Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated February 2026
across 5 categories
Size
Based on gross tonnage and length
Capacity
Based on passengers and crew
Modernity
Based on year built
Service
Based on passenger-to-crew ratio (lower is better)
Spaciousness
Based on gross tonnage per passenger (higher is better)
American Empress
American Queen
Gross Tonnage
American Empress
3,388 GT
American Queen
3,707 GT
Length
American Empress
109 m
American Queen
127 m
Beam
American Empress
18 m
American Queen
27 m
Passengers
American Empress
223
American Queen
436
Crew
American Empress
83
American Queen
165
Decks
American Empress
—
American Queen
—
Year Built
American Empress
2,003
American Queen
1,995
Space Ratio
American Empress
15.2 GT/pax
American Queen
8.5 GT/pax
Passenger:Crew Ratio
American Empress
2.69 :1
American Queen
2.64 :1
| Specification | American Empress | American Queen |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Cruise Line | American Queen Voyages | American Queen Voyages |
| Class | Paddlewheeler | Paddlewheeler |
| Status | active | active |
| Year Built | 2,003Winner | 1,995 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Gross Tonnage | 3,388 GT | 3,707 GTWinner |
| Length | 109 m | 127 mWinner |
| Beam | 18 m | 27 mWinner |
| Capacity | ||
| Passengers | 223 | 436Winner |
| Crew | 83 | 165Winner |
| Key Ratios | ||
| Space Ratio | 15.2 GT/paxWinner | 8.5 GT/pax |
| Passenger:Crew Ratio | 2.69:1 | 2.64:1Winner |
| Build | ||
| Builder | Nichols Brothers | McDermott Shipyard |
| Flag | United States | United States |
| IMO Number | 7214082 | 8644974 |
American Empress
Good value for money
Comfortable atmosphere for two
Premium onboard experience
Well-suited for cruise newcomers
American Queen
Good value for money
Comfortable atmosphere for two
Premium onboard experience
Well-suited for cruise newcomers
Free cancellation on most rooms
Bundle & save on your cruise trip
Medical, trip cancellation & luggage cover
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| Draft | — | — |
| Decks | — | — |
