Guide To Mississippi River Cruises: Discover The Heart Of America
Sail through magnificent scenery and learn about the tantalizing history of the United States on a Mississippi River cruise. You may even travel from port to port on a working piece of history: a steamboat!
Modernized for todays river cruising demands, these boats harken back to the 19th century when steamboats played an important role in developing the regions along the Mississippi.
Cruising the Mississippi River has grown in popularity so much that river cruises are now being offered nearly year-round.
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Upper Mississippi River Cruise Vs Lower Mississippi River Cruise
If this is your first time in the great United States Mississippi River region, we think the Lower Mississippi River Cruise itineraries are more exciting the cultures and experiences are more vibrant on the lower Mississippi.
The Upper Mississippi River itineraries are better for your second trip cruising the river, where you can expand upon the history learned from the cities in the lower south.
However, which part of the Mississippi is better for your river cruise really depends on what history and sites youre interested in seeing.
Another deciding factor for you could be the different lengths of itineraries offered. Each section of the river and cruise line operator has lengths varying from 5-day options to 22-day options.
Further down in this article, we go through the ports that each option sails through in a little more detail to help you decide.
Iowa Mississippi River Cruise Stops
Dubuque, Iowa
See the city’s beauty on a Hop On Hop Off Tour that brings you to the Historic Millwork District and Dubuque Museum of Art. Or, visit The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque, Iowa, is the largest aquarium in the Central United States.
You may also opt to head to the Field of Dreams for a special tour its where parts of the famous film of the same name were created, which was released in 1989.
More attractions in Dubuque include the scenic railway, Fenelon Place Elevator, and St. Lukes United Methodist Church. It has one of the finest religious collections of Tiffany glass worldwide.
Lastly, enjoy a glass of wine at one of the areas wineries to end the day before returning to the cruise ship.
Davenport, Iowa
The most popular attraction here is the Figge Art Museum which has artworks dating from the 15th century.
Fort Madison, Iowa
You cant miss Old Fort Madison, which brings history to life and allows visitors to experience the life of a soldier during the war of 1812.
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Envision Paradise Adventure And Relaxation With Usa River Cruises
Imagine exploring the ins and outs of the largest group of freshwater lakes on earth and then hop aboard our Great Lakes River Cruises.
Perhaps youve always wondered what it would be like to explore the Deep South in comfort and style. Our Mississippi River Cruises are the place to be.
Or maybe youve always wanted to experience Europe from a ships-eye view. Well USA River Cruises has those, too, with our sweet suite of European Cruises.
Theres so much for you to see and do. From the Great Lakes and the mighty Mississippi to the Columbia River and our Alaskan Cruises ports of call all the way to our cruises throughout Europe and the Caribbean.
USA River Cruises has been making travel dreams come true since 1999. Were experts at matching people with the experiences they seek. Theres something for everyone. Theres something for you.
This Columbia River Cruise experience was a total delight, very informative, educational, entertaining, and just a fantastic experience overall. Every port offered opportunities for exploration and learning. The on-board Riverlorian brought history to life, as did the local entertainment brought onboard. The cuisine selections and quality were top-shelf all the way.
Christmas River Cruises 2023
Make Christmas the most wonderful time of the year with a Christmas river cruise in 2023.
If youre looking for an alternative way to spend Christmas in 2023, our collection of river cruises promises to capture the spirit of the season. Cruising at Christmas is an increasingly popular choice with many of our clients, who love the opportunity to discover incredible destinations while enjoying a celebratory onboard atmosphere complete with themed menus and activities. The itineraries featured below are brimming with yuletide highlights for example, explore Northern Europe and discover the magical Christmas markets in historic cities like Cologne and Vienna, or head to North America and tour the iconic Mississippi River.
As a leading specialist for many river cruise operators, we can offer exclusive fares and special offers on many Christmas river cruises in 2023, so to receive a quote, please call our Voyage Consultants on 0800 008 6677.
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Length Of A Mississippi River Cruise
How many days is a Mississippi River cruise? The most popular river cruises on the Mississippi are five to eight or nine days or more. 15 and 22-day itineraries are out there too!
There arent three-day Mississippi River boat cruises like the river cruises were used to that we are currently aware of. You can take a one-day excursion or sign up for a cruise that is a minimum of 5 days.
Christmas In Southeast Asia With Scenic River Cruises
For something entirely different, spend Christmas 2023 in Southeast Asia with Scenic River Cruises. Sailing the Mekong River aboard the luxurious, all-suite Scenic Spirit, you can spend up to 15 nights exploring vibrant cities, charming riverside communities and bustling markets in Vietnam and Cambodia. Choose an extended journey, and youll benefit from pre-cruise or post-cruise stays in Ho Chi Minh City or Siem Reap, with tours available to Angkor Wat and Prasat Kravan.
