Niagara Falls, N.Y. (WBEN) - "The interest has been significant."
Maid of the Mist spokesman Kevin Keenan joining WBEN on Thursday, just hours before the Maid of the Mist launched it's tour boats for the 2024 season.
The opening is timely because it will allow eclipse enthusiasts to view totality on Monday from one of the most iconic locations in the world, beneath Niagara Falls.
"Fortunately, there was no ice this year, allowing an early start to the season," Keenan told us.
But trying to score a ticket for a 3pm tour Monday, might be equivalent to winning the Powerball.
"Tickets will be first come, first serve," said Keenan. "Each boat has a capacity of 300 so there will be about 600 lucky people on these e-boats Monday at 3:18pm. And if you're lucky enough to be on the boat Monday afternoon, you might want to buy a lottery ticket when you get off."
Does this mean lines, chairs and tents, reminiscent of Black Friday in the early 2000's?
"There's no way you can plan this. There's no art or science. We expect crowds at Niagara Falls State Park similar to what you would see on Memorial Day weekend or the 4th of July, so you can't pick a place in line. It's the luck of the draw," he added.
This year marks the 139th season. The Maid of the Mist is among the longest-continuously operating tourist attractions in North America.
The James V. Glynn and Nikola Tesla tour boats are all electric and zero emission. Keenan explained why that is important. "It means when you're experiencing Niagara Falls, you're not hearing engine noise or vibration. You just hear the roar of the Falls and the many birds that have taken up residence in the lower gorge.
For more information on Maid of the Mist tours and its history, click HERE.