RiverBarge Excursions tooks visitors on the Mississippi and its tributaries. Photo by Tom Uhlenbrock, Post-Dispatch

RiverBarge Excursion Lines, which operates America’s only floating barge hotel, said Monday it is curtailing all 2009 operations because of the bad economy.

The company, which is based on New Orleans, said “rising costs and very soft bookings have forced this decision.”

The barge hotel has a restaurant, theater and rooms on two floors built onto two connecting barges. It has offered excursions of America’s rivers, including the Mississippi and Ohio. The line also operated cruises along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterways.

In a notice to travel companies, RiverBarge said all trip deposits were in an account at the Whitney National Bank, and regulated by the Federal Maritime Commission. “As soon as these funds are made available to us, your refunds will be sent,” it said.

The company’s barge hotel, the River Explorer, recently celebrated its 10th year in business with a party while moored at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.