Topic starter
02/11/2011 5:41 pm
As I was sorting one of my many 'pile' drawers, I came across the 2005 DQ Company brochure. This was back in the Delaware North days. I looked at the AQ fare for a 'G' stateroom, which is what I've booked for the 2012 Pittsburgh/Cincy trip, and in 2005 it was $1450. The fare today for that 'G' is $1445! If you figure inflation, the '05 translates into $1604.85. So Great American is pricing this $159.85 cheaper than DN had it in '05. I haven't looked at the other categories, but I suspect a similar result. Add in the hotel night(rack rate at the William Penn is $309), the soda and water throughout the day, the beer/wine at dinner, and it looks better and better. I know I'm no longer on my Planters Punch diet, so this is going to be great for me. Oh yes, for the coffee drinkers, the Starbucks in the room too. As one of those cynics on .org that Mr. Kyte referred to in his brunch talk, I have to admit this group has sold me on their sincerity, their thoroughness, their efforts, and their chance for success. And they are doing it without the hyperbole of past ownerships (the Don Deming playing the calliope while locking through the Panama Canal dribble...). So I'd like to publicly admit that my skepticism is gone and I'm thrilled to think one of our steamboating ladies is in such good hands. (and I'm not bsing to get a job or discount!)
Topic starter
02/11/2011 6:03 pm
Comparing all stateroom rates
The 2012 rates are cheaper than the 2005 rates for categories:
A B C D E F G.
AAA and AA are about $300 more than '05.
H is $60 more, I $35 more.
These are the 4 night cruise prices.
02/11/2011 6:12 pm
Wouldn't mind doing the St. Paul 3-night cruise in an E room with the new wife for an anniversary! Wish I could afford that as a young semi-professional...
Has anyone heard about discounts, or anything of the sort that would take this out of "yeah right, in your DREAMS" territory?
02/11/2011 11:34 pm
I'm with Judy. I've booked my trip for next year. Cabin 322.
Jon, call your travel agent. They have the best up to date information.
Hope you can work it out.
03/11/2011 8:39 pm
Judy Patsch;27920 wrote: And they are doing it without the hyperbole of past ownerships (the Don Deming playing the calliope while locking through the Panama Canal dribble...).
No stories about Abe Lincoln personally designing the stacks for the AQ so they tip to go under bridges?
Topic starter
03/11/2011 10:51 pm
Everyone knew that already!
No I guess they figured everyone knew that already! But did you know, Bruce, that the pitmans were named after the wealthy couple that first booked the veranda suite over the MQ's fantail?
04/11/2011 1:48 am
Judy Patsch;27944 wrote: No I guess they figured everyone knew that already! But did you know, Bruce, that the pitmans were named after the wealthy couple that first booked the veranda suite over the MQ's fantail?
....which later became the Paddlewheel Lounge? :O)
Paul
04/11/2011 3:37 pm
So, what are they named? Fred and Ethel, Ben and Jerry? Enquiring minds want to know.
Topic starter
04/11/2011 6:51 pm
NATCHEZ in AQ photo
I've been meaning to point this out: in a photo which shows up on the GASCo. website, there is a band on the wharf, a second-liner in Mardi Gras beads, the AQ behind them, and the NATCHEZ off to the left of the picture. I'm guessing this was taken on the occasion of the only race between the AQ and NATCHEZ quite a few years ago, since the AQ is at Lower Bienville(Woldenberg Park) and the NATCHEZ is at her Toulouse ST. wharf with red/white/blue bunting hanging on her railings. So this picture is a twofer: the excursion steamboat NATCHEZ and the overnight steamboat AMERICAN QUEEN.
(and of course, the NATCHEZ won that race, still undefeated...!)
04/11/2011 7:53 pm
Mermaids
Lexie,
Laverne and Shirley....
Wesley
04/11/2011 10:25 pm
Judy, where did you find this picture? I've been looking and looking for it, but it keeps eluding me!
