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Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
First-ever National Mississippi River Day frames the river as 'the great connector'
Michael Anderson views the Mississippi River as the country's great connector. It flows through 10 states — both red and blue — weaving its way through major population centers and small towns. Millions of Americans drink from it, and live, work and play on its banks. For that reason, Anderson believes it's high time the river had its day. This year, it will. For the first time, June 2 will be recognized as National Mississippi River Day, a move that Anderson and other advocates hope will bring sorely needed attention to one of the country's most significant waterways as it continues to struggle with pollution, disinvestment and the effects of climate change. The environmental advocacy group One Mississippi, for which Anderson directs outreach and education efforts, launched the day to kick off its annual campaign for the river, River Days of Action. More: 10 important facts about the Mississippi River More: The Mississippi River is central to America's story. Why doesn't it get more love? "In a time where it's almost more immediate to turn our backs on each other, now is the time to turn toward the river and turn toward each other," Anderson said. "This is about having a dedicated day for the people of the river, in these mainstem states and beyond, to turn toward each other. Several river cities and three states, including Wisconsin, have formally recognized the day. Gov. Tony Evers wrote in a proclamation that the river connects Wisconsin to the global economy and that protecting it is paramount as environmental threats continue to grow. In April, the national conservation group American Rivers named the Mississippi the most endangered river in the U.S. because of the Trump administration's plans to scale back spending on natural disasters, including flooding. There's significant room for improvement in federal flood relief programs, advocates said, but they argued federal participation is key to coordinating flooding response because the Mississippi touches so many states. The upper Mississippi River in particular is experiencing higher water flows and more severe, longer-lasting flooding due to climate change and land use changes. These high waters are killing floodplain forests and disrupting fish habitats. On the lower river, drought years have caused barges to run aground. And pollutants from Midwest farm fields and urban centers continues to choke aquatic life at the river's mouth off the coast of Louisiana. More: Mississippi River named most endangered in U.S. Why water quality is not the issue. More: Mississippi River runoff is not just a Gulf problem. It impacts health, recreation upstream. Layoffs and cuts to federal agencies that manage the river are also causing concern among environmental advocates. That's in part what propelled Steve Marking, a river historian and guest performer for American Cruise Lines on its Mississippi River cruises, to organize a June 14 event at Goose Island County Park near La Crosse as a part of One Mississippi's River Days of Action. More: Multiple researchers fired from La Crosse USGS science center, threatening work on invasive species and other Mississippi River issues "Celebrate the Mississippi," hosted by the Upper Mississippi River chapter of the Izaak Walton League, of which Marking is a founding member, will include a paddling trip through the river's backwaters, an outdoor photo contest, a floodplain forest tour and a demonstration of the league's Save Our Streams program, which teaches people how to do their own water quality monitoring. The demonstration is meant to help people realize their own power in taking care of natural resources, Marking said. "Being able to take charge of the data and find out whether your local stream, your local creek or even the mainstem of the Mississippi is healthy or not ... is something we can do," he said. On June 2, One Mississippi will host an online celebration at noon to hear residents' stories from along the river and discuss what's needed to protect it. Anderson said he thinks momentum for National Mississippi River Day will continue to build in years to come, similar to Earth Day. "There's just a really encouraging message of hope — of where we are ... and also of where we can go," he said. Madeline Heim covers health and the environment for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at 920-996-7266 or mheim@ This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: First-ever National Mississippi River Day happening June 2
Epoch Times
10-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Cruise Tourism Is Returning to Providence, Rhode Island
