Catching up on .org

The silence is deafening. I don't even remember that about the DQ. Maybe there are sleuths at work on finding the MQ, which can't exactly hide behind a bush.

Judy, there was thunder heard in the hills around Broadway Hollow across from Madison this past weekend. That's all I can say right now, but if true, it is wonderful news about the MQ. A name in entertainment with a proven record in the cruise industry and quality world-wide name recognition is interested in starting a new cruise brand to operate the MQ. Mind you this is rumor, but if it comes to pass, and I hope it does, overnight steam passenger service has a great future.

DQ and MQ News

Judy, I read Pat's posting about good news for the DQ but that was the first and last that I have seen on that subject. Also the first mention in a long time about anything on the MQ. That would be great if it can come to pass.

All I have is what I hear while volunteering. Nothing is certain yet and I don't want to say until it is. The DQ is getting so much right now that is good I don't want to risk the potential outcome until it is certain.

Hopeful rumor mill

I just hope they don't mickeymouse around and paint the MQ all red and make it a big red boat...if this unnamed entity is also buying the AQ, as some rumors have it, why not go all out: make the MQ and AQ into whatever brand they want for whatever age group, and then just to be nice to us old steamboaters, buy the DQ and put her back in service. I'd venture even Oberstar wouldn't be able to overcome the influence this unnamed empire could exert! As long as we're hypothesizing and hoping, why not?????

The "unnamed empire" has come many miles, literally and figuratively, since its association with the "Big Red Boats." In fact today they own and operate their own ships, which are now among the most beautiful passenger ships running. Their ships' lines are every bit as beautiful on the briney blue as the NATCHEZ is on the Big Muddy. They attract families and others whom generally pay higher fares per diem, and leave very satisfied. Their ships run full too.

In my opinion, if this is true, the news is truly wonderful. The alternative is what we are experiencing now...nothing, and not much hope for the future either.

Only rarely has a sea cruise company tried the venture of adding river cruises, so I can't stress enough that this is just a rumor. But this said, let's try to think positive - everything that this "unnamed entity" is offering today - whether sea- or land-based, is absolutely marvelous, extremely well maintained and of very high quality. So if this comes true, I think it'll be a wonderful new era of steamboat cruising on the rivers (though for sure not with very low rates ...).

Franz

I just wanted to clear up a common misconception. Mr. Mouse and his magic kingdom did not own the Big Red Boat, although many still associate it with the company. It was licensed to be the official cruise line, but was not owned by the company. However, the current cruise line is indeed a full subsidiary of the company and was founded many years after the demise of the Big Red Boat's operators.

Clearing up another misconception

For the record, I think if DISNEY is buying the boats, its a great thing. I referred to the mickeymousing of painting the MQ red so as not to reveal the name of the company, since it has been shrouded in secrecy so in previous postings. I have always dismissed the previous buyers rumors based on the fact that they were having to scrape together the million or so to buy the boat and I questioned how they would afford the megamillions needed to detox and fix it. Obviously Disney has no money problems like that, so this rumor is quite feasible and this possibility very positive for the continuation of steamboating.

From one to another. If this rumor is true, it just means going from one Mickey Mouse operation to another. You really didn't expect me to pass that up did you?

Fred,

At this point we can only hope who ever it is and what ever company does hopefully come forward and do something with these boats, they do the impossible and hire RIVER people to run the operation the way it should be run. The hotel part, I know if the mouse is part of it will be spectacular!

I am watching many sites like a hawk just praying the news gets posted soon so I can flood someones mail box, email box, phone lines, and anything else they have with resumes, demo tapes/videos, and applications!

Travis

Mark Stromboli;23461 wrote: ...Mr. Mouse and his magic kingdom did not own the Big Red Boat, although many still associate it with the company. It was licensed to be the official cruise line, but was not owned by the company...

Yes, indeed it was another entity that was associated with The Big Red Boats, Bruce Neurenberg (sp).

That was Goofy, Fred!

