A Viking Ocean's cruise ship will be the first to arrive and use the brand new customs facility at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center today, May 30th, according to a news release from the DECC.
Viking Octantis, carrying 400 guests and 250 crew, is calling in Duluth for the day as part of an 8-day Great Lakes Tour. The vessel was scheduled to arrive in the harbor between 6-7 am. The 666-ft/203-m long boat will anchor just outside of the shipping lane.
Passengers will be ferried/transported by tender boats to DECC's new customs facility, and then head out to shore excursions /land tours, including the North Shore Scenic Railroad, Glensheen Mansion, and Great Lakes Aquarium, or take a canoe trip down the Saint Louis River.
This is the first of 9 cruise ships due to dock in Duluth MN (Minnesota USA) from May through September 2022. Most of the voyages will be from Viking, but two (in June) will be American Queen sailings. According to DECC, the average age of cruisers is 70, and 95% of them are from the United States.
After guests return from their shore excursions, the ship is scheduled to depart ~4:00-6:00 p.m., heading toward the next destinations in Wisconsin - Apostle Islands and Bayfield.