BOATS OF THE FLEET
The Majestic
The Gateway Majestic is the flagship of the Gateway Clipper Fleet.
Designed by our owner, Terry Wirginis, the Majestic was built in
Pensacola, Florida and sailed through the Gulf of Mexico to the
Mississippi River to the Ohio River to reach Pittsburgh for her 1987
debut. When the vessel arrived in the Port of Pittsburgh, she did
not have a name. KDKA Radio held a “Name the Boat” contest and
after 27,000 entries – the name Majestic was chosen. A little known
fact about the Majestic – she houses the main kitchen for the entire fleet!
The Majestic is 277 feet long and 50 feet wide. Capacity: 1,000 passengers.
The Empress
The Gateway Empress has the honor of being the longest
serving vessel ever at the Gateway Clipper Fleet. The Empress
has been sailing the three rivers since 1966 !
She is 212 feet long and 50 feet wide. As part of the Gateway
Clipper’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2008, this vessel
was re-christened the “Empress” – she was formerly know as the
Party Liner. A little known fact about the Empress – she is actually
a barge that is pushed by a towboat named the “Empress II”.
Capacity: 600 passengers.
The Princess
The Gateway Princess is a 120 feet long, 35 feet wide all-steel
traditional paddlewheel style riverboat. With floor to ceiling
windows, the Princess allows her passengers to have a superb
view of our skyline. The Princess, formerly known as the
Keystone Belle, joined the Gateway Clipper Fleet in 1999
after 15 years of service in Moline, Illinois on the Mississippi
River. A little known fact about the Princess – she hosts more
weddings than any other boat in the fleet! Capacity: 400 passengers.
The Duchess
The Gateway Duchess was built in Dubuque, Iowa in 1965.
She is 125 feet long and 35 feet wide. This vessel operated
in both Cleveland and Philadelphia before it was acquired
by the Gateway Clipper Fleet in 1975. When this vessel
arrived in Pittsburgh, she was christened the “Liberty Belle”
in honor of our nation’s Bicentennial in 1976. In 2008,
the Liberty Belle was rechristened the Duchess in celebration
of the Gateway Clipper Fleet’s 50th Anniversary. A little known
fact about the Duchess – 9 times out of 10 when you cruise aboard
the Gateway Clipper’s “Good Ship Lollipop” Cruise you are actually
aboard the Duchess?!!! Capacity: 310 passengers.
The Countess
The Gateway Countess is the smallest boat of the Gateway
Clipper Fleet measuring 55 feet long and 14 feet wide.
She is the fleet’s only open air riverboat. The Countess
began service in Pittsburgh in 1979 under the name
“City of Champions” in honor of the Steelers and Pirates
Championships. In 1982, she was renamed the
Good Ship Lollipop and she was rechristened again in
2008 as the Countess. A little known fact about
the Countess – she is the fastest boat of the fleet!
Capacity: 150 passengers.
