Hey, cool! Let us know how this goes!matguy70 wrote:Done already... my company got the contract from Viking for city tours. We offer receptive services on our coaches (all new) for over 15 years in the city. Excited about this opportunity!Hopefully, they tap into a St. Louisian's expertise, to give tours of St. Louis, if the cruisers get off of the boat and hit the streets of STL.
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This is very exciting -- more excursion traffic along on riverfront is exactly what is needed.
I still remember those times when the massive Mississippi (?) Queen docked on our riverfront and a mass of passengers would disembark for a day or two in and around St. Louis. More recently (like, four years ago), I sidled up to the docked Spirit of Peoria and had a nice long chat with its captain (who looked exactly like you'd think a riverboat captain should look). Interestingly, the Spirit made land at the Arch's south leg.
I do feel that, with the Archgrounds renovation, a new stadium on the North Riverfront, and continued investment by Great Rivers Greenway, our riverfront has bright days ahead. A regularly-docked river runner only adds to that! As far as where it'd be docked, it'd be nice if either the north or south riverfront received some love, but there's an obvious draw for doing so in front of the Archgrounds.
If the Landing can develop its river-adjacent properties (read: remove the garage and replace with something better) as well as some tourism-based destinations like a museum of river industry and history, the whole stretch has the potential to become a draw. With all this, I'm even more excited about the idea of a river's edge trolley carrying people back and forth to all the new and existing attractions.
This also gives me an opportunity to once again reference my April 1st Delta Queen "story" from a few years back
(Sidenote: I really need to start using that website I pay for annually...)
I still remember those times when the massive Mississippi (?) Queen docked on our riverfront and a mass of passengers would disembark for a day or two in and around St. Louis. More recently (like, four years ago), I sidled up to the docked Spirit of Peoria and had a nice long chat with its captain (who looked exactly like you'd think a riverboat captain should look). Interestingly, the Spirit made land at the Arch's south leg.
I do feel that, with the Archgrounds renovation, a new stadium on the North Riverfront, and continued investment by Great Rivers Greenway, our riverfront has bright days ahead. A regularly-docked river runner only adds to that! As far as where it'd be docked, it'd be nice if either the north or south riverfront received some love, but there's an obvious draw for doing so in front of the Archgrounds.
If the Landing can develop its river-adjacent properties (read: remove the garage and replace with something better) as well as some tourism-based destinations like a museum of river industry and history, the whole stretch has the potential to become a draw. With all this, I'm even more excited about the idea of a river's edge trolley carrying people back and forth to all the new and existing attractions.
This also gives me an opportunity to once again reference my April 1st Delta Queen "story" from a few years back
(Sidenote: I really need to start using that website I pay for annually...)- 3,445
I don't know if this is news, but I got a standard promotion email from Grand European Vacations, and I notice that they now include some tours in the Western Hemisphere, including 15 tours in the US. Most are Western National Parks, California, East Coast Cities, and Florida. But one is a 14-day tour called Route 66, which goes from Chicago to LA.
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Here is the link:
http://www.getours.com/tours/route-66
The tour spends 2 nights in St. Louis at the Omni Majestic Hotel. I think it is interesting to read what Europeans might think would be interesting in the St. Louis portion of a Route 66 trip. Here is what they say about the St. Louis portion:
"Day 3 - St. Louis Sightseeing
Get ready for a real taste of America’s Midwest today, starting with the view from atop the famed St. Louis Gateway Arch. Head to “The Hill” and learn about St. Ambrose Church, the history of the Italian immigrants and why they came to and stayed in St. Louis. This A Unique Insight introduces you to wonderful Italian markets and the ancient game of Bocce. Afterward, experience another American favorite with a guided tour of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery—from the stables of the Clydesdales to the tasting room—where you enjoy a sample of this A Local Specialty. And what goes better with beer than barbecue? Learn to mix up your own sweet and spicy sauce with a team of master BBQ chefs and enjoy a rib-sticking A Be My Guest dinner, hot off the grill."
"Day 4 - St. Louis, Meramec Caverns, Branson
Begin your day by crossing the Mississippi River via the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Go underground in Meramec Caverns, a former hideout of Jesse James, for a glimpse of some outstanding subterranean formations. Then it’s onward to the Ozarks and the lively American musical mecca of Branson. Explore Branson Landing, a shopping, dining and entertainment hub on the shores of Lake Taneycomo. Tonight, perhaps get your kicks at an optional dinner show."
Here is the link:
http://www.getours.com/tours/route-66
The tour spends 2 nights in St. Louis at the Omni Majestic Hotel. I think it is interesting to read what Europeans might think would be interesting in the St. Louis portion of a Route 66 trip. Here is what they say about the St. Louis portion:
"Day 3 - St. Louis Sightseeing
Get ready for a real taste of America’s Midwest today, starting with the view from atop the famed St. Louis Gateway Arch. Head to “The Hill” and learn about St. Ambrose Church, the history of the Italian immigrants and why they came to and stayed in St. Louis. This A Unique Insight introduces you to wonderful Italian markets and the ancient game of Bocce. Afterward, experience another American favorite with a guided tour of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery—from the stables of the Clydesdales to the tasting room—where you enjoy a sample of this A Local Specialty. And what goes better with beer than barbecue? Learn to mix up your own sweet and spicy sauce with a team of master BBQ chefs and enjoy a rib-sticking A Be My Guest dinner, hot off the grill."
