MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – Mobile Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis tells FOX10 News the visit of a new cruise ship to Mobile has provided a boost to the city’s economy and tourism.
The “American Symphony” left Mobile Saturday, but soon to return.
But what do the cruise ship passengers think of Mobile?
The Excelsior Band helped provide a Mardi-Gras type atmosphere as the mayor and other local ambassadors gathered to say bon voyage, for now, to the American Symphony as it departs Mobile.
It was the ship’s final visit of the spring season until it returns in November.
Mayor Cheriogotis told the crowd on hand, “And I hope the passengers that are here today enjoyed it as much as we’ve enjoyed welcoming them to Mobile.”
The Mayor recognized Capt. Sam Hixson and greeted the roughly 180 passengers visiting Mobile during a stop by the ship as it sailed between New Orleans and Pensacola.
The American Symphony launched earlier this month and has already made three stops in Mobile.
Mayor Cheriogotis said, “I tell you what Steve I think a lot about how we can expand our cruise operations here in Mobile. You know a lot of it has to do with parking cars. A lot of it has to do with waterfront. The right space to park the ship It’s something we’re thinking about all the time.”
David Clark, President and CEO of Visit Mobile, said, “The Symphony, if you look at their website, they already had us as a port of call for 2028, spring of ’28, so I think that’s fantastic that it’s going out that far.”
Some of the passengers we talked to already had a chance to visit some Mobile attractions
Jeff Sawyer from St. Petersburg, Florida said, “We took the city tour this morning. We got to see all the lovely architecture the downtown area. Now we’re going to go the museum here, the nautical.”
Susan Sawyer from St. Petersburg mentioned “the parks where we can sit and watch the boats go by. You have beautiful parks here. I like the chocolate shop and the nut shop.”
Glen Herman from Longview, Texas said: “We went to the Battleship this morning. And we were just wore down. Too much to do.”
Linda Neglin from the St. Louis, Missouri area said: “I like all of Mobile. I’ve been here before and, yes, you really have a way about it giving everybody a good time while they’re here.”
The Gulf Coast cruise itinerary is scheduled to return ton November 15th, with six additional stops planned in the Port City through 2028.
Copyright 2026 WALA. All rights reserved.