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About Majestic America |
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America's newest river cruise operator, the Seattle-based Majestic America Line, officially launched in January 2006 (with panache) by acquiring American West Steamboat Company, one of river cruising's most distinctive cruise lines. The original two-ship fleet of sternwheelers-built-for-cruising wasn't small for long. In April 2006, the cruise line buoyed its fleet again by acquiring the storied vessels of Delta Queen Steamboat Company, adding an additional three steamboats to the growing group. Next, Majestic America Line added the 48-passenger Contessa. And in October 2006, the line acquired Columbia Queen, and most recently, the 150-passenger Columbia Queen.
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Life Onboard |
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Onboard ambience continues to reflect the slow-and-easy pace of the waterways the ships traverse. The 436-passenger American Queen is the fleet's largest ship -- some cabins have private balconies and it operates via a state-of-the-art propulsion system that combines authentic steam engines, a 45-ton paddlewheel and state-of-the-art Z Drives for enhanced maneuverability.
The 412-passenger Mississippi Queen, launched in 1995, has some unusual (for paddlewheeler) features, such as a swimming pool, dedicated theater, and fitness and salon services. Otherwise, highlights include an official onboard "riverlorian" who talks about back-in-time travel as it sails its various itineraries. Beyond its aforementioned historic appeal, Delta Queen, built in 1927, is the last operational steam-powered sternwheeler that actually traveled America's rivers in the "good old days." Features include its original Tiffany-style stained glass windows, a grand staircase, hardwood paneling and a Siamese ironwood floor, and gleaming brass fittings.
Majestic America Line's ships tend to appeal to older cruise travelers who want to rediscover America.
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The Fleet |
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Majestic America is planning a fleetwide series of upgrades to its boats, which will take place over the course of 2007. Look for new, upscale amenities including pillow-top mattresses, high thread-count sheets and luxurious in-cabin robes, as well as televisions placed in most cabins. Celebrated (if not celebrity) chefs have been tapped to upgrade the food and beverage choices onboard.
Delta Queen, American Queen, Columbia Queen and Mississippi Queen will continue to sail a variety of itineraries along with rivers such as the Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee and Arkansas, and, in the Pacific Northwest, the Columbia, Snake and Willamette tributaries. While American Queen, Columbia Queen, and Mississippi Queen are recreations of steamboats, Delta Queen is the country's only steam-powered sternwheeler to be listed as a National Historic Monument.
All of the river boats will be going in for facelifts and upgrades -- both cosmetic and mechanical -- at some point during 2007.
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Explore the Ships |
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See the Delta Queen cruise calendar
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Booking Information |
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Though we sell a full complement of Majestic America cruises, customers are unable to book these cruises online at this time. To book a Majestic America cruise, or to learn more about Majestic America's ships and itineraries, please call one of our friendly and knowledgeable Cruise Specialists at 1-888-249-3978. |
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Cruise line reviews are provided by CruiseCritic.com, an award-winning cruise community, giving you objective, unbiased information to help you choose the right cruise.
Cruise Critic ©2005, The Independent Traveler, Inc. All rights reserved. |
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