Cruise West To The Mississippi! – Updated
Helping fill the gap left in US waterway cruising since owners, Ambassadors International, announced in April 2008 that Majestic America Line was exiting the cruise business after its 2008 season, Seattle-based Cruise West announced that it will offer cruises along the Mississippi River beginning in March 2011. The 102-passenger 1984-built SPIRIT OF GLACIER BAY (ex SPIRIT OF NANTUCKET) has been renamed SPIRIT OF AMERICA in preparation for her debut on an eight-day voyage from New Orleans to Memphis on March 19, 2011. A number of other cruises on the Mississippi, Ohio and Cumberland Rivers will follow.
Another small ship operator, Blount Small Ship Adventures, currently operates the 96 passenger GRANDE MARINER and 68 passenger NIAGRA PRINCE on occasional Mississippi River cruises between New Orleans and Chicago. For more information, click here.
A trio of paddlewheelers, including the 1926-built DELTA QUEEN, the 1976-built MISSISSIPPI QUEEN and the 1995 built AMERICAN QUEEN were on regular inland river cruise service until Majestic America’s closure. Originally owned by the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. (founded in 1890), which went bankrupt under the control of American Classic Voyages in 2002, the vessels were sold to Delaware North, Inc. of Buffalo, N.Y., which sold the three boats in 2006 to Ambassadors International Inc. of Newport Beach, Calif., owners of the short-lived Majestic America Line. After MAL ceased their cruise business, the three boats were put up for sale depriving the Mississippi of overnight steamboat service for the first time since 1811.
DELTA QUEEN is now open as a floating hotel in Chattanooga, Tenn. After an aborted conversion attempt, the MISSISSIPPI QUEEN was sold for scrap. AMERICAN QUEEN was turned over to the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) and remains for sale in the reserve fleet in Beaumont, Texas. An announcement about her future is expected shortly, so please stay tuned to these pages.
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Thank u martin and Peter for all the great work. Used to be all my ship info came from steamboat bill which was sometimes a year old or cruisetravel or seaclassics. I appreciate all the up to date info.
um American Canadian Caribbean Line now Blount Small ship adventurers operates on the rivers from New Orleans to Chicago and other western rivers trips.
Olaf
Cadet NY Maritime College
Deckhand ACCL
Olaf, indeed you are right. I’ve amended the post and added a link to Blount Small Ship Adventures. Thank you for pointing out the oversight.
Having been on Cruise West twice (once on the Spirit of Discovery from Portland OR up the Columbia River through 8 sets of locks to Hells Canyon, Idaho then back to Astoria OR and Cannon Beach, the other time on the Spirit of Oceanus from Juneau AK thru the Inside Passage to Glacier Bay ending in Victoria BC) I have nothing but great things to say about them. The all American crew was gracious, courteous, and very friendly, the food being classic American fare was quite tasty, and the small ships comfortable yet undestracting from the sights. These small cruises are really not for kids or teens since there is very little on the ships to do other than read a book, watch the river flow by, play cards, or enjoy a movie, which made it all the better for me. The cost may seem high but it is an exceptional value.
http://www.accl-smallships.com
People always forget about the company. ACCL/Blount Small Ship Adventures is the oldest US flagged cruise company and the 2nd oldest operating cruise line in the Caribbean. With two ships which were both refurbished over the last two winters operating in the Caribbean this winter this is the first time since I started there in 2006 that two ships has operated in the Caribbean. Grande Mariner will do Virgin Island and the Bahamas while the Grande Caribe will be sailing in Central America. With 96 passengers it is the way to go. They went from bare bones “trailer park of the seas” to quote a former passenger to beautiful boutique style cruise ships. I know I work for the company but Nancy Blount looks to the future. Free wireless throughout the fleet on US voyages. While other companies buy or build new ships some are rather shotty construction these are great soft expedition ships. I know it sounds like a commercial but I only a deck hand. I have worked for American Cruise Line don’t get me started with that company. I have been on over 10 cruises and what was done to the cabins alone look like liner cabins with faux wood accents make the lil ships beautiful. Especially the lounge and dinning room. What a difference.
Olaf Arnold
Cadet NY Maritime College
Deckhand ACCL/Blount Small Ship Adventures
Olaf, I’ve been hearing great things about Blount lately. I may be doing an Erie Canal trip in late August and if it pans out, looking much forward to it. Great to know about the 24 hour wifi. No excuse to not blog, I guess. Thanks for the update and info.
Well if you sail on the Mariner you may see me.
Olaf
Olaf, I am a past crew member of the M/V Mount Hope. You mentioned Nancy Blount. I worked on the ship with her, eons ago! If you run in to her, please give her my best. Her parents were wonderful. Thanks Olaf!