October 2005
Full Steam Ahead:
The Delta Queen Steamboat Company
Book 2006 Voyages at 2005 Rates New Exciting Schedules for 2006
Advance Purchase Pricing Extended through December 31, 2005
BUFFALO, NY, OCTOBER 14, 2005 - The mighty waters of the Mississippi River system will continue to welcome the three authentic paddlewheel steamboats of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company in 2006 as it is full steam ahead for the company in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Bruce Nierenberg, President of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company praised its parent company's commitment and enthusiasm as the company announces its revised 2006 schedule.
"We are certainly very excited to announce that in 2006, with only a few schedule changes, the boats of the Delta Queen will continue their legacy of excellent service and exploration as we welcome passengers to our journeys next year," says Nierenberg. We lost about 6 weeks of booking activity in September and October due to hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The situation at the time made it very difficult for our loyal customers to choose their voyages and book with us for 2006 during this traditional peak booking period. Because of this, we have extended all advanced purchase discount offers for 2006 cruises that were due to end on October 31, 2005 until December 31, 2005. Additionally, all 2006 voyages booked before the end of 2005 will be sold at 2005 rates. With this extension of our offers, our customers can take advantage of the great rates and book the cruise of their choice from some of our classic, favorite experiences to our newest routes and destinations."
In addition to the extension of pricing through December, the company announced the new spring startup schedules. The Delta Queen will begin its spring schedule on April 21, departing on her first 2006 trip from Baton Rouge, on a 7-day voyage to Memphis. She will be followed closely by the Mississippi Queen on April 23, departing from Memphis on a special Quilting Theme Cruise. The American Queen will begin her spring season from Baton Rouge, on May 30. Her first trip will be a special 9 day voyage that ends in St. Louis.
The company's website DeltaQueen.com highlights the specific schedules and ports.
"We are very pleased that we are able to keep the majority of our 2006 schedules unchanged," says Nierenberg. "Those of our customers who have favorite ports and schedules will most likely find them intact, with no significant changes. In other cases, we have had to make adjustments based on river and climate conditions."
Nierenberg continued, "All passengers currently booked on 2006 voyages will be called by a Delta Queen representative, or their travel agent, next week with complete information as it applies to their individual vacation. There is no need for the customer or travel agent to make the call to Delta Queen. It is part of our dedication to one-on-one customer service."
Over the next few weeks, the Delta Queen Steamboat Company will be actively marketing its revised schedules, along with offers to consumers and the travel trade through advertising beginning on October 24, and direct mail campaigns beginning in early November.
"While our administrative operations were impacted significantly, we were fortunate to have the backing of Delaware North Companies and its vast network of resources, plus the dedication of some of the most loyal customers, employees and crew, who are all determined to ensure the company has smooth sailing ahead," says Nierenberg.
For more information on the Delta Queen Steamboat Company, visit the company's website at DeltaQueen.com or call 1-800-543-1949.
About Delaware North Companies
Delaware North Companies is one of the world's leading hospitality and food service providers. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, formerly known as CA One Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International, TD Banknorth Garden, Delta Queen Steamboat Company, and American Park 'n Swap. Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with $1.7 billion in annual revenue and 30,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit DelawareNorth.com.
For more information, please contact Delaware North Companies Corporate Media Relations at 716-858-5270 or Lucette Brehm, Delta Queen public relations at 504-884-8613.
Chartered by Private Energy Company to Support Rebuilding of Gulf Coast
World's Largest Steamboat Travels through the Gulf of Mexico
For the First Time in Its History
BUFFALO, NY - (October 10, 2005) - For the first time in its history, the American Queen, one of the three authentic steamboats of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company, embarked through the Gulf of Mexico, on a journey to begin a charter operation. The American Queen has been chartered by a private energy company. The American Queen charter operation will be used to support the efforts to rebuild the Gulf Coast.
The American Queen traveled down the Mississippi and out into the Gulf of Mexico for the journey to her charter location. Exact details of the operation are being withheld for Homeland Security reasons.
Bruce Nierenberg, President of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company praised its parent company's relief efforts. "From even before the hurricane hit the Gulf Coast area, Delaware North was mobilizing to help New Orleans, a city where it had approximately 1,000 employees. So far the company has donated in excess of half a million dollars to the relief effort. This charter allows us to keep the American Queen and her crew actively deployed until it returns to service in May of 2006.
The Delta Queen Steamboat Company, owned by Delaware North Companies, a global leader in hospitality, was located in New Orleans until the devastation of Hurricane Katrina forced it to indefinitely relocate its operations to the corporate headquarters of its parent company in New York. A separate marine, technical and hotel operation office is located temporarily in Memphis.
Beginning September 17, scheduled fall and winter cruises for the American Queen, which began and ended in New Orleans, were cancelled. Delta Queen's other two steamboats, the National Historic Landmark Delta Queen, and the magnificent Mississippi Queen, are presently operating their regularly scheduled Fall Foliage cruises on the Upper Mississippi, Tennessee, and Cumberland rivers through November. These very popular itineraries draw passengers from across the U.S., Canada and internationally, who come to experience the glories of the fall colors along the rivers of America.
- The Delta Queen will resume her scheduled service next spring on April 21, 2006 from Baton Rouge.
- The Mississippi Queen will resume her service on April 23, 2006 from Memphis
- The American Queen will return to regular service on May 31, 2006, with her first cruise departing from Baton Rouge.
All three boats of the DQSC are expected to continue to be used via private and government charters in the Gulf Coast region in support of the hurricane relief effort during the remaining winter period December 2005 through March 2006.
For more information, please contact Delaware North Companies Corporate Media Relations at 716-858-5270 or Lucette Brehm, Delta Queen public relations at 504-884-8613.
