Titillating over Viking Cruises

Great letter, Judy. I obviously know nothing about marketing, because what the statement of the VP of sales says to me is this: "Hey, these boats aren't much, but you can get off every day!".

Incidentally, I woke up this afternoon thinking about "The Sounds of the Delta Queen" LP record that was recorded on the DQ in the early 70's. What that record says to me is that I was interested in the engine room bells, the chatter of the engineers, Harry Louden talking on the radio, the whistle and calliope and the music. I really couldn't care less about what the Mayor of Quincy had to say to the passengers, and I'll bet big money that the folks who were on that trip don't remember squat about Quincy, Illinois. But I'll also bet they remember their trip (fondly) on the DELTA QUEEN.

Amen, Brother Bob!

Yes, we've lived through many regimes that have taken their unique product, a steampowered sternwheel riverboat, and tried to make it 'just like' the Carnival or other ocean ships. Hopefully these owners, who recognize her uniqueness, will also offer a unique river cruise: one that has the boat cruising during daylight hours, that offers half-day, AT MOST, shore stops, that has its calliope playing at locks and towns, and that has its Captain, not the Hotel Manager, as the top officer and navigation decision-maker! And oh, for the simple singalongs in the Texas Lounge at 5 PM, with the grand finale being the flag waving #4-5-6 from your singalong song sheet!!!!

More from the Choir

Well, as someone who spent hours of their trips in the engine room (Don't tell Homeland Security--the Chief said, "It's MY engine room, if I say you can be here, you can be here!") and similar hours topsides watching the river, even the nighttime navigation--it is ALL about the Boat and the River. Yes, we enjoyed the shore visits, although on most of them we explored on our own instead of the package tours (and had, I think, more fun--plus the tours seldom made stops at ice cream parlors). On the last trip, the shore stops were need to replenish what we considered necessary condiments that were no longer on board--like honey for our grits! (Hmm, how many folks would spend $$$ to go on a cruise, and then buy foodstuffs to share on-board?--we're crazy, huh?)
Somehow I don't think we are in Viking's marketing target audience. . . .
LONG LIVE THE DELTA QUEEN!!!

PS Don'tforget the kites!

After all, kite string keeps the paddleboards from flying off the wheel!
Kite flying off the stern has been a tradition since ??? On our first trip, I had been made aware that the "new company" didn't think such activities were "dignified," so, based on this site's info about what to do on board, we came equipped. I went to Bob to ask permission, 'Well, we'd have to have enough kits so everyone can participate." "No problem, I brought about 50!"
"OH!!. . . Hmmm. . . . ."

Absolutely right, Judy

The best days of our river trips were spent on the actual river itself. Yes, it was fun to visit the small towns(and larger ones, too) along the way, as well as chatting with residents of those towns. Historic sites always attracted us and we did some interesting tours. Having said all that, I much preferred the quiet early mornings, hazy afternoons and moonlit evenings spent on deck peacefully rolling along. And oh, those magnificent sunsets!! Keep the river in river cruises!

River Sunsets

Ginnie,
Here's a few just for you!
The third one is of sunset rays on the pilot house.
Figured you needed a DQ sunset fix!!
🙂

Sunset photos are why I was oftentimes late to dinner, and the crew would announce on the PA, "Would Mr. Dewey PLEASE join his wife in the Orleans room for dinner?"
Ah, such memories!!

Here's my sunset addition! This is one of my favorite photos I took of the trip up from NOLA to Chattanooga back in 2009. Hopefully it won't be too long before we can recreate this one!

Sunset photos

Sunset was the reason I didn't go to dinners, period. I have some I'd like to post, but I am 2000 miles away from them, enjoying warm sunshine in the mountains east of San Diego. No river here though...

Somehow I managed to do both, Judy! Here's a sample of what you missed downstairs!
OK, I cheated, this is a pic of the picnic. Dinner pics are buried in here somewhere. . . .

The way I see it is that if getting off the vessel was the draw, why would there be so many repeat passengers? After all once you've seen the towns wouldn't you move on to something new? It is definitely the boat for me. The towns are just an added bonus.

Viking River Cruises

Who is building these an where are they docking them? I have seen photos of their boats they are long an narrow an not very many decks and did not look an like the American Queen or the beautiful iconic 88 yr old Delta Queen. My heavens someone please fill me in on this.Are they doing the riverboat style Misissippi Riverboat style we are all accustomed to or will the end result be these long narrow flat ugly boats? I tried to look up a picture of one of their new boats but could not find one. I say lets keep with what we know the tried an true Mississippi Riverboat with all its style an flourish. Nothing beats the cruises on these paddlewheelers an I have been on a couple. Shore trips are mentioned. You can pick an do which ones you want those are fabulous. And of course the wonderful entertainment and world class food. Lets hear it and 3 cheers for the true Misiissippi Riverboats past present an future. Carole Matthews Pompano Beach Fla

Viking boat design

The design will be similiar to their long narrow European boats, with no stages. This means they will need a dock to land against, and towns are willing to pay for that.

