Viking Octantis cruise ship already ‘sold out’ for several of its initial visits to Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay, ON – More than two years since the return of cruise ships to Thunder Bay was first announced, Paul Pepe says preparations are going well. Near the end of May, Viking Octantis, the first cruise ship to visit Thunder Bay in nine years, is due to arrive with 378 passengers. It’s one of the largest passenger ships ever seen on the Great Lakes.
Pepe – manager of tourism for the City of Thunder Bay – said several of the initial voyages are already complete sell-outs, while sales for the others are going well. A smaller cruise ship, Ocean Navigator, is scheduled to visit Thunder Bay as well this summer.
A question arose earlier this year about ground transportation for the visitors while they explore local attractions, but Pepe says he understands the issue is being resolved.
“It’s a normal part of logistics planning for anything new, coming out of COVID. There are capacity challenges that pop up, but with that come a lot of solutions. A lot of people came to the table with solutions on how to address it, and we feel things are moving along quite well.”
Pepe noted that ground transportation arrangements are made between cruise operators and onshore service providers. “Everything’s on track this year for a solid recovery of the industry,” he said.
Cruise operator Viking Expeditions chose Thunder Bay as a turnaround point for one of its Great Lakes itineraries this summer. That means a new group of passengers will board the ship here for its return voyage to Milwaukee after arriving passengers have toured the city before returning home by air.
Between late May and September, Viking Octantis will dock in Thunder Bay seven times. “There’s a total of 14 itineraries. The ship will turn around in Thunder Bay. Guests will end their cruise here, and other guests will start their cruise here… And we have two day-stops with the Ocean Navigator, a 210-passenger vessel,” Pepe said.
Ocean Navigator is operated by American Queen Voyages.
Work is now underway to improve the docking facility at the former Pool 6 elevator site. The city recently hired a contractor to replace the bollards for ships to tie up to, install new rubber fenders, and to repair some concrete. Rubble from the demolished elevator will also be removed.
City project engineer Mike Vogrig said the contractor is currently running ahead of schedule, so he expects the work that’s necessary to be done will be completed before Viking Octantis arrives.
“The interest in the Great Lakes and Thunder Bay is growing,” Pepe said. “Viking’s global marketing reach is impressive. It’s a good alignment with Thunder Bay’s brand.”
He added that local hotels are starting to see bookings from ship passengers who plan to spend some time in the city.
“It’s going to be a year when we will all have to be nimble as we emerge from COVID and there’s a tourism recovery. It’s looking like it’s going to be a busy summer in Thunder Bay. Both cruise ship companies have been great to work with.”
TB Newswatch
Conrad to build two tugs for the U.S .Army Corps of Engineers
Conrad Shipyard has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to design and build two tugboats for use in the Great Lakes.
The two CELRE Detroit Ice Class tugs will be used for the mobilization of floating equipment on the St. Marys River, upper Great Lakes and the Soo Harbor, as well as breaking ice up to 12 inches thick and performing ice scraping operations at the St. Mary’s Falls Canal.
Conrad won out among five bidders for the $16,983,710 firm-fixed-price contract. Shipbuilding work will be performed in Morgan City, La., with an estimated completion date of December 26, 2024.
“Conrad has a long history with the US Army Corps of Engineers, and we have built several vessels currently in service around the country,” said Conrad Shipyard CEO Johnny Conrad. “We are proud to provide the Army Corps with two more top quality vessels to service its Detroit District.”
Each twin screw, open wheel newbuild will measure 76’ x 25’ x 10’-8.5” and will be diesel powered with 1,600 BHP, Conrad Shipyard said. Each vessel will also and have deckhouses with galley/mess, berths and sanitary facilities for a crew of three.
The tugs will be ABS classed as Maltese Cross A-1 Towing Vessels, Ice Class C0, Great Lakes Service with Maltese Cross AMS. Each will also comply with USCG 46 CFR SubChapter M requirements.
Marine Link
National Museum of the Great Lakes, Sandpiper tour boat partnership wins top award
Toledo, OH – The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) has been awarded the Ohio Museum Association Award for Best Community Partnership in the Over $500,000 budget category for their Port of Toledo: Then & Now — Interactive Sandpiper Tour Boat Exhibit. The award was announced and presented to museum representatives during an evening ceremony at the Cincinnati Art Museum on Sunday, April 3.
“In August of 2021, the National Museum of the Great Lakes installed our first traveling exhibit aboard a vessel—the Sandpiper tour boat operating on the Maumee River in Toledo,” explains Kate Fineske, who oversees the museum’s community partnerships. “We are always looking for innovative ways to introduce people to Great Lakes History through mission-focused collaborations that also provide value-added benefits for other businesses.”
NMGL staff worked with tour operators to coordinate an exhibit to tell the story of the Port of Toledo’s history in a way Sandpiper guests could independently interact with—in this case utilizing QR codes and a large-scale map. The partnership also designated two days in 2021 to specifically target a dual experience by introducing “Ship & Shore: The Ultimate Great Lakes History Day”. During these dedicated “Ship & Shore” days, guests could explore Great Lakes history at the National Museum of the Great Lakes and experience the history of the Port of Toledo from the water aboard the Sandpiper.
The museum has already added three dates for the 2022 Ship & Shore days in June, July and August. The Sandpiper offers a number of relaxing and fun cruises on the Maumee River in Downtown Toledo and individuals can explore NMGL’s interactive exhibit onboard once it begins public seasonal operations this May.
For more information and to book a tour on The Sandpiper visit jmcruiselines.com/the-sandpiper. For more information and to book a Ship & Shore excursion, visit nmgl.org or call 419-214-5000.
