Milwaukee welcomed its first cruise ship of the 2023 season this previous Thursday. The Viking Octantis was welcomed by Mayor Cavalier Johnson who was joined by Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, Port of Milwaukee officers, native tourism leaders and Nice Lakes leisure cruise companions.

The Viking Octantis’ arrival begins the summer time season with 31 scheduled port calls by cruise ships, bringing an estimated 12,000 passengers to town.

Viking Cruises will likely be utilizing Milwaukee as a turnaround port, embarking and disembarking passengers. A sister ship, the Viking Polaris, can even enter service on the Nice Lakes this summer time.

“Milwaukee is a superb vacation spot, stuffed with points of interest and hospitality,” commented Mayor Johnson in a ready assertion. “This can be a fantastic instance of how native and regional partnerships are creating new pleasure and exercise in Milwaukee. I’m wanting ahead to extra worldwide cruise passengers touring to America’s Recent Coast this yr, and past.”

Following two years of pandemic-related cancellations, Milwaukee’s cruise season returned with important momentum in 2022 with a file variety of vessels touring to-or-from Milwaukee.

“The Port of Milwaukee’s Nice Lakes cruise business has elevated our profile inside the group and all over the world. Extra residents have gotten conversant in the port’s work due to this new tourism sector, and we’re excited for extra crise ships and worldwide vacationers visiting our metropolis within the years forward,” stated Jackie Q. Carter, port director.

Viking will make the most of the port’s Heavy Elevate Dock this season. In the meantime, The South Shore Cruise Dock will function the longer term port of name for vessels the scale of the Viking Octantis and Polaris. Building of the brand new facility is predicted to start in 2024.

Port Milwaukee additionally continues to advertise the passenger cruise enterprise in Milwaukee and all through the Nice Lakes. The port is the founding father of the Milwaukee Cruise Collaborative, an area group selling town as a cruise vacation spot.