The American Queen Steamboat Co plans to transform a static floating casino boat into a fully operational paddle cruiser to meet demand for river cruising.
American Queen has completed the purchase of the 20-year old Bettendorf Capri which had served as a casino boat.
It will be converted into a 166-passenger all-suite riverboat and renamed to American Duchess.
American Queen president Ted Sykes said a shipyard where the retrofit will take place will be announced soon.
Standard balcony cabins will be measure about 240 square feet and interior cabins 180 square feet.
It will also have three 550 square feet owner’s suites and two dining venues.
Sykes said the ship will run year-round sailings on the Mississippi River joining flagship vessel American Queen.
"We’re starved for more capacity," Sykes said, adding that the company has seen 95% capacity so far this year and strong sales into 2017.
The Duchess will offer sailings from Memphis to New Orleans, and St. Louis to Ottawa, Illinois from June 2017.
Reservations for the 2017 season go live in October, the company said.
