Riverboat 'Philadelphia Belle' Quietly Ceases Operations at Penn's Landing
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Philadelphia's riverboat -- the "Philadelphia Belle" -- is ceasing operations after less than a year on the Delaware River.
The Belle was christened on Penn's Landing just last December 2nd (see previous story) and promised day, lunchtime, and dinner cruises along the Delaware for hundreds of passengers.
It was the largest riverboat of its type on the East Coast, with room for 1,000 passengers and seating for 700.
The Belle's operators have not released any details, but an employee reached by phone at the operator's offices in Virginia has confirmed the cessation of operations.
The Belle's web site is still active but is not taking reservations.
Mary Rinaldo, general manager of the Spirit of Philadelphia, says she got a phone call this morning from her counterpart on the Philadelphia Belle, saying that the Belle was ceasing operations.
"Shortly after that, we started getting calls from groups that have reservations within the next 30 days that are looking for a place to move their events," she tells KYW Newsradio. "We are dealing with these groups on a per-group basis, the best we can."
Rinaldo says the Spirit is very busy this season and probably won't be able to accommodate everyone stranded by the Belle.
Reported by Karin Phillips, KYW Newsradio 1060
