The new 386-guest 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, the ship will sail on the Lower and Upper Mississippi River, between New Orleans and St Paul.
“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,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking.
“We are grateful to our American partner, Edison Chouest Offshore, who has helped bring to life our vision of exploring the Mississippi in the ‘Viking way’.”
The traditional float out took place at Edison Chouest Offshore’s LaShip shipyard in Houma, Louisiana, denoting the ship moving into its final stage of construction.
Viking’s arrival to the Mississippi represents a major commitment to tourism and economic development in many communities along the river, with the new voyages expected to bring 7,500 guests to the region in 2022 and more than 17,500 during the first full sailing season in 2023.
Currently scheduled ports of call comprise 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).