For Immediate Release

An Unusual Summer Cruise on the Historically Rich Waters of the Mississippi and Tennessee Rivers, Aboard the American Queen

Crown Cruise Vacations Presents PBS’ Award-Winning History Series American Experience

PRINCETON, N.J. (March 16, 2012) – Crown Cruise Vacations, preferred provider of PTV at Sea events, and Artful Travelers, producers of PTV at Sea, present this celebration of the American Experience, a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and premiere the highly-anticipated documentary “This Republic of Suffering.”

The Epic Civil War Journey sails the historically-rich waters of the Mississippi and Tennessee rivers, with a number of fascinating ports of call along the way allowing passengers the opportunity to explore the famed locations and battlegrounds that shaped the future of the United States of America.

This 12-night voyage begins on Aug. 9, 2012, with 2 days of steamboating and ports of call to include: New Orleans, LA, Vicksburg, MS, Helena, AK, Memphis, TN, Ashport Landing, TN, Paducah, KY, Savannah, TN, Decatur, AL and Chattanooga, TN

You will sail aboard the newly-refurbished American Queen steamboat, which will premiere “This Republic of Suffering,” the latest production by American Experience, weeks ahead of its national debut on PBS stations across the country. Based on the best-selling book This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War by noted historian and Harvard University President Drew Gilpin Faust, the highly-anticipated documentary examines how the unprecedented death toll of the Civil War challenged American cultural attitudes about death and changed federal government policies regarding soldiers.

Join Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Ric Burns and acclaimed producer Mark Samels as television’s longest-running and most-watched history series American Experience presents the Epic Civil War Journey. Burns, Samels and other special guests will share their vast knowledge, premiering and discussing the upcoming PBS production with passengers aboard. Combining learning, luxury and leisure, this sailing will truly be unlike any other.

Our esteemed guests for this unique American Experience voyage include…

Ric Burns has been writing, directing and producing historical documentaries for nearly 20 years. He is best known for his epic series New York: A Documentary Film (1999-2003), which premiered nationally on PBS to wide public and critical acclaim as an eight-part, seventeen and a half hour film that chronicles the city’s rise from a tiny Dutch trading post down through its continuing preeminence as the undisputed economic and cultural capital of the world. The first episodes earned the prestigious Alfred I. du Pont-Columbia University award for excellence in broadcast journalism, an Emmy for outstanding achievement in non-fiction editing, and two other Emmy nominations, for outstanding non-fiction special and achievement in cinematography.

In 2002, episode seven of the series was awarded the American Cinema Editors award for best edited documentary, as well the Cine Golden Eagle Award. The eighth and final episode received an Emmy and an Alfred I. du Pont-Columbia University Award, among other awards.

Burns began his career collaborating on the celebrated PBS series The Civil War, (1990), which he produced with his brother Ken, and wrote with Geoffrey C. Ward. Since founding Steeplechase Films in 1989, he has directed some of the most distinguished programs in the award-winning public television series, American Experience, including Coney Island (1991), The Donner Party (1992), The Way West (1995), Ansel Adams (2002) and Eugene O’Neill (March 2006). Most recently he wrote, produced and directed Andy Warhol for the PBS series American Masters (September 2006). For his work on Andy Warhol, Burns was awarded a 2006 Peabody Award, and a 2006 Primetime Emmy Award. Burns is co-author, with James Sanders and Lisa Ades, of New York: An Illustrated History, the companion book to the New York series, as well as co-author, with Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns, of the companion book to The Civil War. Both books are published by Alfred A. Knopf. Burns was educated at Columbia University and Cambridge University.

Mark Samels is executive producer of American Experience, PBS’s flagship history series. Produced by WGBH/Boston, American Experience is television’s most-watched and longest-running history series. Under Samels’ leadership, the series has been honored with nearly every industry award, including the Peabody, Primetime Emmys, the duPont-Columbia Journalism Award, Writers Guild Awards, Oscar nominations, and Sundance Film Festival Audience and Grand Jury Awards.

