Delta Queen Coastal Voyages News

In the fall of 1999, American Classic Voyages (AMCV) announced plans to almost singlehandedly revive the business of building cruise ships in the United States. Critics claimed it couldn’t be done, but the ships steadily took shape on the building ways in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Two years, a sour economy and horrific terrorist attacks later, the dream of building cruise ships in the U.S. is seemingly dead, as AMCV filed for Chapter 11 and the Maritime Administration is unwilling, at press time, to fund the ships further. While the cruise industry was hurting prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11, the industry has been put into a seemingly perpetual tailspin as economic woes and fear of travel have conspired to leave ships far from full capacity.

Since beginning his cruise industry career as Royal Caribbean's first ever marketing director — Roderick K. (Rod) McLeod has been an instrumental force in the cruise industry. He now heads up what is arguably the world’s most watched cruise ship newbuild program. Having a discussion with Rod McLeod is like talking to an old friend that you haven't been in touch with for awhile. Even though you may have not spoken for months — or even years — you always manage to find enough to talk about. That was the case when McLeod recently spoke with MR/EN regarding his current endeavors as president and COO of AMCV, as well as his past experiences — both professionally and personally.

American Classic Voyages (AMCV) has issued $76.4 million of bonds guaranteed by the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation (MarAd). The financing will be utilized for the construction of two coastal cruise vessels that will be built at Atlantic Marine, Jacksonville, Fla., for Delta Queen Coastal Voyages - a subsidiary of AMCV. MarAd's guarantee is made possible under the authority of Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 - it represents approximately 87.5 percent of the total anticipated cost of the two coastal vessels - which includes shipyard and design costs, vessel furniture and fixtures, and interest during construction and guarantee fees. The vessels covered under the funding are known as Cape May Light and Cape Cod Light.

American Classic Voyages (AMCV) has issued $76.4 million of bonds guaranteed by the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation (MarAd). The financing will be utilized for the construction of two coastal cruise vessels that will be built at Atlantic Marine, Jacksonville, Fla., for Delta Queen Coastal Voyages - a subsidiary of AMCV. MarAd's guarantee is made possible under the authority of Title XI of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936 - it represents approximately 87.5 percent of the total anticipated cost of the two coastal vessels - which includes shipyard and design costs, vessel furniture and fixtures, and interest during construction and guarantee fees. The vessels covered under the funding are known as Cape May Light and Cape Cod Light.

Just five months after the shipyard launch of Delta Queen Coastal Voyages' first vessel, the second ship in the new fleet was christened at Atlantic Marine, Inc., in Jacksonville, Fla., Friday, November 17, 2000. The 226-passenger coastal vessel will inaugurate nine cruise itineraries featuring the Great Lakes, Canadian Maritime Provinces and U.S. eastern seaboard in 2001. The ship launched Friday, the CV Cape Cod Light, will debut Aug. 4, 2001; its sister ship, CV Cape May Light, will enter service on May 5, 2001.

American Classic Voyages Co. subsidiaries Delta Queen will trim its upcoming cruise schedule by a combined total of 27 cruises. Delta Queen Coastal Voyages will eliminate three cruises in 2001. Also, the 2002 summer and fall schedule of the 174-passenger Delta Queen will be enhanced to meet passenger demand for more variety. Moody's Investors Service confirmed the A2 senior ratings of Carnival Corporation, but changed the rating outlook to negative reflecting the uncertain economic and industry conditions that the company faces in the wake of the attacks on the U.S. Moody's believes the events of September 11 will further stress industry conditions that were already suffering from price weakness.

American Classic Voyages Co. has appointed Scott G. McGinnis vice president of marketing for its Delta Queen product group, which includes Delta Queen Steamboat Company and Delta Queen Coastal Voyages. McGinnis is responsible for all marketing activity on behalf of Delta Queen Steamboat Company's four riverboats, which cruise throughout the U.S. Heartland, South and Pacific Northwest, and Delta Queen Coastal Voyages' two ships, inaugurating 12 coastal vacation itineraries throughout the Americas this year. McGinnis joins AMCV after six years with the travel agency consortium Virtuoso, where he most recently served as the managing director for member relations.