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Delta Queen

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MS Delta Queen is an authentic American stern paddle-wheel steamboat. The ship has historically been used for cruises on Mississippi River and its tributaries, and mostly in Southern USA. Following a major refit, the boat was scheduled to start operations in 2020, with voyages on Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee, Arkansas and Kanawha rivers.

The vessel (IMO number 8643327) is currently USA- flagged (MMSI 366950730) and serves as a hotel permanently moored in Sacramento CA .

The riverboat was launched in 1925 and started operations in 1927. The paddlewheeler was docked in Chattanooga Tennessee, serving as a hotel ship until purchased by the newly established Delta Queen Steamboat Company. In March 2015, the vessel was towed to Gulf Island Fabrication Inc shipyard (in Houma Louisiana) to be drydock refurbished to its original condition.

The current shipowner is the Kimmswick Missouri -based Delta Queen Steamboat Company.

Delta Queen has a cross-compound steam powerplant, which engines generate 1,5 MW power output. As propulsion, the boat is moved by its stern-mounted paddlewheel. This riverboat is the last surviving (original) overnight steam-powered cruise ship on Mississippi River.

Shipboard facilities include Forward Cabin Lounge (with a roof-covered terrace/Front Porch of America), Texas Lounge (bar lounge with large windows, comfortable seating, full-service Bar, an open-air terrace/alfresco venue with 4-seat tables), Lobby Hall (Reception Desk/Purser, Gift Shop), Betty Blake Library (Reading Room / Cards Room), Orleans Room (Restaurant & Galley/kitchen), Engine Room Viewing (lounge with views of the stern paddlewheel).

The boat has 5 decks , of which 4 are passenger-accessible and 3 with cabins . All cabins on Sundeck and Texas Deck have direct access to wraparound Promenades (outdoor walking areas) from where via outdoor stairs are accessed other decks.

An unusual feature of the Delta Queen steamboat is the steam calliope mounted on Sundeck (adjacent/aft of the Pilothouse/Navigation Bridge). Calliope is a 19th-century invented musical instrument (aka steam organ / steam piano) producing sounds by sending steam through large whistles. The riverboat's calliope covers about 3 octaves and was used to play the vessel while docking (berthing) and undocking. Sometimes, the ship's Master (Captain) extended this courtesy to other ships as well.

In 1989, Delta Queen was designated a "National Historic Landmark" (NHL, officially recognized by the US government). As such, the cruise ship can't sail with over 50 passengers onboard - based on SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea Act) requirements issued in 1966. That law also prohibits overnight cruises on wooden ships. The riverboat has a steel hull, but its public spaces and all staterooms are mostly of wooden construction. Delta Queen sailed for decades under SOLAS exemption, but this expired in 2008. The historic steamship is also included in the USA's National Register of Historic Places and National Maritime Hall of Fame.

In July 2015, two US senators from Ohio State introduced a bill that would let the riverboat Delta Queen to operate once again overnight passenger cruise service. The bill is a companion to legislation introduced in March 2015. The new legislation would require the installation of modern safety equipment and would grant the riverboat a 15-years exemption to the SOLAS rule (standard practice until 2008).

Currently, the cruise ship is undergoing refits in Houma Louisiana. The refit project is led by Delta Queen Steamboat Company's President and CEO Cornel J. Martin. His partners (Leah and Randy Ingram) previously operated the vessel (IMO 8643327) as a ship hotel, being permanently moored in Chattanooga TN. Steamboat's drydock refit and refurbishment cost were estimated at around USD 5 million.

A provision found in the 2018-modified version of the Senate's USCG authorization bill exempted Delta Queen from federal law and USCG regulations. These regulations currently require vessels with overnight accommodations for 50+ passengers to be made of fireproof materials. The boat's owner redesigned the steamship to passenger capacity 174. In 1966, US law was changed to require fireproofing of boats with large berthing capacity following the 1965 fire on SS Yarmouth Castle (wooden steamship) in the Caribbean. The accident killed 90 people.

Delta Queen cruises on Mississippi and its tributaries. The regularly scheduled itineraries are operated with departures from New Orleans to Memphis TN , St Louis MO , St Paul MN , Cincinnati OH  and other major riverport cities.

The above itinerary map shows all river ports planned to be included in the Delta Queen steamboat's schedule.

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there. For similarly-designed (stern paddlewheel) US riverboats you can check the fleets of American Cruise Lines and American Queen Voyages/Steamboat Company (AQSC) . Also similar (but way smaller) is the Australian steamship Murray Princess (1988-built).

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Delta Queen ship related cruise news

Delta Queen Steamboat Returns to Service

The US House of Representatives decided the fate of Delta Queen Steamboat. Cincinnati's beloved cruise ship may once again sail back home, at...

Will Delta Queen Sail Again?

Senate votes this week are due to help determine whether the 91-year-old wooden steamboat Delta Queen can be resurrected as an overnight river cruise...