"Day 4 - St. Louis, Meramec Caverns, Branson
Begin your day by crossing the Mississippi River via the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Go underground in Meramec Caverns, a former hideout of Jesse James, for a glimpse of some outstanding subterranean formations. Then it’s onward to the Ozarks and the lively American musical mecca of Branson. Explore Branson Landing, a shopping, dining and entertainment hub on the shores of Lake Taneycomo. Tonight, perhaps get your kicks at an optional dinner show."
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Nothing new to report, but stltoday has an article (one of those weird "special to the post-dispatch") on river cruises that has this brief reminder:
the popularity of river cruising reached the United States a few years ago when the American Queen Steamship Co. and American Cruise Lines separately introduced paddlewheel steamboats on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers after an absence of several years. In 2017 those boats will be joined by two European-style longboats currently under construction by Viking in New Orleans. Four more Viking boats will be added shortly thereafter.
the popularity of river cruising reached the United States a few years ago when the American Queen Steamship Co. and American Cruise Lines separately introduced paddlewheel steamboats on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers after an absence of several years. In 2017 those boats will be joined by two European-style longboats currently under construction by Viking in New Orleans. Four more Viking boats will be added shortly thereafter.
Any info available about where these Viking boats will dock in St Louis?
Is the city arch river effort improving boat dock access? Will we ever see growth beyond Becky thatcher and Tom Sawyer?
Bring back McDonalds and others! Which one sank to the bottom?
Is the city arch river effort improving boat dock access? Will we ever see growth beyond Becky thatcher and Tom Sawyer?
Bring back McDonalds and others! Which one sank to the bottom?
^ Is most of the old Casino boat infrastructure in place down on Laclede's Landing? This seems the most logical location.
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I'm pretty sure Great Rivers Greenway had plans to build out party barges there.
It was the Burger King barge and the old minesweeper that broke loose during the Flood of 93. The Burger King ended up hitting the Poplar Street Bridge before going down, I believe.Bring back McDonalds and others! Which one sank to the bottom?
As far as I know, the Minesweeper is still in the river slightly downstream; you can see it during low water.
^ I would love to see a faux historical sign go up pointing out to people that during low tide you can spy a mine sweeper that went down while heroically protecting St. Louis from the enemies of WWII. I wonder how many would buy the story
Would probably need to provide a link or scan code telling asking people to learn more or in fine print explaining the ruse. But why not have some fun with it. I don't think anyone else can claim a sunken WWII mine sweeper on their shores of the Big Muddy
Would probably need to provide a link or scan code telling asking people to learn more or in fine print explaining the ruse. But why not have some fun with it. I don't think anyone else can claim a sunken WWII mine sweeper on their shores of the Big Muddy
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framer wrote:As far as I know, the Minesweeper is still in the river slightly downstream; you can see it during low water.
I thought they scrapped it, but I'm not sure if they finished before the water came back.
http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/uss ... tery-grave
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I️ believe the longships are still under construction in New Orleansframer wrote:Not a peep in quite a while; anyone know anything? Still happening?
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STL needs to find itself another retired warship. That must have been so cool to have a warship at the base of the arch grounds. It would be a major tourist attraction in and of itself.
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I heard that the US Viking Plans were delayed because they couldn't build the ships in Germany at their normal plant. US law requires them to be built in the US, and the crew must be all Americans. So they are building them here but it will take a while.
My wife and I just did the Viking Rhine River Longship cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland last month for our anniversary.
I was wondering what Europeans might find interesting around St. Louis. Viking usually has a 2-3 hour included tour in the morning, and then you can buy one 1 or 2 optional tours each day in the afternoon or evening, or wander on your own.
A boat coming to St. Louis from the South would probably chug all night and then let the morning tour groups off at, say, Kimmswick. They would board a bus along with a local tour guide and drive to St. Louis while the boat spends the rest of the morning chugging upstream to St. Louis, where it would dock at the Arch by noon. The bus would drive to downtown and the local tour guide would give some city history and point out downtown landmarks, including the baseball stadium. Then the group would do a guided walking tour of the Arch and Old Courthouse. They would then be on their own to walk to the boat for lunch or to a place they saw downtown.
For optional tours in the afternoon, I could see them going to Cahokia Mounds American Indian museum and then climb up Monk's Mound. An optional evening dinner tour could be at a Route 66 Diner-style restaurant with BBQ & beer, and then to Ted Drewes for desert. We might compete with Memphis for Rock & Roll, BBQ, and Blues, so Viking might look for other things in St. Louis. Viking might look for steak, baseball theme, beer them, or something else here instead -- or toasted ravioli.
Folks not buying any afternoon optional tours would have the afternoon to wander around downtown. Then the boat usually takes off again either around 6 PM, or 11 PM if there was an evening tour planned.
