Monday, April 1, 2024

5 Things to Know Before Cruising the Mississippi River

cruise on the mississippi

Stops along the way include Hannibal, Missouri; Fort Madison, Davenport, and Dubuque, Iowa; and Winona and Red Wing, Minnesota. Several riverboats cruise this route, including American Melody and American Symphony, inaugurated in 2021 and 2022, respectively. These sister vessels offer large rooms and suites with contemporary furnishings and an upscale feel. Sail along the Lower Mississippi from New Orleans to Memphis on this nine-day cruise, which starts with a complimentary stay in New Orleans and a second day to enjoy the Big Easy. Then, it's on to Nottoway Resort and St. Francisville in Louisiana and Natchez, Vicksburg, and Greenville in Mississippi before a day of cruising through the Delta and disembarking in Memphis.

day Mississippi River Odyssey: New Orleans to Red Wing, Minnesota

And the ‘America‘ will stop in even smaller areas for their natural beauty or cultural importance, like Oak Alley, Cape Girardeau, and Hannibal. Known as the Heart and Soul of the Mississippi Delta, the city of Greenville offers visitors unique insight into traditional southern living. Enjoy a relaxing trip through the historic sites of the largest city in Mississippi, including Cotton Row, the Mount Holly Plantation, and the Weatherbee House. Step off your ship docked right at Houmas House and explore one of the most elaborately renovated of the grand homes along the river, once a private home and a thriving historical agricultural enterprise. Entertaining and knowledgeable guides will escort you through the magnificently restored home’s unmatched collection of stunning period furnishings and artwork. The ornately landscaped grounds include 38 acres of gardens, fountains, and majestic live oak trees.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Stroll along the charming series of murals painted along the adjacent floodwall and read panels detailing the Vicksburg stories they illustrate. Sail 1,393 miles, through 10 states, on the most comprehensive exploration of the Mighty Mississippi available. This epic cruise showcases the culture and cuisine of the historic South, and the rolling farmlands of the Midwest as we explore the entire length of this legendary river.

American Queen Voyages shuts down, ending its Mississippi cruises - Bring Me The News

American Queen Voyages shuts down, ending its Mississippi cruises.

Posted: Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Mississippi River Cruise Itineraries

Admire the historic mansions and grand homes atop its bluffs, and delve into America’s Civil War history. Delight in the region’s famed Southern cuisine and sample Memphis’s renowned barbecue, alongside artisan beers. Birthplace of American music—blues, jazz and soul—the Mississippi celebrates its musical heritage in the towns and cities that line its legendary shores. Cruising the Mississippi River and its tributaries is an exploration of the American spirit. Gliding past the rolling farmland on our paddlewheel riverboats American Heritage and American Splendor, is an experience set in a time past and a testament to the ingenuity of the pioneers who first traveled these waters.

Our onboard experts don’t just lecture, they spend time with guests aboard and on shore, giving real insight and depth to each destination visited. If you want to experience cruising the Mississippi River in a more "traditional" way (but with modern comforts), go for a steamboat; if you’d rather travel in something less traditional, opt for one of the modern cruise ships. In terms of itineraries, all three cruise lines offer a wide range of options.

Discover Darrow, the gateway to the grand homes of the Lower Mississippi, and explore the fascinating towns along the banks of the Mississippi that preserve the memory of the American South’s early history. Learn about Natchez’s French and Acadian heritage and pay your respects at the Vicksburg battlefield. Savor delicious Cajun and Creole cuisine, as well as Memphis’s famous barbecue, as you celebrate musical legends in the birthplace of rock ’n’ roll. Several other excursion options are available, including exploring museums and historic sites with local expert guides or on your own.

Here, you can savor a complimentary taste of one of the best mint juleps in the South. Once serving as an antebellum sugar cane plantation, Oak Alley Plantation is rightfully named after its most distinguishing feature, a canopy of 300-year-old oak trees that form a quarter-mile path leading to the Mississippi River. Restored to its 19th-century grandeur, this classic Greek Revival-style antebellum mansion is simply breathtaking. Back aboard your riverboat, relax with our daily cocktail hour, hors d'oeuvres, a delicious meal, and an evening show as regional entertainers share the area’s renowned cultural flair. The 386-guest Viking Mississippi® was “floated out” in Louisiana, marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water.

Reviews of Mississippi Cruises

cruise on the mississippi

Lower Mississippi River Cruises sail from Memphis, Tennessee and New Orleans, Louisiana. In addition to cruises directly on the Mississippi River, there are also cruises that explore its tributaries including the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. Once serving as an antebellum sugar cane homestead, Oak Alley Plantation is named after its most distinguishing feature, a row of 300-year-old oak trees. Restored to its 19th-century grandeur, this classic Greek Revival-style antebellum mansion is breathtaking. The complete Elvis experience is yours with a stay at The Guest House at Graceland, including breakfast, and an exploration of Elvis' mansion and grounds. The cost of a Mississippi River cruise can vary depending on the month you travel, the length of the cruise and ship-specific details like the type of cabin you book and additional excursion fees.

