Empress of the North

The Empress of the North is a 360-foot (110 m) diesel-powered paddle-wheeler that was formerly operated by Majestic America Line. She was built in 2002 at the Nichols Brothers Boat Builders shipyard on Whidbey Island for $50 million and debuted as a cruise ship in 2003

The Empress was taken out of service in April 2008 after its owner, Ambassadors Cruise Group announced that it intended to sell off the assets of the Majestic America Line (the brand under which the Empress sailed). The vessel is docked at Swan Island in Portland, Oregon and is now under the care of the United States Maritime Administration.