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Delta Queen Wiki

"The Country Gentlemen" music band (with Charlie Waller as leader) recorded the song "Delta Queen" as part of their 1974 album "Remembrances and Forecasts". Written by Pete Goble and Leroy Drumm, the song was inspired after Leroy saw the steamship cruising down Tennessee River in the early 1970s.

For a few years, there were rumours about Mary Greene's ghost haunting the Delta Queen ship. Mary was the wife of Gordon Greene - Greene Line's founder. Riverboat Captain in her own right, the woman died on the ship on April 22, 1949. Since then, crew and passengers have reported strange occurrences and sounds onboard, attributed to Mary's ghost, particularly around her former quarters.

Delta Queen's sistership is Delta King (launched 1925). The sistership was christened in May 1927 and used to cruise in California (between Sacramento and San Francisco ) on 10-hour long itineraries. In 1981, Delta King sank while laid up in Richmond CA. The boat was raised, towed to Sacramento CA and refurbished (5-year project) at cost USD 9 million. Today, Delta King serves as a 44-room hotel ship (permanently moored in Sacramento CA) featuring a premium restaurant. The ship also doubles as Capital Stage - run by an onboard professional theatre company. This riverboat is also listed in Sacramento's NRHP (National Register of Historic Places) as object deemed worthy of preservation.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Delta Queen sail again?

Like many cruise vessels, the Delta Queen was deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Delta Queen Steamboat Company is currently securing the necessary funds and resources to begin the extensive renovation process. While we don’t yet have an estimated date for the vessel to return to overnight cruise service, we look forward to welcoming you aboard as soon as it’s possible to do so.

What kind of renovations is the Delta Queen undergoing?

Once funding is secured, the Delta Queen will undergo many exciting renovations. One of the most significant upgrades will be replacing the boilers, which are original to the boat and constructed in 1919. The generators, main steam line, heating and air, plumbing and galley will also be either upgraded or replaced entirely. Common areas and staterooms will see various cosmetic updates.

When will you begin booking cruises for the inaugural season?

We are currently in the process of creating the itineraries for the inaugural season. We will announce cruise dates and destinations several months before the Delta Queen sets sail. To be the first to know about upcoming cruises, sign up for updates  here and follow us on Facebook and Twitter .

Where will the Delta Queen cruise?

The Delta Queen will travel the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland, Kanawha and Arkansas Rivers, to name a few. For more information on upcoming voyages, please click  here .

What stops will the Delta Queen make?

The Delta Queen will make more than 80 stops while traveling the rivers of America’s Heartland and Deep South! The Delta Queen Steamboat Company is still in the planning stages, but ports will include New Orleans, Memphis, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Galveston and Nashville, to name a few. Each stop will have at least one excursion to learn more about the river cities and towns that make each port special and unique.

How much does it cost?

Staterooms aboard the Delta Queen will vary based on size and location aboard the vessel. The Delta Queen Steamboat Company is still in the process of establishing prices, but they will be consistent with offerings from other overnight river voyages.  Pricing will not include on-board alcohol, shore excursions, or gratuities.

Will there be live entertainment on board?

Absolutely! We look forward to announcing the exciting lineup of musicians, curators, riverlorians, historians, comedians, authors and more that will join us on the Delta Queen!

What can we bring on board?

Don’t forget your camera and binoculars! Feel free to bring the comforts of home with you onboard the Delta Queen, including books and games.

What safety policies are in place aboard the Delta Queen?

The Delta Queen Steamboat Company is committed to providing a safe and memorable experience for all passengers and is held to rigorous safety and security standards outlined by the United States Coast Guard. The vessel is equipped with life rafts and preservers, state-of-the-art fire detection and suppression technology and 1,200 sprinklers located throughout the entire vessel. In addition, members of the crew have received professional firefighting and safety training.

Are there life boats on board?

Yes, the Delta Queen is equipped with life rafts and preservers in case of an emergency requiring evacuation of the vessel.

Does the Delta Queen offer day trips or dinner cruises?

Unlike many other vessels operating on the inland rivers, the Delta Queen is equipped with overnight accommodations in 88-staterooms.  As a result, the vessel is not configured for daytime “sight-seeing” or evening dinner cruises.

Are there televisions on board?

We believe the era of Mark Twain is best relived without television. For that reason, we do not furnish staterooms and common areas with televisions. However, we do offer Wi-Fi onboard so you can stay connected to friends and family while traveling.

Are you hiring?

The Delta Queen will begin hiring full-time and part-time decisions as we get closer to cruising. Please continue to check our  Careers  page for updates.

Don’t miss the boat!

We appreciate your patience as the Delta Queen secures the necessary funds and resources to begin our extensive renovation process. We look forward to welcoming you aboard as soon as it’s possible to do so.

To stay in the loop, please sign up for updates here .