The newly formed Grand Majestic River Company will launch an
overnight passenger paddlewheeler, the Grand Majestic, in September.
Last year, Capt. Joseph Baer -- founder, president and CEO
of Covington, Ky.-based Grand Majestic -- bought the former casino boat Diamond
Lady, which was originally built in Bettendorf, Iowa in 1991 and had been laid
up for years.
He said the company is putting "many millions"
into the riverboat to transform it into a 70-passenger overnight river cruise
boat that will be able to sail along some smaller inland waterways due to its
shorter height and lower draft.
"We're small enough and have a light enough draft where
we can drop our stacks and get up into Catoosa," said Baer, referencing a
city on the outskirts of Tulsa, Okla. Baer noted that the smaller size of the
Grand Majestic means it can clear some bridges and shallower waters that other
overnight passenger vessels sailing the Mississippi River System can't. He said
the company plans to do cruises up to Omaha, Neb.; Sioux City, Iowa;
Charleston, W.V.; and into the outskirts of Chicago.
The vessel is getting a complete overhaul, and will feature
one main dining room and a separate lounge area that will host entertainment.
There will be several stateroom categories ranging from a superior stateroom
with access to the main deck, to suites large enough to have their own private
dining room, for which full sit-down meal service can be ordered. All
passengers will be able to order room service.
The ship's interiors are being outfitted to make passengers
feel that they are stepping back in time, but "not so overdone
antique-wise that you feel like you're staying at a B&B," said Baer.
There will also be modern amenities such as satellite TV and WiFi. Staterooms will
be ADA compliant.
Excursions will be included, along with one hotel night
prior to boarding the vessel. An example of an excursion, according to Baer, is
a visit to Mammoth Caves in Kentucky, which includes a tour of the caves and a
picnic lunch.
The Grand Majestic is slated to launch on Sept. 23, 2017,
after which it will sail a variation of seven- to 21-night cruises along the
Ohio and Mississippi rivers, as well as along several smaller tributaries.
Cruises start at $3,800 per person, a price that includes
the pre-cruise hotel night.