Ambassadors International, Inc. has agreed to purchase the
assets of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company from Delaware North
Companies. Ambassadors International, Inc. operates American West
Cruises, one of North America’s premier river and coastal cruising
companies.
The Delta Queen Steamboat Company owns and operates a
three-vessel fleet, which includes the 436-passenger American
Queen, the 416-passenger Mississippi Queen and the 174-passenger
Delta Queen. The company’s itineraries call at historic sites along
many of America’s best-known rivers, including the Mississippi,
Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland and Arkansas rivers. The oldest cruise
line in America, Delta Queen Steamboat Company traces its history
back to 1890.
Delaware North Companies acquired the Delta Queen Steamboat
Company in 2002, and has focused on stabilizing and growing the
business by adding new itineraries and marketing programs.
“The combination of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company with
American West Steamboat Company takes two significant regional
businesses and creates a national, American cruise company,” said
Joe Ueberroth, president and CEO of Ambassadors International,
Inc.
According to Ueberroth, the operations of the two lines will be
combined under the Ambassadors Cruise Group subsidiary and be led
by David Giersdorf.
“Our team is excited to offer our customers a selection of
wonderful American itineraries across a fleet of luxurious
sternwheelers with dedicated American crews,” said Ueberroth. “This
acquisition will increase our number of vessels to five and the
number of berths from 365 to approximately 1,400 berths, making us
the largest operator in our category.”
The transaction is expected to close by the end of April.
800-434-1232
www.americanweststeamboat.com
800-297-0976
www.delawarenorth.com
