Guide to Mississippi River Cruises: Discover The Heart of America

Table Of Content

• Amazing Day Trips From St Louis - The Perfect Family Outing
• Cool Reasons to Take Mississippi Riverboat Cruises
• Americana sights, sounds & flavors
• NEW! Mississippi River Odyssey
• Learn About Credit Cards
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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. Both cruise lines offer Upper Mississippi sailings from July through September. Viking and American Cruise Lines' itineraries and excursions are our picks for fans of American art and architecture.

Amazing Day Trips From St Louis - The Perfect Family Outing

The more popular Mississippi River cruises typically occur in America’s Heartland on the Lower Mississippi River. Popular states on this route are Louisiana, Tennessee (home of Elvis Presley), Arkansas, and of course, Mississippi. A ship can’t sail if it is stuck in the river muck, nor can it safely sail if high waters and currents pull the ship up or downstream or are so high the vessel can’t fit under bridges. For example, Upper Mississippi River levels rise during spring and the beginning of summer due to snowmelt from the northern states. Whether you are looking for a sightseeing adventure on the Mississippi River, taking in the sights, or dining on the river at sunset, Mark Twain Riverboat has something for everyone. Mark Twain shared his unique perspective of life on the Mississippi River throughout his writings and characters.

Cool Reasons to Take Mississippi Riverboat Cruises

Mississippi River mayors remorseful over end of cruise company - KTVI Fox 2 St. Louis

Mississippi River mayors remorseful over end of cruise company.

Posted: Mon, 26 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

This epic 23-day exploration of America begins in New Orleans and travels north, visiting new ports of call each day before concluding in Minneapolis. 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. We embrace the relaxed pace of life on the River, following its bends and savoring its charms in much the same way as travelers and colonists would have over a century before. Passengers can enjoy a sun terrace with an aft infinity pool and an Explorer's Lounge with panoramic forward views of the Mississippi.

Americana sights, sounds & flavors

If you travel the Lower Mississippi River, New Orleans will most likely be your start or final destination, and there is plenty to see and do here. There are ghost and voodoo tours that guide you through local history, the National WWII Museum, the Garden District, the French Quarter, Jackson Square, and lots of amazing restaurants to eat at. For boat lovers, there’s the Old Depot Museum, which is home to the world's largest ship, riverboat, and US Navy ship model collection. Elvis Presley is arguably the greatest thing ever to have come out of Memphis. But The National Civil Rights Museum should also be a stop during your visit to this Mississippi River cruise port. Head out to Falconer Vineyards to enjoy a glass of wine and spectacular views in this historic and beautiful town.

Enjoy one of our themed Mississippi River cruises, perfect for music aficionados, culinary connoisseurs and history enthusiasts. Revel in the charm of “America’s Great River” as you set sail along the Mississippi. 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.

Learn About Credit Cards

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. Tour the elaborate townhomes, visit a working cotton farm to learn about the crop’s importance in history and today, and discover the historic Under-The-Hill Saloon. Drift through quaint shops, nibble on local delights, and enjoy the expansive views of the majestic river valley from the bluff-top park. After a pre-cruise hotel stay in New Orleans, passengers journey through all aspects of American history.

best Mississippi River cruises

You’ll want to take a trip to The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, also known as The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. You’ll find a lot to appreciate at this popular tourist attraction, which is a beautiful piece of architecture surrounded by nature. This close-jaw Highlights of the Mississippi River cruise itinerary starts and ends in New Orleans. Visit Baton Rouge, Oak Alley with its towering centuries-old oak trees, and Houmas House “Sugar Palace,” all without Louisiana.

Hannibal, Missouri

Or relax on the sun deck or private balcony and enjoy the passing landscapes as we make our way along the Mississippi River from Hannibal to Muscatine. If you're especially passionate about Civil War history, look for American Cruise Lines' special Civil War-themed cruises on limited dates, which allow a deeper dive into the period. These include a nine-day Lower Mississippi itinerary from Memphis to New Orleans (or vice versa).

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

There are a few different paddle-wheel riverboats that cruise this route for American Queen Voyages — find the specific ship for your journey when you select a date. River cruises are a great way to see the world — you can visit several waterfront destinations and watch the scenery pass by from cozy accommodations and top-deck lounges on intimate luxury ships. 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.

Expect to pay $2,600 and upwards depending on the cruise line, dates, and itinerary you choose to experience the Mississippi River on a multi-day river cruise. If you’re looking for the most recently built ships, Viking is the latest to debut its American cruise ships. Secondly, American Cruise Lines has debuted new river cruise ships in recent years and has more on order. A walking tour or bus tour is one of the best ways to see as much as possible in a short amount of time.

This one-hour sightseeing cruise travels along the mighty Mississippi River, allowing you to soak up the scenery at a relaxing, rhythmic pace. Listen as the captain guides your cruise with historical commentary on the history, legends, and sights of the Mississippi River. The cruise takes place on the Mississippi River from Mark Twain's boyhood home town of Hannibal, MO.

View colorful Victorian mansions, stroll through a whimsical downtown area, and visit the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. In Natchez, grand homes sparkle like jewels, adorning the bluffs that tower above the river. Since 1716, when the French first built a fort here among the Natchez Indians, the town has grown to boast elaborate mansions built by planters in the 1800s to flaunt their wealth. During this sailing, you'll overnight in Memphis, so there's time to fully savor barbecue, the blues and Elvis Presley's Graceland.

