Topic starter
27/09/2011 8:26 pm
Dear All,
Christopher is currently at sea and asked me to share a note and thoughts with our esteemed members of the Steamboat community.
Cheers from Memphis,
Tim
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Dear Steamboaters,
I have followed with interest the comments on this board about our pricing for the American Queen in 2012 and thought it might be helpful to point out a few facts.
In REAL dollars, our fares are a little under what Delaware North was charging seven years ago, depending on the category and time of the year. In REAL dollars, our fares are substantially less than what Majestic America were charging on virtually every sailing. This is more notable given that fuel prices have almost doubled in this period of time and as anyone who goes to a grocery store knows, prices on virtually everything else, especially food, have risen greatly.
More importantly, we have eliminated all of the ‘nickel & diming’ blue water ships now excel in, with things like soft drinks and bottled water at no charge. There have been comments about the complimentary wine & beer at dinner, for those that do not drink but this is such a small cost, we did not increase the fares a dime for this. This amenity does however, make for a far more affordable holiday for those that do like a glass of wine at dinner.
Critically important is that we have increased the staffing levels on the boat back to where they should be, from the rather dismal way in which the boat was last operated at the end of its life under the previous operator. Things like entertainment, with many beloved ex Delta Queen personnel now back, are restored to the levels they were when the boat entered service. To do this, with fares still under what Delaware North charged seven years ago, with fuel prices that have soared is, I believe, a major achievement.
Lastly, but not least, we have included a hotel stay the night before (or after, if travel plans make having the hotel stay at the disembarkation city more logical) the voyage and this is an attempt to obviate the daily delays everyone now encounters with air and train travel. For the group we appeal to, fear of missing a sailing is real and a major concern. Far better to give people a relaxed holiday from the start and eliminate the worry about tight same-day connections. To address the one poster who said they were angry at being forced to utilize a hotel, this is simply not true. There is a healthy credit for those folks who absolutely do not want nor need a hotel stay. Something I know that no other prior management team has ever offered in conjunction with the American Queen is what we are offering with our ‘Easy Connect’ travel options to and/or from the boat. With attractive one way rates with both Hertz and Amtrak, guests need not fly at all if they wish to avoid this. On most sailings, we offer connecting travel in the reverse direction, that is, Pittsburgh to Cincinnati after the voyage, or Memphis to St Louis, for an average fare of $49pp! I would gently suggest that this ability to travel ‘home’ or to your starting point for under $50.00 is as major improvement to make this a holiday that is more affordable than ever before.
Best, looking forward to welcoming all of our valued Steamboaters aboard the only authentic overnight steamboat operating in North America
Christopher Kyte
27/09/2011 9:39 pm
What a difference!
Thank you both for the posting. It is so nice to see that you do look at the board, and that you do admit it, unlike unnamed predecessors who 'never looked at it'. Several of us were in attendance at the Howard Museum last week where both John Waggoner and Kitty Ruxton spoke about the rebirth, and we are appreciative of your efforts. The quality is so obviously upgraded from the appropriately acronymed BAD, and your overall knowledge of the unique river travel market shines through. One need only to look at the proposed pricing structure of the new boat to see how reasonable the AQ is in today's pricing structure. You certainly have held prices down to previous levels. Unfortunately those rates(especially the single penalty) were/are too high for my pension, but that won't deter me from supporting you in any other way possible to make the AQ's return to the Heartland of America a successful and permanent one. The AQ's first cruise just happens to depart New Orleans on the 37th anniversary of the NATCHEZ' first trip... I see a calliope serenade coming to salute the QUEEN!
27/09/2011 11:23 pm
This Friday I am hoping to be one of the first to book a steamboat vacation. I am quite please to learn that I will now be offered a reduction in the fare if I do not choose, or more likely do not have the time, to stay in a hotel.
28/09/2011 2:40 pm
I was quit interested in hearing John Wagner's presentation at Howards last weekend. John is quite the salesman but the following points came through:
1. He and the company have a genuine love for the boat. He truly thinks that the AMERICAN QUEEN is a beautiful vessel in every way. He said the interior of the boat is in excellent shape and all the furniture and objects are still there.
2. They have and are lisitening to past passengers and are taking their advise and suggestions to heart.
3. They are putting together an operating crew who are experienced and very sincere about making the boat a sucess. As he said the easiest way for an employee to be given the chance "to seek other employment" is to say the words "That's not my job".
4. They are in the business for the long haul. They are not trying to build up a business to "flip it" in just a couple of years.
5. The really believe that the overnight passenger business is not only viable in America but can grow...if as, he said, "We do it right".
