In the previous posts, I’ve written quite a bit about the Delta Queen’s Congressional struggles to be allowed to continue operation. To make matters worse, the Delta Queen also has been put up for sale.
THE DELTA QUEEN OFFERED FOR SALE
Congressman Steve Chabot’s April 24 defeat [see previous post] was quickly followed on April 29, 2008 by Majestic America Line’s announcement to offer for sale the Delta Queen (and all six other vessels in their fleet) and cease operation of those vessels by 2009.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO THE DELTA QUEEN?
Majestic America Line Press Release, August 1, 2007
“The company is continuing to evaluate the best way to preserve her legendary spirit and her esteemed place in American history for future generations.”
Joe Ueberroth
Los Angeles Times, August 9, 2007
“Joe Ueberroth, president and chief executive of Ambassadors International in Newport Beach, which bought the boat last year, said it may see service abroad or become a floating hotel and museum.”
From the May Ambassadors Earnings Conference Call
President and CEO, Joe Ueberroth, said: “There are a lot of interested parties — some who want to operate [the vessels] traditionally like we have, but there are some who look at them for other uses, and foreign buyers could offer them on [other] rivers. … We even see some interest … as floating hotels.”
LESSONS LEARNED BY MAJESTIC
Travel Weekly, May 12, 2008
Joe Ueberroth: “We have learned the hard way that our product is not about trumpeter swans [the company logo] or high thread counts…But instead it is about a great heritage, small American towns and its people, Mark Twain and that underlying seduction or pull to the river.”
In an interview after the earnings call, Ueberroth reiterated that his advice to future owner(s) would be to “understand the history of this product, listen to your customer and really embrace its tradition.”
Keep visiting back to this blog for updates on the sale of the Delta Queen and the other boats in the fleet.
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August 25, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Bill, I met you on the Delta Queen cruise from Cinci to Pitts. from June 9 – etc. I have had a thought and I would try to organize this but I just don’t have the time at the moment. I am a teacher and class just started in Ohio. Why not involve the children of the country. Sometimes Congress people and government has a hard time explaining why they are doing something to children that doesn’t make any sense.
I would suggest contacting teachers along the rivers and see if they are will to use
the Queen as part of their curriculum. Stress letter writing (setup) persuasive writing, research, culture, geography, economics, & history, etc.
I think you might be surprised at teacher response, particularly when they can justify the purpose. I know we did this in Ohio to try to protect the dove. Senators, House reps. etc. flocked to our school to get “publicity” by explaining their feelings on the bill. We wrote letters to other schools in the states and they wrote letters. The governor of Ohio at the time actually called the morning he signed the bill into law. At the time of his call we were organizing a trip to Columbus to protest at the state capitol. Unfortunately we didn’t win but we made a large impact. Our students learned a tremendous amount about their “power of the pen.”
These students had parents who were voters!
Right now the grassroots is just that, along the river. The rest of the “states” do not realize the impact to the economy of the river towns, the loss of an historical monument, etc.
I wish I could do more, but you might have someone who could organize this for you. I would be available to help answer questions, if needed.
Gayle Adair
2652 Blake Rd.
Wadsworth, OH 44281
330-336-3175