EMPRESS OF THE NORTH to Memphis?

Now, that's the boat that Wayne Heller needs!

The EMPRESS, like the DQ, should be running, not tied to the bank as a floating hotel. I think the general situation in Memphis is not conducive to a project such as this, anyway. Many reasons I think it's a bad idea, but most of those are reasons that are not good for the city. If the EMPRESS were going to be used as a floating hotel, there are better places than Memphis, in my opinion.

Bob,

While I agree no boat needs to be dockside if it is capable of running, the EMPRESS is the best suited to be a land side Hotel of any vessel out there. Her staterooms are plenty commodious enough for what the average person would expect of a hotel and she has all the modern amenities the average hotel customer would want. She has a kitchen that can handle anything from individual meals to large-scaled conference or party meals. As well, she has a perfect compliment of public rooms which could be used for anything from group meetings, to lounge areas for the guests. Nothing about her is small in any stretch of the word (except crew rooms). She has all the versatility the DELTA QUEEN does not. Which is why I am shocked that Wayne Heller is so hell bent on having the DELTA QUEEN. She simply does not meet his needs in any way, shape, or form. The EMPRESS would be the perfect boat for him, as she wouldn't need explanation to every guest why she is not set up to be a proper modern hotel. Plus, the maintenance of a steel superstructure boat wouldn't be nearly a third of the cost of a wooden vessel...specially after the potential damage of the Florida hurricane season!

I don't think anyone is gonna snap the EMPRESS up quickly to run again as an overnight boat, she has a pretty dismal service history. If they do, I should imagine the first order of business would be to change her name and spend a huge amount of money to get her into the shape she should have been in when she came out of the yard new.

Travis

I agree that Heller should buy the Empress, (if he should buy a river boat at all).
-JH