CELEBRATION THROUGHOUT 2008 FOR THE LEGENDARY DELTA QUEEN

To Whom It May Concern:

We received this from Majestic American Line and thought it would be of
interest to this newsgroup as well.

Happy sailing,
John Sisker, SHIP-TO-SHORE CRUISE AGENCY®
(714) 536-3850 or toll free at (800) 724-6644 & (Agency No. 714.536.3850)
www.shiptoshorecruise.com



MAJESTIC AMERICA LINE ANNOUNCES FAREWELL CELEBRATION THROUGHOUT 2008 FOR THE
LEGENDARY DELTA QUEEN

Congress has decided not to enact legislation to grant the historic ship a
statutory exemption; Ship will continue sailings through November 2008

Seattle, August 1, 2007 - Majestic America Line, one of the world's premier
river cruise lines and the largest river and coastal cruising company in
America, announced today that despite tremendous efforts by the company,
many esteemed partners and thousands of previous guests, the U.S. Congress
has decided that the Delta Queen should not continue operating on America's
rivers beyond 2008. Majestic America Line is committed to providing this
American treasure with a proper and well-deserved send off, and will spend
the Delta Queen's 2008 farewell season celebrating this historic landmark
with the communities and people who hold her storied tradition of sailing
the waterways of the United States so dear.

Built in 1926, the Delta Queen features a steel hull and a superstructure
constructed of wood - a direct reflection of the designs of her time.
Subsequent Coast Guard regulations prohibited wooden superstructures, but
Congress decided more than 40 years ago to provide a special exemption from
these rules for the historic Delta Queen. This exemption, which Congress had
extended no fewer than six occasions, was set to expire in November 2008.
Majestic America Line recently joined forces with those who know and love
the fabled ship to extend this exemption. A comprehensive campaign was
launched to raise awareness for the Delta Queen's excellent safety record,
its impeccable training program and the quality and experience of the crew.
However, Congress recently chose not to include this extension on
legislation. Without the extension from Congress, the Delta Queen will not
be able to continue cruise voyages on the river.

"We are incredibly disappointed by this decision, but we are extremely
grateful to those who worked tirelessly on behalf of the Delta Queen to
preserve her place on the Mississippi River," said Joe Ueberroth, President
and CEO, Ambassadors International, which owns and operates Majestic America
Line. "This includes many congressional leaders such as Congressman Lacy
Clay (D-MO), who gathered the support of so many of his colleagues,
thousands of loyal guests, our hard-working travel partners and Delta Queen
enthusiasts like Steamboats.org. We appreciate their efforts and we will
continue to keep them involved as we plan the best way to honor the Delta
Queen."

In addition to the leadership displayed by Congressman Clay, members such as
Congressman Richard Baker (R-LA), representing congressional districts that
are visited each year by the Delta Queen, were very supportive of the
efforts to keep her operating on the river.

These members include:
o Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO)
o Congressman Marion Berry (D-AR)
o Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
o Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond (R-MO)
o Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH)
o Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO)
o Congressman Kenny Hulshof (R-MO)
o Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI)
o Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
o Congresswoman Bettie McCollum (D-MN)
o Congressman Charlie Melancon (D-LA)
o Congresswoman Jean Schmidt (R-OH)
o Congressman John Tanner (D-TN)
o Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS)
o Senator David Vitter (R-LA)
o Congressman Timothy Walz (D-MN)
o Congressman Zack Wamp (R-TN)
o Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-KY)

Support and encouragement also came from districts which are not directly
touched by the Delta Queen, including Congressman Roy Blunt (R-MO),
Congressman Gene Taylor (D-MS) and Congressman Don Young (R-AK).

Based in Seattle, Majestic America Line is also grateful for the support
from Washington state members, including Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA) and
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA).

For years, the Delta Queen has been a beloved fixture on the heartland
rivers of the United States and provided guests with a view of America from
the waters that shaped the country's expansion. The Delta Queen provides a
wholly unique way to experience the great American communities, cultures and
experiences along the Upper and Lower Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee,
Arkansas, Black Warrior and Cumberland rivers, as well as the
Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.

