Save the Delta Queen: A private initiative to save the steamboat Delta Queen A private initiative to save the steamboat Delta Queen
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Become a honorary crew member of the Delta Queen

May 10, 2013

Efforts are underway to bring the Delta Queen back to overnight river cruise service. Now Delta Queen fans have the opportunity to become part of her honorary crew.

DQSC, Inc. is assembling a special crew to help to rescue, restore and preserve the legendary steamboat Delta Queen and hopefully, return her to her once regal glory plying the great rivers of America’s heartland. The Delta Queen currently serves as a dockside hotel in Chattanooga, TN, and a group of supporters have come together to form DQSC, Inc with the following goals:

  1. To purchase the Delta Queen, halting current efforts to move the DQ to the east or west coast to permanently serve as a dockside hotel;
  2. To renew the Congressional Exemption allowing the DQ to return to overnight passenger cruise service;
  3. To restore and upgrade the DQ (including replacement of the 1919-era boilers), so that she can once again provide river enthusiasts the unique opportunity to visit America’s heartland from an authentic early 20th century paddlewheel steamboat;
  4. To return to the DQ to overnight passenger cruise service in 2014.

The DQSC, Inc effort is being lead by former Delta Queen Steamboat Company Vice President Cornel Martin who spearheaded the last successful effort to secure the Congressional Exemption extending the DQ’s overnight river cruise service from 1998 to 2008, current Delta Queen Hotel operators and care takers Randy and Leah Ann Ingram, and long time Delta Queen supporter Phillip Johnson.

Leah Ann and Randy have done a great job preserving the Delta Queen and getting us to where we are today. We all know the sad fate of the Mississippi Queen which was neglected to the point that the only feasible option was to scrap that beloved vessel. We are almost certain that, the Delta Queen would have suffered the same fate had Randy and Leah Ann not stepped in and kept her alive so that a return to overnight passenger cruise service is still a viable option. For their contribution, commitment and sacrifice, they deserve the gratitude of all DQ fans and supporters!

Unfortunately, revenues generated as a dockside hotel are not sufficient to keep up with the maintenance required to sustain this National Historic Landmark over the long term.

The only viable option to continue to preserve the Delta Queen for future generations is to return her to river service, so she can generate sufficient revenues to adequately support ongoing maintenance and preservation needs.

The DQSC, Inc team is making good progress securing needed funding to acquire the vessel and fund marine repairs and upgrades and start-up operations.

The DQSC, Inc team is looking for help with restoration work (mostly on the hotel side) that needs to be completed to preserve the vessel even if she is not able to return to river service or her return is delayed beyond 2014.

If you would like to see the legendary steamboat Delta Queen preserved for future generations and would like to support efforts to return the Delta Queen to overnight passenger cruise service, please consider becoming a member of the Honorary Crew of the Steamboat Delta Queen.

To become an Honorary Crew Member of the legendary Delta Queen, please email Cornel Martin at cmartin@deltaqueenhotel.com or Leah Ann Ingram at leahann@deltaqueenhotel.com.

Thank you for your interest in rescuing the Delta Queen!

Delta Queen Honorary Crew Membership Levels and Benefits

COMMODORE: $50,000 Contribution

Immediate benefits:

  • Three free Hotel nights per month for Commodore Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin. Dates/Cabin Categories subject to availability
  • 50% discount on all onboard purchases and published rates on all other Hotel stays by Commodore Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin.
  • Commodore Level logo merchandise, apparel and recognition.

Additional benefits extended only if the vessel returns to overnight passenger service:

  • 10 Complimentary Cruises for Commodore Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin. Sailing dates/Cabin Categories subject to availability.
  • Guaranteed seating at the Captain’s table during formal Captain’s Dinner.
  • Complimentary ground transportation and one free shore tour per cruise.
  • 50% discount on all onboard purchases and published rates on additional cruises taken by Commodore Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin.

CAPTAIN: $25,000 Contribution

Immediate benefits:

  • Two free Hotel nights per month for Captain Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin. Dates/Cabin Categories subject to availability
  • 25% discount on all onboard purchases and published rates on all Hotel stays by Captain Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin.
  • Captain Level logo merchandise and apparel.

Additional benefits extended only if the vessel returns to overnight passenger service:

  • 5 Complimentary Cruises for Captain Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin. Sailing dates/Cabin Categories subject to availability.
  • Complimentary ground transportation and one free shore tour per cruise.
  • 25% discount on all onboard purchases and additional cruises taken by Captain Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin.

FIRST MATE: $10,000 Contribution

Immediate benefits:

  • One free Hotel night per month for First Mate Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin. Dates/Cabin Categories subject to availability
  • 15% discount on all onboard purchases and published rates on all Hotel stays by First Mate Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin.
  • First Mate Level logo merchandise and apparel.

Additional benefits extended only if the vessel returns to overnight passenger service:

  • 2 Complimentary Cruises for First Mate Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin. Sailing dates/Cabin Categories subject to availability.
  • 15% discount on all onboard purchases and additional cruises taken by First Mate Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin.

SECOND MATE: $5,000

Immediate benefits:

  • One free Hotel night per month for Second Mate Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin. Dates/Cabin Categories subject to availability
  • 10% discount on all onboard purchases and published rates on all Hotel stays by Second Mate Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin.
  • Second Mate Level logo merchandise, apparel and recognition.

Additional benefits extended only if the vessel returns to overnight passenger service:

  • 1 Complimentary Cruise taken by Second Mate Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin. Sailing dates/Cabin Categories subject to availability.
  • 10% discount on all onboard purchases and additional cruises taken by Second Mate Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin.

DECKHAND – $1,000

  • 10% discount on all onboard purchases and cruises taken by Deckhand Level member and one guest staying in the same cabin.
  • Deckhand Level logo merchandise, apparel and recognition.

Additional benefits extended only if the vessel returns to overnight passenger service:

Onboard recognition with posted brass plaques.

  • Exclusive Honorary Crew activities.
  • Priority booking and advanced notification of future cruise schedules.
  • Priority booking on 14-Day inaugural cruise celebrating the vessel’s return to river cruise service.

Note from Delta Queen, Inc.: All cruise benefits awarded only if vessel returns to cruise service. Complimentary Cruise benefit is only valid for cruises up to 7 nights in duration.

4 Comments »

4 Responses to “Become a honorary crew member of the Delta Queen”

  1. BREAKING NEWS! Delta Queen might return to rivers in 2014! | River Informer Says:

    […] very hard to renew the Congressional exemption and allow the DQ to start running again! Please see THIS for more […]

  2. Capt RC "Heck" Heckert Says:

    I would be interested in knowing of more details as to your project. I currently have the M/V Speculation n/k/a Capt Heck Heckert, which is located on the Harvey Canal in NOLA. I could be looking for a project!

    I might be coming through your area is there is anything to talk about!

    Heck

  3. Douglas Voyles Says:

    To those concerned: As a young boy growing up at Leavenworth, Indiana; the highlight of my week was on Sundays when the Delta Queen would come thru the Locks and Dam 44. It was (and still is) a great desire to take a trip on the “Great Queen.” I just never had the funding to do so and even today I would donate thousands if I had it for its saving. I did not even know it was in danger until I just tried to find how much it would cost take a trip on the boat. I am very sad finding out that it is not traveling and setting still in port.

  4. Richard D. Bronstein Says:

    Was on her when she was running, will contribute my time, money, and labor to see steam on the river again!!

    Richard D. Bronstein
    561 373-0003