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For an 8- or 9-day cruise, the average cost of a Mississippi River cruise is around $4,000 per person in a stateroom. Viking offers complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks with onboard lunch and dinner. Meanwhile, American Cruise Lines offers complimentary beer, wine, cocktails, and soft drinks. History buffs and Americana lovers will find plenty to enjoy on a Mississippi River cruise. Your ship will stop in major cities and lesser-known towns, offering excursions to historic sites and evenings spent enjoying locally inspired cuisine and regional music. Revel in the charm of “America’s Great River” as you set sail along the Mississippi.
Tastes and Sounds of the South (10 Days)
These include a nine-day Lower Mississippi itinerary from Memphis to New Orleans (or vice versa). In Oak Alley, Louisiana, guests can tour a Greek Revival mansion on a sugar plantation built and maintained by slaves. While no Civil War fighting took place in Natchez, Mississippi, the city is home to hundreds of lavish mansions from the era and the Historic Natchez Cemetery, which dates to 1822. Guests can also look forward to discovering spacious lounges and quiet nooks to gather with fellow travelers.
French Balcony Stateroom (FB)
Passengers on the Upper Mississippi may get the chance to hop off and explore Mark Twain's childhood home in Hannibal, Missouri, stroll the streets of Iowa's oldest city (Dubuque), or marvel at sacred bluffs in Red Wing, Minnesota. Along the Middle Mississippi, there's Paducah, Kentucky, a UNESCO-designated Creative City, and Chester, Illinois, the birthplace of Popeye the Sailor Man. Another year, too much rain flooded the river, making it impossible for riverboats to get under bridges and forcing the closing of several locks. Even on the Upper Mississippi, temperatures can climb into the 90s, and humidity is high during the summer, so be prepared for sudden thunderstorms. The weather cools down quite considerably (especially in the morning and evening) come autumn. However, there are slight differences depending on the section of the river you’re looking to cruise.
Day By Day Itinerary
Guests enjoy two- to five-day cruises along the Mississippi River that include stops in Hannibal, Missouri (Mark Twain’s hometown), St. Louis and Starved Rock State Park in Illinois. Unlike other paddleboat cruises, guests sail from port to port on the paddleboat but stay onshore overnight in local accommodations. On a virtual journey through living history—past fertile cotton fields, sugar cane plantations and imposing pillared mansions—guests can soak in the romantic spirit of the Antebellum era that unfolds along the riverbanks. 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.
Popular Ports on the Mississippi
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 purpose-built Viking Mississippi offers a wide variety of staterooms for your selection. 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. 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.
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. 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.
Day 9: New Orleans, LA Disembark
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. 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. 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. Immerse yourself in its rich musical legacy as you stroll along legendary Beale Street, where music flows from every doorway, and savor the rich flavors and aromas of the city’s famous BBQ.
American Queen Voyages, which docked in Memphis, shuts down - WREG NewsChannel 3
American Queen Voyages, which docked in Memphis, shuts down.
Posted: Wed, 21 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Be entertained by onboard performers who will perform the music born of the river. These 9-day voyages on the American Duchess, American Queen and American Countess (in 2020) are designed to introduce guests to the diverse culture, stories, songs and flavors of this historic region. A resident “Riverlorian” offers lectures and chats explaining their lore and the evenings are filled with festive, live entertainment. You can visit 18 ports in six states on a 23-day Mississippi River journey from New Orleans to St. Paul.
Other Cruises on the Mississippi River
It’s best to cruise the Upper Mississippi in the spring, fall and summer, when temperatures are milder. 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. If you love the musical genres of the South, a Mississippi River cruise from New Orleans to Memphis (or vice versa) should be your choice. Explore St. Paul’s historic districts graced with late 19th- and early 20th-century mansions.
Discover why the Mississippi River and the port of Vicksburg were so important during the Civil War and enjoy the beautiful architecture, antiques, and gardens of grand estates alongside the river, including Houmas House, and Rosedown. Perhaps sip and savor a tasty mint julep while strolling under the canopy of 300-year-old trees at Oak Alley or peruse the local shops and museums of quaint and cozy towns like St. Francisville and Natchez. The two cruise lines sailing America's most legendary river offer itineraries for every interest on ships designed with mature travelers in mind. 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.
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. You can enjoy excursions in Missouri's most famous big city (St. Louis) and small town (Hannibal) and then visit three ports in Iowa known for their historic architecture and agriculture (including a tour of the John Deere Pavilion).
Experience a time-honored form of travel by cruising down the Mississippi River on a paddleboat. This unique vacation experience provides a new view of such popular U.S. destinations as New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis and St. Paul, as well as scenic landscapes up and down river. You won’t find a vacation like this elsewhere in America, so you’re sure to create some priceless memories. Guests travel to the magnificent Houmas House Plantation and enjoy its beautiful gardens and unique collection of Louisiana art, and get to sip a mint julep on the west lawn of former the Oak Alley Plantation.
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. Sail 1,393 miles, through 10 states, on the most comprehensive exploration of the Mighty Mississippi available.
Meaning “red stick,” Baton Rouge’s 1699 French name references an ancient geographical marker and reflects the city’s long history. 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. From the coast of Maine, to the mighty Mississippi and Pacific Northwest, our Free Cruise Guide provides detailed information about all of our more than 50 U.S. itinerary options. 4th Of July, New Orleans & the Mighty Mississippi River - The PERFECT Combination for Celebrating Independence Day! Join us aboard the authentic & award winning paddlewheeler Creole Queen for the best seat in the house.
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. Road Scholar, a nonprofit inspiring lifelong learning since 1975, offers a 26-day learning adventure on the American Queen Steamboat Company’s American Duchess. Sailing the entire length of the Mississippi, the onboard focus is on the life and legacy of Mark Twain, with lectures onboard by a resident Riverlorian history and culture experts. Participants visit the boyhood home of Samuel Clemens in Hannibal, Missouri, as well as the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.
After American Queen Voyages shut down in February, only two Mississippi River cruise lines currently remain in operation. Here's what you need to know about Mississippi River boat cruises, from choice itineraries to popular stops. Winona, Minnesota, boasts some of the state's most architecturally significant buildings, many featuring the beautiful stained glass for which the city is known. Then it's off to Red Wing, Minnesota, where you can explore the Pottery Museum before completing your journey in the Twin Cities. Sail along the Mississippi River, an important region with diverse wildlife and ecosystems. 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.
