American Cruise Lines (ACL) has agreed to buy four river ships from American Queen Voyages (AQV), which ceased trading earlier this year.
ACL will acquire the line’s American Queen (pictured), American Duchess and American Countess, which have sailed on the Mississippi, and American Empress, which cruised the Columbia and Snake rivers.
AQV confirmed it had shut down in February, and as part of the Chapter 11 process, parent company Hornblower Group put the ships up for auction.
In a statement ACL said: “American Cruise Lines is pleased to be the successful bidder for AQV’s river vessels. We look forward to announcing additional details after this portion of the Hornblower Holdings bankruptcy process concludes.”
The sale is set to be confirmed after a final court hearing.
AQV’s two coastal vessels, Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator, were not part of the ACL sale. They had been set for auction this week, but currently there are no details regarding a successful bid.
Itineraries for ACL’s newly expanded fleet are yet to be announced.