American Queen Voyages has resumed operations for its Lakes & Oceans itineraries and started its Mississippi river cruise season.

The line’s Ocean Voyager has returned to US waters after a two-year hiatus, following the completion of its maiden Southeast USA voyage.

In addition, American Queen has departed New Orleans for Memphis, marking the beginning of the company’s 10th anniversary season on the Mississippi.

The Southeast USA season on Ocean Voyager began on 11 February and runs through to mid April before returning in November.

The 12-day itinerary sails from Jacksonville, visiting ports of call including Amelia Island (Fernandina Beach), Brunswick, Savannah, and Charleston.

American Queen Voyages: New ships and itineraries

American Queen Voyages founder and chairman John Waggoner said: “As we celebrate American Queen Voyages’ 10th anniversary season with multiple milestones throughout the year, I want to thank the JAXPORT team for their warm hospitality welcoming guests on this new portion of our Lakes & Oceans season.

“I look forward to many more milestone moments across North America in 2022, with the largest fleet deployment in our history, including the inaugural Alaska expedition season on Ocean Victory.”

Ocean Navigator, sister vessel to Ocean Voyager, will return to service in Savannah on 11 April and make its way up the Atlantic coast and through the St Lawrence Seaway for the Great Lakes season.

Elsewhere in the fleet, paddlewheeler American Duchess will set sail from New Orleans for the Ohio river on 6 March, while the newest riverboat in the fleet, American Countess, returns to service from New Orleans on 8 March.

American Empress will depart from Vancouver on 13 March, and new expedition ship Ocean Victory will debut on 6 May, sailing between Vancouver and Sitka.