Cruise operators expanding fleets
ings of $92 million. That figure proved slow to reach.
By 2015, the impact was $36 million and finally for 2019 was estimated at $95 million by the Riverfront Development Corp., predecessor of the recently formed River Parks Partnership.
"We think we get roughly 30% of the passengers staying in hotels" when the vessels dock in Memphis, said Wayne Tabor, chief executive of the Metropolitan Memphis Hotel and Lodging Association. "The rest of the people are staying on their boats."
Spending by each visitor, usually an affluent retiree, can surpass $100 in restaurants, bars, museums and other sites.
The $60 million renovation of 30acre Tom Lee Park into a premium urban park is expected to start in June and continue for a year, but will not disrupt operations at the adjacent Beale Street Landing, Coletta said.
American Queen Steamboat, based outside Louisville at New Albany, Indiana, will put the 247-passenger American Countess into service in April as its third vessel on the Mississippi River, joining the American Duchess (166 passengers) and American Queen (436 passengers).
The Indiana company and American Cruise Lines of Guilford, Connecticut, are the only businesses that run regular long-distance cruises on the Mississippi.
American Cruise Lines recently added the American Harmony (190 passengers) to its fleet. The vessel departed New Orleans on its first cruise on Aug. 17. Another new vessel will reach the Mississippi next year, the American Jazz (190 passengers), bringing the river fleet to four ships, including the America (185 passengers) and the Queen of the Mississippi (150 passengers).
American Cruise also plans to offer "Music City cruises" in 2020 between Memphis and Nashville and could put a fifth vessel on the Mississippi later in the year, said spokeswoman Alexa Paolella. Offerings include a premium Memphis package with two nights in the Guest House at Graceland Hotel and tickets to the Graceland exhibits.
Overnight river cruises to Memphis were resumed in 2012 by American Queen Steamboat after a four-year pause. The return led several firms to express interest in operating passenger lines on the Mississippi. Two companies that pushed ahead, French America Lines and Viking Cruise Lines, both sidelined plans.
Viking, based in Switzerland, was stymied by rules requiring river vessels be built in the United States. French America, based in New Orleans, imploded and contended insurance issues related to vessel repairs drove it out of business.
Tourists soon aimed complaints at the New Orleans firm, contending refunds were delayed or missing. Despite the complaints, the river tourism business has continued to increase.
Throughout the nation and the world, tourism magazines and marketers have touted Mississippi River cruises heavily for several years, especially for well-off retirees interested in the music scene in the old river ports of Memphis, New Orleans and St. Louis. One deal advertises a $6,500-per-person cruise on the Mississippi for Australians including round-trip airfare. In January, the trade publication Travel Weekly reported Viking might launch cruises on the Mississippi in 2021 or 2022.
Gary Frommelt, American Queen Steamboat vice president of marine operations, figures about 20% of the line's passengers are from abroad, most are retired and whether American or from another country, each spends $128 on average on a shore stop, reported The Advocate newspaper in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.