Table Of Content
Typically, cruises along the Lower Mississippi sail between New Orleans and Memphis, while cruises on the Upper Mississippi sail between St. Louis and the Twin Cities. If we had to pick just one, September is the best month for a Mississippi River cruise. The weather is usually mild with less likelihood of rain, and autumn colors are beginning to paint the shoreline. Keep in mind, however, that the Mississippi is the fourth largest river in the world—so temperatures any time of year are not going to be the same in warmer Louisiana as they are in cooler Minnesota.
The Riverboat Twilight
Upper Mississippi River Cruises sail the area between St. Louis, Missouri and St. Paul, Minnesota. Lower Mississippi River Cruises sail from Memphis, Tennessee and New Orleans, Louisiana. In addition to cruises directly on the Mississippi River, there are also cruises that explore its tributaries including the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers.
Must-See Sights on the Mississippi River
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]
Each section of the river and cruise line operator has lengths varying from 5-day options to 22-day options. Modernized for today’s river cruising demands, these boats harken back to the 19th century when steamboats played an important role in developing the regions along the Mississippi. 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.
Grand Heartland Cruise
It’s best to cruise the Upper Mississippi in the spring, fall and summer, when temperatures are milder. Ride a horse-drawn carriage through this historic Mormon town to see the Brigham Young Home and the Smith Homestead. Afterward, stop by for a spot of wine at Illinois's oldest winery, Baxter’s Vineyards & Winery. The most popular attraction here is the Figge Art Museum which has artworks dating from the 15th century. More attractions in Dubuque include the scenic railway, Fenelon Place Elevator, and St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.
Viking River Cruises' American Heartland itinerary sails from St. Louis to St. Paul (or vice versa) and runs 12 days with pre- and post-cruise stays in 2024 and 2025. You'll explore architectural gems aboard Viking Mississippi, itself an example of sleek, Scandinavian-inspired nautical architecture. American Queen Voyages offers a range of nine-day Lower Mississippi itineraries aboard the American Queen, a quaint paddle-wheel steamboat. These are the best Mississippi River cruises for those looking to experience traditional river travel.
You can visit 18 ports in six states on a 23-day Mississippi River journey from New Orleans to St. Paul. These itineraries are offered by both American Cruise Lines and Viking, and are perfect for seniors with plenty of time to explore. Passengers can enjoy a sun terrace with an aft infinity pool and an Explorer's Lounge with panoramic forward views of the Mississippi.
Night Upper Mississippi ExplorerDetails
To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below. 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. Americans don’t 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. 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.
Mississippi River Cruises
Based on typical costs of a river cruise, Mississippi River cruise options truly run the breadth of cost and can be within reach for anyone’s budget as long as you can reach that minimum of $2,300 per person, give or take some money. Don’t forget to budget for gratuities as well and some extra money if you want to upgrade any excursions beyond what’s included. 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. 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. A walking tour or bus tour is one of the best ways to see as much as possible in a short amount of time. American Queen Voyages offers a few 9-day cruises, including one from New Orleans to Memphis or visa versa, or Memphis to St. Louis or visa versa.
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. This leafy canopy forms a quarter-mile path leading to the Mississippi River. Restored to its 19th-century grandeur, this classic Greek Revival-style antebellum mansion is breathtaking. As you make your way from Lacrosse to Dubuque, reflect upon the rich history of the Mississippi River and the variety of music born upon its shores. Listen to the talented performers in one of our lounges or share the afternoon with fellow travelers.
As you begin your amazing journey, relax on your private stateroom balcony and admire the beautiful views that stretch out before you. Get to know fellow guests in one of the lounges or at the evening cocktail hour. Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure, covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.
As we cruise, listen to our onboard expert describe the native wildlife or simply sit back and enjoy the sun on the bow. Several other excursion options are available, including exploring museums and historic sites with local expert guides or on your own. Stroll along the charming series of murals painted along the adjacent floodwall and read panels detailing the Vicksburg stories they illustrate.
More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities.Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change. You can enjoy excursions in Missouri's most famous big city (St. Louis) and small town (Hannibal) and then visit three ports in Iowa known for their historic architecture and agriculture (including a tour of the John Deere Pavilion). Learn about the Norwegian heritage of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and get to know the eagles and pottery of Red Wing, Minnesota, before disembarking in St. Paul.
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. From your private balcony, admire stretches of undeveloped countryside, ornamented with pelicans, soaring eagles, and blue herons. Weave among hundreds of picturesque islands and through the amazing engineering of dams and navigation locks. Along the way, 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.
American Queen Voyages News - Cruise Critic
American Queen Voyages News.
Posted: Mon, 05 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Explore many of the well-known downtown neighborhoods, while embracing the rich art, architecture, and nature along the route. If you feel adventurous, take a narrated boat ride through a Louisiana swamp. 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.
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. The Mississippi River is truly a force of nature and travels across multiple states in the USA such as Iowa or Illinois before flowing through the Gulf of Mexico. Being the fourth largest river in the USA means that a river cruise in Mississippi will reveal countless landmarks, breathtaking scenery and even wildlife. Discover premium river cruise companies and you've got yourself a dream holiday to relax and recharge.
Explore a variety of history and art museums and admire historic homes, while listening to captivating stories told by a local guide. Board a self-exploration shuttle which takes you into the heart of downtown to learn, shop, eat, and stroll at your leisure. 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. 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment