THUNDER BAY — When tourists sailing on Viking Octantis arrive at Silver Islet this Friday, they'll have a unique opportunity to take an underwater tour.
The largest cruise ship on the Great Lakes – and the first to visit the Thunder Bay area in 10 years – carries two submersibles.
Each takes six passengers at a time, who are placed in revolving seats that provide 270-degree views below the surface.
"That's a very unique experience, one that I think is going to generate a lot of media attention for them, and for us as a destination," says Paul Pepe, manager of tourism for the City of Thunder Bay.
According to Pepe, the 378-passenger vessel operated by Viking Expeditions is one of the top 10 new cruise ships in the world.
"It's being followed very closely by all the international travel and cruise media, so it's really put Thunder Bay in a global media spotlight in the tourism sector," he said Wednesday.
This year the Viking Octantis is scheduled to make seven trips to Thunder Bay, which the company selected as a turnaround spot.
That means a new group of passengers will board the ship here for its return voyage to Milwaukee after arriving passengers have toured the city before returning home by air.
Another cruise ship, American Cruise Lines' Ocean Navigator, will dock at Thunder Bay twice this summer.
Both vessels will return next year, when they will be joined by another Viking Expeditions ship, Viking Polaris.
Pepe said the economic impact on the city this year alone will be very significant.
"There's a range of economic impacts that are broader than just day-stops. Some guests are flying in the day-of or flying out the day-of. Others are staying in the area for an extra day or two and exploring."
He said spinoff benefits for local businesses include resupplying the vessels with food and other goods, and providing ground transportation services.
Tourism Thunder Bay estimates the overall economic benefit to the city will range between $3.6 and 5.6 million.
Significant improvements have recently been made at the Pool 6 dock where passengers will board and disembark.
Most of the concrete rubble left after the demolition of the grain elevator years ago has been removed, and the ground has been levelled.
Pepe said a new accessible pedestrian path and bus turnaround have been constructed, and additional security fencing has been erected.
"A tent will be set up for luggage-handling on Friday, big planters with trees have been delivered to the site. We've got temporary fenders installed until the new ones arrived, we've got dock repairs and new bollards. So the site's looking good. It's been cleaned up quite a bit."
Pepe said he's just hoping that weather conditions in the days ahead are suitable for growing the grass that was planted last week.
"It will be exciting to see a cruise vessel back in the community this weekend," he said.
The Viking Octantis is expected to dock in Thunder Bay at 6 p.m. Friday.
It is scheduled to leave the port at 5 a.m. Sunday.
The city has posted a notice on social media advising that access to the ship during the stopover will be limited to guests and authorized personnel, and that parking will not be allowed along the road to Pool 6:
Given the size and uniqueness of the Viking Octantis, we know that many residents are interested in seeing it up close. Pool 6 is a federally regulated cruise facility, and access to the vessel will be limited to authorized personnel and guests only. If residents and tourism partners wish to view the ship in port, we ask that people park at Prince Arthur’s Landing and walk or choose another vantage point offsite, like Hillcrest Park. Parking will not be allowed along the road to Pool 6 and traffic control will be in place to reduce congestion while the vessel is in port. The Alexander Henry museum ship will be operational and accessible during the vessel stay. Residents are encouraged to visit the Henry and the Waterfront District shops while in the area as well. (City of Thunder Bay)
