QOW Renovations underway

Okay...who else sees what is going on here? Is this not what Sam Zell did in the first years to the DELTA QUEEN? He took out the low income staterooms and made more suites out of them. Thus the boat had to be full to make a profit. If it was full, it could conceivably make more as we were told. The unfortunate reality is alot of past pax couldn't afford the new luxury rates and therefore were not aboard anymore.

I wonder why American Cruise Line is so interested in River Cruising all the sudden? Where are they getting the funding in this economy to make these changes happen? How long will it hold out? Who will buy her when they fold for growing too big and too fast in a failing economy? I mean, have we not seen this before? It is the same script with one of the same boats.

I wish them luck...but I don't see it happening!

Travis, your first paragraph describes what I have posted elsewhere about why I ceased being a DQ passenger - exactly! They had been assured of at least 21 days of fares a season until they priced me out to Zero days. While I could have opted to save enough for perhaps 7 days, I was not so inclined, knowing that the experience was not triple what I had had.
And 'taking it to the next level' doesn't always mean the level is higher than the old one!

Travis Vasconcelos;20285 wrote: I wonder why American Cruise Line is so interested in River Cruising all the sudden? Where are they getting the funding in this economy to make these changes happen? How long will it hold out? Who will buy her when they fold for growing too big and too fast in a failing economy? I mean, have we not seen this before? It is the same script with one of the same boats.

I wish them luck...but I don't see it happening!

Trav, they must be doing something right. They are also launching a brand new boat of the same type as the rest of the fleet. The Independence just passed sea trials.

I have more confidence in these folks because, surprise, they are actually a boat company. While I will always appreciate Delaware North for bringing the boats out of bankruptcy they were unfamiliar with the cruise industry and tried to reinvent the wheel. MAL? They were close, with their shipyards, but again, running a passenger vessel requires a very specific skill set.

ACL has been doing this, successfully, for ten years. Ten years ago this May 26th, I boarded the AQ for the first time. Since then, the boats have been owned, unsuccessfully, by three different companies. Jazzou works for these folks as a step on and raves about how they go about their business.

It sounds like you see some kind of conspiracy, buddy. Step away from the bridge rail.

ACL had to learn their lessons too the hard way. They lost their shirts on the M.V. NEW ORLEANS.

I well remember the laughter amongst those whom were working on the Mississippi System, and learned their trade there, about the Ol' Salts in charge of the boat. It didn't take too long before the blue water boys figured out that running a plotted course on the Mississippi does have its pit falls. Maybe to their current management's credit, that's why they're shying away from the Mississippi now.

Frank,

Seems every time I forget about that boat, she comes up in conversation somewhere! She wasn't the prettiest boat ever to run the river. However, in her defense...they could have added some gingerbread to her and been a little more serious about the smokestacks, stage, and other "riverboaty" things and she could have at least passed muster out there! Someone had a nick name for her..."shoebox" I believe was the term used. Anyone remember who that was?

Wasn't she sold to be a bunk ship somewhere over in Europe? Seems that is what I heard was her fate.

I do remember her first landing here in Louisville. They let the crew of the BELLE come over for a look-see. Not a bad boat..just too plain looking. We brought them over on the BELLE and let them look around and they were wide-eyed and amazed at what they saw. Eastman Kodak stock must have gone up that day, I think I still see little blue dots from that encounter! Her Master took pictures of every detail of the Pilothouse, Engine Room, and paddlewheel. I bet he spent 2 hours constantly clicking the shutter and changing rolls of film!

You are right, they had no clue about river navigation! One story that floated around out there for years was their failure to yield to a downbound town on the Lower Mississippi. Because in sea-going parlance they HAD to pass on the one whistle side no matter what! This was a story of legendary proportions. I'll bet I heard it a hundred times that year! The Memphis USCG office paid them a visit over it and all was copasetic after that...well, at least with the passing stuff!

Frank X. Prudent;20292 wrote: ACL had to learn their lessons too the hard way. They lost their shirts on the M.V. NEW ORLEANS.

I well remember the laughter amongst those whom were working on the Mississippi System, and learned their trade there, about the Ol' Salts in charge of the boat. It didn't take too long before the blue water boys figured out that running a plotted course on the Mississippi does have its pit falls. Maybe to their current management's credit, that's why they're shying away from the Mississippi now.

Well, then, since I think they initially went out of business in the 80's, I guess you could be safe in calling that ancient history. The past 10 years looks pretty good to me. They have proven that they know how to deliver a quality product. They are forward looking and I would think that if they ever do cast their eyes on the Mississippi, they would show how well they learned their lesson and use rivermen. Especially if they got their hands on either an exempt DQ and/or the AQ.

We all know a few who would be available and know those boats like the backs of their hands.

Paul

"Private balconys" eh?? IMHO, that is NOT what riverboating is about. Being able to walk all the way around the boat is one thing I loved about the DQ, and sitting outside the cabin, and seeing folks come and go and visiting with them was always a fun part of the trip. To my way of thinking, this is more "Blue Water" designing--and much of Blue Water thinking does not translate to River Water thinking!!
I wish them well, but hope it doesn't spoil the nice lines of the boat, nor hinder access.
S'
David D.

Deja vu, 1974 is all I can say............

Is river cruising not for everyone?

