Delta Queen's New Home

[billbelt]

I know not many will look at the Delta Queen section, however there is a new site showing the old boat's new home in Chattanooga as a hotel downtown.

[momofmeg]

Is it docked on the river? I would not mind staying in it. I have stayed in the train cars/ hotel rooms at Chattanooga choo-choo so why not?

[Diane Giambalvo]

Originally Posted by momofmeg

Is it docked on the river? I would not mind staying in it. I have stayed in the train cars/ hotel rooms at Chattanooga choo-choo so why not?

It is docked in the River in Chattanooga. I was there right after Thanksgiving. I have pictures of her on my Facebook page, but don't know how to get it here. They did a renovation of all the Cabins. They are trying to get it to sail again. Its docked in a nice area of town, across the river from the Aquarium. There is a bus that goes to the other side.
Diane/ Nashville, TN

[momofmeg]

Originally Posted by Diane Giambalvo

It is docked in the River in Chattanooga. I was there right after Thanksgiving. I have pictures of her on my Facebook page, but don't know how to get it here. They did a renovation of all the Cabins. They are trying to get it to sail again. Its docked in a nice area of town, across the river from the Aquarium. There is a bus that goes to the other side.
Diane/ Nashville, TN

I googled her and found I could book a room on her for about $150 a night.

[Katzenjammer]

Well, $150 is a decent price. I loved the Delta Queen steamboats and I think what has happened to them is a shame. I hope they get to sail again soon. Does anyone know where the American Queen is now?

[momofmeg]

Originally Posted by Katzenjammer

Well, $150 is a decent price. I loved the Delta Queen steamboats and I think what has happened to them is a shame. I hope they get to sail again soon. Does anyone know where the American Queen is now?

I had always intended to take a river crusie-never did. Yes, if we decided to take a 3 day weekend to Chattanooga, I would book her.

[chasm4u]

I have heard alot of bad things from people I know who live here in chattanooga about the new "hotel." No air cond. horrible food bad service etc.

[Katzenjammer]

American Queen is the best ship from the original fleet.

It is really a shame - what happened to this cruise line. How I wish they had been able to make a go of it.

In the long run, from what I hear, it was the unions that did the line in - making it too expernsive for the line to operate in American waters by demanding higher wages, etc.

[hmcrn]

It was a change in the law that docked it. There is some loophole that they used to be able to get by on, but now the loophole is closed. They are trying to get Congress to change it so that they can sail again.
We stayed last 4th of July. There IS airconditioning and the breakfast was delicious. This is a very old boat, and the cabins are small. The bathrooms are miniscule. However, we LOVED the history! We had a great time, and would do it again.

[susancruzs]

She was always grandfathered so to speak, because of being mostly wood, the newer fire laws being the problem.

However, wages were an issue, too, having to charge higher prices to meet the labor laws.

I regret I never did a river cruise, booked and cancelled, just couldn't make it.

[cbrown043]

I used to work on the AQ i was there when they shut down..I really miss that boat and the crew also had really fun people board every week...The boat did have union but when they last owners took over they messed everything up and lost the union so they were not there to protect the DQ anymore also they went bankrupt and no it was not because of the cost of wage we did not get paid very much we made a living on tips "Witch was really good" it was poor management with the money they could not even afford to pay the internet bill but when it shut down they said that the AQ was going to sail again once they found a new owner and they would call the crew back but i have not got any phone calls or emails yet ....would love to go back tho it was one of the bvest times of my life

[Paul Motter]

cbrown...

I also like the American Queen.

The old owners were the Ueberoth family (of Olympics fame) who had plenty of money but not enough smarts, it seems.

I also certainly hope these boats come back someday, they are great and the only US river boats out there.

[AF1]

I have been on the Delta Queen; and also my inlaws have sailed her twice; such a nice peaceful way to travel down the Ohio River. Maybe someday I will get to Tenn and see her

[Keith & Rita]

We never cruised on the Delta Queen, however we saw the ship docked in our city a few times over the years. Our intentions was to book a cruise on her but congress threw a monkey wrench into our plans!
The next time we our in Chattanooga we will pay her a visit.

[millertyme]

American Queen is sitting in a fleet in Beaumont Texas. It is for sale but they have no offers. It's falling apart. I saw it about a month ago and it looks terrible.

Mississippi Queen was sold and scrapped. it no longer exists.

[momofmeg]

Originally Posted by chasm4u

I have heard alot of bad things from people I know who live here in chattanooga about the new "hotel." No air cond. horrible food bad service etc.

Food was very good if you like Lousiana style cooking. Chef Joyce is still onboard. As far as air, they have air in some rooms-but electricity has to be powered up. This is an old ship from 1926-so her parts are from then. Since they still work and are historical, I don't think they want to mess with that by upgrading her system. Air conditioning was window units. We were on her this wkend. Our room was a bit warm-no thermostat for heat-but all the history and antiques, it was worth putting up with that. I imagine she would be lovely in spring or fall. However, I would avoid her in summer.

[momofmeg]

Originally Posted by millertyme

American Queen is sitting in a fleet in Beaumont Texas. It is for sale but they have no offers. It's falling apart. I saw it about a month ago and it looks terrible.

Mississippi Queen was sold and scrapped. it no longer exists.

Fortunately, now over a year later since your post, she has sold and will cruise again some time this year!

[Paul Motter]

Delta Queen is under the control of Xanterra - the same company that sails Windstar and just bought the smaller "yachts of Seabourn".

Delta Queen also had her rights to carry overnight passengers on river cruises reinstated by the House of Representatives (the senate has not acted yet), but the DQ could be back soon.

[momofmeg]

Originally Posted by Paul Motter

Delta Queen is under the control of Xanterra - the same company that sails Windstar and just bought the smaller "yachts of Seabourn".

Delta Queen also had her rights to carry overnight passengers on river cruises reinstated by the House of Representatives (the senate has not acted yet), but the DQ could be back soon.

I saw that and it passed right before the government shutdown if I remember correctly. Hopefully the senate will pass it soon. I guess if I want to stay in the hotel again I need to do it soon.

I was told a good many native Chattnooganians liked their NY galas so I know they will miss that "perk" when she leaves. she also made a nice destination wedding.

[Paul Motter]

Right now Delta Queen supporters are being urged to contact Jay Rockefeller (head of the Senate Commerce committee) to allow a bill out of committee to sell the Delta Queen to a new buyer who wants to put it in service again.

Contact Jay Rockefeller, Sen. West Virginia.

[bonnyprincecharlie]

Originally Posted by Paul Motter

Right now Delta Queen supporters are being urged to contact Jay Rockefeller (head of the Senate Commerce committee) to allow a bill out of committee to sell the Delta Queen to a new buyer who wants to put it in service again.

Contact Jay Rockefeller, Sen. West Virginia.

I thought Rockefeller was retiring if he hasn't already. It might be better to wait for the new head of the Senate Commerce Committee is appointed to get action on the Delta Queen.

[Paul Motter]

Rockefeller is retiring, but a bill did pass and was signed by Obama just last week - however the final bill was SO stripped from the original that it is hard to say if it affects the sale of DQ at all.

[momofmeg]

Any info on her now? I found an article from St. Lewis Missouri newspaper about her being docked there (Sept. 2015) but the article would not load well so I was unable to read all of it.