Nicknamed the U.S.S. Cheeto, a riverboat fashioned after Chester Cheeto, appeared on the Mississippi River during the Super Bowl. We should note that the designator “U.S.S.” stands for “United States Ship” and that the Cheeto boat is not a part of the United States fleet. The riverboat carries the official name, “Cheese of the Seas.”
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Perched atop the 300-foot-long riverboat is a 113-foot-long inflatable Chester Cheeto. The cartoonish cheetah has been the mascot for Cheetos brand snacks since 1986. The boat was part of the Super Bowl festivities. Sadly, the Chester Cheeto riverboat had no passengers. The riverboat was to cruise the river from 10 AM until 6 PM from Thursday through Super Bowl Sunday.
The old riverboat is the former Riverboat Louis Armstrong. The riverboat spent many years in Evansville, Indiana, as the Casino Aztar. In 2017, it received renovations as a jazz club in New Orleans. We are unsure if the Chester Cheeto decor is a permanent rebrand or a temporary promotional deal.
Steamboats have sailed along the Mississippi River since the early 1800s. The first was the New Orleans, which sailed along the Ohio River from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, then down the Mississippi. Riverboats could haul cargo and transport people and were integral during the Civil War.
In the 1900s, riverboats got a new use as gambling casinos to circumvent anti-gambling laws. Hurricane Katrina destroyed many riverboat casinos. Gambling is now allowable on land within 800 feet of the river.
Riverboats provide a unique way to enjoy the river on tourist excursions. The old steamboats now have first-class accommodations, including fine dining and onboard activities. They allow visitors to experience the beauty of the river with a taste of nostalgia.
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