An overnight cruise company that regularly brought a large paddlewheeler to Richland – and with it tourists who ventured ashore for food and shopping – has shut down.

American Queen Voyages “unfortunately has been unable to rebound from the effects of the pandemic. The overnight cruise industry was especially affected by changes in travel preferences and, as a result, AQV has become financially unsustainable,” the company wrote in a statement posted on its website. All future cruises are canceled.

American Queen Voyages is owned by the San Francisco-based Hornblower Group, which bills itself as “the global leader in world-class experiences and transportation.”

Hornblower operates in more than 100 countries and territories and scores of U.S. cities; American Queen Voyages served as its overnight cruising division.

Hornblower also offers domestic and international water-based experiences, ferry and transportation services, vessel outhaul and maintenance, and more.

American Queen’s 360-foot diesel-electric powered American Empress was one of the largest riverboats to stop in Richland. It would dock at Howard Amon Park every seven to 10 days from spring through fall, said Julie Piper, Richland’s recreation manager.

In a statement, Deputy City Manager Joe Schiessl said the city “would like to thank American Queen Voyages for their operations in Richland” and wishes them well.

The company’s closure doesn’t mean the end of riverboats in the city. American Cruise Lines still offers Columbia and Snake river cruises that stop in Richland, Schiessl noted.

Before shutting down, American Queen Voyages had been on a path of growth, even adding two coastal ships and offering Alaska expeditions, according to Cruise Industry News’ 2024 USA Riverboat Report. But “new management made changes in 2023, including winding down the coastal business” and putting both ships on the market, the report said.

The company is offering refunds to customers who made deposits and aims to “facilitate an orderly wind-down" of relationships with vendors, suppliers, partners and port services.

“We are deeply proud of our crew and the outstanding travel experiences and service we have provided to our guests,” the company said on its website. “As we reflect on the journey we have shared over the years, we are filled with gratitude for the privilege of serving our guests, partners and agents and for being part of our incredible local communities. It has been an honor to bring joy to so many lives, and we are deeply touched by the relationships we have formed and the memorable experiences we have created.”

The closure means 508 people across the company are losing their jobs, including 16 in Washington, according to a notice provided to the state Employment Security Department.