The American Queen Steamboat Company is offering two blockbuster cruises covering the length of the Mississippi from St Paul in Minneapolis to New Orleans in Louisiana next year.

The 24-night Mighty Mississippi voyages are on the American Queen, a 436-passenger paddlewheel steamboat that spearheaded a return to cruising on the Big Muddy in 2012.

The south-bound cruise departs August 14, with a voyage back up north departing September 4. Prices start from £4,995 per person for the August voyage including flights and one-night hotel accommodation pre-cruise.

The company has increased the number of seven-night voyages between Memphis and New Orleans from 27 this year to 30 next, and reintroduced cruises on the Cumberland River, sailing between St Louis to Cincinnati, and between St Louis and Clarksville (for Nashville) and Memphis and Clarksville.

American Queen’s UK-based GSA Light Blue Travel said bookings this year are up about 75% on the same time last year, with strong demand from independent agents and newly-signed escorted tour operators including Riviera Travel and Saga.

New this year, passengers booking suites have access to a 24-hour butler who will unpack and repack suitcases, launder and press clothes, and reserve seats in the Grand Saloon theatre. Passengers can also request breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner be served in the suite.