And frankly, I have to wonder how many people truly will pay what will need to be a high price to sail on this boat. She has very little in terms of public rooms, the cabins are minuscule and all of her infrastructure components are antiquated.

I also wonder where they will be able to get enough crew who are experienced in operating an old, inefficient plant AND will put up with the truly cruddy working conditions.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tim in Fort Lauderdale:
[...]

And frankly, I have to wonder how many people truly will pay what will need to be a high price to sail on this boat. She has very little in terms of public rooms, the cabins are minuscule and all of her infrastructure components are antiquated.

I also wonder where they will be able to get enough crew who are experienced in operating an old, inefficient plant AND will put up with the truly cruddy working conditions.

Tim

---

It might be true that many indeed prefer a well equipped, modern 'copy' to an original old boat with all it's 'disadvantages'. Delta Queen's former fleetmates were built for such an audience and her being a misfit in that fleet might actually be the underlying reason for some of her problems.

There are actually enough people who do not care about having a minibar or TV in their (state)room but who are still prepared to pay rather high prices for original, exotic experiences. Delta Queen should in principle be able to take advantage of this strong trend in the luxury segment of the hospitality industry.

you are correct on all fronts that you stated. There are a lot of people who want an "exotic" or "authentic" experience but they usually want some level of comfort or luxury for the high-dollar price that is required to operate and provide these experiences.

The DQ can NOT be brought up to market standards as she is designated a National Historic Landmark and thus can not be significantly altered.

And the majority of "river enthusiasts" who love to reminisce about her probably do not have the discretionary income to support her. And many of the former DQ pax have either past on or are of such an age that they no longer travel.

And the new market, the current river cruisers of today, have much higher standards and would never pay the prices required for small cabins and antiquated facilities.

I personally and professionally think this is all pie in the sky. I also think the estimates of $7MM dollars to purchase and upgrade the boat are way off base.

However, I do hope that she can be preserved in a dignified manner - and that means as operational boat. Ships - or in that case boats - that can not move anymore are per-se doomed, most 'static' ships I know are carcasses rottening away.

In my opinion, the ideal way to preserve a ship is how Cap San Diego is operated - mind you, she is still fully functional and undertakes short cruises under own power once in a while. If they can do that with such a large, ocean going ship one would think that something similar should be possible for Delta Queen.

[ 05-19-2013: Message edited by: Ernst ]

I don't want to get political, but Steve Chabot should have more important things on his mind.

I agree that Cap San Diego is the perfect example of how to preserve and operate an older vessel. I would love to go on one of the shorts 'cruises' she makes during Hamburg's annual port celebration.

The DELTA QUEEN is the only truly authentic sternwheel overnight steamboat which still exists in America. Her original triple galvanized hull was prefabricated in Scotland during the early 1920's and superstructure built of the finest woods in California. The DELTA QUEEN has the same national importance as the Statue of Liberty and Mt. Vernon both of which are designated National Historic Landmarks by the Department of the Interior. The unique cross compound steam machinery that the DELTA QUEEN carries is an engineering marvel.

No doubt to bring her out again will take millions of dollars, and I too wonder if $7 million will actually be enough. But I'm sure that Cornell Martin, the Ingrams, and other investors have done their homework. I believe there is a market for her. As in the past it will be a person whom is interested in a unique, American experience that does not need all of the conveniences of a modern hotel or ship but expects excellent food, service, and appropriate entertainment.

The tariffs will necessarily be high which is a given for an American flagged vessel. Actually the fares will probably be constrained by the competition from the AMERICAN QUEEN much more than from any other cruise line. The competition will be good and might force the AMERICAN QUEEN officials to come to grips with uneven dining room service.

[ 06-24-2013: Message edited by: Frank X. Prudent ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Frank X. Prudent:
Last Thursday, July 19 the House Sub-Committee on Transportation by voice vote approved HB1961 for the entire House of Representatives to consider. For what it is worth, Speaker of the House, John Boehner, R-Ohio, has pledged his support. The Senate version remains in committee, but it is expected to be reported out favorably also.

---

What's very interesting is how the bill was written, it is only one page and provides no background info for any of the yahoos in congress to weigh the potential benefits against the potential pitfalls.

So of course Boehner will support it as it was only one page and therefore must be innocuous or inconsequential.

I can't wait to see the level of support across both houses, especially if any of the same yahoos that are grand-standing with Jay Rockefeller over passenger safety and consumer protection end up voting yes to pass it.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Frank X. Prudent:
Apparently Jay Rockefeller has no problems with the proposed legislation and supports it. This is his last term as he has decided not to run for reelection next November.

According to Congressional procedure the bill if passed by the House can then go directly to the floor of the Senate for an up or down vote. If this happens Rockefeller's committee will not even hear it.

---

It just shows what a pompous, hypocritical twit he really is.

Regardless, I wish the DQ group much luck, they will need it.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ernst:
House passes bill to let Delta Queen ply U.S. rivers again

---

Ernst,

it passed the house and it can pass the senate and then be signed into law. Doesn't do one lick of good if the capital can't be raised.

It will, conservatively, require an initial $10mm to re-start operations - purchase, refit, marketing, etc.

But the numbers don't add up. With 176 berths, if she were to run at a conservative 80% occupancy at a weighted average of $250 ppd, for 300 days per year - that's $10.5 mm in revenue. This will yield, if they are lucky, a net income of $210,000.

The above is if everything goes right and there is not a single hitch. Chances are more likely that it will bleed a multi-million dollar loss in the first year, which means they need an even bigger tranche of capital.

It will be tough to attract the funding with those kinds of numbers and the level of risk involved, which is high.

Even if Xanterra gave them the boat for free, the numbers still would not work.

Best,

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tim in Fort Lauderdale:
[...]it passed the house and it can pass the senate and then be signed into law. Doesn't do one lick of good if the capital can't be raised. [...]

---

[ 06-18-2014: Message edited by: Frank X. Prudent ]