[R. Dale Flick]

Steamboating colleagues:
Again, hate jumping a thread, but additional business B=Mails here today. Guilford, Conn.-based American Cruise Lines [ACL] announced the passenger compliment for the QUEEN OF THE MISSISSIPPI is being increased from 140 to 150 passengers adding three double and four single cabins to the original design. ACL is responding to increased demand for single cabins for travelers alone, a need voiced with recent newbuilds. No indication what the cruise tariff is for these accommodations.

In a related bulletin, Mr. Jeff Krida reported opening reservations at their call center has chalked up some $250,000 a day in passenger sales, six days a week. GASB CO. has a $46 million revenue plan for 2012 with estimates as $54 million a year in sales. The AQ reportedly is 54% full for all of 2012 and 76% full the first three months of the new season. "The people running Majestic had a lack of passion for steamboating...saw it as an economic play, conglomeration of different vessel assets, rather than an opportunity to create and sustain an iconic American vacation experience and stay focused on that...didn't love it like the people running the company in the early 1990s." Other commentators said "...the market has been there all along.

AMERICAN QUEEN has added alternative dining remodeling the Calliope Bar to a full-srvice 'River Grill' for more casual luncheons and dinners. Sorry if I repeated what possibly may have been posted. I looked, and looked before collecting all of this. Hats off to both companies with best wishes. Well, what do I know?

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati