Delta Queen Coastal Cruises

Explore Contemporary and Historic Attractions
During Delta Queen Coastal Voyages' Inaugural Vacations

The cosmopolitan grandeur of Montreal, Quebec, the bewitching mystery of Salem, Mass., and the glamour of the Gilded Age in Newport, R.I., are among the destinations being unveiled by Delta Queen Coastal Voyages(sm), launching in 2001.

Roderick K. McLeod, president and chief operating officer of the parent company, American Classic Voyages Co. (NASDAQ: AMCV), says, "Delta Queen Coastal Voyages promises an exciting new dimension in cruise travel, enabling passengers to discover both the contemporary and historic at-tractions of coastal North America. All of the vacations feature included shore adventures and ample time to explore on one’s own."

Among the destinations on Delta Queen Coastal Voyages’ first nine itineraries:

Scintillating Cities
Explore the perennially popular "Big Apple," New York City. Experience the energy on Wall Street. Browse trendy shops on Fifth Avenue, soar to the top of the Empire State Building or tempt your palate at renowned Manhattan eateries. Bask in the lights of Broadway, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center and other famous New York City sites.

Savor the sophistication of modern Montreal or delve into the secrets of the old city, "Le Vieux Carre," replete with scenic squares, fascinating museums and delectable dining.

Venture to Canada’s first settlement, Quebec City, home of Old World charm and romance.

Historic Homes
Come ashore at Newport, R.I., a fashionable summer place that reached its heyday in the "Gay 90s" as wealthy families jockeyed for a position in the parade of palatial estates. See why the once-sleepy seaport catapulted into an international yachting center and social capital of America.

Explore magnificent Boldt Castle on New York’s Heart Island, summer mansion of Waldorf Astoria proprietor George Boldt and his bride Louise, as you learn about their tragic love story.

The Road to Freedom
Explore Washington, D.C., America’s seat of power and one of its most vibrant cities. See the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and stellar museums.

Follow the heroic path taken by our patriots along Boston’s 2.5-mile Freedom Trail. Stop by the Old North Church, the Old State House and the former headquarters of the British Government. Or, simply hop aboard a Swan Boat in the Public Garden and absorb the ambiance.

Find fascinating lore around every corner in our nation’s former capital, Philadelphia, site of the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Betsy Ross’ house.

Southern Hospitality
Experience the charm of the south in Charleston, S.C., featuring moss-laden oaks and historic homes along the Battery and Rainbow Row.

Explore a Confederate fort or just kick back and savor southern hospitality in Wilmington, N.C.

Sail the tranquil James River, disembarking at Jamestown Settlement, where re-enactors share colonial history, allowing you to live the adventures of the intrepid Englishmen who dropped anchor there in 1607 to found America’s first permanent English settlement. Learn about Pocahontas and her Powhatan Indian village, and the four-month trip to the New World on board re-creations of the three ships that carried the settlers to Virginia.

Travel to Plimouth Plantation -- of Pilgrim fame -- nestled in lush woods overlooking Cape Cod Bay and encompassing an area where the past springs to life more vividly than any history book could illustrate.

Feel the brisk ocean breezes on Nantucket, 30 miles off Cape Cod. Walk on cobblestone streets past sea captains’ homes and vestiges of the whaling days, and hunt for treasures among myriad displays of antiques and crafts.

Delve into the secrets of the Fountain of Youth or uncover the mysteries of the 17th-century Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Fla.

Natural Wonders
Hear the roar of Niagara Falls, tumbling 184 feet, as you ride an excursion boat past one of Mother Nature’s most awe-inspiring attractions.

Marvel at Maine’s Acadia National Park, which boasts towering coastal mountains and a mighty "Thunder Hole," where ocean swells meet granite cliffs in a primitive orchestra.

Maritime Lore
See Mystic Seaport, a Mystic, Conn., attraction which replicates a quaint 19th-century fishing village, with a bank; grocery and hardware store; chapel; schoolhouse; tavern and nautical instrument store.

Explore the maritime treasures of Fall River, beginning with the Marine Museum. Visit the city’s southern enclave, where scenic Battleship Cove features historic naval ships recalling brave sailors of yesterday. Tread the boards where they walked and man the guns they used to defend our shores.

Experience bewitching Salem, Mass., home to modern day "haunts" and and a host of interesting museums.


Delta Queen Coastal Voyages Launches Second Ship
cv Cape Cod Light to Inaugurate North American Coastal Itineraries

Just five months after the shipyard launch of Delta Queen Coastal Voyages' first vessel, the second ship in the new fleet was christened at Atlantic Marine, Inc., in Jacksonville, Fla. The 226-passenger coastal vessel will inaugurate nine cruise itineraries featuring the Great Lakes, Canadian Maritime Provinces and U.S. eastern seaboard in 2001.

