American Serenade riverboat gets official QC welcome

Passengers traveling on riverboats along the Mississippi River love to stop in the Quad Cities, according to at least one riverboat captain. “I get more comments from our guests that this is their favorite stop,” Tim Thorsen, captain of the American Serenade riverboat, said during a welcoming ceremony for the river vessel on Sunday morning, […]

Passengers traveling on riverboats along the Mississippi River love to stop in the Quad Cities, according to at least one riverboat captain. “I get more comments from our guests that this is their favorite stop,” Tim Thorsen, captain of the American Serenade riverboat, said during a welcoming ceremony for the river vessel on Sunday morning, Sept. 10. The captain and a crowd of about 35 other people gathered on Sunday near the new American Serenade riverboat — a new vessel in the American Cruise Lines fleet — for a ribbon-cutting and welcoming ceremony at River Heritage Park, 615 E. River Drive, Davenport.

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The event was attended by members of the business community, Visit Quad Cities, the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce and the public. “This is one of the most beautiful stops we make. … Our guests visit here and go out and tell the story of Davenport to the world,” Frank Klipsch, a former Davenport mayor and now director of city partnerships and special projects for the American Cruise Lines, said during the ceremony. “This is an important stop for us.” Current Davenport Mayor Mike Matson added that he hopes the new riverboat “makes Davenport your second, third and fourth home. … This is a welcoming place.” The American Serenade riverboat was first launched this spring, and actually made its first stop in the Quad Cities on Aug. 26. Several officials said the new vessel’s welcoming ceremony was not held then because Sunday turned out to be a better and more convenient day for area officials. Last fall, another welcoming ceremony was held for two other American Cruise Lines boats — the American Symphony and American Melody — at the Davenport riverfront park. The new American Serenade can accommodate up to 180 guests and has 91 rooms. A Mississippi River cruise on the riverboat costs about $5,000, according to American Cruise Lines. It is the sixth new modern riverboat that American Cruise Lines has launched on the Mississippi River in the past five years. The American Serenade cost $30 million to build, is 269 feet long, 56 feet wide and has a crew of 43, according to cruisemapper.com. It currently is on a seven-day cruise from Alton, Illinois, to Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Other features of the riverboat include five decks and private balcony staterooms, including suites and single staterooms. “The new riverboat has an elegant design which employs a stunning use of glass, allowing for unparalleled views throughout the ship. American Serenade also showcases the company’s modern riverboat series hallmark — a patented opening bow and retractable gangway; as well as a gorgeous fifth deck skywalk with an ellipse skylight, which cantilevers dramatically over the fourth deck café below. "American Serenade also offers spacious lounges inside and out, a grand dining room, and large fitness center,” according to information from American Cruise Lines. Just before Sunday's ceremony, several Quad Citians visiting the park struck up conversations with riverboat guests who were still on the boat. Eventually, almost all the conversations included the question “Where are you from?” The answers from the riverboat passengers varied from Tennessee to Texas. Dave Herrell, president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities, added that American Cruises Lines and the Quad Cities will have a thriving relationship. That’s because the community is “full of energy” and the cruise line is offering top quality tours to its guests. “American Cruise Lines continues to activate the Mississippi River with innovative products and the American Serenade is yet another example of how they deliver for their customers,” Mr. Herrell said in an earlier statement.