Why Viking

As you explore, discover the Historic District which boasts magnificent mansions and unique boutique shops and admire cottonwood trees which transition to stately oaks adorned with Spanish moss. Board your ship and be treated to a special welcoming reception, a chance to mingle with fellow guests as you set sail for the most comprehensive exploration of the Mississippi River available. Purpose-built for the Mississippi, the ship's cutting-edge design, expansive windows and comfortable amenities make it the first truly modern cruise ship in the region. Purpose-built for the Mississippi, the ship’s cutting-edge design, expansive windows and comfortable amenities make it the first truly modern cruise ship in the region. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, American Cruise Lines (ACL) has a fleet of more than 20 American-built ships sailing across the country and remains family-owned and American-crewed. History and culture unfold as you traverse the Mississippi on this enriching voyage.

From Veranda Staterooms to the abundance of extra perks and amenities in our spacious Explorer Suites, there is no finer way to travel. And whichever stateroom you choose, you will find it beautifully designed in the understated elegance for which Viking is known. Another year, too much rain flooded the river, making it impossible for riverboats to get under bridges and forcing the closing of several locks. After American Queen Voyages shut down in February, only two Mississippi River cruise lines currently remain in operation. Winona, Minnesota, boasts some of the state's most architecturally significant buildings, many featuring the beautiful stained glass for which the city is known.

From New Orleans to St. Paul, you’ll be blown away by the beauty, history, and cultures that you’ll experience as you cruise north. With only one departure date available per year, your preferred stateroom could be taken at any moment. Cruising the Mississippi River does include big cities like New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis and St. Paul. But you also get to stop in small towns that were once vital to the westward-growing United States, like Vicksburg, Red Wing, Paducah, Natchez and more.

Here are five things you need to know prior to the life-changing experience of cruising on the Mississippi River. Viking River Cruises' American Heartland itinerary sails from St. Louis to St. Paul (or vice versa) and runs 12 days with pre- and post-cruise stays in 2024 and 2025. You'll explore architectural gems aboard Viking Mississippi, itself an example of sleek, Scandinavian-inspired nautical architecture. St. Paul is an exciting place to end your riverboat cruise adventure on the Mississippi River. History buffs will enjoy a walking tour of Summit Avenue, which highlights gorgeous historic mansions built in the late 1800’s. St. Paul’s enchanting art galleries, world-class museums, and entertaining stage performances will capture your imagination.

Riverboats at the Gateway Arch Kick Off 60th Season - Gateway Arch National Park (U.S - National Park Service

Riverboats at the Gateway Arch Kick Off 60th Season - Gateway Arch National Park (U.S.

Posted: Fri, 01 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Then it's off to Red Wing, Minnesota, where you can explore the Pottery Museum before completing your journey in the Twin Cities. After a day in Redwing, Minnesota, known for its pottery studios, you'll end your journey in the Twin Cities, home to the Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Institute of Art in Minneapolis and well-preserved Victorian buildings in St. Paul. Highlights include St. Louis, where you'll admire Saarinen's circa-1965 Gateway Arch, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis featuring a 41-million-piece mosaic and the Renaissance Revival-style City Hall. From Dubuque, Iowa, you can head to Spring Green, Wisconsin, to visit Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright's private home, studio and school from 1911 to 1959. Explore Downtown Paducah, a UNESCO Creative City, and admire its preserved architecture. Take a ride on the Fenelon Place Elevator, the world’s shortest and steepest scenic railway or try your luck in one of Dubuque's state-of-the-art casinos.

Keep in mind, however, that the Mississippi is the fourth largest river in the world—so temperatures any time of year are not going to be the same in warmer Louisiana as they are in cooler Minnesota. The new kid on the Mississippi is the Viking Mississippi, a 386-passenger, five-deck vessel that first set sail in September 2022. The cutting-edge cruise is Viking’s first foray in the US, adding to their fleet of more than 90 ocean, river, and expedition vessels navigating the world’s seven continents. The challenge modern travelers now face is when, where, and how to go about this iconic American voyage. Below, see our answers to these frequently asked questions, plus our favorite Mississippi River cruises to book in 2024.

Embark on a unique riverboat adventure along the Lower Mississippi River between New Orleans, Louisiana and Memphis, Tennessee. Savor a week aboard our intimate and relaxed modern riverboat with 180 guests or fewer. Our enthusiastic all-American crew is ready to share with you a wonderful journey filled with historical tales, culinary delights, vibrant music, and new friends.

These itineraries are offered by both American Cruise Lines and Viking, and are perfect for seniors with plenty of time to explore. Viking is a newcomer to the Mississippi River, and all sailings are aboard the 386-guest Viking Mississippi. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below.

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