New La. river cruise port in works

Luxury Mississippi River cruise ships could be making a port stop at a new Vacherie, La., site with tourists leaving the vessels and fanning out across south Louisiana to spend money. Buddy Boe, director of the River Parishes Tourist Commission, is working toward and hoping it to become reality by late spring or early summer 2020. Boe says a new dock is being vetted near what used to be a ferry landing in Vacherie, a small west bank community in St. James Parish, that could assist the area’s stake in what he expects will be a boom in the river cruise market. Boe anticipates up to 75,000 annual river cruise passengers to come through the area by 2024. It is key that St. James, St. John the Baptist and St. Charles parishes don’t miss out on what could be a massive influx of cash for businesses, he says. Most river cruise passengers now are bused only to Oak Alley Plantation from a dock in Ascension Parish before heading upriver. But a new dock would be a “game-changer” because it would be an ideal location near the Gramercy Bridge that crosses the Mississippi River, easily allowing visitors to see multiple plantations and explore the east and west banks of the River Parishes. In early 2018, Viking River Cruises unveiled plans to make New Orleans its first North American homeport. “We need to be ready,” Boe says. The tourist commission has been in talks with Viking representatives, and the Port of South Louisiana - a public entity that would build the dock. A Viking spokesperson told NOLA.com that the company is “actively working with our partners to launch on the Mississippi River,” but didn’t disclose details. The commission is in the process of acquiring land for the dock, and landowners are eager to discuss leasing property for the port, knowing “there’s supposed to be an explosion in these riverboats coming up to the River Parishes,” claims Executive Director Paul Aucoin. The project also requires approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Boe also is planning to discuss the proposed dock with the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. and American Cruise Lines. “We needed this dock yesterday,” Boe says. (Source: NOLA.com 07/07/19)