Viking set to enter Mississippi cruise market

Wednesday, 14 Aug, 2013 0

Viking River Cruises will begin operating on the Mississippi River in 2015.

According to the Red Wing (Minnesota) Visitors and Convention Bureau, the company will build a five-deck 340-passenger ship, which will stop at the Port of Red Wing, 50 miles downriver from Minneapolis.

Viking chairman Tor Hagen has said for some time that the company will one day sail the Mississippi, but has not specified a date.

The Mississippi ship will be larger than the 190-passenger ships Viking is building for European river cruises.

River sailing in general is growing in popularity, and the Mississippi has attracted American Cruise Lines’ new 150-passenger Queen of the Mississippi, and the 436-passenger American Queen, refurbished by the American Queen Steamboat Company.

Viking River Cruises, meanwhile, has been aggressively expanding from its European river base.

It is launching an ocean cruise division, with orders for up to six vessels. In addition, it christened 10 new river ships in March and plans to launch 12 more in 2014.

By Cheryl Rosen

Lisa

Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.

At Visit California, our mission is to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry...

Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 93 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives,...

Offering the most powerful portfolio in the industry, our 30 brands and 8,000+ properties across 139 countries and territories give...

The State of Michigan is blessed with the riches of unspoiled nature: the nation’s longest freshwater coastline, lakes that feel like...

TravelSecrets.com promises 10% to 30% or more discount off the lowest available hotel rates compared to those on the major...

The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, works to enhance visitors’ experiences by providing information, resources and trip planning tools...

Intrepid Travel is a world leader in sustainable experience-rich travel that has been taking travellers to discover the world’s most amazing places...

Nium was founded on the mission to build the global payments infrastructure of tomorrow, today. With the onset of the on-demand...

Queensland – where it’s rude not to stare Here in Queensland, there’s plenty to do. But there’s even more to...

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500® global entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels...

Take your clients’ vacation to the next level at Universal Orlando Resort™. With three amazing theme parks – Universal Studios...

Celebrating its 30-year anniversary in 2022, Regent Seven Seas Cruises® offers guests An Unrivaled Experience® with every luxury included. Carrying...

Travel specialists founded the company in 1999 as AC Tours. Since then we have grown and expanded to incorporate four...

Some describe it as a natural playground. Some say, it’s simply unique as it offers a great array of travel...

We’re here to provide the very best experience in train travel. From booking your ticket, to asking us a question...

Our Mission Ecommerce has transformative powers, and we believe everyone should be able to take part. But outdated solutions and...

Arival advances the business of creating amazing in-destination experiences. We provide events, insights, and community for creators and sellers of...