Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Empire Cruise Lines and Metro-North Railroad Continue Discount Package

Poughkeepsie, New York, February 16^th 2012 – Empire Cruise Lines and Metro-North Railroad are teaming up again this spring to offer big discounts on a train ride and sightseeing cruise combination on the majestic Hudson River.

After a successful start in 2011 that saw hundreds of international visitors and residents from the New York Metro area came up to Poughkeepsie on Metro-North’s Hudson Line to cruise and dine aboard Empire Cruise Line’s M/V Mystère.

Empire Cruise Lines and Metro-North package represents a joint effort to promote Dutchess County as a destination for sightseeing cruises and leisure travel. “Last year, hundreds of international visitors and New York City residents alike journeyed up the Hudson River on Metro-North and continued their adventure aboard the M/V Mystère,” said Jeffrey Pyle, President of Empire Cruise Lines.  “We want everyone to  know what we know:   Poughkeepsie is a great river cruise destination.

Mary Kay Vrba, Director of Dutchess Tourism, says that they will be offering Farm Fresh Tours once again this year, “By combining Empire Cruise Lines and their commitment to sustainable agriculture and the Farm Fresh Tours, Metro-North customers have great opportunities to experience the best of Dutchess County.”

Through the partnership, the discount package offers a great value for taking a daytrip via Metro-North. Discount rail fare for the package is based on the boarding station. The total package price from Grand Central Terminal and Harlem-125 Street Station is $43.25 for adults; $38 for seniors; children 12, $38.25; children 5-11, $13.50; children under 5, free.

“Customers can relax and enjoy the scenic views along the Hudson, all the way up to Poughkeepsie and then hop on the Mystère and enjoy cruising on the Hudson.  It‘s a terrific Hudson Valley escape,” says Metro-North President, Howard Permut. The package goes on sale in Metro-North’s ticket system in mid- April and can be purchased at Metro-North tickets offices and all full-service ticket vending machines (except in Poughkeepsie Station).

The Mystère will operate her normal schedule of cruises and charter availability from early May through October featuring sightseeing, lunch and dinner cruises featuring Hudson Valley produce.

The 60-foot, double-decked passenger vessel will be docked at the City Of Poughkeepsie Waryas  Park, 29 North Water Street, just 20 minutes from the New York State Thruway and a few minutes’ walk from the Poughkeepsie Railroad station.

Please visit our website at empirecruiselines.com or contact us toll free 866-797-9024 for more information.

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Press Release

Empire Cruise Lines

PO Box 392

Baldwinsville, NY 13027

(866) 797-9024

www.empirecruiselines.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Empire Cruise Lines Announces Sustainable Agriculture Commitment

Poughkeepsie, New York, January 4^th 2012 – Empire Cruise Lines announces expansion of culinary cruise offerings featuring sustainable Hudson Valley agriculture.

After a successful year in 2011 carrying more than 3500 passengers from 40 states and more than 20 countries, Empire Cruise Lines is deepening its commitment to Hudson Valley sustainable agriculture and the tourism economy.

According to Captain Pyle, “2011 saw a tremendous desire on the part of the inbound tourism market to support local sustainable agriculture. According to Capt. Pyle, “as a veteran owned and family run business we’re striving to strengthen the connection with local chefs who truly embraces the City of Poughkeepsie and the Hudson Valley. Empire Cruise Lines has a great partnership with Crave in Poughkeepsie and we want to expand our culinary options. One of our goals is to showcase Hudson Valley produce and culinary skill and with passengers coming from as far away as Asia and Australia it can be very challenging to find a chef who can do this.” This is a challenge indeed and Captain Pyle’s travels around the region lead him right back to the City Of Poughkeepsie for a surprising and very informative contact with Erik Morabito a Poughkeepsie native who established Café Bocca in the Mount Carmel section of the city.

“When I would stop into Café Bocca I noticed that people were frequently stopping in with vegetables and produce directly from the farm,” according to Capt. Pyle “this direct connection to the farmer is what we are looking for in our dinner and lunch cruises. The chefs commitment to utilize local produce and Café Bocca demonstrated flexibility is what we are looking for so we so we approached the chef to see if he would be interested in working with us.”