Samels has overseen the production of more than 100 films for the series, focusing on stories from America’s past that are highly resonant in the world today. He has expanded both the breadth of subjects and the filmmaking style embraced by the series, allowing for more contemporary topics and more witness-driven storytelling. In addition to his public television work, Samels is a founding member of the International Documentary Association and has served on the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Nonfiction Peer Group.

Also appearing…

• Brian Still Wills, historian
• James I. “Bud” Robertson, Jr., historian
• Barry Meadows, tribute artist: General Ulysses S. Grant
• Al Stone, tribute artist: General Robert E. Lee
• Cathy Barton & Dave Para, Civil War era musicians
• Bobby Horton, Civil War historian & musician

Crown Cruise Vacations and Artful Travelers offer this exciting and educational PTV at Sea adventure, celebrating PBS’ award-winning history series American Experience in luxury, aboard the newly refurbished American Queen.

Epic Civil War Journey Voyage Fares special promotion fare ranges from $2,895 to $8,495, depending on the cabin category and number of guests. To participate in all exclusive Epic Civil War Journey events and activities, reservations must be made directly with Crown Cruise Vacations by calling toll free 855-788-7880. Fares include a complimentary one-night luxury hotel stay both before and after sailing, complimentary shore adventures, complimentary multiple dining options, complimentary beverages, including wine, beer and spirits and much more.

For more information about this exclusive PTV at Sea event, contact Crown Cruise Vacations, exclusive provider in partnership with Artful Travelers, promoters of PTV at Sea cruises. Reservations can be made directly with Crown Cruise Vacations by calling toll-free 855-788-7880 (USA/Canada) or emailing ptvinfo@crowncruisevacations.com.

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About Crown Cruise Vacations: Sophisticated cruise specialists at Crown Cruise Vacations assist with the ordinary and the extraordinary, with travel designed to delight clients as they take dream vacations. Great value and unparalleled service are the cornerstones of Crown Cruise Vacations.

Crown Cruise Vacations is the preferred provider of PTV at Sea cruises, which enrich, inspire and entertain with informative programming presented by some of public broadcasting’s most acclaimed personalities. Crown Cruise Vacations was recently named North America’s Leading Cruise Travel Agent 2011 by the prestigious World Travel Awards, which acknowledges excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.

Based in Princeton, New Jersey, Crown Cruise Vacations specialists are a unique team of experienced, accredited travel agents and managers with an average of over 12 years selling leisure travel. For more information, please visit us at http://www.crowncruisevacations.com/.

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Crown Cruise Vacations
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Princeton, NJ 08540
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About The American Queen Steamboat
The largest steamboat ever built, the grand American Queen is a gracious and elegant triumph of American ingenuity. Although filled with today’s modern amenities, her rooms and accommodations display all the opulence of the American Victorian era. Glistening woodwork, fresh flowers and antiques adorn her interior spaces. Outside, lacy filigree evokes memories of the many stately river steamers that preceded her and so inspired her designers. Combining the best of the old and the new, this beautiful lady of the river epitomizes the grace and grandeur that has made steamboating a cherished American tradition for more than two centuries. Features include:

• The only authentic overnight paddlewheel steamboat in America
• The acclaimed cuisine of famed American chef Regina Charboneau
• The only steamboat with multiple, specialty dining options, all at no additional charge
• Complimentary bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage
• Complimentary wines and beers at dinner
• All staterooms feature gourmet coffee brewers and Starbucks coffee
• Gracious, friendly service from a professionally trained all-American staff
• The warm and inviting ambiance of an antebellum mansion
• Public rooms and accommodations are decorated with Victorian charm and carefully-selected antiques
• Elegant-casual attire throughout your voyage – no formal wear required
• Daily lectures by the Riverlorian, our onboard river historian
• Professional showboat-style entertainment nightly
• Nightly dancing to swing and big band music
• Enthralling calliope concerts and a chance for guests to play!
• Exciting shore excursions provide an in-depth immersion into the history, culture and cuisine of America’s heartland
• The greatest value in All-American vacations
• Fares and categories subject to change without notice

Media Contact:
Heidi M. Allison
Allison and Taylor, Inc.
+1-248-651-4491 office
+1-248-935-3224 mobile
Allison@AllisonandTaylor.com