The Gateway Clipper Fleet is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with new cruises, renamed and revamped boats, discounts for children and an overall face-lift.
"We're completely re-outfitting the interiors of our vessels," said Gateway Clipper Fleet's Terry Wirginis, with more spacious seating arrangements, new carpeting and new exterior color schemes.
All boats are being renamed this summer, except for the Majestic, which got its name through a name-the-boat contest when it joined the fleet in 1987. The Gateway Party Liner will be renamed Gateway Clipper's Empress, the Keystone Belle will be the Princess, the Liberty Belle will become the Duchess and the Good Ship Lollipop will be known as the Countess.
The name changes are still going through the red tape required to change a vessel's name, and Gateway Clipper Fleet is hoping to have the new names -- and re-christening ceremonies -- in place in July.
The new regal titles are part of a rebranding effort designed to make the river cruises more elegant and upscale for adults, more fun and educational for kids, and to give passengers more value for their money, Mr. Wirginis said. "It raises expectations and helps us to have raised expectations about how we view our product and our fleet."
The Gateway Clipper Fleet also is launching several new cruises in its 50th season (see accompanying box), including "Lords of the Mon Cruise: Steel, Coal, Coke and the Men Who Moved Them."
The two-hour history cruise, presented in partnership with Rivers of Steel, will follow the Monongahela River to the Edgar Thomson Works in Braddock. Passengers will learn about the city's industrial past and the role its rivers played from tour guides and steelworkers on board. There also will be artifacts from local mills.
Other new cruises include two for families with children -- "Pinocchio" by Sadecky's Puppets and "Pirates of the Mon" by Gemini Theater Co. -- and four overnight trips to Mountaineer Casino in West Virginia; Raw Comedy Jam cruises featuring local comedians; plus new Polish, Italian, Oktoberfest and rock cruises featuring some of the fleet's most popular local rock acts.
Mr. Wirginis, a local history buff, wants to add more history-oriented cruises to the lineup. "There are so many stories to be told about these rivers and the riverfront. The rivers in Pittsburgh are Pittsburgh's reason to be."
He's also looking at expanding the fleet by buying or building a new boat, which would be used for upscale fine dining and charters.
Also in the works for this summer is a gala fundraiser for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.
Children 12 and under can ride any sightseeing cruise for 50 cents during this summer's holiday weekends, including today, tomorrow and Memorial Day, July 4 to 6, and Labor Day Weekend (Aug. 30 to Sept. 1).
For reservations or more information on Gateway Clipper anniversary cruises: 412-355-7980 or www.gatewayclipper.com.
First Published: May 24, 2008, 8:15 a.m.
