Love bourbon? This cruise is for you

The American Queen Steamboat Company is targeting bourbon lovers this summer with a special eight-night themed voyage through the heart of bourbon country.

Kicking off in St. Louis on July 4, the Insider's Bourbon Trail sailing on the 436-passenger American Queen will feature a route up the Ohio River to the rolling bluegrass hills region of Kentucky where 95% of the world's bourbon is made.

The highlight of the trip will be tours of the distilleries that make Jim Beam, Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, Wild Turkey and Woodford Reserve bourbons (click through the photo carousel above for an inside look at what passengers will see). There also will be on-board tastings and lectures led by Buffalo Trace representative Don Flinn and Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey: An American Heritage author Michael Veach.

In addition, the trip will feature bourbon-enhanced menu items daily and bourbon-themed gifts nightly including a signed copy of Veach's book.

Three onboard seminars with Veach will explore:

-- The origin of bourbon in the 19th century (with tastings of Old Crow, Old Forester and Old Taylor bourbons).

-- Bourbon in the 20th century through Prohibition (with tastings of Old Grand Dad Bottled-in-Bond, Four Roses Yellow Label and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond bourbons).

-- Post-Prohibition bourbon (with tastings of Blanton's Single Barrel, Wild Turkey KY Spirit Single Barrel and Woodford Reserve bourbons).

Among special touches of the voyage will be an appearance by Troy Beam during a visit to the Jim Beam distillery.

Fares for the sailing start at $2,699 per person, based on double occupancy, including a one-night pre-voyage hotel stay in St. Louis, shore tours in all ports, and wine and beer with dinner.

For a deck-by-deck tour of the American Queen, click through the carousel below.