Riverboat cruises are scheduled to make 89 stops in Baton Rouge this year, a 29% increase from last year’s 69 stops.
The expected increase comes comes courtesy of American Cruise Lines’ new 180-passenger boat, American Song. Described as the nation’s “first modern riverboat” by the cruise line, American Song will depart from New Orleans on its inaugural cruise next week.
American Cruise Lines is one of two riverboat companies that dock at downtown’s paperclip dock site. American Queen Steamboat Company operates two boats that dock downtown, and will be adding another vessel to its fleet to dock in the city in 2020, says Philipa Blair, director of destination services for Visit Baton Rouge.
Depending on the cruise line company, there are between 180 and 400 passengers getting off each boat to visit attractions in downtown Baton Rouge, says Blair, who estimates there will be about two dockings per week through December.
There were 65 scheduled dockings in 2016 and 84 in 2015. There are currently 116 dockings scheduled for next year, according to a Visit Baton Rouge schedule.