I have been drawn to the riverboats for about 3 years. Always wanting to take a cruise on either the Delta Queen or Mississippi Queen. I was just too late in plannig as these 2 boats were remove from service (1 by government and the other by stupidity), but feelings aside. My wife doesn't share my views with these boats or their prices for a cruise. She said why spend $1,000 on a cruise that doesnt give you the same excitement as a $400 cruise on a cruise ship (i.e. Carribian cruise). The thing that ruined the river cruise industry was the attempt to compete with the large and better appointed cruise ships. They forgot that the delta queen and her counterparts are not in the same legue or class. They should have kept the boats what they were, boats for the ultimate American experience. The companies priced themselvse out of existence, making the cruise ships the most economical and best bang for your buck. Does it really cost that much to run one of the riverboats that they cant keep prices to where all could share?

Ed,
Your wife doesn't understand! "Excitement" on a riverboat cruise is very different--some might call it "un-excitement." Hmm, how does one put it? A Riverboat cruise/trip on the DQ was a complete immersion experience; one is surrounded by the past and yet still in the present. It sounds like you would have really enjoyed a trip. Can't say about your partner, though! And, yes, it was always, and will be always, more expensive to run a riverboat on the US waterways than a blue water cruise ship elsewhere. For one thing, fewer passengers to spread the expenses (running a boat/ship has fixed expenses--full or empty). For another, American Citizen crew is usually more expensive than foreign ones. Add to that the requirements of an uncommon propulsion system, and yes; it will always be more expensive. But value received, IMHO is greater!! Not many blue water trips can one take and end up with long-term friendships with both other passengers and crew. Remember, the boats had the highest repeat passenger ratio of ANY other boats/ships!! Kinda funny too, because when you'd read the reports, and it would list the amenities of each boat/ship, the DQ had almost NO amenities! As I recall, he "workout room" consisted of three pieces of exercise equipment at the stern on the Texas. @!#@!! things were always in the way of taking pics of the wheel! I did see a crew member on one ONCE! 🙂
Ed, keep up with us, help our appeal to congress, so maybe someday you too, can ride. I waited 37 years to ride, and fortunately found this forum, read the possible end of running, so bit the bullet (and smoked the credit card) and took my/our first trip. Somehow that became 4 trips in 2 years, for which I am still paying (but not complaining--well, maybe a little!). I consider myself, as Bruno would say, "One of the Lucky ones." Doubly lucky in that we did some really rare mileage too--Black Warrior river! I thank the folks that made that possible!
So, yes, river cruising is not for everyone, but it is THE THING for many! And yes, you are 100% correct in mentioning the new companies tried to make them like Blue Water ships, and missed the real experience's significance.
Steamcerely,
David Dewey

Ed: David Dewey just about nailed it for you. The highest rate of repeat passengers is eloquent evidence indeed. It usually takes a couple of daze for those looking for "excitement" to settle into the fun of the relaxing routine on the river. If you want to see evidence of life-long friends who met on the DQ or her sisters, just stay with this board! Did your wife ever consider what can be seen from the deck of a blue-water boat when at sea?: "...and what did we see, we saw the sea"...pretty boring. But, that is a real asset to the ship because THEN, the boredom drives you inside and there is nothing there you cannot find in most any big city at any time but you are "theirs" for the duration, and much if not most of it is designed to separate you from $. But then you can go ashore at ports of call and spend more money in shops owned by the boats so I've heard...buying "local" stuff made in Taiwan etc! Cap'n Walnut.

Hey, I know--for those who want an "Extreme" experience, we can tie them to the Paddle wheel--or have paddle wheel running contests (you run from board to board like a stair stepper--while the wheel is running, of course) Oh wait; the lawyers would have too much fun with all this. . Oh well, guess I'll go sit next to Bruno in the Texas and nurse my Ginger Ale. . . .
And Thank You Tom, compliment appreciated.
Off to work--Augh, oh well, only 6 days until our visit with Suzanne and Richard coming out to stay on the DK.
S'
David D.

Tom Schiffer;20327 wrote: But then you can go ashore at ports of call and spend more money in shops owned by the boats so I've heard...buying "local" stuff made in Taiwan etc! Cap'n Walnut.

Cap, I may have told this story before, but it is appropriate to your point.

In Ketchikan, AK there is a street called "Creek Street". Until 1954 it was still legal in Alaska to enjoy the company of a lady for a fee. The houses in which these liasons took place were all grouped on Creek St. That is to say, some cities have financial and shopping districts, Ketchikan had ... well, you can figure out the rest.

In these modern and more moral times, those establishments have been replaced by shops selling all sorts of jewelry and other trinkets of the type to which you allude. I used to warn the passengers of the perils of Creek Street by telling them the history and then explaining that,

"On Creek Street, they still do the same thing to you, they just don't use the girls."

Paul

More news on QOW issues

The Astoria powers that be have had complaints about the noise from QOW's generators and the effect on the area at the foot of 17th Street, behind the Maritime Museum.

This link will take you to a Google News search on the QOW. Click on the first "Water Under The Bridge" link. A direct link to the article would not work.

"Queen of the West" - Google News

Paul

Paul,

Look at the subheader on that article...it is "10 years Ago Today". Sorry to say that bud, I figured you'd rather hear it from a friend!

Travis

Travis Vasconcelos;20344 wrote: Paul,

Look at the subheader on that article...it is "10 years Ago Today". Sorry to say that bud, I figured you'd rather hear it from a friend!

Travis

OOPS, well it does prove that the "little boat that could" overcame adversity ten years ago since she and the EON docked right behind the Maritime Museum.

(nice save, huh?)

Paul