American Cruise Lines adds new holiday itineraries

American Cruise Lines has introduced Christmas and New Year’s Eve cruises on the Mississippi.

The company’s newly built 150-passenger paddlewheeler Queen of the Mississippi entered service in August.

And this coming holiday season, the Queen of the Mississippi will sail newly developed itineraries such as Cajun Christmas, a cruise on the Lower Mississippi that departs on Dec. 21, and that explores Christmas traditions in and around New Orleans.

Old Fashioned New Year’s Eve will be a Lower Mississippi River cruise that departs on Dec. 28 and that will include New Year’s festivities onboard the vessel.

American Cruise Lines said that additional holiday-themed cruises are in the works for the 2013 season, including for Thanksgiving and Hanukkah.

American Cruise Lines is building a second 165-passenger paddlewheeler that will enter service in early 2014. Like the Queen of the Mississippi, the new vessel will have cabins that are at least 300 square feet in size with private balconies. It will also have several lounge areas and cafes.