From left, the Valley Gem Sternwheeler and the Major/Riviera. (Photo Provided)

MARIETTA — The Valley Gem Sternwheeler has announced the launch of a second vessel into passenger service in Marietta.

The “new” vessel, named the Major/Riviera, is actually a combination unit made of the historic towboat, Major and the passenger barge, Riviera.

“The chamber is excited for this new addition,” Kelsy Eaton, President and CEO of the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce said. “It’s been a long time in the making.”

The Riviera is very similar to the Valley Gem in size and layout and will carry 149 passengers. The lower deck is carpeted, enclosed and climate controlled. The upper deck is open air with some sun shade protection. Because the Riviera is a barge, it has no propulsion of its own and must be pushed by another vessel.

Eaton said this will double the number of passengers the two vessels can entertain.

The companion boat to the Riviera is the historic sternwheel towboat, Major. The Major was originally built in 1928 and has a long history of service. The Valley Gem company was able to purchase the boat in 2015, repaired and restored it, making it a Subchapter T passenger vessel so that it may work in conjunction with the Riviera as one unit.

The company needed a second vessel to meet demand for private charters and public cruises. The Major/Riviera will launch on its maiden voyage on May 25 at 5:30 p.m. There will be a ribbon cutting for the Major/Riviera which will then be setting off on dueling dinner cruises.

The Valley Gem and the Major/Riviera will leave the dock one after the other and will cruise together for two hours with a dinner and a live entertainment variety show. Reservations for both dinner cruises are still available.

The Major/Riviera has a full slate of events scheduled for the season including dinner cruises, murder mysteries, a summer of Jane Austen dinner theater, Broadway cabarets, specialty themed dinner cruises and a slate of holiday events including presentations or The Tell Tale Heart, Miracle on 34th Street and Christmas at Pemberley, among others.

Reservations for both the Valley Gem and the Major/Riviera can be made on the website, valleygemsternwheeler.com or by calling 740-373-7862.