Majestic America Line said Wednesday that it plans upgrades to its entire fleet of cruise ships next year.

State room upgrades on the company's seven ships will include upgraded mattresses and linens, massage shower heads, and spa-quality robes and toiletries. Flat screen televisions with DVD players will be added on the American Queen, Mississippi Queen and Contessa ships.

The line's suites will feature a new digital entertainment system, refrigerators and in-suite safes, as well as bath slippers and in-room coffee and tea service.

Celebrity chef and author Kathy Casey of Kathy Casey Food Studios will create a new menu of American dishes for Majestic. Food Network chef and author Sara Moulton is developing a pre-dinner lineup of hors d'oeuvres and drinks for the line's new "American Cocktail Party."

Majestic didn't disclose the budget for the upgrades.

Majestic America Line, based in Seattle, is a division of Ambassadors Cruise Group LLC, a subsidiary of Newport Beach, Calif.-based travel, marine and reinsurance company Ambassadors International Inc. (Nasdaq: AMIE). After Ambassadors International bought the assets of Delta Queen Steamboat Co. in April, it combined the line with its American West Steamboat Co. to form Majestic America Line.

Majestic's fleet of seven ships includes the Delta Queen steamboat, a National Historic Landmark.



Source: St. Louis Business Journal