United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Viking Cruises names first US home port
Luxury river cruise operator Viking Cruises has chosen New Orleans for its first home port in the US.
The company said it will operate Mississippi cruises from late 2017 and plans to build another six ships to support its anticipated US expansion.
Each new boat will accommodate about 300 passengers.
Cruises will depart from a dock near the French Quarter of New Orleans and head north to Memphis, St. Louis and St. Paul, Minnesota.
"New Orleans is on a roll, and this investment is yet another example of the continued growth across industries in our city," said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
Established in 1997, Viking now operates 60 ships on rivers in Europe, Egypt, China and Southeast Asia.
State officials began wooing Viking in 2013 and have offered $4.5 million in grants.
"The typical passenger on a Viking River cruise has a good net income, so they will probably have a strong economic impact on the city" said port chief executive Gary LaGrange.
"Nothing against the ports of Long Beach, Miami or New Jersey, but they don’t offer direct access to a 14,500-mile Mississippi River tributary system. Viking made a smart choice," he added.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism: Don Welsh on Community Values and Global Collaboration
Jane Cunningham: Enhancing European Engagement in Tourism
Kristin Dunne: Navigating Destination Strategy
Revolutionizing Mobile Connectivity: Boris Bijlstra on HUBBY eSIM
Capturing Glasgow’s Vibrancy: An Interview with Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life
Lebua Hotel & Resorts: Rajan Khurana on Hospitality and Bangkok’s Charms
Sustainable Tourism and Growth: Insights from Chiravadee Khunsub from Tourism Authority of Thailand
Revolutionizing Travel: SmartSIM USA’s Dale Takio Unveils the Power of E Sims
TravelMole Interview with Hishan Singhawansa, Deputy CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
Unveiling the Essence of Magari Tours: A Dive into Authentic Italian Experiences
Abercrombie & Kent hails $500 million funding boost
British Airways passengers endure 11-hour 'flight to nowhere'
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Gatwick braces for strike
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’