6. They are serious about keping the prices as reasonable as they possibily can.
7. They read the comments on Steamboat.org.
I came away with a very positive feeling about the new company. I really believe they are trying their best "to do it right". I'm sure there will be growing pains and some missteps along the way, but that is only to be expected. I feel that if we are to see a revival of overnight cruising on the river this is probably the company and the people who will make it happen.
28/09/2011 3:26 pm
That is so good to hear. I for one would like to be steamboating ,like my friend Grace from England when I am 104 yrs old.
28/09/2011 4:48 pm
July 18, 2012 American Queen
As I read the website, it appears that on July 18, 2012 the AQ will be in Marietta to discharge passengers that boarded in Louisville. Then she will run to Pittsburgh, sans passengers, to start a new cruise that evening. I don't understand the economics of running the upper Ohio without passengers, even if they are just people from Washington and Wood counties that don't need the overnight rooms.
28/09/2011 5:50 pm
Schedule
Bruce, I don't see how you get that idea. The schedule lists Marietta as a stop during the July 11-18 Louisville/Pittsburgh trip. After stopping in Marietta, they stop in Wheeling enroute to Pittsburgh. They'll never deadhead, too expensive and uneconomical.
28/09/2011 7:06 pm
Judy Patsch;27482 wrote: Bruce, I don't see how you get that idea. The schedule lists Marietta as a stop during the July 11-18 Louisville/Pittsburgh trip. After stopping in Marietta, they stop in Wheeling enroute to Pittsburgh. They'll never deadhead, too expensive and uneconomical.
Here is where I got the idea.
First is the listing of the details of the Louisville to Marietta Run
Louisville to Marietta in Seven nights
Second is the listing of the Tennessee and Ohio River options with the dates available
Where do you see a listing of a Louisville to Pittsburgh trip that doesn't say "Disembark in Marietta"
28/09/2011 8:21 pm
The website as it is now is one of those missteps. To find the four night Kentucky Derby round trip out of Cincinnati or the seven night Cincinnati to New Madrid trip click on the link to the "Upper Mississippi" page. Perhaps it would be wise if Tim Rubacky gave their IT person a map and some geography lessons.
28/09/2011 10:05 pm
Hey all,
This team who are working so hard on getting the AMERICAN QUEEN ready to run again are travel professionals and river professionals. They are doing a phenomenal job getting their new business going by marketing it to travel professionals, listening to former passengers ideas, and working hard to determine how they can make a success of the boat.
As Jim said, John Waggoner came to the Howard Museum with one of his Marketing Reps, Ms. Kitty Ruxton last Saturday to meet with the steamboat fans. Making an expense like this to reach out to us says volumes about the intentions of these people. I don't know of any recent operator who has done anything like this for us in the past. They made it very clear their intentions are to make a go of it and to be successful. I can't tell you how impressed I was they took the time (not to mention absorbing the expense) to do this for us!
Many of the concerns voiced were regarding the shore tours and the pre/post hotel stay. Those are great ideas for the average new passenger. They are a selling point/amenity which makes the idea of a cruise on a more expensive American-flagged vessel quite a value above the price. The AMERICAN QUEEN has 436 beds to fill each cruise. If there were 436 of us who could fill those beds every trip, we could easily request not to include these. Fact is Great American Steamboat Company are marketing the boat to people who will enjoy these amenities greatly and who by riding the boat get her back out running where the river fans can get aboard and enjoy her, too.
We need to keep in mind that the cost of these amenities is extremely small when spread out over 436 passengers and are a very negligible addition to the over all cost to the river fan who may not want to take advantage these great offerings.
Yes, we will see what we may conceive as mistakes happen. Rather than condemn these good people, call them, write them, reach out to them. From what Mr. Waggoner said himself, this is what they want us to do...they want our help to make them a success. A success we can all enjoy!
Come Friday the sales phone lines open up for the boat. Lets all join in wishing them a great first day and a very successful start to the rebirth of Overnight Steamboating on America's rivers. I, for one can't wait to welcome that back!
Travis
29/09/2011 12:26 am
Looking at the schedule, Bruce appears to be right on, very unusual to deadhead from Marietta to Pittsburgh. The AQ is discharging in the AM at Marietta and embarking passsengers at Pittsburgh, all on the 18th. They must being going to ship the boat on Airborne Express. Marietta is 170 miles from Pittsburgh, assuming the AQ leaves Marietta by 8 A.M. hoping to arrive at Pittsburgh by 6 P.M the boat would have to make an average of 17 mph. Cut her a little slack for eta 8 P.M still would have to make 14 mph. That's not counting lock times at 7 locks. The last three Montgomery, Dashield and Emsworth all require the big chamber to lock. Just imagine hitting two of those just as a double has started locking. As good friend Dale says, "What do I know."
