Savannah Riverboat Cruises, an entertainment destination and popular tour company on Savannah’s riverfront, is pleased to welcome their newest cruise ship, The Georgia Queen, to Savannah. The exquisite, 1000-passenger riverboat is the largest and grandest of its kind in the U.S. and traveled 2800 miles down the Mississippi River, across the Gulf of Mexico, down and around the shorelines of Florida and Key West to call Savannah her new home.

Representatives from the City of Savannah, including Mayor Eddie DeLoach, as well as representatives from Visit Savannah, Tourism Leadership Council, Savannah Downtown Business Association, and other community supporters came out to Savannah’s riverfront to celebrate the grand ship at Savannah Riverboat Cruises headquarters at 9 East River Street.

“This is a remarkable moment for Savannah Riverboat Cruises,” said Captain Jonathan Claughton, owner of Savannah Riverboat Cruises. “A lot of hard work and effort went into the making of this moment and we couldn’t be more excited to finally bring our new ship home to Savannah. Not only will the new Georgia Queen be one of the most unique social gathering destinations in Georgia, but the impact on local tourism and economic development will be substantial with the addition of 100 high-paying jobs and the added ability to attract large conferences and conventions.”

Built in 1995 as a luxury floating casino on the Mississippi River at a cost of 14 million dollars, the 1800s majestic paddlewheel-style riverboat spent many years traveling the Mississippi River. After gambling legislations changed, allowing for land-based casinos to open, the riverboat underwent a 4 million dollar make-over. Today, this spectacular paddlewheel-style riverboat joins Savannah Riverboat Cruises’ Savannah River Queen as her grand sister ship.

Measuring an impressive 230 feet long, 64 feet wide, and towering at 68 feet tall, the Georgia Queen is among the top elite in the country with a capacity of 1,000 passengers, plus a 200 person crew, making her the size of a small cruise ship at 38,000 square feet. The ship’s entertainment spaces include three grand ballrooms with over 15,000 square feet of dining space, and 5,000+ square feet of open-air, top deck space with patio seating.

The Georgia Queen also boasts an exquisite, multi-deck, fully equipped gourmet kitchen that will be directed by Savannah Riverboat Cruises’ executive chef Kevin Nape and his culinary staff. This elite kitchen is also equipped with a large service elevator, making traveling between galleys discrete and easy. The onboard kitchen facility will change the entire dining experience for guests and allow for more plated dinner opportunities and flexibility in menu items.

"Experiencing Savannah from our beautiful riverfront is such a unique experience," said Visit Savannah President Joseph Marinelli. "Savannah Riverboat's guests are treated to refreshing breezes, fun entertainment, and some of the best southern cuisine Savannah offers as they view Georgia's oldest city as her founders did many years ago when they arrived by river in 1733. Johnathan and his team have been providing unforgettable tours of Savannah's harbor and narrations of our past and present for 25 years. The Georgia Queen is a game-changer for their business and will be another valuable asset to the thriving tourism and hospitality offerings of Savannah."