By Sarah Kuta TravelPulse For the first time in four years, cruise ships will once again be sailing into Providence, Rhode Island. American Cruise Lines has added the city to its New England itineraries, in partnership with the City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island. 'We're thrilled to welcome American Cruise Lines back to Providence,' says Brett Smiley, mayor of Providence. 'This partnership represents a major investment in the future of our waterfront and our local economy. It also reflects a growing recognition of Providence as a world-class destination with deep culinary and cultural appeal.' Starting next month, American's ships will dock at a new floating dock at 25 India Street, next to the Seastreak Ferry Terminal. Travelers will be able to walk to some of the city's top attractions, including delicious restaurants in Fox Point and on Wickenden Street, the historic John Brown House Museum, the pedestrian-friendly waterfront, and the RISD Museum. Longer-term, the partners hope to build a permanent dock on the Providence River, with an overarching goal of making Providence a key coastal destination and future homeport. Related Stories 7/31/2024 4/30/2025 'American Cruise Lines is very appreciative of the partnership between the city and state,' says Eric Dussault, director of port development at American Cruise Lines. 'As the country's largest domestic cruise line, and world's only 100 percent U.S.-flagged fleet, we are proud to be docking in Providence again. American looks forward to developing a longer-term agreement, investing in the city's waterfront and providing ongoing economic benefits to the local community.' Copyright 2025 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Dear Readers: We would love to hear from you. What topics would you like to read about? Please send your feedback and tips to
Travel Weekly
05-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
River cruise veteran John Waggoner on the Victory revival
John Waggoner abruptly exited retirement last year to revive Victory Cruise Lines, purchasing its two former ships from the bankruptcy of American Queen Voyages, the line he'd founded. Cruise editor Teri West spoke with Waggoner days before the naming of the Victory I about the brand's revival and what the future might hold. John Waggoner Q: What has the journey been like to reach this moment? A: We didn't have much time to think about this because the boats came up for auction, and there was only 30 days that you had to get your letter of interest in, get your deposit in, go to the auction, close, do a cash closing and then you have two boats. And you go, "All right, well, now we need to set up a whole company and do a bunch of repairs and set up a sales and marketing team, set up a reservation center, set up office space, hire all the crew." And we've done all that in just over a year, like 380 days. Q: I'd imagine that a lot of it was just pure adrenaline. A: I think more terror, but yeah. But I would say fear is a good motivating factor sometimes. Q: What do you think makes the Great Lakes a good cruise destination? A: One couple has been on 60 different cruises, and their reason to take this cruise is, "We don't have to fly overseas. We don't have to take a six- or eight- or 10- or 12-hour flight. You're right here. We get to stay close by for medical care and everything else, and we get to learn more about our country." Q: Are there other locations that these ships are headed? A: We just need to hit a home run our first year, so we need to focus just on the Great Lakes. But for 2026, I think we'll add some Eastern Seaboard cruises, maybe a Bahamas trip and maybe winding up in New Orleans. We're working on those itineraries now, but they won't be until the end of 2026. Q: American Cruise Lines bought four of American Queen Voyages' vessels, then scrapped a couple of them. I'm curious how you felt about that. A: I put my heart and soul into American Queen, and anytime you put your heart and soul into something you see get destroyed, you have to say, "Geez, that just doesn't feel good at all." Q: How will the experience on these vessels differ under the new ownership? A: One guest just said, "John, after you left, the spark went out. The flame went out. You could see it in the employees. So service wasn't as good, food wasn't as good, entertainment wasn't as good, because a lot of the really good people left. But now that you're back, oh, my God, there is more heart and soul. Everybody is so friendly, the food is excellent, the entertainment is excellent, the short trips that you put together." And I think that's a difference between an owner that's been in the maritime business for 50 years and the fact that you bring the whole team together that's an experienced team. Q: How are you feeling about, not just what folks onboard are saying but about sales, bookings and where business is headed? A: We were at about 70% of our revenue target before we even ran our first trip, which is remarkable. I would say I'm like every other cruise operator in the last three or four weeks. As an investor, watching my 401(k) go down is concerning, but I think we'll all get through that.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
American Cruise Lines setting sail from Pensacola in 2026 — what it means for tourism
