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And while rivers like the Danube and the Rhine are top choices for many travelers, you don't have to go abroad for a memorable river cruise. You can access some of the nation's iconic attractions and favorite cities right from the Mississippi River. There is nothing as epic as spending a full three weeks cruising the entire length of the Mississippi River!
Other Regions in USA
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.
Complete Mississippi River Experience Itinerary
These include a nine-day Lower Mississippi itinerary from Memphis to New Orleans (or vice versa). They are especially appealing to mature travelers looking to enjoy guided tours of top cities and small towns in several Southern and Midwestern states. American Queen Voyages offers several itineraries along the Mississippi — one along the Upper Mississippi, another on the Lower Mississippi, and one that also sails a portion of the Ohio River — on its signature paddle-wheel steamboats.
A Look at The Mississippi River Fleet for 2024 - Cruise Industry News
A Look at The Mississippi River Fleet for 2024.
Posted: Thu, 28 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Lower Mississippi River Cruise
View colorful Victorian mansions, stroll through a whimsical downtown area, and visit the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Discover Hannibal, “America’s Hometown,” and the inspiration behind many of Mark Twain’s literary characters. Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn come to life in this charming Missouri town, where you can run your hand along Aunt Polly’s fence, explore Injun Joe’s Cave, and get reacquainted with one of the world’s most beloved authors. The downtown area is a thriving haven for artisans, filled with specialty shops unique to Hannibal. Times have changed, but not in Downtown Tunica, with Main Street buildings just as they were at the turn of the century.
Cool Reasons to Take Mississippi Riverboat Cruises
On the Mississippi River, that could mean Andouille Gumbo, a po’boy with red beans and rice, and bourbon pecan pie. In New England, you could find Littleneck clam ceviche on the menu followed by a spiced apple pudding with maple whipped cream. In the Pacific Northwest, you’ll find fresh fish on the menu, including shrimp bisque or Dungeness Crab cake, and a marionberry cheesecake that’ll make your mouth water!
As Louisiana’s state capital, the city still echoes with tales of the characters who lived here, most notably Governor and Senator Huey P. Long. Learn about his dramatic career at the magnificent 1852 Old State Capitol Museum and visit Long’s 1932 State Capitol building, an architectural marvel of granite and marble. Revel in the bliss of floating along the current of the mighty Mississippi River, framed by a forest of cottonwood trees dotted with majestic blue herons.
The fabric of the region is brought to life through our delicious regional cuisine, great onboard music, and customized excursions to historic landmarks. Enjoy one of our themed Mississippi River cruises, perfect for music aficionados, culinary connoisseurs and history enthusiasts. Enjoy a feast for your senses if you linger in this magical city, renowned for its delicious cuisine, vibrant music scene, and rich culture with an international flair. Stroll the tree-lined avenues, take a carriage ride through the French Quarter, hop aboard a streetcar to the gorgeous Garden District, or visit the renowned National World War II Museum. If departing the ship in New Orleans, enjoy available city excursions and motorcoach transfers to the airport. Welcome to Memphis, a historic city which rises picturesquely up the hillside from the river, adorned with grand oak trees, lush parks, and historic sites that commemorate everything from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement.
Day by Day
Enjoy relaxing scenic sailing and unparalleled bird-watching as the landscape changes between the bluffs of the North and the bayous of the South. Along the way, tap your feet to the rhythm of American folk, soul and jazz music—and taste a delicious array of regional cuisine. In addition to visiting monuments and museums, you'll enjoy onboard lectures and presentations and interaction with other Civil War buffs. These sailings are aboard 150-passenger American Heritage and 180-guest American Melody, American Serenade, American Splendor and American Symphony. Add in regionally inspired cuisine enjoyed aboard a luxurious river ship, plus the camaraderie of other culturally curious travelers, and cruising the most celebrated river in the United States promises satisfaction on multiple levels.
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.
Mingle with guests in one of our comfortable, read a good book on your private balcony, or take part in one of our many onboard activities. American Cruise Lines offers a dozen itineraries ranging in length from five to 22 days. Options include round-trip cruises from New Orleans, Lower and Upper Mississippi itineraries, and themed cruises such as Music Cities and Great Smoky Mountains.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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