Paddlewheel Steamboatin´ Society of America

Steamboating colleagues:
Chris, in the above, makes a good point RE: 'Paddlewheel Steamboatin' Society of America' and the AQ. Any cruise boat/ship operation competes for the same discretionary dollars of past/present/future passengers--whether under sail, steam, diesel. IF, and I say IF, the previous company records, passenger lists, accounts etc. were turned over to GAS CO, then they could revive and keep alive the loyalty of their past passengers. I would hope these passenger accounts were kept on computer. 'Discounts, special announcements, 'on-board' cash credits, E=Mails, letters something not new to the cruise world. PRINCESS CRUISES follows this even including electronic holiday greetings, birthday wishes etc. No real difference between an ocean cruise ship or river vessel with business practices flowing to and fro.

Many cruise lines have ascending levels of 'Passenger Loyalty' from First Mate to Captain's Circle, Platinum and Elite status. Yet, some consider this too stratifying and "not fair." Why "not fair?" PRINCESS CRUISES follows this with me and I'm sure Frank Prudent could enlighten us on what CUNARD LINE follows. It's only good business.

One of the 'rubs' though was in the past, when aboard the DELTA QUEEN, some carped about their "specials" with it falling on listening ears of those not so favored. It was carried back to travel agents, friends and even the company with a number of red faces and quick 'damage control.' GAS CO. appears to be getting it right from what I read. I don't know about their policies on "visiting the boat in our hometowns" what with general security, comfort of passengers, busy turn-around days etc., but it could be pursued. Back during the fight for 'The big Exemption,' Betty Blake welcomed visitors aboard as the effort depended on good will, letters of support, lobbying of congressional officers. I wish them well. Again, what do I know?

R. Dale Flick, Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River.

September at the Howard

Last September at the Howard Museum presentation Kitty Ruxton was asked about this and she stated there would be considerations for repeat passengers, but this was specific to a question about shore tours. Whether they have implemented any perks or not I don't know.

I fondly remember summer gatherings on board the DQ, MQ and AQ when they were in port in Cincinnati. It was the best promotion the boats could have had.

Yes, it will be back wait a few weeks

During the "real" inaugural cruise this week they had a meeting on board and discussed various options being considered. A signup list was passed around to get email addresses, count of past cruises, etc. Bruno even offered to supply some pins so they can make copies for future riders. My suggestion...if you are planning on an AQ journey soon, wait for the on board talk. If not, send an email to GASC and make sure you are on the list. Lots of exciting things in the planning stages.

*RE: 'Steamboatin' Society'*
Thanks Richard for the above update on revival of 'Steamboatin' Society' on the AMERICAN QUEEN following her "real" inaugural cruise. CAS CO. office should already have on record data for passengers including E=Mail etc. if the passengers willing to provide such and not pass a signup list around. Also thanks to Bruno for those pins. This simillar to what some of the big ocean cruise lines do. Brand loyalty very important today with any boat/ship operation with too many alternative options.

Past passengers should also have their cruises on record. At present a number of other lines don't go by the number of cruises, they count the number of cruise days. I'm sure Jim Reising, and others here, remember some of those old timers who practically 'lived' on the DELTA QUEEN for weeks, months at a time years ago. Little Ms. Doris Schreiber [Sp?] was one I recall dating back to the very beginning in 1948. Cheers!

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

Dale..Remember Amelia Wheatly and her daughter, Bobbi? They both logged enough "sea time" each year to stand for a license. Amelia Wheatly was a wonderful and facinating lady and a joy to know. She was the first social hostes on the PEORIA and had a life long love for steamboating.

Faithful Steamboaters

Miss Amelia and her daughter, Bobbie Meyer, were still riding the DQ into the early 1980's. They were once the subject of a feature article in The Waterways Journal about the MANY trips made on various boats over the decades. Miss Amelia is long deceased and I haven't had any correspondence with her daughter in some years, but they certainly loved riding the boats and endeared themselves to the crew and passengers. A whistle salute to both of these faithful steamboaters!

Amelia and Bobbi

They were on my second ever DQ trip in 1974. At the time Amelia had 94 trips, Bobbi 31. I thought at the time that I'd never catch Amelia but that I could overtake Bobbi, which I eventually did. I think Amelia died shortly after that, but I enjoyed several trips visiting with Bobbi and her husband and hearing about some of their earlier DQ adventures. And as Dale previously alluded to, those early DQ passengers didn't do 3 day trips, they took the 21 day round trips, sometimes several a year. The longest I ever stayed on was 28 days, but it included a 7 day Cincy/Pittsburgh roundtrip, a 7 day Kentucky Lake roundtrip, a 3 day Cincy weekend rt, and an 11 day Cincy/St. Paul trip. That was the year my car was paid for, and every extra buck went to a DQ trip, something I've never regretted!