Press Release

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Crown Blue Line, the leader in self-skippered boating experiences on Europe's inland waterways, is bringing its highly successful program to the United States in 2003.

The first Crown Blue Line boats are slated to set sail from a base in Annapolis into the Chesapeake Bay in May 2003.

With its fleet of more than 600 self-skippered cabin cruisers in Europe, Crown Blue Line offers unique soft-adventure vacations. Since 1969, more than 50,000 passengers have skippered their own boats along the rivers and canals of France, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Holland and Italy.

"The Crown Blue Line European experience has become so popular with North Americans that it seemed natural to adapt the program to the waters of the United States," says Peter Cook, U.S. general manager for First Choice Marine, the parent company for Crown Blue Line. "The Chesapeake area, with its peaceful waters and picturesque countryside, is a natural choice."

The Chesapeake Bay program will kick off with a fleet made up of a combination of 34-foot power catamarans and European-style river boats. Each boat is easy to handle, comfortable and has two steering positions, one inside and one outside. The boats feature two double cabins, each with a private bath and shower, a comfortable living area, and fully equipped galley.

Navigating with Crown Blue Line is simple - even for those who are not experienced boaters. The boats are designed with the novice in mind and the American version will also include a GPS directional system. All vacationers will also receive a thorough introductory briefing, waterway guides with navigation maps and a Captain's Manual to the easy operating procedures.

"We have found the Crown Blue Line experience appeals to a broad audience," says Keith Gregory, general manager of Crown Blue Line's European operations. "Seniors find it an 'adventure' that expands their horizons without being physically taxing, while couples and families enjoy the opportunity to explore.

"The Chesapeake, with its light to moderate winds, is the perfect location for the self-skippered experience," adds Cook. "It is peaceful enough for a novice yet has enough variety for even the most consummate yachtsman."

Chesapeake Bay cruises will begin at a base in Annapolis, home of Crown Blue Line's sister company Sunsail, a leader in worldwide sailing vacations. While in Annapolis, travelers can enjoy the shops, restaurants, historical buildings and the United States Annapolis before setting off along the Chesapeake's miles of shoreline and a bounty of harbors, wrecks, bays, rivers, creeks and coves.

Along the way travelers can visit the Maryland Maritime Museum in St. Michael's; explore Oxford, one of the oldest towns in Maryland; enjoy ice cream and antiquing in Rock Hall; and experience Baltimore's Inner Harbor and National Aquarium.

"We view this as only the start of Crown Blue Line's U.S. program," says Cook. "We anticipate not only adding to the fleet but also expanding to other regions of the country."

The cost for a Crown Blue Line experience on the Chesapeake will be about $3,000 per week per boat. Each boat comes with a full tank of fuel; cruisers only pay for the fuel they use.

For more information on the Crown Blue Line Chesapeake Bay program or the Crown Blue Line European experience, call 888-355-9491 or visit http://www.crownblueline.com/.