Viking’s first riverboat dedicated to the US market, Viking Mississippi, has been “floated out” in Louisiana, marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water.
Set to debut in June 2022, Viking Mississippi will sail the Lower and Upper Mississippi River, between New Orleans and St. Paul.
Subscribe to LATTE Cruise’s free eNewsletter to keep up to date with everything in the luxury cruise space.
“It is a proud moment that this new ship has met an American waterway for the first time,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “Our guests have long wanted to sail the Mississippi River with Viking, and we very much look forward to welcoming them on board this summer.”
The traditional float out took place at Edison Chouest Offshore’s LaShip shipyard in Houma, Louisiana. In keeping with maritime tradition, the ship’s ceremonial godmother, Dionne Chouest, General Counsel of Edison Chouest Offshore, assisted with the float out.
Currently scheduled ports of call on Viking’s new Mississippi River itineraries include seven US states: Louisiana (Baton Rouge, Darrow, New Orleans and St. Francisville); Mississippi (Natchez and Vicksburg); Tennessee (Memphis); Missouri (Hannibal, St. Louis); Iowa (Burlington, Dubuque and Davenport); Wisconsin (La Crosse); and Minnesota (Red Wing, St. Paul).
Viking Mississippi will feature 193 staterooms (386-guests), is inspired by Viking’s river and ocean ships and will feature elegant Scandinavian design, as well as public spaces that are familiar to guests but reimagined for Mississippi River voyages. All staterooms feature a private veranda or French balcony.
Find out more about the hardware and Viking Mississippi‘s itineraries here.