Viking luxury river cruises are coming - but to where?
Viking Cruises takes passengers along the Nile, the Rhine and the Blue Danube. Why not stops in St. Paul, Stillwater and Red Wing, too?
News that the international cruise company is willing to spend $1 billion to launch Mississippi River cruises from New Orleans into Minnesota has inspired some friendly competition in the Land of 10,000 lakes.
The Red Wing Port Authority said it will spend $5 million to build dedicated dock space for the Swiss company, while St. Paul officials are looking at ways to accommodate up to 60 cruises a year.
Now the mayor of Stillwater wants the company to stop in his St. Croix River port city, as well.
"Of course, they would have to come to Stillwater; it's the most gorgeous part of any river trip," Mayor Ted Kozlowski said. "It would be phenomenal. ... They could certainly get under the Lift Bridge, and they could easily dock on our levee right at Lowell Park (in downtown Stillwater) and go to all of our wonderful shops and restaurants."
Kozlowski, an avid boater, said he recently visited Amsterdam and saw river cruise boats maneuver through many bodies of water. "They go through those tiny canals and pull up along brick and concrete levees all the time," he said.
Kozlowski said he plans to contact Viking officials Friday and make a pitch for his city.
Ian Jeffries, a spokesman for Viking, said the company is not interested in fielding questions from the media until later this year.
"Viking has not announced further details about the Mississippi River cruises," Jeffries said in an email. "The company will be planning its own announcement later in the coming year. At that time, we will publicize specifics about the new itineraries, ship design and an official launch date."
But a handful of cities up and down the Mississippi River are deep in talks, and others are trying to reach out to Viking. Red Wing is ready to move full steam ahead, so to speak.
Red Wing will start a $5 million overhaul of its riverfront this spring, which includes a new dock, wall upgrades, road improvements and trail extensions, said Randy Olson, executive director of the Red Wing Port Authority.
"We are working with Viking officials to implement excursions (that would) include tours of historic Red Wing, Red Wing Pottery, local wineries and eagle destination sites," he said in an email.
Kristin Montag, a spokeswoman with Meet Minneapolis, the city's convention and visitors association, said a 300-passenger cruise vessel likely could not pass through the lock and dam system into downtown Minneapolis. St. Paul would be the end of the line.
Nevertheless, Meet Minneapolis has been trying to contact Viking in hopes of establishing a working relationship, with the goal of having visitors spend a night or two across the river. The association is eager to facilitate hotel bookings, tours and visits to restaurants and theatrical performances.
The cruise giant expects to spend $1 billion on luxury boats tailored to the Mississippi River, and it is in discussions with St. Paul to secure dedicated dock space -- the company expects to offer up to 60 stops in St. Paul each year, according to sources close to the discussions.
Options for the dock include Upper Landing, Lambert's Landing, Raspberry Island and Harriet Island.
"There are some details to work through before things are finalized, but Viking is no doubt committed," Terry Mattson, CEO and president of Visit St. Paul, said in a news release. "The company is highly respected in the travel market and very serious about St. Paul.
"We are on the banks of one of the world's most storied rivers, and the potential here is amazing. This will bring even more opportunities to enhance St. Paul as a destination along with enhancing its image and popularity."
The boats will dock near the French Quarter in New Orleans. Depending on the season, cruises will sail north to Memphis, St. Louis and St. Paul.
Viking said Tuesday that it will begin Mississippi River cruises by late 2017.
The company, which is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, was founded in 1997 by a Scandinavian and Dutch consortium.
Viking Cruises offers river cruises throughout Europe, Russia, Asia and Egypt, as well as ocean cruises.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Reported by: Twincities.com
News that the international cruise company is willing to spend $1 billion to launch Mississippi River cruises from New Orleans into Minnesota has inspired some friendly competition in the Land of 10,000 lakes.
The Red Wing Port Authority said it will spend $5 million to build dedicated dock space for the Swiss company, while St. Paul officials are looking at ways to accommodate up to 60 cruises a year.
Now the mayor of Stillwater wants the company to stop in his St. Croix River port city, as well.
"Of course, they would have to come to Stillwater; it's the most gorgeous part of any river trip," Mayor Ted Kozlowski said. "It would be phenomenal. ... They could certainly get under the Lift Bridge, and they could easily dock on our levee right at Lowell Park (in downtown Stillwater) and go to all of our wonderful shops and restaurants."
Kozlowski, an avid boater, said he recently visited Amsterdam and saw river cruise boats maneuver through many bodies of water. "They go through those tiny canals and pull up along brick and concrete levees all the time," he said.
Kozlowski said he plans to contact Viking officials Friday and make a pitch for his city.
Ian Jeffries, a spokesman for Viking, said the company is not interested in fielding questions from the media until later this year.
"Viking has not announced further details about the Mississippi River cruises," Jeffries said in an email. "The company will be planning its own announcement later in the coming year. At that time, we will publicize specifics about the new itineraries, ship design and an official launch date."
But a handful of cities up and down the Mississippi River are deep in talks, and others are trying to reach out to Viking. Red Wing is ready to move full steam ahead, so to speak.
Red Wing will start a $5 million overhaul of its riverfront this spring, which includes a new dock, wall upgrades, road improvements and trail extensions, said Randy Olson, executive director of the Red Wing Port Authority.
"We are working with Viking officials to implement excursions (that would) include tours of historic Red Wing, Red Wing Pottery, local wineries and eagle destination sites," he said in an email.
Kristin Montag, a spokeswoman with Meet Minneapolis, the city's convention and visitors association, said a 300-passenger cruise vessel likely could not pass through the lock and dam system into downtown Minneapolis. St. Paul would be the end of the line.
Nevertheless, Meet Minneapolis has been trying to contact Viking in hopes of establishing a working relationship, with the goal of having visitors spend a night or two across the river. The association is eager to facilitate hotel bookings, tours and visits to restaurants and theatrical performances.
The cruise giant expects to spend $1 billion on luxury boats tailored to the Mississippi River, and it is in discussions with St. Paul to secure dedicated dock space -- the company expects to offer up to 60 stops in St. Paul each year, according to sources close to the discussions.
Options for the dock include Upper Landing, Lambert's Landing, Raspberry Island and Harriet Island.
"There are some details to work through before things are finalized, but Viking is no doubt committed," Terry Mattson, CEO and president of Visit St. Paul, said in a news release. "The company is highly respected in the travel market and very serious about St. Paul.
"We are on the banks of one of the world's most storied rivers, and the potential here is amazing. This will bring even more opportunities to enhance St. Paul as a destination along with enhancing its image and popularity."
The boats will dock near the French Quarter in New Orleans. Depending on the season, cruises will sail north to Memphis, St. Louis and St. Paul.
Viking said Tuesday that it will begin Mississippi River cruises by late 2017.
The company, which is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, was founded in 1997 by a Scandinavian and Dutch consortium.
Viking Cruises offers river cruises throughout Europe, Russia, Asia and Egypt, as well as ocean cruises.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Reported by: Twincities.com
