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Delta Queen hotel at Chattanooga open!

Jun 22, 2009

I admit, this posting comes pretty late; we’ve been on vacation … Anyway, the Delta Queen now officially is operating as a hotel at Chattanooga. On June 5, 2009, the first guests checked in and since then the hotel business is running and the texas bar seams to be hugely successful; if you know the Delta Queen I just say: no wonder ;-)

The Delta Queen’s calliope is being played frequently and the steam whistle can be heard every now and then. Harry Phillips and his team very obviously are trying what they can to keep the Delta Queen a living boat, though of course she’s not cruising at this time. But everything else seams to be there, up and running. Great to see that.

What about future Delta Queen cruises?

The efforts to save the Delta Queen as an overnight passenger vessel didn’t come to a stop at all. But after about two years of fighting very actively with some moments where we’ve been very close to success, things are slowing down somewhat and I suppose Delta Queen fans need to be patient in waiting for her come back as a cruise vessel.

What’s the next step? First of all, the Delta Queen needs a new owner – someone who has the passion and the money to buy, maintain and run her as a cruise vessel on the rivers. Not an easy task in these times, but not impossible at all. That’s it – without a new owner all attempts to get a new exemption from Congress will be hopeless. With a new owner, things might look very bright, very soon again.

For now, let’s try to find a millionaire who happens to also be a big Delta Queen fan. And let’s support the Delta Queen hotel as good as we can. The hotel team is helping preserving the Delta Queen as good as they can and that is for now the best chance for the Delta Queen to survive; and to return to the rivers some day, hopefully very soon.

7 Comments »

7 Responses to “Delta Queen hotel at Chattanooga open!”

  1. Jo Ann Schoen Says:

    I happened to have been in Chattanooga when the DELTA QUEEN had her soft opening and was able to visit onboard. I must tell you that the folks who are responsible for the hotel are most gracious. They obviously are very proud of the fact that they get to work on the DELTA QUEEN. They take great pride in their work and want everyone to enjoy their experience onboard and to see how elegant of a lady she really is.

    As Franz says, we still must believe this is only temporary and that she will run again someday. But at least she is being taken care of by folks that love her for the time being.

    She is tied up next to a lovely park and in the next block back from the river is a revitalized older district with neat shops and eateries. Downtown Chattanooga is just a river taxi ride away. Chattanooga has worked hard to make their city visitor friendly. If you haven’t been there in a few years I would whole heartedly suggest a vacation there soon and what better place to stay than on the DELTA QUEEN!!!

  2. Norm Wright Says:

    We stayed on board July 10 and 11. It was good being back on board even though securly tied to shore. This was our 51st anniversary and the 4th we have spent on the boat. The staff is trying hard and those who have been with the boat are keeping ‘steamboatin’ alive. The entertainers have been aboard for several years and did a great job.
    We all hope ‘The Queen’ will be back cruising someday, but this was a good weekend.

  3. Chuck Oakes Says:

    Fellow historians and river enthusiasts:
    I share your anxiety about the fate of this fabulous piece of American heritage. As a photographer, author and performing musician, I am enamored with our vintage American West and truly am upset about the status of our steamboats.

    Best to you and the “Queens”-
    Chuck

  4. Jay Clark Says:

    I would like to see a price to purchase the Delta Queen, even if it was just a ballpark figure. If one person could not do it alone, two or three (cashed up) river boat lovers might could.

  5. Rick Garner Says:

    There’s more to this boat than meets the eye:

    http://www.unexplainedfiles.com/2001/06/ghosts-of-mississippi.html

  6. Jerome Wilson Says:

    Has anyone thought of starting a company with the explicit purpose of raising money to buy the Delta Queen? If all the fans of the boat bought stock, they could become part owners of the boat and secure its future. Why wait for a millionaire; a couple thousand people pitching in could easily purchase the Queen and a place to dock it. 2000 people pitching in $1000 raises $2000000!
    I’m in, anyone else???

  7. Rickyrab Says:

    Why not try to buy up the Mississippi Queen or American Queen?