, details a host of measures designed to increase the number of river passengers to 12 million by 2020. Figures from January to December 2014 have shown very positive signs as passenger numbers on River Buses and River Tours increased to 9.8 million, compared to 8 million for the same period in 2013. The Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) have confirmed that a new developer led pier ‎will open at Plantation Wharf this year in order to meet the increased demand.

InnerSea Discoveries LLC, the Seattle-based parent company of high-end American Safari Cruises, announced the purchase of two vessels for its new small-ship adventure cruising brand, marketed under the same name as the parent company. Designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of young-minded, adventurous and experiential travelers, InnerSea Discoveries will operate at a lower per diem cost and will debut in Alaska’s Inside Passage in May 2011. Formerly owned by Glacier Bay Cruise Line, the 157-ft, 66-guest Wilderness Adventurer was purchased for $201,240, and the 170-ft, 80-guest Wilderness Discoverer was sold for $314,760. Both boats are moored in Seattle…

All American Marine, Inc. recently launched a high speed vessel that has the potential to become the newest icon in   After several years of planning and preparation, the Tennessee Aquarium’s efforts to procure a new tour boat came to fruition when they signed a contract with All American Marine in 2007. The River Gorge Explorer is now complete and began operations during the summer season. The Tennessee Aquarium is located along the banks of the Tennessee River in and is a major attraction, featuring an IMAX theatre, fresh and saltwater aquarium exhibits, and river tours.

The U.S. Coast Guard disrupted an illegal river tour business operating on the Withlacoochee River in Dunnellon, Fla., Feb. A Coast Guard investigation determined that Singing River Tours, who conducts boat tours of the Rainbow and Withlacoochee Rivers, operated their 24-foot pontoon vessel on two different tours while carrying ten passengers in excess allowed by law. Although the vessel was operated by Captain Jon Semmes, 39, a resident of Dunnellon, the vessel was not certificated for passenger service. The Coast Guard is issuing Singing River Tours a citation and is seeking to suspend Semmes' U.S. Coast Guard Captain's license for operating a passenger vessel without a valid Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection (COI).