Judy,
Are you meaning to say, " . . . and towns THAT are willing to pay for that." ?
That plan seems terribly flawed to me, but what do I know?
Long boats on the Mississippi?? Were the Vikings ever here?
🙂

bowing down to Viking

Can't speak for all of them, but Davenport is going to spend $$$ to build a landing in downtown, even though they already have a good one at Oneida St., where the QUEENS have docked for years. And Davenport isn't flush in cash...

Bad Plan

Seems that Viking is going to be awfully dependent on the towns where they stop to provide them with what they need to stop there. Why are towns willing to pay so much for an ugly boat to stop there, because there doesn't seem to be much benefit other than a little bit more tourism... seems like the towns are losing. And if there's a long stretch of towns along the river not willing to give the docks needed, Viking will lose out, too. If there's no where to stop then those poor riders will have to stay on that unoriginal boat with no beauty or historic essence to it. I don't blame Viking for saying that the shore stops matter a lot, because otherwise the passengers would be stuck on a very unflattering boat. I really despise this, but could live with it if it brings more boats to our beautiful American rivers. Sadly not the type I want, though.

Not only all that, but I'm wondering what they do in an emergency? It would not even have to be a "major" emergency...suppose someone gets sick or injured and has to be taken off the boat? Or a passenger or crew member has to get off due to an emergency at home?

Any docks built by communities up and down the river will need to be rather elaborate affairs. At towns on the Lower Mississippi, the river stage can vary by as much as 50 feet, or even more, from extreme low water to extreme high water, the river being fully navigable throughout that range. In 150 years, bank landings with swinging landing stages have proved to be the best and most practical way to handle landings on our rivers. Cheap and flexible.

Viking seems to be a pretty sharp company, just look at their growth over the past few years. I'm sure there will be a learning curve for them once they get down to final design and construction, but, like they've done with their boats on the rivers in China, Russia, and Europe, they'll develop efficient, workable vessels for our inland rivers.
With their advertising and marketing, they'll build a market on our beautiful rivers. Give them a few years and you might see towns like Rock Island enjoy, what has become common place on the Rhine River, over a hundred passenger boat dockings a year.
I'm very enthused about the future of overnight passenger boats on the Mississippi River system. Sure, they'll be diesel and probably not look like traditional American river boats, but people will be able to enjoy our rivers in ways that haven't been seen in the last hundred years.

You're probably right, Jim. I was simply wondering how they handled some of those scenarios on European and other rivers. It has to have come up more than once.

We have to remember that even in times past on our rivers, "modern" has been a watchword and marketing tool for many, if not most operators. The DQ was touted as the "air conditioned river liner". The CINCINNATI boasted all-steel construction and other amenities. But, the MISSISSIPPI QUEEN was looked down upon by many because she was not "traditional" enough to suit many; even so, she had her own following. The result of the MQ's detractors was the AMERICAN QUEEN with an old-timey look but every modern convenience. The QUEEN OF THE MISSISSIPPI, while not to my taste esthetically, seems to be doing pretty well, with a different product than the AQ has.

I realize Viking is well experienced and I'm quite sure they've done their marketing and operational research. I hope they succeed. I simply question whether their boats will be able to operate the way they hope on our rivers. I also question whether the boat-riding public will embrace them for what they are and be able to get past them not being "steamboaty". I truly hope there is enough business for all operators -- those who are wanting a luxury cruise a la Viking as well as those who are looking for more of a "Mississippi Steamboat" experience.

Sounds of DQ

I am proud to say that I was the one to choose the "sounds" that went into that album. Bill Muster sent me into the studio to choose the ones that were the best. I agree, however, about the mayor.

Sounds of the DQ

I am pleased to say that I was the one to choose the "sounds" on that album. Bill Muster sent me into the studio to listen to the choices and to choose the one that sounded most authentic. I agree about the Mayor though.

Sounds of the DQ

I am happy to say that I was the one who Bill Muster sent to the studio to choose the most authentic sounding "sounds". However, I agree about the Mayor in retrospect.

Sounds of the DQ

I am happy to say that I was the one to choose the "sounds" on that album.. Bill Muster sent me to the studio and it was a fun job!

Kite Flying tradition

I am happy to say that one of the first things I did when I started on the DQ in 1969 was to start the kite flying. We had done it on a blue water ship I worked on and I knew it would be even more fun on the rivers. Betty Blake immediately had some logo ones made up and a tradition was started. I also am pleased to say that I started the Speakeasy and later the boat tours for passengers as a marketing tool for sales on the AQ. My contributions to the Glory Days of the DQSC to add to the contributions of all who worked and loved the boats.