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The highly-anticipated first visit to the Copper Country by the cruise ship Octantist has been called off.
Viking Cruise Line officials said anticipated high winds would have prevented passengers from leaving the ship to explore the community. The 665-foot polar-class cruise ship was scheduled to anchor near Dollar Bay, with passengers ferried to the Houghton dock.
The Octantis also skipped its scheduled stop at Bayfield, Wisconsin yesterday, for the same reason.
Keweenaw County Convention and Visitors Bureau director Brad Barnett was disappointed, but said safety is the top priority. He indicated those who had planned onshore excursions for the passengers were also disappointed.
Food purchased to help welcome the travelers will be donated to the community.
The Octantist is expected to visit the Keweenaw six more times this summer. Its next scheduled visit is June 29th. American Cruise Line vessels are also scheduled to stop in the Portage twice this month.
