American Cruise Lines Makes its First Docking in Winona

American Cruise Lines vessel “America” docked at Levee Park on 7/26/21.

WINONA, Minn. (KWNO)-American Cruise Lines (ACL) vessel “America” docked in Winona for the first time on Monday.  

The five-deck paddleboat, carrying over 150 passagers, received a warm Winona welcome. The passengers were serenaded by the Little Warrior drumline, handed root beer floats from Lake View Drive Inn, and got a list of local attractions and information.  

It was the first of 22 dockings Connecticut-based American Cruise Lines will make in Winona this year. Frank Klisch, Community Relations Director for American Cruise Lines, said the combination of the local enthusiasm and Levee Park validates their decision to make Winona a stop on their Mississippi River cruises.  

“We’ve established a long-term agreement and that’s a big part of it,” said Klisch. “Make sure people want us in their community as much as we want to be there and that’s true in this community of Winona.”  

Mayor Scott Sherman was at the docking to welcome passengers and to read a proclamation, declaring July 26, 2021, American Cruise Lines Day in Winona.  

“To have those tourism dollars coming back into the community again is extremely important,” Sherman said. “It gives us an opportunity to get back to normal.”  

Like everywhere else, Winona’s tourism industry was severely impacted by the COVID-19 closures last year. Klisch said the ACL’s stops will have a sizable economic impact.  

“We’ll have about a $41 million impact this year,” said Klisch siting an economic impact study commissioned by ACL. He says plans to add a new vessel every year for the next five years will triple the economic impact on their Mississippi River cruise routes.  

The agreement was years in the making says former Mayor Mark Peterson. He was one of the volunteer guides that led passengers on tours of Winona, bringing to life something he and other community leaders feel will benefit Winona’s tourism industry for years to come.  

“I think Winona is defiantly going to be a big stop,” said Peterson. “We got a lot to offer here in Winona and I think people are realizing that.”  

Both Peterson and Sherman thanked city staff, Visit Winona and other community members they say worked tirelessly to make the dockings a reality. The next ACL stop is scheduled for Tuesday.