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Upper Mississippi River Cruise
Our 8-day Upper Mississippi cruise is an enriching experience, embodying hometown Americana and the breathtaking scenery that has inspired the countrys 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. Visit his boyhood home in Hannibal, where the characters of Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer, and Becky Thatcher come to life.
Explore the beautiful gardens and historic homes of the region in the company of our carefully selected expert guides. From your private balcony, admire stretches of undeveloped countryside, ornamented with pelicans and soaring eagles and transit through several fascinating locks and dams which demonstrate amazing feats of human engineering. Along your journey, be treated to the gracious hospitality of our crew and savor an exquisite menu, featuring dishes masterfully prepared by our culinary team, with a dash of local flavor.
Just as it was back in Mark Twains day, every riverboat on the Mississippi River is unique due to fluctuating river conditions that can have an impact on our itinerary. The river has a mind of its own and our sailing schedules must adapt to it. This is part of the adventure and American Cruise Lines will always work to provide a seamless travel experience.
Ask about our Current Savings and our Complimentary Pre-cruise Packages which include a premium hotel stay and transportation to the ship.
Cruise The Legendary Mississippi River With American Cruise Lines And Get Insiderextras You Can’t Get Anywhere Else
Experience the Mississippi River like never before on an all-inclusive river cruise. American Cruise Lines emphasizes the history and culture of the United States with delicious regional cuisine, amazing onboard music, and customized tours to historical landmarks.
Your river cruise always includes:
- Complimentary gratuities
- Beer and wine during lunch and dinner
- Complimentary cocktail hour each evening
- All onboard meals featuring locally sourced ingredients
PLUS, for a limited time, receive a complimentary bottle of wine when you reserve your cruise with us!
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Christmas In Europe With Amawaterways
AmaWaterways is one of the worlds leading luxury river cruise operators. This award-winning cruise line provides ample opportunities to discover Europe in style with no less than twelve itineraries available during Christmas and New Year 2023. Choose a cruise ranging from five to 14 nights and enjoy the best of Holland and Belgium, or journey along the Danube or Rhine for a trip to the best Christmas markets in Austria, Germany, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Christmas on the Mississippi with American Queen
Explore North Americas most fascinating waterway next Christmas on a luxury Mississippi river cruise with The American Queen Steamboat Company. Travelling aboard American Queen the largest steamboat ever built youll begin can begin your voyage in New Orleans, Memphis, or St Louis.,
Best Mississippi River Cruises For 2023
0 Upper Mississippi River vs. Lower Mississippi River Upper Mississippi River Lower Mississippi River 0 Top Cruise Ports on the mighty Mississippi RiverWhere will your Mississippi River cruise take you? Mississippi River cruises immerse you in the culture and cuisine of the historic U.S. South. Here are some of the most popular cruise ports where our Adventure Life Mississippi River cruises dock: Get to Know VicksburgGet to Know Baton RougeGet to Know New Orleans 0 What’s it like to cruise the Mississippi River on the riverboats?American QueenAmerican Duchess American Countess
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Best Time To Cruise The Mississippi River
The Lower Mississippi River has the longest season, which typically runs from November through December and April to mid-June, with most sailings on the bottom one-third of the river . In the spring and early summer, the Upper Mississippi is generally too high for riverboats to traverse, so the Upper Mississippi itineraries don’t typically begin sailing until July.
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With Louisiana and Mississippi at their hottest and muggiest during the summer, the bulk of the summer season is split between Upper Mississippi sailings and Ohio River sailings, with the Upper Mississippi taking over again for the most of the month of October. Even on the Upper Mississippi, temperatures can climb into the 90s, and humidity is high during the summer. Always be prepared for sudden thunderstorms brought on by the humidity. The weather cools down quite considerably come fall.
Mosquitos also can be a problem in several of these states, as they all experience high humidity in the summer, so be sure to bring bug spray.
Popular Ports On The Mississippi
You can cruise all the way from New Orleans to St. Paul or Minneapolis along the length of the Mississippi or choose from shorter itineraries spanning a portion of the river. Typically, cruises along the Lower Mississippi travel between New Orleans and Memphis, Tennessee, while ships on the Upper Mississippi sail between St. Louis and the Twin Cities. Highlights at popular stops along the river include Cajun culture in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the iconic Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Civil War history in Vicksburg, Mississippi, music and BBQ in Memphis, and plenty of charming small towns and picturesque views along the way.
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What To Leave At Home
If you dont plan on working from the ship, leave your computer or other bulky technology at home. While youll spend some leisure time in your stateroom, the majority of your journey will be outside exploring, enjoying coffee on your private balcony, or getting to know the other passengers in common areas. No need to bring a hairdryer, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, Q-tips, cotton balls, or emery boards, as they are provided in your stateroom bathroom.
