AQSBC purchase of Empress of the North

Why the Empress of the North ?

Why not purchase the Columbia Queen it was built by the Delta Queen Steamboat Co the same company who built the American Queen ?

Hey Matthew,

Purely speculation here but I believe the draw is being able to go through the inside passage, something the CQ can't do because of her design (freeboard). I'm not sure of the passenger capacities but that may be a factor as well. Another thought is that they are simply buying the boat to keep someone else from buying it, although they already have a presence on the left coast.

Aaron

American Empress

An AMERICAN EMPRESS? | MaritimeMatters | Cruise ship news and ocean liner history

Well, that's awesome! Tell me about the developments, I honestly think it would be interesting to see where they take it... if they do move it from the west coast.
-ML

Press Conference Today?

I read there is to be a press conference today. Anyone know a time for this release?

Purchase Announced

This afternoon the American Queen Steamboat Company announced its purchase of the Empress of the North, which it will rename the American Empress:

American Queen Steamboat Co. Adds Second Ship, New Cruise Itineraries - American Queen Steamboat Company

The article says that the American Empress "will sail eight-day itineraries from Portland, Oregon, to Clarkston, Washington, or from Clarkston to Portland." AQSC President and Chief Operating Officer Ted Sykes "declined to say how much the company paid" for the vessel.

Is it me, or "deja vu all over again" with these expansion plans for AQSB?

Wesley

Jim Alexander;31750 wrote: This afternoon the American Queen Steamboat Company announced its purchase of the Empress of the North, which it will rename the American Empress:

American Queen Steamboat Co. Adds Second Ship, New Cruise Itineraries - American Queen Steamboat Company

The article says that the American Empress "will sail eight-day itineraries from Portland, Oregon, to Clarkston, Washington, or from Clarkston to Portland." AQSC President and Chief Operating Officer Ted Sykes "declined to say how much the company paid" for the vessel.

It would be nice to see her sailing again. I wonder if there will be a de-naming/re-naming ceremony and party? http://www.bluewatersailing.com/documents/renamingceremony.pdf

It's Official - American Queen Steamboat Company Acquires Empress of the North | Travel Agent Central

Sailing should begin April 2014.

You don't even have to stray that far to find the news 😉 It's on steamboats.org as well ... River Cruise News » Empress of the North becomes “American Empress”, joins American Queen Steamboat Company’s fleet

Matthew--- Well, maybe one reason is, the Empress is a lot younger than the CQ. I should know; I worked on her for her last year, 2008. She was only 5 years old then, she looked great, and Capt. Pete Peterson, capt. while I was on, had been her first captain. It fell to him to announce to us onboard, that spring in Alaska, that the company was folding that year & the Empress's last cruise would be in August. But on to happier thoughts. Long--er--RE-live the Empress!

Annie Lebeaux;31790 wrote: Matthew--- Well, maybe one reason is, the Empress is a lot younger than the CQ. I should know; I worked on her for her last year, 2008. She was only 5 years old then, she looked great, and Capt. Pete Peterson, capt. while I was on, had been her first captain. It fell to him to announce to us onboard, that spring in Alaska, that the company was folding that year & the Empress's last cruise would be in August. But on to happier thoughts. Long--er--RE-live the Empress!

As Annie can tell you, Matthew, The Empress is simply one beautiful boat. Big, sunny common spaces. Big cabins. Spacious, comfortable lounge. Nice showroom. What's the problem? Having spent the 2004 season aboard her, I have a warm spot in my heart for that boat. I welcome her back,to active service.

Paul

Paul Penta;31810 wrote: As Annie can tell you, Matthew, The Empress is simply one beautiful boat. Big, sunny common spaces. Big cabins. Spacious, comfortable lounge. Nice showroom. What's the problem? Having spent the 2004 season aboard her, I have a warm spot in my heart for that boat. I welcome her back,to active service.

Paul

I have no problem with the "Empress of the North" i am just curious as to why they did not acquire the "Columbia Queen" which is only 3 years older than the Empress.Columbia Queen is the sister ship of American Queen and was designed by Rodney E. Lay and Associates, Jacksonville, FL - the same architects who designed American Queen.I have Nothing more to say

The COLUMBIA QUEEN, while a nice enough boat, is not the sister to the AMERICAN QUEEN. They may have had the same designer, but sisters they are not. The CQ was redesigned as an overnight boat from a casino boat. The EMPRESS is much larger, has a greater passenger capacity, and so makes more economic sense for the owners/operators.

Bob Reynolds;31812 wrote: The COLUMBIA QUEEN, while a nice enough boat, is not the sister to the AMERICAN QUEEN. They may have had the same designer, but sisters they are not. The CQ was redesigned as an overnight boat from a casino boat. The EMPRESS is much larger, has a greater passenger capacity, and so makes more economic sense for the owners/operators.

To bad they will not be operating the Empress of the North inside "Alaskas Inside Passage"

Matthew Cooper;31811 wrote: I have no problem with the "Empress of the North" i am just curious as to why they did not acquire the "Columbia Queen" which is only 3 years older than the Empress.Columbia Queen is the sister ship of American Queen and was designed by Rodney E. Lay and Associates, Jacksonville, FL - the same architects who designed American Queen.I have Nothing more to say

Matt, the CQ was a terrific boat to work and beautifully showed her DQSC roots throughout the interior. She was built "on spec" as a casino boat and sat for a long time at Jennings, LA, believe the working name was the Capitol. AMCV/ DQSC purchased her and had her heavy lifted to Portland, where she got a complete re- do at Cascade General Shipyard. I was on her from the yard through her first two years of service, then returned to bring her out for a new owner in 2004- 2005 and did some work aboard her for Majestic in 2007- 08, finally putting her into mothballs when the company folded in 2008. From a passenger and hotel standpoint, she is an excellent, very competitive product. As with the Empress, she is a 1600 ton vessel, all others on the Columbia are smaller. Her history is free from groundings and other serious Marine incidents. A new owner would want to re- engine her, though, as her fuel usage is very high. She has 2 direct drive props and 2 z- drives, that's a lot of engines and fuel. I think AQSC made a wise choice with the Empress, but hope the CQ returns someday. There was plenty of demand on the Columbia River for all the boats that were in the market, they all did quite well. Sorry for the long- winded post, but the vessel deserves it.

Nobody might not be sure or not but is it possible "American Queen Steamboat Co" will give the "American Empress" a pilothouse dome for her like the one on AQ or paint some of the Empress decks green ?

Matthew Cooper;32597 wrote: Nobody might not be sure or not but is it possible "American Queen Steamboat Co" will give the "American Empress" a pilothouse dome for her like the one on AQ or paint some of the Empress decks green ?

Why would they want to do that? The American Empress is beautiful the way she is.

Paul Penta;32694 wrote: Why would they want to do that? The American Empress is beautiful the way she is.

i was just wondering and I hope that is not to much of a problem

i was just wondering I hope that is not to much of a problem

Matthew Cooper;32695 wrote: i was just wondering and I hope that is not to much of a problem

Of course not, no problem.

Happy New Year.
Paul