The American Queen Steamboat Co. announced westward expansion plans with the acquisition of Empress of the North from the US Maritime Administration for an undisclosed amount. To be renamed American Empress, the vessel is scheduled to resume sailings in the Pacific Northwest April 2014 from Portland, Ore.

All veranda staterooms, abundant al fresco dining, a sun deck with an infinity pool and a main pool with a fire pit under a retractable dome are features of the 928-berth Viking Star. After three years of planning, steel-cutting for the 47,800gt newbuild is set for June at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard for this first ocean-going entrant in Torstein Hagen’s Viking Cruises.