(Eastern Iowa) – A familiar summer sight in the Quad Cities won’t be traveling the Mississippi River this year. The American Queen, the largest passenger steamboat in the world often seen squeezing through Locks and Dam 15 at the Government Bridge or under the Centennial Bridge in Rock Island, has been shut down — along with the rest of its parent company’s fleet.

In a statement, company officials said “American Queen Voyages has made the difficult decision to shut down. Despite great efforts by our team, crew and partners, American Queen Voyages unfortunately has been unable to rebound from the effects of the pandemic,” a statement on a website directing customers to refunds said. “The overnight cruise industry was especially affected by changes in travel preferences and, as a result, AQV has become financially unsustainable. We are therefore shutting down the business, and all future AQV cruises have been cancelled.”

Persons who have booked trips on the steamboat can expect to be fully refunded for your cruise deposits. For information about the refund process, please CLICK HERE or visit www.AQVrefunds.com.

AQV operated four boats. The American Countess and American Duchess joined the American Queen on the Misssissippi River, while the American Empress traveled on the Columbia and Snake rivers.