MISSISSIPPI QUEEN season start re-scheduled to September

The problems the MQ has had over the years with her boilers in particular have been well-known and documented here to some extent. We have shared our knowledge off the record too when other excuses were given for a shortened cruise or longer port stay, etc. etc. With the expense of just keeping the MQ running, let alone 'upgrading' her to meet the rest of the fleet; and with the obvious extra capacity the company now faces on the Mississippi River system, do we REALLY think they are taking more time to renovate her??? My math comes out to addition by subtraction: 2 full (or fuller) boats with expenses for operating 2 boats > 3 half empty boats with expenses for 3 boats, one of which has inordinate mechanical expenses. But as Dale would say, What the heck do I know? (The port captain would put it in far less gracious terms.)

Just received some more information from a knowledgable and very trustworthy source about the plans for the MQ, saying the following: "The main purpose of the extended layup is to address some of the issues that have arisen because of her age. The boilers, with the work they got last year and this are like new. That indicates to me MAL's commitment to keeping her running for quite some time."

Thanks for the information!

Franz

I think Judy is spot on, despite the boilers being perfect...and unfortunately, there are quite a few posters and lurkers that were to be employees on the MQ...

Bruno

Thanks, Bruno. I know there are some who dislike my 'negative' comments. I look at them as realistic. I am not an employee of the company and therefore do not have to sugarcoat things and pretend that all is well all the time. Sorry if that offends some. A while back there was a thread about how dismal the MQ had been looking, and there were many respected posters who added to that, including Carmen. I don't believe I entered that fray, even though I agreed. One thing that wasn't brought up then, and hasn't been yet, is the fact that there is just plain natural aging on the MQ - she's 32 years old and there are normal age issues structurally, not just cosmetically. Her decking is in need of replacement in many areas due to rusting out, for instance. Presumably this is one thing which is being addressed in this LONG layup. As one knowledgeable supporter emailed me, they can cut an ocean vessel in half, add a section, and get it underway in two weeks, so this is an extended layup for more than remodeling purposes, whether that is a pleasant thought or not. I'm looking forward to seeing a pristine, sparkling new MQ up here on Sept. 4, on her first cruise after this layup... hopefully.

Judy, I for one, appreciate ALL your postings! That being said, we are all discussing what might be happening, has anyone "on board" here been over to the boat to see what might actually be going on. I would think there'd be behive of activity to get everything done by Sept. Actually before, I'd suspect, as wouldn't she need "river trials" to make sure everthing is "boat shape?"
S'
David D.

The poor MQ...I only wish my Grandpa Zahn was still around to post his comments about it...he having experienced the 2nd cruise way back when...
My brother was with him...he had a few good comments too...I won't post them though. That experience did convince Grandpa to try the Delta Queen though, and he never looked back.

Checking out the MQ

David, on April 4th the intrepid trio from Munich will arrive in NOLA for their first Caribbean cruise. I will have come in the day before...I think its safe to say that if no one has been over to Perry St. yet, there will be an attempt made by that group, and as I told Franz, assuming there won't be any land admittance, I know a steamboat that occasionally alters its daily route when something interesting is above the bridge, and cookies are plentiful in the pilothouse... one if by land, two if by sea or whatever!

Judy, I know I'm dyslexic, but that's only 3 cookies! You were counting cookies weren't you?? Great idea !! Heh Heh Heh. Hmm, I should have Linda whip up a batch before we leave for NOLA--might come in handy!! Any particular flavor you know is more "encouraging"??
I keep remembering the poker game with Cookie Monster, "I'll see your chocolate chip and raise you two oatmeal!" Hmm, my kinda game! Oh wait, I'm lousy at poker, I'd lose all my cookies! (in more ways than one, eh?)
S'
David D.

Chocolate chip is the favorite, but if you're going to ride the NATCHEZ, Capt. Troy C. Delaney is a peanut butter fiend, and he'll be the pilot...

Ohh, yeees, P-butter. Hmm, might not be any left by the time we board the Natchez on Friday! Depends on the airplane food, I suppose! 🙂
S'
David D.

Ha ha ha airplane food?? Where? When? First it got changed to little lunch bags that you picked up as you boarded the plane. Now, the only food that resembles food is in first class. Homeland Security or TSA won't let you bring in many things that are drinkable or edible. I sometimes think that depends on what they had for lunch and whether what you have seems more interesting.

I had to tell my daughter to stop bringing the bag of radishes because the profiling takes us too long. Then I decided that even the cheese I wanted to bring would be better off in the checked luggage because it is organic.

Homemade cookies? You may have to bake enough to bribe your way all the way to the boats.

Since I'm without an oven in NOLA, I bring the cookies from home every time without a problem.

Elaine is right! Glad to hear they can make it through, Judy, I was afraid they would be classified WMDs!
S'
David D.

A crew member I travelled to the boat with today had his beef jerky confiscated by TSA. They must have been hungry.

I guess they'll have to go in our checked baggage then. Uh oh!!
S'
David D.

Actually checked baggage is also searched. It was almost a game for crew to bet on what would be missing from their checked bags. I lost a costly pair of embroidery scissors and a corkscrew and that was in checked luggage.

At the other end of things, cans of spray starch (from cruise ship crew members) also gets confisgated a lot.

But one must think positive with the thinking that goes, "when in doubt, take it out." And, other than the fact that it raises everyone's fares and still does not cover 100% of everything that ever goes on an airplane, at least the idea is in the right place. Personally, I have given new meaning to the idea of travelling light.

But good luck with the cookies. yum yum.

Chips Ahoy

The last time I was in New Orleans, which was maybe 4 years ago, I purchased "Chips Ahoy" chocolate chip cookies after I arrived in New Orleans and presented them to the captain as a poor substitute to the authentic Judy Patsch Chocolate Chips Cookies and it worked! They extended the cruise up to Robin Street to view the vessels that were all there for January lay up. The extended cruise was much appreciated by the two former DQ crew members on board the Natchez that day.

Deja Vu

In reading your posting about keeping a boat in extended layup, I was reminded that the American Queen just did that last year. Remember that part of the reason for the reduction was costs and the change in ownership. Since the AQ has always been the odd man out (remember the previous year off and the NOLA Adventure Week cruises), and the MQ is in need of some attention, it was the boat to sit out this time. I hope they spend enough time and money to bring some quality back into it. It's looked shabby for too long. I won't be cruising on it any time soon, since my allegiance is to the AQ and DQ, but others will be looking forward to it's return.

My opinion that I know is shared by some others is that filling all of the boats is still an issue. I do agree that the MQ was the one looking a bit tired and shabby but everything would be done very quickly if bookings were solid.

With the new purchases or expansion planning of MAL- wonder how they will handle operating losses. I still feel they jumped the pricing quite a bit and terry cloth robes and room TVs are not the answer.