IMMEDIATE RELEASE             August 7, 2003

NOTE TO EDITORS: A dockside reception will be held for the Grande Mariner at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday (August 10) at its berth adjacent to the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center.

Duluth, Minn., U.S.A.— The Grande Mariner, a 183-foot, 100-passenger U.S. cruise vessel, is scheduled to make its inaugural visit to the Port of Duluth-Superior Sunday (August 10), the Duluth Seaway Port Authority reported today.

The vessel is scheduled to arrive at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC) dock at approximately noon that day, and will be greeted shortly thereafter at a ceremony during which Duluth Mayor Gary Doty, Superior Mayor Dave Ross and Port Director Adolph Ojard will each give a brief welcome to Captain Roy Keith, commander of the vessel. The Duluth Community Band under the direction of Ruth Dodge will perform prior to the ceremony.

The Grande Mariner is visiting the Port twice this month as part of “Lake Superior Grande Tours” offered by American Canadian Caribbean Line (ACCL), Warren, R.I. This is the first time in recent history that the Port of Duluth-Superior will be used as an embarkation, debarkation point for a cruise vessel.

“We've been working very hard to establish Duluth as a starting and stopping point for visiting cruise vessels,” said Barb Oswell, director of public relations for the Duluth Convention and Visitors Bureau and member of the local cruise committee.

“While vessels that schedule day-long stops here result in considerable economic impact, our long-term goal has been to have passengers travel to the area, stay in local hotels and spend more time visiting local restaurants and attractions,” she said.

The vessel is scheduled to depart at 2 a.m. on August 13, and to return again at noon on August 28, with departure for that voyage scheduled at 2 a.m. on August 31. Both tours commence and end in Charlevoix, Mich., and include stops at the Soo Locks, Whitefish Point, Munising, Marquette, Houghton and Isle Royale, Mich., Grand Marais, Minn., and the Apostle Islands, Wis., (in addition to Duluth-Superior).

The Grande Mariner, ranked at two-plus stars by the Berlitz Guide, was built in 1998 at Blount Industries, Inc., Warren, R.I. Vessel features include a patented bow ramp that allows passengers to disembark without the need for docks, a draft that allows the vessel to access shallow waterways, a retractable pilot house ideal for sailing under low locks and a stern swimming platform.

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For rates and additional information contact: American Canadian Caribbean Line Inc. at 800-556-7450 or go to www.accl-smallships.com

CONTACT: Lisa Marciniak, Port Promotion Manager, phone 218-727-8525

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