29/09/2011 1:34 am
Two schedules apparently
I haven't seen the schedule to which Bruce and Bill refer. Here is the only thing I've seen:
Jun. 28–Jul. 5
Jul. 5–11
Jul. 11–18 Louisville/Pittsburgh
Jul. 18–22 Pittsburgh/Cincinnati
Jul. 22–27
Jul. 27–Aug. 3
New Madrid, Paducah, Cape Girardeau
Cave-In-Rock, Henderson, Brandenburg
Madison, Cincinnati, Maysville, Point Pleasant, Marietta, Wheeling
Point Pleasant, Maysville
Maysville, Point Pleasant, Marietta, Wheeling
Wheeling, Marietta, Point Pleasant, Maysville, Cincinnati, Madison
July 4th
July 4th
Music of the 1960s
Music of the 1960s
Music of the 1960s
Big Band
Well, it didn't copy/paste right, but the July11-18 trip is Louisville to Pittsburgh with the above stops listed: Madison, Cincinnati, Maysville, Point Pleasant, marietta, Wheeling
This came from a pdf sent to travel agents at the beginning of this month. Where is this other schedule posted?
29/09/2011 1:57 am
Found it
Bill and Bruce, I found to what you refer.. I hadn't checked the website lately. Sorry.
29/09/2011 1:13 pm
The website has to be in error. There are too many problems with the plan posted. Perhaps they were/are considering letting people leave the boat in Marietta. As someone that lives in New England, if I was able to travel, I would rather take the trip that starts at the Belle, and ends at the W. P. Snyder Jr.
29/09/2011 3:11 pm
I am curious to know how the cruises will be advertised. Anything nationwide as in, on tv, for instance? I know that's expensive, so how do you plan to get the word "out there" so this isn't one of the world's best kept secrets.
29/09/2011 4:02 pm
*RE: 'Getting the word out.'*
Hi, Lexie & steamboating colleagues:
Good point in questioning how the new operation will "get the word out" nationally. The AMERICAN QUEEN, in the scheme of things under their brand name, would be considered a 'small cruise vessel operation' compared to the huge cruise corporations now world wide. TV ads do feature squibs on CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE, ROYAL CARIBBEAN etc. usually kicking in when fall/winter rolls around. Such national ads are indeed very expensive.
I'd opine GASC will have a national program to travel companies, AAA Travel [Auto Club] etc. with new announcements, brochures, business E=Mail along with, possibly, district sales reps along with accent on target or 'niche' markets. With increased electronic communication district sales reps were reducted in part due to rising costs. Betty Blake in her day worked up sales programs aimed at the European market working in tandem with several international air carriers. LUFTHANSA was one I recall. All we can do is patiently wait and watch. Well, what do I know?
R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.
29/09/2011 7:51 pm
re: getting the word out
Yes, the above assumptions are correct, according to what we heard last week at the Howard. Two points I commented on to Kitty: 1) yes, it might be a crack PR team they hired, but do they know anything about boats/river and its terminology? 2)She talked about all the electronic means they'd be using to deliver info and not using newspapers much - I reminded her that many in their target audience/age group are NOT techies and still rely on good old paper and ink for their sources. She acknowledged that circumstance.
I can and did download/upload whatever it is, the brochure, but I still want a paper product to hold in my hands and cogitate over. And there are people even less computer-friendly than I who won't get electronic info period. Just as the hotel night/beverages included, for example, might appeal to the larger target base, so will the electronic delivery and slick PR. But there is still a very lucrative minority to consider and reach by 'old-fashioned' means. I have no doubt they will do this too. Anybody who will rid the AQ of the muy malo navy blue paint and return her to her 1995 color scheme is OK by me!
29/09/2011 11:50 pm
The need for PR to know terminology
I mentioned above my concern about whether the PR team, as good as it is, knows the river/steamboats. I just looked at the website's sections featuring the 'couple on their 50th anniversary' trip, which was quite well done. Although a few things might grate to those of us who've been there and done that, it was quite appealing to someone considering their first trip. I especially liked the emphasis on 'relaxing' - got to get it across that while there are plenty of activities, it isn't a Carnival cruise! I then went to the itinerary section, which is where the problem that Bruce and Bill pointed out occurred. It appears to me that the real problem is semantics, or not having good enough command of steamboating lingo by the copy writer - For the Marietta section it reads about disembarking and extending your stay... WE think: aha, the trip is ending in Marietta because passengers are disembarking. I suspect this is just referring to the shore stop and that passengers may choose to stay ashore a bit longer(rather than do a 'quickie' tour) and visit those other places in town while the boat is making the shore stop, because the next item is about the shore stop in Wheeling the next day. The passengers are not ending their trip in Marietta(what we think of as disembarking), just going ashore to tour the town. I suspect this website is a work in progress too, and what someone saw yesterday and the wording may not be what is posted there today.... sound logical????
