Cruise & Ferry Review - Spring/Summer 2021

6 6 INTERV IEW The American dream American Queen Steamboat Company’s John Waggoner talks with Rebecca Barnes about passenger safety, new ships and forward bookings A ccustomed to gliding through America’s heartland and providing a unique perspective on the country’s history, culture and landscape, American Queen Steamboat Company has had to deal with the same challenges as the rest of the cruise industry since operations paused in March 2020. According to founder and CEO John Waggoner, 2020 certainly brought unprecedented circumstances that American Queen Steamboat Company and its sister company Victory Cruise Lines had to navigate with caution but also optimism. While difficult, it also provided a unique opportunity to review and enhance operations, cruise offerings and the guest experience. “To safely and responsibly relaunch our fleet, we have implemented new health and safety protocols and are working with local, state and federal health agencies, as well as Vikand Medical Solutions, to ensure a safe return to cruising,” says Waggoner. Some of these measures include Covid-19 testing for guests and crew prior to embarkation; mandatory masks in venues and situations where social distancing is not possible; pre-boarding health screenings for guests and crew; contactless facial recognition and temperature checks at the gangway; reduced capacity; regular cleaning of corridors and public spaces with medical-grade solutions approved by the US Environmental Protection agency (EPA), and twice daily anti-viral electrostatic fogging. In February 2021, American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines became the first North America-based operator to reveal that Covid-19 vaccinations would be mandatory for all guests, shipboard and non-shipboard employees. from 1 July this year. “Vaccination requirement for both our guests and crew is the most prudent next step to ensure that we are providing the safest cruising experience possible,” explains Waggoner. “Our new vaccination requirement, coupled with comprehensive health and safety protocols and risk-free booking policy, will give our loyal guests another added level of assurance to join us as we return to sailing.” Waggoner’s laser-focused meticulousness extends ashore, where guests will find a number of reassuring measures have been implemented to mitigate the risk of Covid-19. “We have focused on every detail so we can still offer memorable experiences, without compromising the health and safety of our guests, crew members and the communities we visit,” he says. Protocols include masks in all venues and situations where social distancing is not possible; a reduced number of guests on motor coaches, a maximum 52 per cent capacity; all bus seats, windows and handrails sanitised with an EPA-recommended solution daily and every hour when in use; and liquid hand sanitation dispensers at the door for guests. Waggoner hopes that all the hard work going on behind the scenes will enable