Viking River Cruises to travel up to Minnesota

Viking Cruises already take passengers along the Nile, Rhine, and Blue Danube Rivers, so why not the Mississippi? Well, “the international cruise company is willing to spend $1 billion to launch Mississippi River cruises from New Orleans to Minnesota,” making stops in Stillwater, Red Wing, and St. Paul.

This launch has inspired some friendly competition in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and 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.” While other Minnesota cities along the river try to reach out to Viking, “Red Wing is ready to move full steam ahead,” with a “start of $5 million overhaul of its riverfront this spring.” This includes a new transient dock, wall upgrades, and road improvements and trail extensions.

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_27602811/red-wing-planning-5-million-port-luxury-cruise

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/02/27/vikings-cruises-plans-landing-in-red-wing/