According to Erik Morabito, the owner of Café Bocca, “Word of Mouth” has always been regarded by Morabito as the best form of advertising.” This proved to be true since it was Mary Kay Vrba the Director of Dutchess Tourism who first made the connection between Empire Cruise Lines and Café Bocca. “The partnership between the two businesses seemed like a natural fit” said Ms. Vrba “Café Bocca is close to the waterfront in Poughkeepsie and promotes local farm fresh foods. Combining a cruise on the river, which continues to be an important source for transportation of food products and people and farm fresh products, the visitors to Dutchess County will enjoy the beauty of the river and the taste of the Hudson Valley”

The 60 foot, double-decked passenger vessel cruises May through October and operates from the City of Poughkeepsie’s Waryes Park, 29 North Water Street. Please visit our website at www.empirecruiselines or contact us at 866-797-9024 for more information.

Stephenie R Pyle, General Manager

Empire Cruise Lines

Email stephenie@empirecruiselines.com

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Our menu is updated periodically to provide a varied dining experience. Check it out often!
Details can be found here, or purchase your tickets below.

Brought To You By Empire Cruise Lines & Hudson Valley Wine Fest

Don’t settle for another ordinary evening, come aboard M/V Mystère and partake in New York’s premier wine cruise.

This special cruise is the perfect way to experience the bounty of the New York, enjoy breathtaking sunsets and sampling award winning wines and world class cuisine.

Not only will this limited seating cruise feature one of the best dinner menus on any boat any where, you’ll be treated to not just one wineries creations but TWO! You simply will not find this level of experience anywhere else in the Hudson Valley.

For this cruise, the Hudson Valley Wine Fest and Empire Cruise Lines have selected one winery from the Hudson Valley region and one winery from the Finger Lakes region. These two regions produce distinctly different styles of wines and this is your opportunity to learn and experience this difference as you enjoy a beautiful sunset as the M/V Mystère plies her course along the majestic Hudson River.

Only Empire Cruise Lines brings this level of service to the Hudson Valley.

M/V MYSTÈRE DINNER JUNE WINE TASTING CRUISE MENU

Course I

House Cured Salmon

Potato Cake, Crème Fraiche, frisse

Course II

Heirloom Tomato Salad

Heirloom Tomato, Cucumber, Confit Shallot, Local Goat Cheese, Basil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sea Salt

Course III

Two Way Chicken

French Cut Breast, Confit Chicken, Mashed Potato,

Harico-Verts, Demi Glace

Dessert

Chiffon Cake with Strawberries & Cream

Hudson Chatham Winery Flight Of Wine

Blanc de Blanc (semi-dry sparkling wine)

Seyval Blanc (dry white)

Hudson River Valley Red (a Beaujolais-style dry red)

Palladian White dessert wine (a white port-style wine)

Glenora Wine Cellars Flight Of Wine

Cayuga White-Crisp & Flavorful.

Riesling
Syrah- Rich red wine with shades of cherry, black pepper, and French oak
Vidal Blanc Iced – Luscious Flavors of tropical fruit

$69.50 + tax per adult
*** Boarding at 5:45 PM ***

*** Reservations Are Required ****

These cruises will sell out fast and there is limited seating for these special cruises so be sure to reserve early

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Our menu is updated periodically to provide a varied dining experience. Check it out often!
Details can be found here, or purchase your tickets below.

Our menu is updated periodically to provide a varied dining experience. Check it out often!
Details can be found here, or purchase your tickets below.

Our menu is updated periodically to provide a varied dining experience. Check it out often!
Details can be found here, or purchase your tickets below.

Our menu is updated periodically to provide a varied dining experience. Check it out often!
Details can be found here, or purchase your tickets below.

Our menu is updated periodically to provide a varied dining experience. Check it out often!
Details can be found here, or purchase your tickets below.

Our menu is updated periodically to provide a varied dining experience. Check it out often!
Details can be found here, or purchase your tickets below.

Our menu is updated periodically to provide a varied dining experience. Check it out often!
Details can be found here, or purchase your tickets below.