My wife and I just did the Viking Rhine River Longship cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland last month for our anniversary.
I was wondering what Europeans might find interesting around St. Louis. Viking usually has a 2-3 hour included tour in the morning, and then you can buy one 1 or 2 optional tours each day in the afternoon or evening, or wander on your own.
A boat coming to St. Louis from the South would probably chug all night and then let the morning tour groups off at, say, Kimmswick. They would board a bus along with a local tour guide and drive to St. Louis while the boat spends the rest of the morning chugging upstream to St. Louis, where it would dock at the Arch by noon. The bus would drive to downtown and the local tour guide would give some city history and point out downtown landmarks, including the baseball stadium. Then the group would do a guided walking tour of the Arch and Old Courthouse. They would then be on their own to walk to the boat for lunch or to a place they saw downtown.
For optional tours in the afternoon, I could see them going to Cahokia Mounds American Indian museum and then climb up Monk's Mound. An optional evening dinner tour could be at a Route 66 Diner-style restaurant with BBQ & beer, and then to Ted Drewes for desert. We might compete with Memphis for Rock & Roll, BBQ, and Blues, so Viking might look for other things in St. Louis. Viking might look for steak, baseball theme, beer them, or something else here instead -- or toasted ravioli.
Folks not buying any afternoon optional tours would have the afternoon to wander around downtown. Then the boat usually takes off again either around 6 PM, or 11 PM if there was an evening tour planned.
Apparently Europeans are fascinated with Route 66, and of course Mark Twain and the Mississippi River.
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Known as the Jones Act. All coast wide trade between US Ports and or passenger/ferry service, etc. must be done by US built & US flagged vessel with American crew. Why every cruise ship that leaves a US Port say Canaveral goes to a Carribean, Bahamas or Mexico first, etc. in order to be foreign flagged, use any crews they want and typically go to shipyards outside US for their major maintenance.gary kreie wrote: ↑Nov 11, 2017I heard that the US Viking Plans were delayed because they couldn't build the ships in Germany at their normal plant. US law requires them to be built in the US, and the crew must be all Americans. So they are building them here but it will take a while.
The Jones Act saves a few jobs in few areas, think tugs pushing barges down Mississippi or crude oil vessels that go between Valdez,AK & West Coast refineries, but led to unintended consequences including the fact that most ships in world that touch a US dock including all those massive cruise ships our built somewhere else in the world if they can help it. Unless a destroyer. US the best in world at building warships, maybe an offshore supply vessel for the gulf coast oil platforms, a simple barge but not so much for a river cruise boat
This seems to be moving forward. St. Louis to St. Paul at least.
According to local news out of Dubuque... 6 boats making 17 rounds EACH between July and October.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states ... in-dubuque
According to local news out of Dubuque... 6 boats making 17 rounds EACH between July and October.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states ... in-dubuque
I've always thought of STL as the Miami of the midwest. Big cruise port city...addxb2 wrote: ↑Sep 21, 2018This seems to be moving forward. St. Louis to St. Paul at least.
According to local news out of Dubuque... 6 boats making 17 rounds EACH between July and October.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states ... in-dubuque
I really do hope that Viking can make the Mississippi River part of their offerings. We are about to go on cruise # 5 with Viking (Eastern Europe up next) and they do a great job - both in tours offered as well as dining and accommodations. Their design aesthetic is refreshing, and it would be great to see an upscale cruise offering over here that doesn't rely on the tired river steamboat/paddle wheel look that has been done ad nauseam.
Does anyone know if they were able to overcome the ship building issue?
Jeff
Does anyone know if they were able to overcome the ship building issue?
Jeff
Great find! I assume they got past the "Ships must be built in the US" somehow. That would be a decent amount of added tourism and I def would do it if I can afford it.addxb2 wrote: ↑Sep 21, 2018This seems to be moving forward. St. Louis to St. Paul at least.
According to local news out of Dubuque... 6 boats making 17 rounds EACH between July and October.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states ... in-dubuque
More info - including a rendering of the boats
This is pretty cool and taps into a completely different demographic then the crowd that cruises the American Queen type boats.
http://www.hannibal.net/news/20181011/v ... n-hannibal
This is pretty cool and taps into a completely different demographic then the crowd that cruises the American Queen type boats.
http://www.hannibal.net/news/20181011/v ... n-hannibal
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We did a Rhine Cruise last year. The boats are amazing. On some of the rivers there they barely get under the bridges. So the entire bridge can retract down into the boat and hand rails fold down. They shouldn’t need that here, so I suppose the designs could be different. Each boat holds about 200 guests and 50 staff.
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Viking told us the length of the boats on the Rhine was as long as they could get and still make the turns in the Rhine gorge. Also, bridge height and lock size probably played a role. The 441 foot length mentioned in the article is exactly 135 meters — the same length as all their Rhine longships. It will be interesting to see if they stick with that for US ships, or make some changes. What is the lowest bridge going North from St Louis? Are they choosing July to October for lower river levels?
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