Topic starter
05/11/2011 1:00 am
Rotating series of pictures
Apparently they are rotating series of pictures. The NATCHEZ isn't there tonight - an overall AQ shot, 'passengers' coming up the stage, eating in the dining room, etc. It figures, just when I point it out! They also used to have a virtual brochure, whose pages you could click to turn. I don't see it now. I guess the site is 'evolving' (which hopefully the first 10 minutes of Webinar pix will too). I'll watch for the rotation to reappear. Were you around for that race? Seems to me it was last century, like around 1998 or so.
05/11/2011 3:15 pm
Judy,
It was back in 2003 (Valentine's Day maybe?). There's still a link to it on the dot.org homepage under "Archive, Pictures, Events". I wasn't in New Orleans for it, but I did watch it on the river webcams from Lake George. To this day, I've never been on a race between 2 steamboats. I was supposed to be on the race in 2008 between the NATCHEZ and the DQ, but it was canceled due to the high water we had then. Oh well, someday!
05/11/2011 3:59 pm
Judy Patsch;27963 wrote: I've been meaning to point this out: in a photo which shows up on the GASCo. website, there is a band on the wharf, a second-liner in Mardi Gras beads, the AQ behind them, and the NATCHEZ off to the left of the picture. I'm guessing this was taken on the occasion of the only race between the AQ and NATCHEZ quite a few years ago, since the AQ is at Lower Bienville(Woldenberg Park) and the NATCHEZ is at her Toulouse ST. wharf with red/white/blue bunting hanging on her railings. So this picture is a twofer: the excursion steamboat NATCHEZ and the overnight steamboat AMERICAN QUEEN.
(and of course, the NATCHEZ won that race, still undefeated...!)
I was aboard that day. They SMOKED us. I think it was a practice race for us in preparation for the Southern Steamboat Scramble. The ONLY steamboat race the company allowed the AQ to enter, vs the MQ.
Topic starter
05/11/2011 6:30 pm
A lesson learned by the NATCHEZ
There was a second AQ/NATCHEZ race planned, but weather or bankruptcy, can't remember which, cancelled it. Incidentally, all of these NOLA races involving the NATCHEZ benefitted charity, usually the St. Louis Cathedral organ fund. While planning for the second race, the NATCHEZ crew had determined they would hold back and make sure the AQ was in the lead at the turnaround. The reason: even though the AQ was a relative newbie, her crew was well-seasoned in the 'rules' of steamboat racing. The course was to be from Algiers Point to above the bridges(GNO/CCC) and back to Canal St. The NATCHEZ was in the lead and as she made her turnaround above the bridges, the AQ also turned around, BELOW the bridges. Despite their shortened course, the AQ still lost out to the NATCHEZ, who really poured it on downbound to remain undefeated.
05/11/2011 11:09 pm
Judy Patsch;27990 wrote: There was a second AQ/NATCHEZ race planned, but weather or bankruptcy, can't remember which, cancelled it. Incidentally, all of these NOLA races involving the NATCHEZ benefitted charity, usually the St. Louis Cathedral organ fund. While planning for the second race, the NATCHEZ crew had determined they would hold back and make sure the AQ was in the lead at the turnaround. The reason: even though the AQ was a relative newbie, her crew was well-seasoned in the 'rules' of steamboat racing. The course was to be from Algiers Point to above the bridges(GNO/CCC) and back to Canal St. The NATCHEZ was in the lead and as she made her turnaround above the bridges, the AQ also turned around, BELOW the bridges. Despite their shortened course, the AQ still lost out to the NATCHEZ, who really poured it on downbound to remain undefeated.
MUCH to our chagrin. The results of the Scramble were pure DQSC. We won the race and the MQ won most of the events, so it was a split decision. I must say, though, that as far as I could tell, the speed leg of the race, which began in Vicksburg, was on the up and up, with the MQ going to the speed before she was supposed to. But with towboat vet Capt Duggar at the helm, coached by Capt Schultz, we (the AQ) were able to overtake and pass our older sister and win.
Paul
Go AQ!