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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.
Vicksburg, MS
There's eagle spotting in Red Wing and agricultural innovation in Quad Cities, Iowa. You'll enjoy Mark Twain lore in Hannibal, Missouri, and architectural landmarks, such as the soaring Gateway Arch, in St. Louis. You can cruise the entire length of this mighty river as you visit 14 cities in seven U.S. states on Viking's two-week sailing. The cruise line has five ships on the Mississippi, including the traditionally-styled paddlewheelers American Heritage and American Splendor. It also runs its more modern-style riverboats -- the first of their kind in the U.S. -- American Melody, American Serenade and American Symphony on the Mississippi.
Cruises On the Mississippi River Are Offered By Three Main Lines
Despite American Queen's shutdown, U.S. river cruising keeps rolling - Travel Weekly
Despite American Queen's shutdown, U.S. river cruising keeps rolling.
Posted: Mon, 04 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
American Queen Voyages, previously known as the American Queen Steamboat Company, operates three classic paddlewheelers on eight- to 15-night sailings on all of the Mississippi, along with the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. Its fleet includes the American Queen, which holds the record as the biggest river steamboat. Keep in mind that sailing against the current slows the boat and generally means fewer ports or less time in port, but you'll have more time to relax onboard. American Cruise Lines offers a daily Cocktail Hour for all passengers, served in the ship's forward-facing lounge, and snacks are available all day long throughout the ship's lounges. The Mississippi River holds a special place in our hearts, and we want to help you get as excited as we are about your Mississippi River Cruise adventure.
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The ornately landscaped grounds include 38 acres of gardens, fountains, and majestic live oak trees. As you cruise the legendary Mississippi River, our dedicated crew will treat you with gracious hospitality and the utmost care. Enjoy the intimacy and comfort of small-ship cruising, where our crew will quickly learn your name and preferences as you travel with us. 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.
Tennessee Rivers Cruise
From the ship, it’s a short walk to a cruise highlight at the incredible complex of the Smithsonian-affiliated National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Explore Hannibal, “America’s Hometown,” a mere block from the ship, where Mark Twain’s home and museum illuminate the events that shaped his life and career. Elements of his childhood adventures were woven into classics like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. 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.
Meanwhile, American Cruise Lines offers complimentary beer, wine, cocktails, and soft drinks. Davenport is your largest cruise port between St. Louis and St. Paul as one of the four “Quad Cities” that combine into a larger metro area. The first railroad to reach the Mississippi River connected Chicago to Rock Island, Illinois across the river. The area features diverse attractions ranging from grand historic mansions lining the river, renowned museums, rich Native American history, and the largest agricultural exhibit in the world.
Complete Mississippi River Experience Itinerary
In Baton Rouge, you can visit the Capitol Park Museum, which showcases exhibits dedicated to Louisiana's musical heritage and Mardi Gras traditions. While in Natchez, Mississippi, classical music (played on a 1903 Steinway piano) and Southern cuisine are the stars of the excursion to Lansdowne and Joseph Stone House. Perhaps take a narrated motorcoach excursion to get an overview of this dramatic city. Explore the home, life, and career of Elvis Presley or make your pilgrimage to Sun Studio, where he recorded his earliest smash-hits.

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. All three cruise lines offer similar itineraries along the river, so we recommend looking into the ships, the amenities, and what's included in the rate (like pre-departure hotel stays and excursions) to help make your decision. Viking's 12-day Heart of the Delta itinerary includes a two-night pre-cruise hotel stay in New Orleans. Guests can also look forward to discovering spacious lounges and quiet nooks to gather with fellow travelers. Over two weeks, you'll visit Native American burial grounds and archeological sites in West Virginia and learn about the underground railroad in Ohio.
Hometown of jazz musician Miles Davis and Robert Wadlow, the tallest known person in history (8’11”), Alton is an inspiring and picturesque destination and the perfect place to begin your Upper Mississippi journey. Ask about our Current Savings and our Pre-Cruise Packages which include a premium hotel stay and transportation to the ship. 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. 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.
Boasting contemporary design and a sleek profile that blends an elaborate riverboat with a small intercoastal ship, American Melody offers a thoroughly modern river cruise experience through America's heartland. A journey along the Upper Mississippi River is an enriching experience, embodying hometown Americana and the breathtaking scenery that has inspired the country’s most legendary writers, artists, and musicians. It was here that the great American writer Mark Twain used the majestic river and its scenic bluffs as the settings in his most popular works.
The atmosphere for dining is informal - seating is unassigned and dress is resort casual. After dinner, guest speakers bring local history, nature, and culture alive with their knowledge and passion for American heritage. Set your own pace on your vacation, and relish in the casual comfort and exceptional care that has become the hallmark of American Cruise Lines. 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. 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.
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.
Travel to the birthplace of jazz, blues, and rock–n-roll as our talented onboard musicians entertain you with songs born along the river. Dine on the finest Cajun and Creole and mouth-watering Memphis BBQ prepared by our team of master chefs. Enjoy a complimentary cocktail hour every evening, a time when you can share the day’s adventures with like-minded travelers, while enjoying a refreshing mint julip. There are so many reasons to explore the Mighty Mississippi River from New Orleans to the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Admire the breathtaking scenery that has inspired the country’s most legendary writers, artists, and musicians. Launched in 2022, it's currently the largest river ship in the U.S. and features three restaurants and an aft infinity pool.
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