Table Of Content
- Best cruise for Civil War history: Lower Mississippi (round trip from New Orleans)
- Best cruise for art and architecture: Upper Mississippi
- Wisconsin Mississippi River Cruise Stops
- Featured Ports
- Nine to Eleven Day Mississippi River Cruises
- Our Cruises
- Keep Natural Disasters and River Water Levels in Mind When Booking Your Mississippi River Cruise

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. Enjoy the charming features of this historic town that was a French trading post and lively river port in the late 1800s. Today it boasts Civil War sites and a tranquil setting commemorating the Cherokee Trail of Tears.

Best cruise for Civil War history: Lower Mississippi (round trip from New Orleans)
Although, we are sure our cruise will be one of your favorite experiences yet. But the real star of Mississippi River cruises has always been the river. If you're especially passionate about Civil War history, look for American Cruise Lines' special Civil War-themed cruises on limited dates, which allow a deeper dive into the period. These include a nine-day Lower Mississippi itinerary from Memphis to New Orleans (or vice versa). Nestled among the scenic bluffs of the Upper Mississippi River, Red Wing's beauty has inspired craftsmen and artisans for over 150 years.
Best cruise for art and architecture: Upper Mississippi
Here you can also experience a fresh beer tasting at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery or visit the Missouri Botanical Garden. 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.
Wisconsin Mississippi River Cruise Stops
Restored to its 19th-century grandeur, this classic Greek Revival-style antebellum mansion is simply breathtaking. Excellent team from the captain to the crew provide a relaxing time..The chefs do an excellent job and there is more great food than you can imagine. This is the most organized and professional staff that we have ever experienced. Since 1985, the Riverboat Twilight has delivered one of the most exceptional cruise experiences in the Midwest. And it’s not just a cruise; it’s a conduit to reconnection, relaxation, and renewal.
Featured Ports

Lastly, enjoy a glass of wine at one of the area’s wineries to end the day before returning to the cruise ship. 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. In the lower river, routes typically operate between Memphis and New Orleans. Depending on the itinerary, either city is used as a starting or ending point. Most tour operators have contingency plans in place to handle the river’s changes.
One less cruise line in the Quad-Cities: American Queen Voyages shuts down, cancels all trips - Quad-City Times
One less cruise line in the Quad-Cities: American Queen Voyages shuts down, cancels all trips.
Posted: Wed, 21 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Just 100 miles away from St. Louis, our Mississippi River boat cruise is the only cruise that departs from Mark Twain's boyhood home. Enjoy a night of dinner and dancing on this cruise on the Mighty Mississippi. Indulge in a delicious buffet and share a wonderful dinner with your family or friends, then enjoy live music from the dance floor or the deck. Passengers aboard the Twilight overnight at the Grand Harbor Resort in Dubuque, Iowa. The Grand Harbor is a riverfront hotel; standard rooms include two queen or one king bed.
Our Cruises
Enjoy a feast for your senses if you linger in this magical city, renowned for its delicious cuisine, vibrant music scene, and rich culture with an international flair. Stroll the tree-lined avenues, take a carriage ride through the French Quarter, hop aboard a streetcar to the gorgeous Garden District, or visit the renowned National World War II Museum. Or extend your stay to further explore the delights of the Big Easy. 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. 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.
Keep Natural Disasters and River Water Levels in Mind When Booking Your Mississippi River Cruise
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. 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. Get a backstage pass to Elvis’ Graceland and the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis.
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!!. Guests can also look forward to discovering spacious lounges and quiet nooks to gather with fellow travelers.
Mississippi River cruises have surged in popularity in recent decades. They are especially appealing to mature travelers looking to enjoy guided tours of top cities and small towns in several Southern and Midwestern states. Our onboard experts bring the stories of the River to life and provide context to each shore experience we provide along the way. This epic 23-day exploration of America begins in New Orleans and travels north, visiting new ports of call each day before concluding in Minneapolis. 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.
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. 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. Viking is a newcomer to the Mississippi River, and all sailings are aboard the 386-guest Viking Mississippi.
Known as the Heart and Soul of the Mississippi Delta, the city of Greenville offers visitors unique insight into traditional southern living. Enjoy a relaxing trip through the historic sites of the largest city in Mississippi, including Cotton Row, the Mount Holly Plantation, and the Weatherbee House. Explore on your own or enjoy an array of curated, guided explorations. Tour the elaborate townhomes, visit a working cotton farm to learn about the crop’s importance in history and today, and discover the historic Under-The-Hill Saloon.
The downtown area is a thriving haven for artisans, filled with specialty shops unique to Hannibal. Sail 1,393 miles, through 10 states, on the most comprehensive exploration of the Mighty Mississippi available. This epic cruise showcases the culture and cuisine of the historic South, and the rolling farmlands of the Midwest as we explore the entire length of this legendary river. We embrace the relaxed pace of life on the River, following its bends and savoring its charms in much the same way as travelers and colonists would have over a century before.
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. Board your ship and be treated to a special welcoming reception, a chance to mingle with fellow guests as you set sail for the most comprehensive exploration of the Mississippi River available. That said, the good news is there are only three cruise lines to choose from, whose itineraries we listed above. That includes American Cruise Lines, Viking, and American Queens Voyages. The sites you’ll see will be limited, and you won’t have nearly the same experience as a multi-day, overnight Mississippi River cruise.
After a pre-cruise hotel stay in New Orleans, passengers journey through all aspects of American history. You'll also call on a historic Missouri trading post in Cape Girardeau (a French river port). Viking's 12-day Heart of the Delta itinerary includes a two-night pre-cruise hotel stay in New Orleans. This allows ample time to enjoy the city's street musicians and jazz clubs. From Crescent City, the birthplace of American jazz, to Memphis, known as the Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock 'n Roll, this itinerary celebrates the region's homegrown rhythms. Both cruise lines offer itineraries between New Orleans and Memphis, but Viking features more excursions and onboard experiences tailored to music lovers.
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. 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.
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