The U.S.-flagged, 230-foot Queen of the West was the first overnight passenger sternwheeler to be built and operated in the West in 80 years. Launched in 1995, the Queen of the West is propelled solely by her three-story-high churning paddlewheel, just like sternwheelers of the past. But unlike those earlier craft, the Queen doesn’t rely on a steam engine. Instead, she is powered by a revolutionary hydraulic propulsion system that uses environmentally safe biodegradable hydraulic oil. Her 45-foot-long bow ramp allows passengers to go ashore anywhere along the river, much as the 19th-century vessels did.

The U.S.-flagged, 230-foot Queen of the West was the first overnight passenger sternwheeler to be built and operated in the West in 80 years. Launched in 1995, the Queen of the West is propelled solely by her three-story-high churning paddlewheel, just like sternwheelers of the past. But unlike those earlier craft, the Queen doesn’t rely on a steam engine. Instead, she is powered by a revolutionary hydraulic propulsion system that uses environmentally safe biodegradable hydraulic oil. Her 45-foot-long bow ramp allows passengers to go ashore anywhere along the river, much as the 19th-century vessels did.

The Queen of the West has won numerous independent awards over the years, such as CruiseReports Highest Quality Rating and Top Ship Overall in the Tour Cruise Category. And, the Queen of the West won two of the most esteemed travel awards – Conde Nast Traveler Gold List Winner and Reader’s Choice Award.