The cv Cape Cod Light, will debut August 4; its sister ship, the cv Cape May Light, will enter service May 5.

Roderick K. McLeod, president and chief operating officer of the parent company, American Classic Voyages Co., said, "The shipyard launch of the Cape Cod Light marks another step forward in AMCV's growth initiatives, and underscores its commitment to rekindle the American shipbuilding industry."

Delta Queen Coastal Voyages will showcase the beauty, character and heritage of coastal destinations of the Americas. The intimate vessels are named for historic lighthouses and designed to resemble the classic coastal ships of the late 1800s. Each ship will have 114 cabins, most offering views of the coastal scenery.

Delta Queen President Announces
Details of Expansion Plans

The Delta Queen Steamboat Co., America's oldest cruise line, announced details of its new small coastal ship line, Delta Queen Coastal Cruises, including preliminary itineraries and a construction timetable.

Scott Young, president of The Delta Queen Steamboat Co. and its sister cruise line, American Hawaii Cruises, of New Orleans, said, "The shipyard contract for the first two Delta Queen Coastal Cruises will be awarded later this year [1998], with construction anticipated to begin in early 1999." The first ship is scheduled to be launched in the second half of the year 2000, simultaneous with the start of construction on the second vessel.

Young unveiled tentative itineraries for the new line. On the East Coast, cruises will begin or culminate in Halifax, Nova Scotia; Portland, ME; Boston; New York City; Philadelphia; Baltimore; Washington, DC; Norfolk; Jacksonville; and Miami. On the West Coast, the company will cruise round-trip from San Francisco. Itineraries in the Pacific Northwest include Anchorage to Juneau; Juneau round-trip, Seattle round-trip and Portland round-trip.

According to Young, "The vacations will be heavily destination-oriented and shore excursions will bring passengers to some of America's most historical and beautiful places, such as Savannah, Georgia, and Napa Valley, California."

Plans for the Delta Queen Steamboat Co.'s expansion were announced earlier this year by Philip C. Calian, chairman and chief executive officer of American Classic Voyages Co. {NASDAQ: AMCV), the parent company, of Chicago. He said that construction of five small coastal ships is planned during the next seven to ten years, to "capitalize on Delta Queen's reputation for showcasing the history, heritage and magnificent scenery that abounds across our country."

At the annual American Society of Travel Agents World Travel Congress in Los Angeles, Young said Guido Perla & Associates, Inc., Naval Architects, of Seattle, was commissioned to design the vessels and Andrea Piacentini Design, Inc., of Seattle, was contracted as the interior designer. "Our goal was to create ships inspired by classic coastal steamers like those in the Fall River Line, a famous fleet of vessels known as `the only way to travel' between 1847 and 1937."

He added that although his company's new vessels will feature the best characteristics of historical ships, they will be diesel-driven and feature state-of-the-art safety technology. Estimated to cost between $30 million and $35 million each, the 300-foot ships will accommodate 226 passengers. The decor will feature period furnishings and four-star amenities.

The new vessels will augment The Delta Queen Steamboat Co.'s existing fleet: the National Historic Landmark Delta Queen, the magnificent Mississippi Queen, and the grand American Queen, the world's largest steamboat. The authentic steam paddlewheelers offer 3- to 14-night cruises on 10 inland waterways.

Russel E. Varvel, executive vice-president and general sales manager for both lines, and leader of Delta Queen's sales team for 17 years, said, "Our steamboats are enjoying annual occupancy of 91%, repeat passenger counts averaging 27% and record-high revenue. We have very successfully absorbed a 74% increase in capacity since the American Queen's launch in 1995."

He added, "Extensive feasibility studies conducted for us by The New England Consulting Group, Inc., of Westport, Conn., confirmed support for our new coastal ships both from travel agents, who generate 96% of our bookings, and cruise enthusiasts, including those who are younger and more active than our traditional customers."

Mike Spinelli, past president of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), said, "The Delta Queen Steamboat Co. has an excellent reputation with travel agents and consumers alike because of its personalized service, intimate vessels and historic American destinations. Agents are excited about sending their customers on the new coastal itineraries."

Pointing to The Delta Queen Steamboat Co. as a footprint for future endeavors, Varvel pointed out that the company's vacations have won numerous accolades, including: recent designation as one of the world's Top 10 Cruise lines by readers of Travel & Leisure; a berth on the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List; and, for several consecutive years, recognition as one of the world's top three most senior-friendly destinations by The Mature Traveler. The September-October 1998 issue of Modern Maturity gave the cruise line's regional American cuisine a five-star rating; and Fielding's Worldwide Cruises 1998 guidebook rated the American Queen as one of the top "Best Buy" cruise ships.

President Young said, "Our company, founded in 1890, has successfully operated 30 vessels in the past 108 years. Now, we're going full ahead into the new millenium."

 


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