Kangar00

Well it happened sooner than anticipated. We are so relieved that we received our refund a few weeks ago because American Queen Voyages has declared bankruptcy. They say now that "Travelers who request a refund are warned they will first receive a denial notice since “AQV has filed for Chapter 11 to conduct its business shutdown and is not making reimbursement payments directly.” Customers must then submit the refund request to Argo Surety, which has insured the cruise line." “You should expect to be fully refunded for deposits you have paid on cancelled AQV cruises,” the company wrote.

The check has not bounced after 4 days so we are feeling very relieved. It is a real shame that AQV has this policy of deliberately delayed refunds. They are definitely losing former and potential future customers because of this unjustifiable delay. Whoever in the company responsible for this policy and anyone in the position to correct it should be fired because they are definitely losing former and future customers because of it. It is really a shame because the itineraries, onboard services, and ships are wonderful. Unfortunately, because of this experience, we will not book another cruise with AQV until we have read that they have mended their ways. If anyone reading this is thinking about booking with AQV, my advice is: 1. Do not book so early that you cannot file a credit card dispute in the event of a cancellation by the company. 2. If your cruise is canceled by AQV, do not patiently wait for AQV to issue a refund - go directly to your credit card company for an immediate refund.

We received the check today (23 January 2024). Just about 8 months after requesting it but quite a relief!

Same story here. I do not understand why a company would so deliberately destroy their own customer base. They convert likely repeat customers (our 4 cruises with them were great, and we would have booked 2 more by now if they had given refunds in a timely manner) but we are very unlikely to ever cruise with them again. Even worse for AQV, when friends and acquaintances ask us about out AQV experience we now advise them to look elsewhere, or book close enough to a cruise date that they can get their credit card company to do a chargeback for a refund. They have lied to us at least 10 times about a refund check being processed immediately or within a day or two. Whoever in the company is responsible for this policy should be fired immediately. They are going to kill AQV, which is a real shame, because the boats, tours, and crews are fantastic.

@American Queen Voyages

Since it appears that AQV guest relations occasionally checks this board please see if you can "expedite" the refund for the following two reservations as well. RES CONFIRMATION #1131761 RES CONFIRMATION #1131760 Thanks!

I am glad to hear that the check has not bounced. We are hoping that we get our refund soon.. we can't really afford to lose over $8000 like this.

Promises, promises to refund in late December

Did they ever cash your AQV check or is it still bouncing?

AQV really has not assisted very much so far but in case they are monitoring this topic they need to get senior management to change this "90 business days" policy for refunds. I am certain that they are losing former and future customers because of this unjustifiable delay. It is a real shame that they do this, because the onboard services and ships are wonderful. My advice remains: 1. Do not book so early that you cannot file a credit card dispute in the event of a cancellation. 2. Do not patiently wait for AQV to issue a refund - go directly to your credit card company.

Thanks for explaining this!

We have been on several American Queen voyages (Mississippi River, Ohio River, Columbia River) and enjoyed them immensely so we decided to book their "Epic Eastern Seaboard" cruise. They cancelled the cruise in 2022 but we decided that we could wait until the following year, so they kept our full payment of almost $9,000 for the cruise. Then in late July in 2023 they cancelled the cruise again and they have no plans to offer this itinerary again. We asked for a refund rather than a cruise credit (their time of use requirements did not work for us), as the regulations of the Federal Maritime Commission governing non-performance by Passenger Vessel Operators (PVO/cruise lines) allowed for cruises departing from US ports. AQ Voyages told us it would take 90 days to process a refund and even though we did not think this was reasonable we decided to wait. Now they are telling us that it will take 90 BUSINESS DAYS! This inability to give us a refund in a timely manner makes us wonder if the company is in financial trouble. If you decide to book with American Queen Voyages be sure to use a credit card and do not pay too far in advance.

We have been on several American Queen voyages (Mississippi River, Ohio River, Columbia River) and enjoyed them immensely so we decided to book their "Epic Eastern Seaboard" cruise. They cancelled the cruise in 2022 but we decided that we could wait until the following year, so they kept our full payment of almost $9,000 for the cruise. Then in late July in 2023 they cancelled the cruise again and they have no plans to offer this itinerary again. We asked for a refund rather than a cruise credit (their time of use requirements did not work for us), as the regulations of the Federal Maritime Commission governing non-performance by Passenger Vessel Operators (PVO/cruise lines) allowed for cruises departing from US ports. AQ Voyages told us it would take 90 days to process a refund and even though we did not think this was reasonable we decided to wait. Now they are telling us that it will take 90 BUSINESS DAYS! This inability to give us a refund in a timely manner makes us wonder if the company is in financial trouble. If you decide to book with American Queen Voyages be sure to use a credit card and do not pay too far in advance.