Missouri River Cruises?

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iamjacobm
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Missouri River Cruises?

Post by iamjacobm »

Kind of pulling this from the DSM board, but I found it interesting. At least the potential of it interesting.

American Cruise Lines is building new boats for river cruises in America that aren't the hokey design that mimics old ships, but instead new modern designs that more resemble a yacht. Apparently they are planning on adding a Missouri River cruise in the near future. I would imagine Omaha would be a great spot to dock for a day "excursion" between the casinos on the Iowa side and the Old Market shopping/dinning on the Omaha side we offer about as much as any city does close to the river.

I know I don't really picture the Missouri as a summer cruise vacation, but these boats have 200 rooms for rent which could mean a potential of upwards of 400 people docking somewhere on the riverfront venturing into the city a day or two every week. Could be a nice addition for riverfront attractions and businesses.

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GRANDPASMUCKER
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Re: Missouri River Cruises?

Post by GRANDPASMUCKER »

There would be way to much unavoidable danger navigating that big a boat full of people on the Missouri. Like when I was standing on the boat dock about a month ago at Manawa and and a refrigerator went floating past down the river. That river is too shallow and unstable and full of dangerous junk and trees.
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Silverspoon
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Re: Missouri River Cruises?

Post by Silverspoon »

I agree with Smucker, way too many hazards. Also, how far could you go? You would be trapped between two dams.
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choke
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Re: Missouri River Cruises?

Post by choke »

Silverspoon wrote:I agree with Smucker, way too many hazards. Also, how far could you go? You would be trapped between two dams.
If you saw the Missouri in South Dakota, you wouldn't believe it. The water is clear and wide. I couldn't believe it was the same river we have in Omaha when I saw it. I could see cruises in South Dakota Missouri River but not Nebraska with its sewer water.
daveoma
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Re: Missouri River Cruises?

Post by daveoma »

Maybe I have a fear of the river, but I think of the many floods, deaths, and the wreck of the Bertrand. Personally I would never feel comfortable sleeping on a ship on that river that is not docked.

All that being said, if people want to cruise up to Omaha on the river and spend their tourist money, then I'm all for it! :-)
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Brad
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Re: Missouri River Cruises?

Post by Brad »

Silverspoon wrote:how far could you go? You would be trapped between two dams.
There's no downstream Dam. You could take a boat from Sioux City all the way to the Mississippi River in St Louis.
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skinzfan23
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Re: Missouri River Cruises?

Post by skinzfan23 »

Travel is made easier on the Mississippi River through the use of locks and dams. They are able to raise and lower the water level for boat travel, which is why you see much more barge traffic on the Mississippi.

Here is a picture of the lock and dam in Dubuque, IA:

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Garrett
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Re: Missouri River Cruises?

Post by Garrett »

Brad wrote:
Silverspoon wrote:how far could you go? You would be trapped between two dams.
There's no downstream Dam. You could take a boat from Sioux City all the way to the Mississippi River in St Louis.
This is correct. The Missouri is considered navigable between these two points.
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iamjacobm
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Re: Missouri River Cruises?

Post by iamjacobm »

https://www.workboat.com/news/passenger ... se-market/
Inland river and coastal cruising has become increasingly popular the past few years, and Baer thinks it has room to expand. “There’s still a pretty high demand in the market and not enough inventory around,” he said, and there’s a lot of interest in some of the smaller rivers. “We believe we can successfully start running from St. Louis to Omaha, Neb., opening up the Missouri.”
Not as nuts as I seem.
almighty_tuna
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Re: Missouri River Cruises?

Post by almighty_tuna »

It would need to be a cruise ship based on ice breaker designs given all the |expletive| i've seen floating down the river when I used to work on the riverfront. woof. good luck to 'em.
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