Isn't it nice that for a change we have some positive rumors to play with regarding the QUEENS? By the way, I wasn't being facetious in an earlier posting about the same company buying the DQ and putting her back into service in her old 'brand' or trade - there would certainly be enough money and I presume political clout to get an exemption, and even a grandfathering or renewal or whatever of her COI which would also be needed.
On one of my first DQ trips, probably in 1975, one of the passengers was a cartoonist for Disney. He just fascinated the other passengers - none of them being children either - with his quick sketches and animated them by flipping the tablet pages. If something that simple was so interesting back then, just imagine what could be done with today's technology!

And don't forget that -- unless it has been removed recently -- the pilothouse of one of the boats in Capt. Lexie Palmore's great steamboat mural on the DQ (behind the bandstand in the Orleans Room) contains none other than the famous, eternal Mr. Mouse himself! And it's been there since the fall of 1978. Prophecy perhaps ????

Keith,

I was there as of the 22nd of May. I showed it to someone (I forget who) that day and they were amazed by it. So unless something dramatic has happened, he is still piloting a course along the way in this Captain Lexie Palmore original!

Travis

So possibly a new Steamboat Willie?

Frank X. Prudent;23458 wrote: The "unnamed empire" has come many miles, literally and figuratively, since its association with the "Big Red Boats." In fact today they own and operate their own ships, which are now among the most beautiful passenger ships running. Their ships' lines are every bit as beautiful on the briney blue as the NATCHEZ is on the Big Muddy. They attract families and others whom generally pay higher fares per diem, and leave very satisfied. Their ships run full too.

In my opinion, if this is true, the news is truly wonderful. The alternative is what we are experiencing now...nothing, and not much hope for the future either.

Well that all sounds great. Especially after all the Mickey Mouse outfits who have owned her in the recent past.

Paul

Judy,
I"ll bet that was Ward Kimball, and his wife Betty. Really wonderful folks. They have both passed on now. Our loss.
S'
David D.

MQ still in Harvey Canal

Judy Patsch;23462 wrote: For the record, I think if DISNEY is buying the boats, its a great thing. I referred to the mickeymousing of painting the MQ red so as not to reveal the name of the company, since it has been shrouded in secrecy so in previous postings. I have always dismissed the previous buyers rumors based on the fact that they were having to scrape together the million or so to buy the boat and I questioned how they would afford the megamillions needed to detox and fix it. Obviously Disney has no money problems like that, so this rumor is quite feasible and this possibility very positive for the continuation of steamboating.

As of tonight the Mississippi Queen is still in the Harvey Canal at the same location. She has not moved.

Ward Kimball

Yes, that sounds like the name, although its been 35 years or so since that trip.

Frank X. Prudent;23466 wrote: Yes, indeed it was another entity that was associated with The Big Red Boats, Bruce Neurenberg (sp).

Frank, be assured that the correct spelling of that man's last name would violate the rules of civility to which we adhere on the .org

There are those of us on the AQ who received $300 and a kiss goodbye as we all had to find our own way home that fateful day in St Louis with all our steamboatin' worldy possessions. Not to mention our gallant brothers and sisters on the MQ who worked that last cruise for free.

We have a much different spelling of he-who-shall-not-be-named.

Paul

The infamous 32 year old mural

Was there still a curtain in front of it? If so, would somebody please remove the curtain? Thank you very much.

Lexie,

The curtain was put there when an additional stanchion was added right in the middle of it. The stationary is covered in the same material as the curtain so it hides amongst the fabric. Perhaps they need you to come down and replicate the mural onto it, so it can remain hidden in your mural!

Paul Penta;23489 wrote: Frank, be assured that the correct spelling of that man's last name would violate the rules of civility to which we adhere on the .org

There are those of us on the AQ who received $300 and a kiss goodbye as we all had to find our own way home that fateful day in St Louis with all our steamboatin' worldy possessions. Not to mention our gallant brothers and sisters on the MQ who worked that last cruise for free.

We have a much different spelling of he-who-shall-not-be-named.

Paul

Sorry gang. My bad. That particular he-who-shall-not-be-named had nothing to do with the bankruptcy. It was the other one - from Chicago. Been screwed so many times now, I forget which one I'm talking about.

Paul