10 Best Mississippi River Cruises 2024 2025

Table Of Content

• Cruises
• Viking Inclusive Value
• Length of a Mississippi River Cruise
• Must-See Sights on the Mississippi River
• What month is best for a Mississippi River cruise?
• Entertainment Onboard Missississippi River Cruise Boats
• NEW! Upper Mississippi Explorer
• day Mississippi River Odyssey: New Orleans to Red Wing, Minnesota

The cruise itself was delightful as you slowly moved up and down the river enjoying the wildlife and listening to the Captain explain the view and history. Unless you are a very big eater you have to be selective as they feed you FIVE times a day. My Friend and I went on the Riverboat Twilight and it was the most perfect/awesome adventure! From reserving our trip to our final walk to our car after the two day cruise, all was perfect! Staff are amazing, from the Captain to the servers, to the musical entertainers. Everything is very well organized, from our luggage/hotel in Dubuque/seating for meals, free shuttles in Dubuque, etc!

Cruises

They are especially appealing to mature travelers looking to enjoy guided tours of top cities and small towns in several Southern and Midwestern states. This site focuses on small-format cruises and ship-within-a-ship concepts on large cruise ships, including special cruise experiences you can enjoy during your next vacation. Reasons why US river cruises cost more than a European river cruise, for instance, are because the ships have to be built in the United States and the crew has to be large American, which means their salaries are American dollars. The Upper Mississippi River is often suggested as a follow-up itinerary after experiencing the Lower Mississippi River during a multi-day overnight river cruise.

Viking Inclusive Value

They'll educate you all about the history of the area and its inhabitants, so you can reall... 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. As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. We understand that time is the greatest luxury, which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal, a drink, or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world. The challenge modern travelers now face is when, where, and how to go about this iconic American voyage.

Length of a Mississippi River Cruise

There aren’t three-day Mississippi River boat cruises like the river cruises we’re used to that we are currently aware of. You can take a one-day excursion (that does not sail overnight and doesn’t go very far) or sign up for a cruise that is a minimum of 5 days. River cruise ships focus on the ports and shore-side entertainment in their excursion offerings rather than bells and whistles onboard.

Must-See Sights on the Mississippi River

The 140-passenger vessel has ample indoor, and outdoor seating on all three decks, and wrap-around windows give way to amazing views. 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. 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.

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. As the bow-ramp from the ship opens and stretches to the shore, you will be welcomed into the historic cotton port of St. Francisville.

The Restaurant serves both Southern regional cuisine and global favorites, and the ship welcomes local musicians onboard for evening entertainment. Some excursions and a pre-cruise hotel stay in the Big Easy are included in the cruise fare. Travel to the birthplace of jazz, blues, and rock–n-roll as our talented onboard musicians entertain you with songs born along the river.

NEW! Upper Mississippi Explorer

This was an absolutely perfect two day cruise, and we are going again in Mid October as we loved it so much!!. This eight-day cruise starts in St. Louis and sails along the Upper Mississippi to St. Paul. Stops along the way include Hannibal, Missouri; Fort Madison, Davenport, and Dubuque, Iowa; and Winona and Red Wing, Minnesota.

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. American Queen Voyages has new ships as well, but they are focusing on expedition cruise ship builds in the next few years, which will not be sailing on the Mississippi. That said, the good news is there are only three cruise lines to choose from, whose itineraries we listed above. You can’t miss Old Fort Madison, which brings history to life and allows visitors to experience the life of a soldier during the war of 1812. Lastly, enjoy a glass of wine at one of the area’s wineries to end the day before returning to the cruise ship.

Each of these architectural treasures has its own story to tell, creating a charming downtown that embodies the essence of southern charm and hospitality. Later, experience the opulence and natural wonder of the Oak Alley estate with its breathtaking parallel row of 28 ancient and massive live oak trees. Here, you can savor a complimentary taste of one of the best mint juleps in the South.

The Deep South attracts history buffs with its Civil War battlefields and cemeteries and 18th- and 19th-century mansions guarded by regiments of live oaks. Both cruise lines offer a Lower Mississippi river cruise, sailing round-trip from New Orleans, but only one features multiple excursions geared to those with a keen interest in the 19th-century conflict. Upper Mississippi River cruises are a great way for people of all ages to take a break from the normal day-to-day. Instead you'll enjoy an afternoon taking in the beautiful scenery or an evening of entertainment and dining. Our cruises are perfect for anyone who wants adventure but doesn't want the length of trip that most American cruise lines offer.

Riverboat cruises won't dock near Vicksburg because of low river levels - WAPT Jackson

Riverboat cruises won't dock near Vicksburg because of low river levels.

Posted: Wed, 20 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Here, you can enjoy the kind of southern hospitality you thought only existed in storybooks. Explore many of the well-known downtown neighborhoods, while embracing the rich art, architecture, and nature along the route. You can cruise all the way from New Orleans to Minneapolis, or you can sail shorter segments of the river.

A classic Mississippi River cruise line has abruptly shut down - Star Tribune

A classic Mississippi River cruise line has abruptly shut down.

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

End your day by relaxing at the Missouri Botanical Garden, one of the world’s most popular public gardens. 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. Sometimes Sailing is a cruise-focused website by Dan and Mikkel Woodruff, a couple passionate about cruising.