What's happening to the Boats during layover?

David, there is a legendary, all-inclusive family resort that my family used to go to some 20 years ago. Kind of like a cruise on land. The resort and cabins were somewhat rustic and there was no TV in sight. For the first time since those days, we returned last year to find that it was just the same as when we left. Even one of the waitresses was still there. They did have one TV, but it was in a public area and it couldn't be changed by the customers. The whole point is for families, of any age, to have fun with lighthearted activities. Plus, since it is along a beautiful, clear, lazy river, the nature activities are a major draw.

So, guess what? This resort has extremely faithful repeat customers, who often book their next stay at the end of their current stay. And, I can say that we did too. We've been re-hooked and have introduced it to the next generation. This resort has found their niche and they stay on plan. And, their business is going great.

So, there's something to be said for a relaxing vacation being a big draw to a good segment of the audience. Leave the crowded, overly busy ships, with their "freestyle" (do what you want) concept, and experience what a vacation is supposed to be... a vacation!

As for that cell phone. I would take it along, just in case. You can always leave it turned off, especially when cruising, as the signal is not great. Of course, you could turn it on to tell your friends how great of a time you are having and how they are missing it.

Another highlight of having a cell phone with you....which some of my steamboatin' friends, and they know who they are, and I when on board and they are not, call each other and let them listen to the whistle when we're leaving a stop. You can almost see the green envy on their faces through that phone!!!!! One time I called a friend of mine while sitting on the deck the day of departure and started the conversation with "guess where I am?", which of course, she already knew. When I got off the phone the lady sitting next to me - who was a frequent cruiser told me how "cruel" I was. So I had to explain to her that we do that to each other every chance we get. Just a little steamboatin' fun between friends using the latest technology - which I'm certainly not a techie and am much more at home cruisin' up the river at 5 mph! Only 12 weeks and 2 days for me! Yeah, who's counting?!?!?!

As to your tabletop printer, will you have a table in your room???? Less is more on a steamboat! One of the enjoyable aspects is communicating with fellow passengers after the trip, and in today's email world, that is so easy. I rode back in snail mail days and still exchange Christmas cards with some former roommates and passengers from 30+ years ago. Keith had a great idea years ago: print a 'business' card to hand out to your fellow passengers, and handy for steamboat gatherings too... Takes up little space and less time than writing for each person. You could even put a pix of the boat on it so it would be easily distinguishable later...here's my current card, but when I rode the DQ, I had a sketch of her on it, and I've had the NATCHEZ too. This is our old ferryboat, the WJQUINLAN....

Judy, I did the same thing and have actually gotten great connections and jobs using that funny business card I created because of the steamboats

I don't think I can post it here because I don't use the same formats all the time. But I agree business cards as social cards (something common when the DQ was built) are terrific. I put a picture of me as a Floozie which with today's digital photography is easy.

Table? What table?? Hmm good point! Great Idea too! I will start working on mine now! neat Ferry boat too. I have an "introduction card" I use when I'm being "Diamond Dave" during The Pioneer Museum open houses (Oldest Pioneer museum in CA, opened in 1932--as the Pioneer Relic House!), but I hadn't thought of it for this trip. I also hand out cards at American Flyer train meets, granting the bearer as a "card carrying member of Flyer Fanatics United"--FFU for short--which makes us a bunch of old foos! 🙂
6 weeks to go! Oh boy (I'm counting from the day I leave!--but who's counting?)
Steamcerely,
David D.
Pics: Breafast on the King, Main stairs & self portrait on King, and Main dock at the 2006 Delta steamboat meet.

Thanks for posting the DK pics! It brings back some fond memories for me on my trip there 5 years ago this very weekend!

I wish the DQ would take on some of the DK's look on the interior...

Is breakfast in the DQ's Texas Lounge? What is forward of the bulkheads by the staircase? It was the Gentlemens Smoking Lounge, and I was wondering if it was still some sort of lobby/lounge, or if they've put rooms there. Is there a deck plan brochure for the DK as it is now, that would be interesting to see... You're going to be a rare bird, having been on the DK before the DQ. That should be an interesting experience as you set foot on the QUEEN...

Hmm, I never thought of that, hope I'm not disappointed in the decor. Here's some more shots, forward lounge area, our room on the Texas? Deck (top deck), and what the pilot's house looks like now More pics later--I took a lot (unfortunately some are blurry, rats!).
Oh, Judy, the Breakfast was in the DK dining room, aft of the forward lounge. I guess I'll have to show y'all the elevator too! (YES!--but it doesn't look bad)
Steamcerey,
David Dewey
6 weeks 🙂

David, I hope you aren't disappointed in the DQ!!!! ;+)

I doubt that, the DQ has ONE thing the DK doesn't---functioning propulsion machinery! As nice as the DK is on the inside, it is still permanently tied to the dock! (and some of the DK machinery is in the DQ--including the paddlewheel shaft).
Steamcerely,
David Dewey
Pictures; the pilot's view of the sacramento dock, the elevator on the cabin deck, stairs on the main deck to cabin deck. On the DK the cabin deck is the restaurant, kitchen, some cabins, and hotel lobby. Visit www.deltaking.com to see their deck plans and names.

I just might be forced to post in my steamboats.org blog my 2002 DK pictures, IF I can find them...that will be a good project for the below zero degree weekend!!!!

Pete Sisak;3568 wrote: David, I hope you aren't disappointed in the DQ!!!! ;+)

And I hope they fixed the A rooms up!!!

Don't know what has been done to the insides of the boats, but I came by Robin Street/Perry Street this morning. The DQ and AQ are tied up at Robin St.; the MQ at Perry St. In my opinion, the DQ and AQ looked very good from what I could see. The MQ looked a little "rough" to me....tarps still hanging in place around the engine room and over the crank bearings, rust-streaked sides main deck midships, and generally messy. It may be they are in the final stages of repairs and just have not gotten to the cosmetics yet, but there won't be any chipping done on that streaky rust, I'm sure.