In 1970, recognized as the last operational steam paddlewheeler with
overnight accommodations plying the rivers, the Delta Queen was listed in
the National Register of Historic Places. In 1989, she was designated as a
National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of Interior. She was
inducted into the National Maritime Hall of Fame in 2004.

A veteran of World War II and the only steamboat to transit the Panama
Canal, the 80 year-old Delta Queen was host to three U.S. presidents and a
princess. Stars of stage, screen and the entertainment world have also
graced her decks, as well as some of the most prominent business leaders and
statesmen of our time.

The ship itself is rich with art and antiquities such as original
Tiffany-style stained glass windows, rich hardwood paneling, gleaming brass
fittings, the only Siamese ironwood floor aboard a steamboat, the dramatic
and often-photographed Grand Staircase, an 1897 steam calliope, and the very
same ship's bell that sounded out landings for the steamboat that Mark Twain
rode downriver in 1883.

Majestic America Line will dedicate the 2008 season to celebrating the Delta
Queen's 80 years of service and her fabled time on the river.
"A journey on board the Delta Queen is a true American experience, providing
guests with an authentic glimpse of our country's culture and a time in our
history when steamboats ruled the rivers," said David A. Giersdorf,
President, Majestic America Line. "We will make every sailing in 2008 a
special event, allowing every guest, like so many before, the opportunity to
share in the Delta Queen's legacy and honor the last chapter in her service
on the river."

Majestic America Line is planning special commemorative events, exclusive
departures for previous Delta Queen guests and commemorative gifts that will
mark the farewell season. With just 24 departures on the Delta Queen during
2008, guests are encouraged to reserve their place in history soon.

The company is continuing to evaluate the best way to preserve her legendary
spirit and her esteemed place in American history for future generations.

To find out more about traveling on the Delta Queen, please contact your
Travel Professional, call a reservation specialist at (800) 434-1232 or
visit www.MajesticAmericaLine.com.

John Sisker wrote:
To Whom It May Concern:

We received this from Majestic American Line and thought it would be of
interest to this newsgroup as well.

Happy sailing,
John Sisker, SHIP-TO-SHORE CRUISE AGENCY®
(714) 536-3850 or toll free at (800) 724-6644 & (Agency No. 714.536.3850)
www.shiptoshorecruise.com



MAJESTIC AMERICA LINE ANNOUNCES FAREWELL CELEBRATION THROUGHOUT 2008 FOR THE
LEGENDARY DELTA QUEEN

Congress has decided not to enact legislation to grant the historic ship a
statutory exemption; Ship will continue sailings through November 2008

SNIP
Built in 1926, the Delta Queen features a steel hull and a superstructure
constructed of wood - a direct reflection of the designs of her time.
Subsequent Coast Guard regulations prohibited wooden superstructures, but
Congress decided more than 40 years ago to provide a special exemption from
these rules for the historic Delta Queen.
SNIP

After the recent ship fires, they finally decided
to make safety a real item, and the Delta Queen
lost the battle.
Unfortunately, sometimes things just need to be
replaced. Congress said enough. Now just so long
as nothing unforeseen happens....
Cheers,
John in LALALand (On the Left Coast)

This is very sad news ... indeed, it represents the end of an era!

I sailed on the "Delta Queen" many times ... always enjoyed the
spirit/uniqueness of the vessel ... and will now treasure those trips
even more.

Albeit the cabins were small, the public areas were great! The service
and food always was very good and diversified [imagine bagels and lox
with grits for breakfast on a Mississippi River voyage]. And the limited
number of ever-lovely passengers always seemed to bond on each sailing.

As the vessel always sailed near land and, I believe, had sprinklers, I
never was fearful.

Pity that the person who, without consideration, tossed a cigarette on
the Princess liner, and caused a major fire, indirectly also forced the
end for a US historical/national treasu The "Delta Queen!"