Delta Queen Steamboat Company

Did you know? In 1948, The Delta Queen was towed from California to New Orleans to return to passenger service after a stint with the U.S. Navy. She’s pictured here boarded up, battleship gray and prepped for the journey to the Mississippi.

Take a trip back in time aboard the Delta Queen. This film from 1967 captures the essence of steamboat travel - from the engine room to the dining room. There's nothing like an authentic overnight steamboat cruise down America's rivers.

Any mode of transportation can take you from place to place, but when you're steamboatin', you experience the heart and soul of America.

On this day 232 years ago, the father of the American steamboat, John Fitch launched the first steam-powered vessel. He sailed the 45-foot Perseverance down the Delaware River in the presence of members of the Constitutional Convention.

A great article with some rare vintage photos of our favorite twin riverboats.

The world has changed since steamboats ruled the rivers. But there's still no better sight than the legendary Delta Queen churning by.

#SteamboatRacing! This week saw a grand tradition return to the banks of the Ohio River at Cincinnati when BB Riverboats’ own Belle of Cincinnati squared off against American Queen Steamboat Company’s American Queen and American Duchess. In the end, victory went to the American Queen, the only true steamboat in the race! Congrats to her passengers and crew! We look forward to the day the Delta Queen gets to join in the fun!

Thanks to the National Trust for Historical Preservation for their continued support. We look forward to sailing America's rivers once more.

TODAY IN HISTORY: June 2, 1927, the brand new DELTA QUEEN departed on her maiden voyage from San Francisco, CA at 6:00 PM bound for Sacramento. Her identical twin, the DELTA KING had set out on its maiden voyage to Sacramento the night before, and would be returning to San Francisco while the DELTA QUEEN headed upriver, passing each other in the middle of the night. The two boats sailed between the two cities on the Sacramento river for 13 years for both the California Tran...sportation Company and River Lines, until being requisitioned by the U.S. Navy for War World II service. Pictured here, the DELTA KING (L) and the DELTA QUEEN (R) in early 1927 are shown at the outfitting dock at the California Navigation Company ship yard in Stockton, CA. In this photo they are virtually ready to sail, having cost more than $1 Million each. #92years #deltaqueen #deltaking See more

Today we’d like to wish our old racing rival, the Steamer Belle of Louisville Riverboats good luck as she squares off against BB Riverboats Belle of Cincinnati! In the Queen’s absence, these two carry on a tradition started by the Delta Queen and Belle of Louisville back in 1963. The two historic steamboats battled for the Golden Antlers annually on the Wednesday before the Kentucky Derby until the Queen’s retirement in 2008. In total, the Queen won 20 races while the Belle won 22. We can’t wait to come back and win our 21st!

To follow updates on the Delta Queen renovations, future sailings and upcoming events, join our mailing list https://deltaqueen.com/reservations/

#TBT Steamboatin’ is the ultimate in rest and relaxation. This promotional video from the 70s won a Sunset magazine Certificate of Excellence in 1973. Some things never change! We can't wait to make new memories with all of you.

Happy #NationalLookAlikeDay to our beloved twin, The Delta King.