Majestic America Line Announces 2008 Schedule

Majestic America Line in 2008 will expand its program to include 238 departures by seven ships to the Mississippi, Ohio, Columbia and Snake rivers, as well as Alaska’s Inside Passage. Reservations are being accepted now.

Three river ships homeported on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers –the American Queen, Mississippi Queen and Delta Queen- will return to the region with new itineraries and many included shore excursions.

The company will operate a year-long schedule with departures from New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis and St. Paul. A New Orleans-themed cruise kicks off on the Lower Mississippi River season, with seven-night sailings from Jan. 12 through Feb. 28, 2008. This roundtrip from the Crescent City includes an extra day to explore New Orleans, with included shore tours to the National World War II Museum or Mardi Gras World.

Majestic America offers 117 Mississippi and Ohio River sailings ranging from seven to 14 nights. Rates for seven-night programs start at $1,799 per person with 2-for-1 saving applied based on double occupancy. In the Pacific Northwest, Majestic America will again offer three boutique cruising options by the 223-guest Empress of the North, 142-guest Queen of the West and 150-guest Columbia Queen.

The company will operate 80 sailings between March and December; rates for seven-night cruises start at $1,899 per person with 2-for-1 saving applied based on double occupancy. The Empress of the North will operate seven-night Inside Passage cruises roundtrip from Juneau.

The 48-guest Contessa will sail seven-night excursions between Ketchikan and Sitka. The Contessa will visit ports such as Silver Bay, Misty Fjords, Dawes and Sawyer Glaciers and more. The ship has a catamaran hull and open top deck. The Contessa also includes shore excursions such as hiking and kayaking in Thomas Bay, at the foot of the LeConte Glacier.

With 41 sailings to choose from between April and September, rates for the seven-night program by the Empress of the North start at $2,999 per person. Rates for the Contessa start at $2,899. These rates include a choice of either roundtrip airfare from Seattle to the Alaska point of departure or $400 roundtrip airfare credit per person.