Keep Natural Disasters And River Water Levels In Mind When Booking Your Mississippi River Cruise
Be sure to keep an eye on Mother Nature! Annual hurricane season runs from the beginning of June to the end of November and can greatly affect cruises on the Lower Mississippi River.
Other natural occurrences to be mindful of are droughts and flooding. A ship cant 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 cant fit under bridges.
Most tour operators have contingency plans in place to handle the rivers changes. 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 youre concerned.
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Mississippi River Cruise Conclusion
Americans dont have to venture far from home to explore the beautiful cities along the mighty Mississippi River. 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.
Whether you sail for eight days or 22, one thing is certain: you wont regret exploring America in such a unique and memorable way.
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Best Christmas River Cruises In 2023
With so many options available, you may wonder what the best Christmas river cruise in 2023 is. Perhaps youre a first-timer looking to experience your first Christmas on a river cruise ship. Or maybe you are a discerning traveller wanting to try something completely different and would like some inspiration. To assist you in planning your holiday, our team of experts has chosen three Christmas river cruise options, each offering a unique way to spend the festive season.
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Mississippi State River Cruise Stops
Vicksburg, Mississippi
If youre a Civil War history buff, then youll be excited to see the famous siege of Vicksburg Civil War Battlefield. Another must-see is the National Military Park, which has over 1,370 monuments and a national veterans cemetery.
For boat lovers, theres the Old Depot Museum, which is home to the world’s largest ship, riverboat, and US Navy ship model collection.
Tennessee Mississippi River Cruise Stops
Memphis, Tennessee
You cant go to Memphis and miss out on seeing Graceland, home to the King of Rock n Roll, can you?!
Elvis Presley is arguably the greatest thing ever to have come out of Memphis. His home, Graceland, may be the largest tourist attraction there. But The National Civil Rights Museum should also be a stop during your visit to this Mississippi River cruise port.
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Inclusive Experiences Means Less Time Planning And More Time Relaxing
Last but certainly not least: USA River Cruises takes the guesswork out of planning a trip in the first place. Youll no longer have to fret over the cost of every little perk because the perks are part of the all-inclusive experience aboard a USA River Cruise. No need to tally up the numbers when you order beer, a glass of wine, room service, soda, cappuccinos, or decide to take a shore excursion.
The world is waiting for you. Imagine your most wonderful journey. Then contact USA River Cruises to make it come true.
Ever thought about a VIP-style, front row seat to breathtaking waterfalls, rolling vineyards, and stunning mountain peaks? Try one of our Columbia River Cruises.
Highlights Of The Mississippi River
A Mississippi River cruise offers the rare opportunity to sail through America’s heartland on the worlds #1 river cruise line. Explore picturesque towns and boom cities take in views of pastoral farms and towering bluffs and immerse yourself in the region’s rich history and culture with an included excursion in every port. Here are a few highlights Viking reveals to you:
- Festive French Quarter and Creole cuisine in New Orleans
- Cajun heritage in Baton Rouge
- Civil War history at Vicksburg National Military Park
- Memphis BBQ, Graceland and appreciation of the Delta Blues
- Steamboat sailings with diverse wildlife sightings
- Up close look at Americas national symbol, the bald eagle
- Gateway Arch in St. Louis and the pioneering spirit of the Midwest
- Norwegian cultural experience at Vesterheim
- Intricate locks and dams of the Upper Mississippi
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Review The Cruise Itinerary
You’ll want to consider your day-to-day activities detailed on your cruise itinerary. Daily excursions could include a Great River Outdoor Adventure or a Cajun Pride Swamp Excursion, or be more leisurely like the Civil Rights Museum or Historic Vicksburg. Regardless of the specific attire, you may need for more active activities, you will definitely want to pack your best walking shoes to get you comfortably around all of the ports we visit.
Missouri Mississippi River Cruise Ports
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is home to the symbolic Gateway Arch, which celebrates the hard journey people took to populate the Central and Western United States. Here you can also experience a fresh beer tasting at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery or visit the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Hannibal, Missouri
Were you a fan of reading the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer? Then you must visit Mark Twains childhood home and museum! Other interesting sites include the houses of Huckleberry Finn and Becky Thatcher.
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What River Cruise Lines Sail The Mississippi River
Three popular, well-known cruise lines sail throughout the United States, including on the Mississippi River. Lets take a look at the most popular lines that operate along the river.
Their itineraries remain virtually the same each season, although keep in mind the precise dates change yearly and some ports may change over time too.
These cruise lines include:
- American Queen Voyages
We go into more detail about the cruise lengths offered by each line and the port stops below.