What's happening to the Boats during layover?

"Steamcerely"

I love that.

Sorry, I have no definite info to give ya.

Paul

The DQ was in Mobile Alabama and on her way to New Orleans. The usual engine checks are being done and accessments on what other refurbishments are being done.

I believe (but not 100% sure) that while the AQ and MQ are getting room TVs, the DQ is not.

There may still be many changes-some good and some not so good. The new brochure/magazine did arrive in the mail recently and has a great sales pitch for all of their trips and boats. The small ship to Alaska sounds very interesting really.

But, for me, ever since I worked on the boats, my personal finances and circumstances have not allowed me to do something as expensive as a cruise. Maybe, if all goes well, I can figure out something for 2008.

And I too like that-steamcerely,
Elaine

AQ and MQ

The American Queen is still at MAL's St. Louis area maintenance base. I think the Mississippi Queen is somewhere in Louisiana.

Thanks, I have used that "s"ignature for years now. Since I "do" American Flyer S gauge trains, I also sign, "S'incerely." BTW, the day before we board the boat is also known as "National S Gauge Day" because it's 3/16, our scale.But back to steamboatin'!
I sure thought we'd have some word by now as to what decor changes, etc. might be happening. TVs on a Steamboat?? What on earth for??? I'd rather spend my time on deck watchin' the wheel or the riverbanks, or visiting with the others. . . . NO time for TV, havin' too much fun! (At least that's what I hear, and am lookin' forward to doing.)

David Dewey;3213 wrote: TVs on a Steamboat?? What on earth for??? I'd rather spend my time on deck watchin' the wheel or the riverbanks, or visiting with the others. . . . NO time for TV, havin' too much fun! (At least that's what I hear, and am lookin' forward to doing.)

David,

As far as I know, there will be no TVs on the DQ. If you do ever travel the MQ or the AQ, I simply suggest that you refrain from watching it. It's not a requirement of your passage contract that you or anyone else actually watch the TV.

:O)

Paul

DQ is parked at Robin Street Wharf although MAL sold the building (I think).
MQ is on the other side of the river. AQ was still up in St Louis. The planned TVs are only for the MQ and the AQ in their efforts to try and attract a younger and wealthier passenger base.

New bedding, linens, etc - already signed sealed and delivered from my sternwheel telegraph.

Think positive folks- there may be lots of changes but the rivers are still that Ol' Man River- He just keeps rollin' along. . .

If the MQ is across the river from Robin St., that means she's at the Perry St. Wharf, where repairs, mechanical adjustments, are made.

On December the 29th the MQ was on a dry dock in Mobile with her paddlewheel off. The DQ was not far away. They may have moved since.

Looks like the MQ is at the Perry St Wharf. She showed up for me today when i checked the NOLA bridge cam. Try this link in the afternoon when the sun is in the west and you will see Her. http://www.nola.com/bridgecam/
I have not located the Delta Queen on any cameras but she may be at the old casino dock above Robin street wharf.

I emailed Capt. Don Houghton of the NATCHEZ and he said the MQ arrived at Perry St. yesterday. By the way, GEAUX SAINTS, from a lifelong Bears fan. Its more than football...

What about throwing them overboard. I've heard that when the DQ had rooms without toilets and thus these rooms were equipped with chamber pots, that a certain maid, if she found a full chamber pot, would throw it overboard. So ended the chamber pot era. Works with chamber pots, maybe it'll work with tv's.

Hi, Lexie & steamboating colleagues:
Enjoying the 'thread' as it keeps me in tune with people, events, changes etc.
You're so right about the old custom of 'chamber pots' on the DELTA QUEEN and the GORDON C. GREENE before her. People laugh now but in fact that tradition lasted far longer than most realize. All of the then outside rooms on the DQ lacking direct access to the aft cabin were equipped with those nifty white porcelain chamber pots with a lid. Were they used? You bet, and the ceremony of the maids in the morning carrying them for disposal--in the lavatories or over the side down below. It may have been quaint but when many cabins were remodeled and reconfigured it made life a lot easier in the dark of night. Heck, those chamber pots in white or blue/white porcelain can be found at yard sales and antique markets. Who here remembers the big copper wash boilers for boiling clothes in the old days with TAG or FELS NAPTHA?

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick

The AMERICAN QUEEN arrived NOLA this morning, Tuesday 1/23/07. The boat is looking very good.

Bob,

Do you know at which time she arrived in NOLA? I want to check the archive of the bridge cam.

Carmen

Carmen,

I am 4 1/2 miles above Robin St., and she came by me downbound at 8:15 a.m. CST.

Thanks Bob,

I checked the webcam but I didn´t see her. You can´t see Robin Street Wharf on that cam. But I hoped she might turn around "behind" the bridge (from the view of the webcam).

At least I saw the NLC Sun arriving with her new "sunny" painting :-)!

