American Queen Considering Memphis

Nick, are you still working for AEP?

Hello Bob, yes I still work at AEP. I go back in a week from today.

Nick-Taylor;26078 wrote: Hello Frank, if you would like me to send you the document to make edits, I can, or anyone else that wants it. Everyone on the site knows alot more about steamboats, and where they should be at a certain time of the year than I do. I wanted to see the AQ in Louisville during the 2012 great steamboat race, but I didn't think about the Derby. Good idea. 🙂 I read something about the new company wanting alot of cruises departing out of Memphis, I think I have 23 cruises that start in Memphis. I have alot of 7 night cruises, maybe too many. I am no pro, just a river/steamboat buff who is excited to see some good news about overnight steamboats.

Hi Nick,

I think that I'll pass. I'm pretty busy this week. I have to work Memorial Day, and I'm picking up another extra shift this week. This summer I'm making a tranatlantic crossing on the M.V. ROTTERDAM to her namesake city, so the extra spending money will come in handy. I love traditional crossings. On this one, except for ten hours in Cobh, it will be just sea and ship for nine days!

What do you do for AEP?

Hello again Frank,

I work on the river for AEP as a deckhand, and I have been riding the M/V Hoosier State.

Hope you have a good time on your transatlantic cruise.

*RE: 'Cruise boat schedules*

Hi, Frank and steamboat colleagues:
Just catching up on the web here. Man, you guys had me fooled for sure with the tentative cruise schedules; yet there's enough talent/experience on this board from you all that could do just as well. I agree with Frank RE: working in a Cincinnati-Louisville traditional Derby cruise. In previous years here the DQ always booked that trip solid far in advance and it paid big dividends with usually a high roller crowd. In the old days the DQ often lay at the GREENE LINE

Frank, glad your making the Atlantic crossing. With ten hours in Cobh, Irleand, I'm sure you all can go ashore to visit. Beautiful Irish coast from Old Head of Kinsale in. Cobh, previously known as Queenstown, figured in the TITANIC sailing on her maiden voyage. Cobh also played a big part in the LUSITANIA disaster with survivors and rescue. Last time I saw Cobh was from the decks of the old QUEEN ELIZABETH in the 1960s when we dropped anchor off shore for the tender to run in and out. Nobody could get off with just arriving passengers, Royal Mail, some cargo being exchanged. Those were in the real Atlantic 'express days' and not a crossing/cruise like today.

Our family sail out of New York in October on PRINCESS for New England, Canadian Maritime Provinces, St. Laurence River. Looking forward to Halifax where the TITANIC cemetery and memorial are located. In February we sail out again for a couple of weeks at sea. Cheers!

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

Dale - do you expect to stop in Bar Harbor or anywhere along the Maine coast? I'm nearby and would plan to come say hi if worked out.

*RE: Boston & Bar Harbor*

Yes, Boston/Bar Harbor two of the cruise stops before heading on up to The Maritimes. I'll let you know down the line in time. Haven't been to Bar Harbor and eons since in Boston. I think there was some big fuss with the King of England over tea and tea stamps at the time.

I understand it can be 'ify' RE: color foilage in October. Some cruises see all in glory; other times leaves down. Who knows? PRINCESS CRUISES, like other lines, have a strict no visitor policy at the gangways due to security, insurance etc. going back even before Homeland Security. We'll see.

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

The colors along the Maine coast can be dependable right up through (and sometimes including!) the second week in October, but what is unpredictable is the fog/clouds/mist. And remnants of southern hurricanes...and hasn't the Rapture been rescheduled for October now? At any rate, if it should work out and you plan to go ashore in BH we can meet for coffee if it doesn't interfere with your tour schedule. You won't notice much changed in BH unless your last visit was prior to 1947 when the big fire burned all those mansions down. WHen it gets closer, we can be in touch and see what, if anything, can work out!

Here are more news about GASC. They will start out in mid August (office) and cruises will start in April 2012. They want to add two restaurants.

Carmen

*RE: GASC/Alternative dining*

Hi, Carmen & Steamboating colleagues:
Thanks for the above linke to GASC RE: AMERICAN QUEEN entering service 2011. Something similar popped up here from TRAVEL WEEKLY. Interesting about the 'men and the company' with their past history and track record. I wish all of them well. The 'alternative dining' options something seen more and more not only on cruise vessels but land resort operations. 'Deck dining' great for when the boat is in both interesting and beautiful areas. The cruise rates for three days about what I would have expected. Glad the AQ was so well taken care of requiring "minimum cosmetic work."

The new company will have a good two years lead time starting now in getting the word out, agents/tour operators on line, ads/promos etc. in full swing. Hope GASC was lucky enough to have received of all the past passenger names from AMBASSADORS for future courtesy contacts, bookings etc.

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