The feature and photos were submitted by Jacklyn Hanson.
Whiteside County, IL, now has another attraction sailing through on the Mississippi River. A new river cruise ship, “Viking Mississippi,” (home port of New Orleans, LA,) made another voyage through the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Lock & Dam #13, during its itinerary of stops from New Orleans, LA, to St. Paul, MN.
Late in evening of Tuesday, September 13, 2022, news traveled quickly that this new ship, on its second voyage up the Mississippi River, was passing by Clinton, IA. It was sailing north to pass through Lock & Dam #13, located just three miles north of Fulton, IL. Many onlookers came to glimpse the “Viking Mississippi.” Photographers further up river from Wisconsin and Minnesota traveled south to photograph the new cruise ship.
Around 7:30 p.m., the “Viking Mississippi” passed under the “South Bridge” (U. S. Route 30) connecting Fulton and Clinton traveling north. During the half hour it took for the cruise ship to move north along the main channel of the Mississippi River, cars flocked to both parking lots and viewing areas along Lock & Dam #13. As sunset faded into twilight, the “Viking Mississippi” pulled into place safely within Lock.
Employees of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers worked with staff onboard the ship, mooring it into place. After all gates closed, the ship lay in place while the Lock raised the water level. A few passengers came topside to greet and joke with the onlookers below. When onlookers asked passengers where home was, answers varied greatly. Some came from Los Angles, CA, Portland, OR, Kentucky, and Washington, D. C. Jokes were shared between onlookers and passengers, while kids asked many questions about the ship.
“Viking Mississippi” is the first river cruise ship in the United States from Viking ™, (formerly Viking Cruises.) The company operates a fleet of over 100 different ships and ocean liners on river, ocean, and expedition cruises worldwide. These trips go along the rivers and oceans of North and South America; the Caribbean; Europe; Egypt; China; Southeast Asia.
This newest vessel, according to the Viking ™ website, host 193 rooms and suites, holding up-to-386 passengers. Onboard is upwards of 143 staff members. The ship measures 450 feet long.
Included is a 360-degree promenade deck that wraps around the entire vessel. A sun terrace has a glass-backed infinity pool and a library. Dining aboard includes many options, featuring classic dishes and regional offerings on rotating menus, American food such as Southern barbecue, and Norwegian cuisine. Passengers can attend lectures on topics such as the history, architecture and art of the region, and attend performances of local music, from Delta blues to New Orleans jazz.
Building was completed this year; “Viking Mississippi” will be a permanent resident of the Mighty Mississippi River. Expect to see this wonderful ship up close and personal, as it makes many stops along the riverway.
For interactive, interior maps of the “Viking Mississippi,” to see more facts and information, and to book a river cruise trip, visit the Viking ™ website at https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/ships/mississippi/viking-mississippi.htm. To see where the ship is traveling in real time, visit the Cruise Mapper website at https://www.cruisemapper.com/ships/Viking-Mississippi-965.