Carmen

That camera needs to be aimed a little more to the right to get Robin St., or a boat rounding to there. I'm also wondering if the AQ might not be one dock further upriver at the old casino dock at Celeste St., since that's where the DQ came in last November. That would put her further out of camera view.

The MQ is at Perry Street Wharf. The AQ and DQ are both at Robin Street Street Wharf in the "old" landing spots.

I second that sentiment! Throw those televisions off the boat! Why can't passengers watch TV at home when they are not paying those exhorbitant fares to go steamboating? Then again, in 2006, there have been a series of long days in port so that some passengers can ride a bus to see the sights. On a happy note, I was pleased that so many passengers of the DQ in 2006 enjoyed the jigsaw puzzles at night; their faces showed that they were "recharging their batteries."

No TVs needed

This is precisely what I said in another thread. People need to slow down. They should turn the cell phones off, get away from the TV and newspapers, and just relax. They need to do things that they wouldn't ordinarily do at home, like a jigsaw puzzle, a sing-a-long, or some other lighthearted activity. Hey, how about watching the sights and sounds of America's heartland? The scenery is always changing, as the boat paddles along. I am from the "younger" age group, and I do not find anything wrong with slowing down. And, this should be a major focus of the 'new' cruise line. Relaxation. I doubt if they've thought of it yet.

Darin, I think you are exactly right. Relaxation should be the number one attraction to a steamboat cruise. The cruise SHIPS don’t seem to be selling that. When you see an ad for a cruise ship on TV they are selling non-stop excitement!!! You are worn out before the commercial is over. I can still remember seeing the physical change take place in passenger’s faces after three days on the DQ/MQ. They would board the boat tense and hyper needing everything right NOW. Then after a couple of days on board, and one of those days needs to be cruising, you could see how they had relaxed.

Complete agreement- the change from the fast pace to steamboat speed is what is so refreshing. Watching birds instead of a television program about birds. As for jig saw puzzles, I have taken to doing them more at home than I used to and even had one going in the basement playroom for a New Year's eve party and some other social gatherings.

Guess what? Every one of the guests were going downstairs to work on the puzzle for a bit in groups of 2 and 3 people. It was funny as everyone recalled doing puzzles and finding them relaxing. I would post a picture of me in my steamboat shirt hosting the patrons of the big ass bar as we put it but that is a bit too complicated right now.

I had considered sending my 1500 piece steamboat picture puzzle to the DQ but there is no address right now for crew. I have been joking with the friends from the boats about using owls for messengers like the Harry Potter series.

I guess if the room TV showed a view from the captain's viewpoint, I might find that interesting. But the adventure of steamboatin is the lack of fast paced adventure and a return to a different era in time.

Finally, I also agree that watching TV commercials for cruises is exhausting even when they are trying to brag that they are not planning everything. Too many choices can create stress too.

But I also see the increased usage of cell phones and laptops mean that no one takes time out like they used to do. I have tons of friends and associates who simply work too many hours because the new toys make them think it is fun and not work. Since I went back to work locally, I don't even get on here as often as I used to although there is always some interesting threads and a special thanks to Judy lately.

Let's hear it for simple vacations!

I plan on leaving my cell phone on the windowsill here at home! I may take my tabletop photo printer to make pictures to share during the cruise--what say you seasoned boaters? Save the luggage space for clothes and mementos, and email the pics later?
My family has a 1920's vacation resort in N. California, and one of the features are the cabins that have no TVs, no Phones (no air conditioning either--oops!), and the fridge is on the back porch. Folks love them! They can bring their own TVs and Phones if they must. I can't wait to get "slowed down" only 6 weeks, two days to go--but who's counting?? 🙂
Steamcerely,
David Dewey
Picture of the dinning hall aboard the Delta King.

Actually cell phones for emergencies are a good thing although there are places along the rivers without any signals. Sometimes I let passengers use my cell phone to check on someone at home. One time it was because of an auto accident just before the trip but on other times, it was the check in to family at home.

As for the photo printer, some passengers did bring that on board but I hate to see you tied up with technology that could be emailed so bring a small notebook to write down email addresses and postal mail addresses if it comes up.

Just remember to always wear comfortable shoes. The decks are not really slippery like some places and the boats don't rock but there is always a lot of walking aboard and off the boat too so take care of your feet.

One of my most cherished possessions is an autograph book. It turned out that my daughter's third grade penmanship booklet had a picture of the Delta Queen on its cover so I turned it into an autograph book and still brag about it and try to remember the faces to go with the names and signatures. It is corny, I know but I enjoy it. Many people on this board have signed it.

Also, passenger Fran (can't remember her last name) will take photographs and turn them into fabric art for vests or shirts or carry bags. I have her info somewhere but not handy but I think it is a great souvenir. One of my problems is an overabundance of pictures but I created screen savers of sunsets on the river among other things. Since my computer monitor is on all the time, it is great having my own photographic memories flashing at me.

Have a great trip- it will be awesome!!