Sunday, April 14, 2024

Guide to Mississippi River Cruises: Discover The Heart of America

river cruise mississippi

American Cruise Lines offers a 5-day journey, which is perfect for those who may need a shorter option and want a taste of river cruising, and/or the Mississippi River ports. Cruising the Mississippi River has grown in popularity so much that river cruises are now being offered nearly year-round. From New Orleans, LA to St. Paul, MN, enjoy well-customized excursions, led by engaging local guides who live and work in these great port cities of America’s Heartland.

NEW! The Big Easy to the Gateway City

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. There are three main cruise lines traveling the Mississippi, with journeys ranging from less than a week to more than 20 days. Spring and fall are the best times of year to take a cruise along the river, as you'll avoid the summer heat and winter chill and enjoy more pleasant weather while you take in the surroundings. Viking is a newcomer to the Mississippi River, and all sailings are aboard the 386-guest Viking Mississippi. This itinerary is offered in 2024 and 2025 on four American Cruise Lines ships, ranging from the 150-passenger classic paddlewheeler American Heritage to the 180-passenger modern riverboat American Serenade. American Cruise Lines is known for its regionally inspired cuisine, served with complimentary wine and beer at lunch and dinner, plus complimentary cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and hosted entertainment in the main lounges.

Lower Mississippi River Cruises

International guests – along with US guests – will find a Mississippi River cruise is a wonderful way to gain a historical perspective of great American cities. Factors you should consider in deciding which cruise line to book depend on things like ship modernization (or year built or refurbished), cost of the cruise, and precise ports that the itinerary goes to. 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.

What is the best time of year to go on a river cruise?

river cruise mississippi

Don’t forget to budget for gratuities as well and some extra money if you want to upgrade any excursions beyond what’s included. 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. This itinerary is known for having the most scenic and serene views between the cities of St. Louis, Missouri to St. Paul, Minnesota. Viking offers a special 15-day cruise that includes 11 different excursions. This includes American Cruise Lines American Symphony or American Melody, and Viking Mississippi. If you’ve never been on a river cruise before, in Europe or elsewhere, you need to know that it’s nothing like ocean cruise ships, which provide endless hours of entertainment onboard.

Complete Mississippi River Experience Itinerary

river cruise mississippi

But The National Civil Rights Museum should also be a stop during your visit to this Mississippi River cruise port. American Cruise Lines has an 11-day river cruise from New Orleans to St. Louis. 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. Mississippi River cruises are also offered on the upper portion of the river, which passes through the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri.

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]

Explore unique boutiques, antique shops, a fully restored courthouse, and Tunica Veterans Memorial at Rivergate Park. Here, you can enjoy the kind of southern hospitality you thought only existed in storybooks. With no Civil War fighting here, Natchez still features hundreds of antebellum homes and buildings. Each of these architectural treasures has its own story to tell, creating a charming downtown that embodies the essence of southern charm and hospitality.

Your Lower Mississippi Itinerary

One solution is arranging for cruises to take place on the nearby Ohio River instead. Inquire about inclement weather policies regarding the river levels before booking your cruise if you’re concerned. As for Lower Mississippi River cruises, they typically operate from November through December and again from April to mid-June. These cruises tend to sail on the bottom third of the river, beginning or ending in New Orleans. Begin planning your U.S. cruise adventure with American Cruise Lines today.

Best cruise for Civil War history: Lower Mississippi (round trip from New Orleans)

The ornately landscaped grounds include 38 acres of gardens, fountains, and majestic live oak trees. They also offer round-trip river cruises from New Orleans and a journey from St. Louis to St. Paul. There are so many reasons to explore the Mighty Mississippi River from New Orleans to the Twin Cities of Minnesota.

F's; Food, Food, and Fun

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. Galena is the historic town home to Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th president of the United States. You can take a trolley tour to see his home and other locally famous landmarks and historic sites, including its delightful main street with lots of shopping.

As we cruise, listen to our onboard expert describe the native wildlife or simply sit back and enjoy the sun on the bow. 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. We know that US River Cruises may give some people sticker shock if they’re used to ocean cruise ship prices. However, we hold true to our belief that river cruises are the best value out there.

Everything is very well organized, from our luggage/hotel in Dubuque/seating for meals, free shuttles in Dubuque, etc! This was an absolutely perfect two day cruise, and we are going again in Mid October as we loved it so much!!. To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below. Viking River Cruises' 22-day Grand Mississippi Voyage, available in 2024 aboard the 386-passenger Viking Mississippi, also embarks in New Orleans and visits 16 ports in nine states as it cruises north to St. Paul, Minnesota. American Cruise Line's nine-day Upper Mississippi river cruise covers much of the same ground, with a few differences. Sailings are available on the 150-passenger paddlewheeler American Heritage as well as on three sleek new 180-guest riverboats, American Melody, American Serenade and American Symphony.

As you make your way from Dubuque to Winona, enjoy the scenic splendor of the Upper Mississippi River from your private balcony. Immerse yourself in the beauty that surrounds you, the setting for countless American stories and the inspiration for artists and musicians throughout time. 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. View colorful Victorian mansions, stroll through a whimsical downtown area, and visit the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.

Then it's off to Red Wing, Minnesota, where you can explore the Pottery Museum before completing your journey in the Twin Cities. Step into 19th-century America in Winona, Minnesota, located in the picturesque bluff country on the Mississippi River. Explore this vibrant small town with the perfect blend of urban edge and old-world charm.

During this sailing, you'll overnight in Memphis, so there's time to fully savor barbecue, the blues and Elvis Presley's Graceland. A port call in Paducah, Kentucky, lets you explore the National Quilt Museum and colorful street murals. On American Cruise Lines' eight-day New Orleans to New Orleans itinerary, cruisers can visit Vicksburg, Mississippi, where the National Military Park commemorates the campaign, siege and defense of Vicksburg in 1863. In Louisiana's capital, Baton Rouge, a guided excursion explores critical locations in the Civil War's Battle of Baton Rouge and Port Hudson. Nestled among the scenic bluffs of the Upper Mississippi River, Red Wing's beauty has inspired craftsmen and artisans for over 150 years.

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