WINONA, Minn. –High water on the Mississippi prevented three of the season’s 10 scheduled riverboat cruise from docking in Winona and hurt tourism. Pat Mutter, director of the VisitWinona agency, said as many as 525 tourists could have deboarded had the boats been able to make it as far upriver as Winona. Also, Mutter said, many crew members usually get off the boats to shop. Passengers would have signed up for local river tours, walking loops, guided paddling in the backwaters, and extended three-hour Discover Winona tours to museums that are accompanied by paid step-on guides. Overall, said Mutter, cruise lines have good numbers for Upper Mississippi trips this year. Her thought is that they might consider locating more boats on this part of the Mississippi River, especially since the American Queen Voyages no longer is in business. Also, she noted, Viking Cruise Lines is expanding into the Mississippi market and might consider Winona in the future.
Earlier: Coast Guard bans Upper Mississippi boating
Earlier: Paring down the Mississippi cruise fleet
Mutter. VisitWinona executive director.