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Both Majestic American (Paddle wheel boats on the Mississippi, Columbia and Inside Passage) and Barge Excursions (barge on the Mississippi and connected rivers) have shut down due to poor bookings and increased costs. I traveled on both in combination with linking Amtrak trips.
They were great fun but rather expensive. Majestic is trying to sell the assets. The Barge company only has the one one barge. Maybe it will have another chance when things improve.
Hope my cruise ships keep on truckin.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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It seems almost disloyal to Amtrak to say so, but cruise lines everywhere are offering humongous discounts for summer travel. See:
It would not surprise me if several big cruise lines mothballed some of their fleets soon or even filed for bankruptcy.
Possibly bookings will be down so much on Amtrak for the summer that sleeper charges will come down, too.
pismobum Member # 2628
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The Magnificent Delta Queen is not being "retired"--she is being forced out of operating by a few powerful congressmen and the Seafarer's Union. Because Congress passed a poorly-written legislation back in 1966, the Safety Of Ships At Sea law, the DQ has required an exemption from this law to allow it to run. This is because she has a mostly wooden superstructure, considered a real fire hazard for a ship far, far from shore. The DQ is always within minutes of shore, and has the latest in fire suppression systems on board--in every room, and also heat-rise monitors. She is safe, safer than most hotels, and safer than most homes (mine included). Congress has recognized this in the past (when the DQ was a Union boat) and 9 times granted the exemption almost unanimously. This past year, two congressmen have killed all exemption bills in their committees, preventing congress from voting on it. We are pleading for Americans to email President Obama to get this legislation acted upon--he supported the DQ during his campaign. We consider this to be an Economic Stimulus issue for the folks that worked on the boat (almost 200 jobs) and for the little river towns where the boat stopped--and we are not asking for one penny--just permission to run! This is the first time since 1811 that there hasn't been an overnight steamboat on the American River systems. Don't let our heritage die! Go to www.save-the-delta-queen.org to find out more! Steamcerely, David Dewey YOU can help save America's last overnight steamboat!
George Harris Member # 2077
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Who are those two congressmen?
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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Well, I can tell you that one of them is rail and union-friendly Jim Oberstar of MN. Ironic, isn't it, that his name should pop up in a rail forum talking about boat trips?
Anyway, the spin from Oberstar's office is that all he is worried about is safety; others cite the fact that Oberstar's district is heavily into maritime unionism, and the Delta Queen's 200 jobs are non-union. C'est La Guerre!
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) vice Safety Of Ships At Sea
notelvis Member # 3071
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It sounds as if the financial issues facing Majestic American will be keeping the Delta Queen in drydock whether she receives another exemption or not.
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