Empress of the North to Become American Empress?

writingIs American Queen Steamboat Company getting ready to announce its acquisition of Empress of the North, the former Majestic America Line vessel?

That's what cruise journalist and enthusiast Peter Knego says on his blog today. Here's a look at that piece: http://maritimematters.com/2013/05/an-american-empress.

Travel Agent has asked the line about the potential announcement. A PR official would only say the line will announce future schedules at a press conference tomorrow, but we'll report back here if we learn anything new.

Empress of the North was built in 2002. She's a 223 passenger vessel that sailed in the Pacific Northwest and in Alaska but stopped sailing when Majestic America ran into financial troubles during the 2008 recession. 

The ship has been laid up in Portland, OR, under the authority of the the U.S. Maritime Administration.