A VERY PROUD DAY

[HostDave]

It’s official: the 223-guest American Empress, the largest riverboat in the Pacific Northwest, has joined the American Queen Steamboat Company fleet. She was named on Saturday and is currently in the midst of her nine-day maiden voyage showing guests the majesty of the Columbia and Snake Rivers. She sailed from Vancouver, Wash. across the Columbia River from downtown Portland. Featured stops include Astoria, Ore.; Stevenson, Wash.; The Dalles, Ore.; Sacajawea State Park, Wash. and finally Clarkston, Wash.

The American Empress arrived in her new homeport last Friday. Ted Sykes, our president and COO, shared his thoughts on the first of the weekend’s milestones. “As we sailed up the river to our new home today, the excitement and energy onboard the American Empress was truly inspiring,” he said. “Just as the American Queen has brought luxury and grandeur to river cruising America’s heartland, the American Empress will do the same for the Pacific Northwest.”

As the American Empress approached downtown Vancouver as well as Portland, she was met by the city’s residents welcoming her to her new homeport. The next day, she was christened in downtown Portland and officially joined the fleet with the Memphis-based American Queen.

Claudette Waggoner, wife of chairman and CEO John Waggoner, is the godmother of the American Empress and broke a bottle of local sparkling wine on the boat’s hull culminating the ceremonial festivities. Former Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, longtime leader for the U.S. maritime industry and champion of U.S. river cruising expansion, served as the ceremony’s keynote speaker.

“This is a celebration of public-private partnership and the American dream being lived today right here in Portland,” he stated.

During the ceremony, 13th Coast Guard District Commander Rear Admiral Richard T. Gromlich presented the official certificate of inspection and remarks were made by Ted Sykes, American Queen Steamboat Company president and COO; Terry MacRae, Hornblower Cruises and Events chairman and CEO; and Acting Maritime Administrator Paul “Chip” Jaenichen. Sam Robinson of the Chinook Nation blessed the American Empress and the ceremony concluded with a wine presentation by Willamette Valley Vineyards to celebrate the line’s partnership with over 40 local wineries.

“The overnight cruise business has been a dream of John’s and he is the most passionate man I know,” shared American Empress Godmother Claudette Waggoner. “It is an honor to serve as the American Empress godmother and share his dream of this majestic vessel with all of you as she sails the Pacific Northwest.”

The website oregonlive.com followed the entire event, beginning with the American Empress’ arrival in downtown Portland and seemed particularly impressed with her manueverbility. “The riverboat American Empress passed under the Burnside Bridge at 10 AM,” they wrote. “It was tied up at the Portland seawall by 10:30. But you get to see the delicate art of parking a riverboat in 30 seconds. After clearing the Burnside, the 360-foot long, four-deck riverboat made a fast 180 degree turn in mid-river and carefully navigated sideways into its berth south of the sternwheeler Portland near the Morrison Bridge.”

The website went on to describe the christening ceremony: “The American Empress, the largest riverboat West of the Mississippi, had a christening party Saturday at the Portland seawall. It began at 10 am, right on schedule. By 2 pm, the Empress welcomed her guests -- friends and family and VIPs. Former Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood was keynote speaker. LaHood, made it a personal priority during his tenure to return it and a sister ship back to the rivers. Formerly the Empress of the North, the opulent white riverboat with a bright red stern wheel plied the waters of the Columbia and Alaska from 2003-08. When the company that owned it went bankrupt, the boat reverted to U.S. government control due to a loan that had helped fund its construction. American Queen Steamboat Company, led by chairman John Waggoner, bought the boat and began its restoration.”

The Oregonian newspaper noted that “The most opulent riverboat to ever ply the Columbia River is back in business. The American Queen Steamboat Company’s team was in Portland on Saturday to christen the American Empress, a refurbished riverboat that was put out of commission following the recession of 2008. The boat sat idle in a Portland shipyard for five years and four months, before heading back on the river this spring. The last year of that inactive period saw it get a $5 million overhaul in the Vigor Industrial shipyard on Swan Island.”

Even websites dedicated to the cruise industry gave the christening ceremony top billing. At cruise-community.com, the online voice of the respected Seatrade publication, they noted the “emotional ceremony” during which John Waggoner “recounted how he had just acquired American Queen from MARAD after a great effort and was bringing it back into operation on the Mississippi when the opportunity for the former Empress of the North was presented by MARAD acting administrator Paul 'Chip' Jaenichen.” The company raised the funds and is now seeing that the “dream to build a world-class company is coming true.”

The website gave a detailed description of the event, explaining that “Waggoner thanked a bevy of supporters and colleagues and acknowledged 'one of the best crews I've ever worked with,' along with his wife, Claudette, who served as the godmother. He advised her to 'Give it a good whack, honey,' before she smashed a bottle of local sparkling wine on the American Empress’ bow. The Chinook tribe's Sam Robinson blessed what he called 'the big canoe,' and sang and drummed with his wife, Mildred. Gifts were exchanged between the Chinook tribe and American Queen Steamboat Company. Rear Adm. Richard Gromlich, commander of the US Coast Guard's 13th District, issued the certificate of inspection to American Empress captains Vince Bradford and Rob Nordstrom.”

MARAD’S Paul “Chip”' Jaenichen pointed out that the entry into service of the American Empress was the start of “something big” and that the riverboat is “an amazing attention-getter for the US maritime industry” and an indication that the industry “can do more, much more.”

But it was our own Ted Sykes who most succinctly summed up the glorious day when he noted that “It's a great source of pride to see this vessel get a new life under the American Queen Steamboat Company. Rivers were the first source of transportation everywhere and it's still rivers that provide the best way for people to see America.”

As part of the American Empress’ inaugural season on the Columbia and Snake rivers, we have an amazing opportunity as exciting as the naming ceremony this past weekend. For a limited time, you can save 50% on our June American Empress departures*. Just make your reservations and pay-in-full for your June 7, 14, 21 or 28 sailing by June 20 and receive 50% off our regular cruise fares*.

* Offer expires June 20, 2014 and is valid on new, paid-in-full bookings only. Space cannot be held - full payment is required at time of booking to redeem this offer. This offer is based on cabin availability and only while inventory lasts. Offer of 50% savings applies to regular cruise fare only, regardless of cabin category, and is only valid on these 2014 American Empress voyage dates: 6/07, 6/14, 6/21 and 6/28. Offer valid on U.S. and Canada resident bookings only. Not valid on group bookings or existing reservations and cannot be combined with other offers, promotions or discounts. Cruise fare does not include taxes, port charges, insurance, gratuities, or airfare. Additional terms and conditions may apply - call for details.