News & Announcements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE More Information:
Rebecca Morley
(215) 568-2525

Mayor Street presents Bob Gregory, General Manager of the Spirit of Philadelphia, with the proclamation.

PHILADELPHIA, February 6, 2007 – Mayor Street today is publicly recognizing the Spirit of Philadelphia, part of the largest harbor cruise company in the United States, for recently being awarded Spirit Cruises' City of the Year. The award is presented to the city that demonstrates the greatest commitment to delivering a quality product, excels in meeting its financial goals, and produces top-line results. The Spirit of Philadelphia, which conducts more than 300 cruises and hosts more than 135,000 guests per year, received the award at the annual company-wide employee customer service awards in Orlando, Florida. Spirit Cruises has 12 vessels in seven cities and operates ships in port cities including Boston; Chicago; New York; Weehawken, NJ; Philadelphia; Norfolk, Va., and Washington, D.C.

"The Spirit of Philadelphia has been a vital part of our waterfront for the last 23 years," said Mayor Street. "I congratulate the Spirit of Philadelphia employees on their recent achievement of being named City of the Year, and thank them for helping to make our waterfront a destination for visitors and residents of Philadelphia."

"We truly have become the 'spirit' of Philadelphia," said Bob Gregory, General Manager of the Spirit of Philadelphia. "As a tribute to this wonderful city we are donating 50 complimentary cruise tickets to the Police Athletic League (PAL), because they make a positive difference in the lives of young people and contribute to the overall quality of life in Philadelphia."

In addition to City of the Year, Spirit of Philadelphia Corporate Chef Lorraine Young was named Food & Beverage Director of the Year and Jackie Oblinger was named Sales Director of the Year. The Spirit of Philadelphia's three awards were among 17 presented at the 2006 Spirit Cruises Management Conference.

"We are extremely pleased to present these awards to some of the most respected employees in our company," said Lorna Donatone, president of Spirit Cruises. "These awards are evidence of their exceptional service to our customers onboard the Spirit of Philadelphia."

"I am very proud of the staff for their accomplishments over the past year," said Gregory. "The employees dedicate themselves to ensuring we are successful in delivering a quality product and memorable experience to our guests. We thank the Mayor for honoring our recent achievement with a proclamation, and we look forward to continuing to support the growth of our waterfront."

About The Spirit of Philadelphia
The Spirit of Philadelphia is operated by Spirit Cruises, LLC, the largest harbor cruise company in the United States. The company, headquartered in Norfolk, Va., has a fleet of 12 luxury dining ships in seven American port cities: Boston; Chicago; New York; Weehawken, NJ; Philadelphia; Norfolk, Va., and Washington, D.C. In addition to its Spirit vessels, it operates Bateaux New York, a luxury glass dining yacht; Spirit Elite Yacht Charters, which are private charter yachts, and the Annabel Lee, a replica paddlewheel showboat. For more information, call 800-8SPIRIT (800-877-4748) or visit www.spiritcruises.com.

####