River cruises are a fantastic way to see the globe; aboard small, luxurious ships, you may visit a number of riverfront locations and enjoy the landscape from comfortable cabins and top-deck lounges. You don't need to fly overseas for an unforgettable river cruise, even if rivers like the Danube and the Rhine are popular alternatives for many tourists. The Mississippi River provides direct access to some of the most well-known landmarks and favored cities in the country.
There are three primary cruise lines that cover the Mississippi, and their itineraries range from seven days to twenty days. The ideal seasons to take a river cruise are spring and autumn, when the weather is more favorable and you can appreciate the scenery without having to dordle deal with the summer heat or the winter cold.
Cruise Lines on the Mississippi River
American Cruise Lines, American Queen Voyages, and Viking River Cruises are the three primary cruise lines that provide Mississippi River itineraries. Luxury river, ocean, and adventure cruises to amazing locations worldwide are Viking's specialty, and its 193-stateroom Viking Mississippi maintains the same level of service.
With her distinctive paddle-wheel steamboats, American Queen Voyages provides many Mississippi itineraries, including one on the Upper Mississippi, another on the Lower Mississippi, and one that also sails a stretch of the Ohio River. The American Queen, the company's flagship, is believed to be the largest steamboat in the world. American Cruise Lines offers a variety of sailing experiences, including both traditional paddle wheelers and contemporary riverboats on its routes.
We suggest researching the ships, the facilities, and what's included in the price (such as pre-departure hotel stays and excursions) to help you make your selection. All three cruise companies offer comparable river itineraries.
Well-known Mississippi ports
You have the option of sailing shorter sections of the river or taking a voyage that takes you from New Orleans to Minneapolis. Cruises on the Upper Mississippi often go between St. Louis and the Twin Cities, whereas cruises along the Lower Mississippi typically travel between New Orleans and Memphis.
Travelers on the Upper Mississippi may have the opportunity to get off and see the boyhood home of Mark Twain in Hannibal, Missouri; take a leisurely walk through the streets of Dubuque, Iowa's oldest city; or take in the breathtaking views of the bluffs in Red Wing, Minnesota. Chester, Illinois, home of Popeye the Sailor Man, and Paducah, Kentucky, a UNESCO Creative City, are located along the Middle Mississippi.
Memphis has music and barbecue, Vicksburg, Mississippi, has Civil War history, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is home to Cajun culture on the Lower Mississippi.
Itineraries for Mississippi River Cruises
The three main Mississippi River Cruise companies offer a wide variety of itineraries; nonetheless, these are our top choices.
River Cruises with Viking: America's Great River Cruise Viking's 15- or 17-day America's Great River itinerary from New Orleans to St. Paul on board the 193-stateroom Viking Mississippi, a ship built specifically for this river. Beginning in New Orleans, the route makes stops in Baton Rouge, Natchez and Vicksburg, Mississippi; Memphis; and St. Louis, where travelers may see the Gateway Arch National Park and the flagship Anheuser-Busch brewery, among other places of interest. From there, it goes to Red Wing, Minnesota; La Crosse, Wisconsin; Hannibal, Missouri; Burlington, Davenport, and Dubuque, Iowa; and Red Wing, Minnesota, where visitors may visit the National Eagle Center to learn more about the most iconic emblem in the country. There's plenty of time to enjoy the beauty from your balcony or one of the boat's many public viewing spots in between action-packed stops.
