American Queen Voyages™ Announces All-Inclusive Fare Updates for 2023

[American Queen Voyages]

American Queen Voyages™ Announces All-Inclusive Fare Updates for 2023

Best River Cruise Line in the United States Offers New Bundled Pricing and 

Travel Agent-Enhanced Commission Opportunities  

 

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Dec, 1, 2022  – American Queen Voyages (AQV), a cruise industry leader known as the “Best River Cruise Line in the United States” and part of the Hornblower^® Group, announced updates to the all-inclusive fare offerings. The new convenient pricing structure will feature inclusion of port charges, taxes, services fees and onboard crew gratuities as part of the American Queen Voyages all-inclusive fares beginning Jan. 2, 2023. Travel agents will also earn commission on previously non-commissionable fees (NCFs) as an opportunity to increase earnings.

 

“At American Queen Voyages, our ultimate goal is to deliver a cut-above experience for our guests before they even step foot aboard our vessels,” said Cindy D’Aoust, President of American Queen Voyages. “To do this, we are rolling out extra inclusions at one bundled price to create the overall best cost point and financial transparency for our highly-valued guests. After listening to feedback from our travel partners, we knew this new pricing structure was the best way to bundle port charges, taxes, service fees and gratuities into one advertised fare, while offering an increased commission opportunity to our valued cruise travel agents.” 

 

New All-Inclusive Fares Best for Guests

The new all-inclusive fares are structured to offer guests an added convenience of bundling incremental travel costs, offering a complete view of the total cruise package price without hidden fare surprises. With nearly everything included in one bundled price, the only additional expenses for AQV guests, while on board, will be optional premium shore excursions, top-shelf alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, and boutique purchases. 

 

The line has additional plans to continue to elevate services to deliver deeper discoveries and experiences for travelers including enhancements to AQV’s signature American Duchess vessel planned for next year. 

 

New All-Inclusive Fares Enhanced for Travel Agents

With the ultimate goal to deliver a cut-above experience for each guest before they set sail, the American Queen Voyages team created the bundled pricing structure after learning from travel partners that customers want a convenient all-in-one price package for their trip. As many of the fees now offered in bundled pricing often fall into the category of NCFs for travel agents, the revised fare structure will allow for enhanced commissions and earning potential. 

 

To learn more about the all-inclusive fares and to book your next American Queen Voyages cruise, please visit https://www.aqvoyages.com/. 

 

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[LDVinNC]

This sounds good but it does not specifically mention that beverages are included.  It only says that top shelf beverages are extra - so are "bottom shelf" drinks included?

[adstz]

1 hour ago, LDVinNC said:

This sounds good but it does not specifically mention that beverages are included.  It only says that top shelf beverages are extra - so are "bottom shelf" drinks included?

Yes they are. We sailed on the American Queen and the Ocean Victory and drinks are included on both.

[LDVinNC]

Thanks.  The last time we were on the Queen was 2019 and drinks were not included then.

[ericosmith]

This begs the question of what does this do to the prices.  Currently you pay port charges in addition to the fare.  I've never quite figured out what those are for when most of the time they just tie up to a tree.  You also pay $19.50 per person per day in gratuities.  So I'm guessing they will just raise the price to cover these two items and the additional commission they will be paying on them.   Don't see how this changes anything other than they get to keep your money from gratuities from final payment date rather than not until the end of your cruise.  It also guarantees that everyone will pay the full gratuity rather than potentially reducing it.  Probably in an effort to insure that travelers from non tipping countries still help compensate the staff.
  

[Host Jazzbeau]

43 minutes ago, ericosmith said:

This begs the question of what does this do to the prices.  Currently you pay port charges in addition to the fare.  I've never quite figured out what those are for when most of the time they just tie up to a tree.  You also pay $19.50 per person per day in gratuities.  So I'm guessing they will just raise the price to cover these two items and the additional commission they will be paying on them.   Don't see how this changes anything other than they get to keep your money from gratuities from final payment date rather than not until the end of your cruise.  It also guarantees that everyone will pay the full gratuity rather than potentially reducing it.  Probably in an effort to insure that travelers from non tipping countries still help compensate the staff.
  

The solution is to book through a travel agent that shares that commission with you.   Don't have one?  You can't ask here – but you can on board.

[craftygrandma]

How will this affect 2023 booked in 2022?

[Host Jazzbeau]

3 hours ago, craftygrandma said:

How will this affect 2023 booked in 2022?

American Queen Voyages has posted 11 times on their certified account – each time to start a new thread with a press release.  There is no evidence that they monitor this forum.  [I hope they will prove me wrong!]

[Globalfish]

The Hornblower Group, eh?  That’s what we’d call “Tooting their own Horn.”

 

Edited December 15, 2022 by Globalfish