FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2003
CONTACT: Wendy Watkins, Vice President Corporate Communications, Delaware North Companies

Ambassadors International, Inc. Signs Definitive Agreement with Delaware North Company to Acquire Delta Queen Steamboat Company


Buffalo, NY, April 6, 2006-Ambassadors International, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMIE) announced today that it has reached a definitive agreement with Delaware North Companies, a privately held, global leader in the hospitality industry, to acquire the assets of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company.

The Delta Queen Steamboat Company is a premier cruise company operating historical cruise itineraries on many of America's best known rivers, including the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland and Arkansas rivers with stops at many of America's most historic cities, battle grounds and estates. The Delta Queen Steamboat Company is America's oldest cruise line with its history dating back to 1890. The Delta Queen Steamboat Company owns and operates a three-vessel fleet which includes the 436-passenger American Queen, the 416-passenger Mississippi Queen and the 174-passenger Delta Queen. Delta Queen Steamboat Company's cruises recreate the grandeur of the past on the company's luxurious, modern-day and historic sternwheelers.

Delaware North Companies acquired the Delta Queen Steamboat Company in 2002. Over the past several years, Delaware North Companies has focused on stabilizing and growing the business by adding new itineraries and marketing programs, as well as providing economies of scale with its other world-class hospitality holdings and operations. These efforts have contributed to building a world-class reputation of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company in the global travel and tourism market.

"Ambassadors International clearly has established itself in the cruise industry through its outstanding operations of American West Cruises," stated Chuck Moran, President and Chief Operating Officer, Delaware North Companies. "Even though we are privately-held, we continually look for opportunities to improve corporate value. Our decision was driven by the need to focus on growth opportunities in our core business and because of other investment considerations. Delaware North Companies decided it was in its best interest to find a company that could continue the tradition of excellence that has always been part of the Delta Queen. We have found that in Ambassadors International."

Joe Ueberroth, President and CEO of Ambassadors International, Inc., added, "The combination of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company with American West Steamboat Company takes two significant regional businesses and creates a national, American cruise company. The operations will be combined under our Ambassadors Cruise Group subsidiary and be led by David Giersdorf. Our team is excited to offer our customers a selection of wonderful American itineraries across a fleet of luxurious sternwheelers with dedicated American crews. This acquisition will increase our number of vessels to five and the number of berths from 365 to approximately 1,400 berths, making us the largest operator in our category."

The transaction is subject to the approval of certain debt covenant amendments by the U.S. Department of Transportation and a bondholder, as well as customary closing conditions, and is expected to close by the end of April 2006. Under the terms of the agreement, Ambassadors Cruise Group, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ambassadors International Inc., will acquire the three vessels and associated operating assets of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company for $3.0 million in cash, the assumption of approximately $9 million of customer deposits and the assumption of approximately $35 million of fixed-rate, $6.50% debt payable through 2020 and guaranteed by the U.S. Maritime Administration. In addition, the transaction includes contingent consideration of 100,000 shares of Ambassadors International, Inc. common stock, to be granted by the company to the Delta Queen Steamboat Company if certain future financial targets are met in the three years following the close of the transaction.

About Delaware North Companies

Delaware North Companies is one of the world's leading hospitality and food service providers. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International, TD Banknorth Garden, the Delta Queen Steamboat Company, and American Park 'n Swap. Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with revenues approaching $2 billion annually and 40,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.DelawareNorth.com.

About Ambassadors International, Inc.

Ambassadors International, Inc. is a cruise, marine, insurance and travel and event company. The company operates American West Cruises, one of North America's premier river and coastal cruising companies. The company also provides travel and event services for corporations, associations and tradeshows through its Ambassadors, LLC subsidiary. In addition, it operates BellPort Group, Inc., an international marine company, and participates in selective reinsurance programs through its specialty reinsurance subsidiary, Cypress Reinsurance, Ltd. The company is headquartered in Newport Beach, California.

Additional Information

Please contact Wendy Watkins of Delaware North Companies at 716-858-5092. DelawareNorth.com

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Lucette Brehm
Public Relations Manager
Delta Queen Steamboat Company, Inc.
(a Delaware North Company)
MAILING: POBox 6954, New Orleans, La. 70174
627 Delacroix Drive
New Orleans, LA 70131
504/585-0617 (office)
800-297-0976 (reservations)
504/884-8613 (cell)
504/585-0694 (fax)
e-mail
DeltaQueen.com (website)


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