The Ohio River Levee in downtown Marietta will see the return of the American Queen and other riverboats this summer. (Photo courtesy of American Queen Steamboat Company)

The Ohio River Levee in downtown Marietta will see the return of the American Heritage, American Queen, American Duchess and American Countess riverboats this summer.

The tour season will start on Sunday with the American Countess and stretch through the first of November with the American Duchess.

Each riverboat will visit Marietta at least twice. Times of these arrivals will be released in the next few days.

The cruise lines’ Facebook page should be checked before visiting the levee, as docking times can change without notice. Things like high water levels can also change whether or not the boat docks.

The first boat to dock this summer at the levee is the American Countess.

Their website notes the Countess is “the newest jewel in our paddlewheel riverboat fleet. This bold paddlewheeler boasts a sleek, contemporary design effortlessly hosting up to 245 guests, with plenty of open space for guest gatherings, especially the portside bar, which will delight guests with an expansive panoramic view.”

It will be the first to dock at the levee. It will be there Sunday, June 9, and again Sept. 4 and Sept. 8. The anticipated arrival time will be shortly before 8 a.m. Sunday.

The website for the American Queen Steamboat Company notes the American Duchess is a boutique-style riverboat that has suites ranging from 180 to 550 square feet.

It will be in town Oct. 28 and Nov. 1.

The site also states the American Queen is the largest steamboat ever built and is the company’s flagship paddlewheeler. It will be in town Aug. 8 and 10.

The fourth boat to visit will be the American Heritage, formerly known as the Queen of the Mississippi.

The American Cruise Lines announced the ship received a total ship redesign in time for the 2022 cruise season.

“From the staterooms and suites to the lounges and dining rooms, American Heritage was completely remodeled with new color palettes, luxurious textiles and linens, new furniture and carpets, and artwork and flourishes, celebrating the Mighty Mississippi River,” their site states.

It noted guests will have large staterooms with private balconies, full-size bathrooms, and complimentary room service.

Deana Clark, executive director of the Marietta-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said it’s good for the ships to dock at the levee.

“These folks are coming to experience Marietta. They have a pre-planned itinerary before they get there and bring buses with them,” she said. “The bus will take you to places like Campus Martius, The Castle and the Children’s Toy and Doll Museum.”

She said once the visitors have a good experience in Marietta, “we have cheerleaders who leave Marietta and go home and tell people about us,” Clark said.

“Personal referrals are a huge way for people to decide to go places,” she said. “We want them to feel welcome. The boats don’t stop in towns where they don’t have good experiences.”

She noted not only do people leave the boat to experience attractions, but people come in from out of town “to see these majestic boats.”

“It’s nothing for people from Charleston, Columbus or Cleveland to come to see them,” Clark said.

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If you go

¯ American Countess – Sunday and June 9, Sept. 4 and Sept. 8.

¯ American Queen – Aug. 8 and Aug. 10.

¯ American Heritage – Aug. 13 and 17; Sept. 2, 22 and 26.

¯ American Duchess – Oct. 28 and Nov. 1.

Source: American Queen Voyages and American Cruise Lines.