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — All aboard! Pensacola will soon become a port of call for American Cruise Lines and its ship, the American Symphony. 'Biggest pet adoption event' coming to Pensacola It's part of the cruise line's new Gulf Coast Cruise Itinerary. 'It's always exciting to have a new way for people to explore your destination. Your community,' Darien Schaefer, president & CEO of Visit Pensacola said. Starting March 2026, the eight-day cruise travels from New Orleans to Pensacola, with stops in Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean Springs and Mobile. Currently, four trips are planned for the month of March. Carrying with it about 180 passengers ready to explore all Pensacola has to offer. 'We know it will actually generate some room nights, because they'll come in the day before the cruise and spend an overnight in Pensacola,' Schaefer said. 'And when they come here it's 180 people that will be exploring the destination. So they'll be taking advantage of some of our attractions and restaurants.' Schaefer said the cruise is just another piece of Pensacola's local tourism economy. 'We've been very fortunate to see tourism grow in Escambia County. And one of the great results of that is visitors, when they come, their spending generates local taxes. And those taxes help offset the cost that all of us as residents of Escambia County have to pay,' Schaefer said. Escambia County approves $25 million worth of improvements to the John R. Jones Sports Complex According to Visit Pensacola, tourism brought in just over $2 billion to the local economy in 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Yahoo
For the country's 250th anniversary, American Cruise Lines plan nationwide river cruises that include St. Paul stops
St. Paul is set to be a central excursion point for a pair of 50-plus-day river cruises in 2026, billed by American Cruise Lines as the longest such voyages on the market. At 51 nights, the Great United States Cruise covers 14 states, including visits to three national parks. After heading from the Pacific Northwest to Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton parks, travelers will fly to New Orleans for a complete Mississippi River cruise ending in St. Paul (or mostly complete; sorry to all the Lake Itasca fans out there), then fly from the Twin Cities to Boston for a New England experience. This cruise runs May 29 to July 19, 2026. The longer Great American Fall Foliage Cruise, 54 nights, trades the national parks for a cruise of Alaska's Inside Passage, then a cruise from St. Louis to St. Paul and an exploration of more of the East Coast, cruising from Portland, Maine, to Washington, D.C. This cruise runs Sept. 5 to Oct. 29, 2026. Both itineraries also include a daylong stop each in Winona and Red Wing. We did not make the cut, evidently, for the Spring Across America cruise in April and May, which begins in South Carolina and Florida and only explores the Mississippi between Memphis and New Orleans before heading to the Pacific Northwest and up to Alaska. Prices for these cruises are not made available online; potential customers must request a custom quote. However, American sailed a similar itinerary, covering 20 states in 60 days, in 2024, and the per-person price for that journey ranged from $51,060 to $77,945. The price is all-inclusive of meals, daily excursions, transportation between cruise segments and, for the Great United States Cruise, an 'American Cruise Lines jacket and gear pack.' The impetus for these extended itineraries, according to the cruise line, is the country's semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, in 2026. River cruising has been making a comeback in St. Paul in recent years, with luxury liners appearing to largely replace the paddle-wheelers of the past. Run by the international company Viking River Cruises, the splashy Viking Mississippi set sail from St. Paul in 2022, the first luxury cruise liner here in about a decade. Until American Cruise Lines reinstated service here a few years ago, the company's cruises had not stopped in St. Paul since 2018; its luxury ships made their final port-of-call instead in Red Wing. Full-time living on a cruise ship? Florida couple goes all in Get into all national parks for free on April 19 Professional deal finder reveals truth about cheap airfare Acclaimed designer reveals the item to pack for a good night's sleep at any hotel 'Coolcations' surge in popularity as travelers seek escape from summer heat The company currently operates fleets of both modern cruise ships — most of which have been newly constructed within the past half-decade or so — and renovated traditional paddle-wheelers. Meanwhile, paddle-wheeler stalwart American Queen Voyages stopped operations in St. Paul by 2019 and folded altogether last year. The broader statewide tourism industry has struggled a bit over the past three years, though, after a brief COVID-induced outdoor vacation surge in 2021. Last summer's tourism season was especially tough for businesses affected by major flooding along the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers.