30/09/2011 12:31 am
The encouraging thing about this is that somebody is reading this board at GASC. The Pittsburgh-Marietta confusion has been reposted and now makes sense. Judy will love this item, the St.Paul round trip for Fall Color takes you along the Ohio, Cumberland and Tennesse rivers. On the Upper Mississippi cruise site is a trip from Chattanooga to Vicksburg. No wonder I used to get confused running over in your country. Franks right that somebody needs a geography lesson.
30/09/2011 1:44 am
Long distance cookies
Bill, it sounds like I might be delivering my UMR cookies long distance! I'm glad they are updating the website, but it does make you wonder about the person who grouped all those trips under UMR. Better to proofread and be a little later than to rush something inaccurate into view... they sure are making a comprehensive site though, which should appeal to newcomers, if not to us tough old hands. 180 degrees from the previous ownership!
30/09/2011 3:18 am
Judy Patsch;27503 wrote: Bill, it sounds like I might be delivering my UMR cookies long distance! I'm glad they are updating the website, but it does make you wonder about the person who grouped all those trips under UMR. Better to proofread and be a little later than to rush something inaccurate into view... they sure are making a comprehensive site though, which should appeal to newcomers, if not to us tough old hands. 180 degrees from the previous ownership!
There will probably be other mis-steps that GASC makes along the way. If they learn from them, it will be another 180 degree turn around from the last owners. One suggestion I have for the good folks at GASC is to let a few people on this board get a sneak peek and offer comments and suggestions before the general public gets wind of something that might not be quite right. Their discription of the Father of Waters rising in the Rockies and Appalachians is a bit troublesome to me. Perhaps stating that the Mississippi rises in the lake country of Minnesota and flows towards the Gulf being fed by the rains that fall between the Rockies and Appalachians would be more appropriate.
The important thing is that next year GASC provides a quality cruise experience. I have faith that they will. They certainly have the hardware to provide such a cruise, and I'm sure the willpower too. I plan on putting my money where my mouth is and booking a trip with them as soon as bookings open. I just wish that my work schedule and the boat's schedule would allow me to make a trip before late October 2012.
30/09/2011 1:52 pm
I want to book a fall foiliage cruise on the Tennessee and the Cumberland...
30/09/2011 3:40 pm
Judy Patsch;27501 wrote: For the Marietta section it reads about disembarking and extending your stay... WE think: aha, the trip is ending in Marietta because passengers are disembarking. I suspect this is just referring to the shore stop and that passengers may choose to stay ashore a bit longer(rather than do a 'quickie' tour) and visit those other places in town while the boat is making the shore stop, because the next item is about the shore stop in Wheeling the next day.
On Sept 29, 2011 the website listed the trip as Louisville to Marietta, and there wasn't any text about Wheeling or Pittsburgh for the trip ending July 18, 2012. My guess is that someone passed the word to the correct person that they needed to compare the website to the actual schedule.
Hopefully they will advertise via print. My trip on the AQ was for my parent's 50th wedding anniversary, and the only reason it was the AQ was the Delta Queen wasn't stopping in Marietta that year.
"Why should I go on that American Queen boat when I can go on the Queen of the Mississippi?"
Considering the postal mail that I have received on the Queen of the Mississippi, the non technical people will go with the later boat.
"There isn't much difference in age, there can't be that much difference"
I'm praying for the success of the AQ. Thanks for bringing her back.
30/09/2011 5:09 pm
The Scenario
Pretending that I am the average little old lady who likes to go on cruises, I would probably visit a travel agent, so I hope they are getting a lot of info. I might be reading travel magazines and maybe even watch the Travel Channel, on occasion. If computer savvy, I would Google "cruises" and see what popped up. Being above the age of 50, I would probably not be interested in the "way more than a cruise" guys, but something a little more genteel and relaxing. I may have a travel buddy or 2, if not a husband, and we would discuss the options. Or I may just be going alone and hope for some interaction with the other passengers or some fairly decent entertainment. I have the money. I have to be convinced that a cruise in the old US of A is going to be as rewarding as those far away places that are so enticing. All this is enough to keep an ad agent awake at night, but there is the one thing that has to pop up in all the ads, regardless, and that is a picture of the paddlewheel. An American flag in the same picture wouldn't hurt. You will not see either one of those in the Ukraine. Amen.
30/09/2011 7:59 pm
Lil' Old Lady from Pasadena
or from wherever: Do you train your bifocals on travel sections in Sunday newspapers? Do you read your AAA magazine or Midwest and Southern Living? Kitty mentioned a lot of electronic communications, but I pointed out that the logical target generation has people in it who still use paper and ink media too... and by all means, yes, the paddlewheel!!!!!
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