There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Dubuque on Tuesday as the city welcomed the Viking Mississippi Cruise Ship that will be traveling up and down the Mississippi.  This new ship is pictured here.  Photo courtesy of longtime Dubuque Photographer Gary Fagan.

attachment-viking mississippi-Gary Fagan
loading...

Personally, I've never been on a long ocean cruise, and doubt that I ever will.  But the idea of a smaller cruise up or down the Mississippi does interest me.  I would especially be interested in a fall cruise to take in the splendor of the breathtaking colors of fall foliage. along the banks of the Mississippi.  Stopping at local towns and taking in some of the local establishments would be an added bonus.

If you missed Tuesday's ribbon-cutting, you're in luck as there is another ceremony for another ship this Friday, September 9th. Travel Dubuque, along with the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, will be welcoming all the large excursion riverboats this summer as they make their first stops in Dubuque.

The American Queen will be making its first stop of the season on Friday, September 9, 2022. This ship is the largest in the American Queen Voyages fleet. It can accommodate up to 436 guests and a crew of 160 people. There are 222 staterooms on board this ship.

PHTO DRFDIT:AMERICAN CRUISE LINES
PHTO DRFDIT:AMERICAN CRUISE LINES
loading...

The ship has been stopping in Dubuque to explore since 2012. Not only does the ship cruise the Mississippi River, but it also will cruise the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at the American Trust Rivers Edge Plaza in the Port of Dubuque at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 9, 2022.

There have been more than a half dozen ribbon-cutting ceremonies this summer and they're not done yet.  Upcoming Riverboat Ribbon Cuttings include Tuesday, Sept. 27th for the  American Symphony.  That ceremony will take place at 7:30 a.m. at the Port of Dubuque American Trust Rivers Edge Plaza.

See the Must-Drive Roads in Every State

More From AM 1490 WDBQ