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Grand Mississippi Voyage
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Grand Mississippi Voyage Map
Americana sights, sounds & flavors
Revel in the charm of “America’s Great River” as you set sail along the Mississippi. Admire the historic mansions and grand homes atop its bluffs, and delve into America’s Civil War history. Delight in the region’s famed Southern cuisine and sample Memphis’s renowned barbecue, alongside artisan beers. Birthplace of American music—blues, jazz and soul—the Mississippi celebrates its musical heritage in the towns and cities that line its legendary shores.
Viking Inclusive Value
All you need included, with no surprises or hidden fees
To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below.
Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure.
More features, services and excursions included
One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call
Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
Port taxes & fees
Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase
Visits to UNESCO Sites
Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances
Your Stateroom Includes:
River-view stateroom
Bottled water replenished daily
110/220 volt outlets
Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows
Private bathroom with shower, heated floor & anti-fog mirror
Premium Freyja® toiletries
Plush robes & slippers (upon request)
40" or 42" flat-screen Sony® TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX & more
Telephone, safe, refrigerator
Individual climate control
*All amenities on board Viking Longships; amenities vary on other ships.
Pre & Post Cruise Extensions
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.
Pre: New Orleans Discovery
Pre: The Best of “The Big Easy”
Post: Cultural Capitals—Minneapolis & St. Paul
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2024-2027 RIVER CRUISE AND AIR FARES: Offer applies to bookings made from October 1-31, 2024. Terms & conditions for select promotions may vary. $25 deposit is applicable to all River itineraries. Special fares plus up to FREE International airfare valid on select departures of Grand European Tour, Lyon Provence & the Rhineland, European Sojourn and Capitals of Eastern Europe, London, Paris & D-Day, Rhine & Main Explorer . Airfares may vary on other gateways & departures. Airfare does not have to be purchased to get cruise\cruisetour offer. All prices are in US dollars and for US residents only. Additional restrictions may apply. 2024 : Pay in full by October 31, 2024 or at time of booking if within 120 days of departure. 2025 : Pay in full by November 30, 2024. 2026 : Pay in full by April 30, 2025. 2027 : Pay in full by January 15, 2026. Offers expires October 31, 2024.
$25 DEPOSIT: For itineraries 35 days or less, a $25 deposit applies to March 2025 & onward departures; for itineraries greater than 35 days, a $25 deposit applies to May 2025 & onward departures; World Cruise products excluded; call for details.
AIR UPGRADE: Upgrade to Premium Economy air from $799 per person or Business Class air from $3,499 per person based on select gateways and dates. Additional airline-imposed baggage charges may apply; for more information visit Airline Luggage Restrictions . Air prices are per person based on cruise/cruisetour check-in date and include transfers plus all government taxes/fees of approximately $160 and air fuel surcharges. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full payment of air is received. For more information about customized air services and US gateways, visit the Viking Air Plus page.
GENERAL RESTRICTIONS: Cruise fares listed are cruise only in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement savings are off applicable rates. Cruise fares listed are valid for U.S. residents only. All fares and offers are for new bookings only and are subject to availability, may not combinable with other offers except Viking Explorer Society Travel Credits and Viking Referral Rewards, are capacity-controlled and may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Special fares are based upon published full brochure fares; cruise fares do not include pre-paid charges, optional facilities, and personal charges, as defined in the terms and conditions of the Passenger Ticket Contract which may be viewed elsewhere on this website. Full brochure fares may not have resulted in actual sales in all stateroom categories and may not have been in effect during the last 90 days. Promotional fares may remain in effect after the expiration date. Air promotion applies to roundtrip flights only from select Viking Cruises U.S. gateways and includes airport-to-ship or hotel transfers, air taxes and air fuel surcharges. Roundtrip airport transfers are included when air is purchased with a cruise or cruisetour package; if air is not purchased from Viking, transfers may be purchased separately. All transfers must be in conjunction with a Viking-purchased cruise, cruisetour, land extension or extra hotel nights. Viking reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares at any time. For up-to-date prices, please call Viking or your Travel Agent. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Complete terms and conditions may be found in the Passenger Ticket Contract .
AIR OFFER RESTRICTIONS: Offer expires October 31, 2024.
NOTE: U.S. flights depart one day prior to check-in date. Paid Business or Premium Economy Class may require travel in economy on flights within North America or Europe. Premium economy is limited to specific airlines and we may not be able to accommodate based on aircraft type and availability. Roundtrip airport transfers are included when air is purchased with a cruise or cruisetour package; if air is not purchased from Viking, transfers may be purchased separately. All transfers must be in conjunction with a Viking-purchased cruise, cruisetour, land extension or extra hotel nights. Air prices are per person based on cruise/cruisetour check-in date and include transfers plus all government taxes/fees of approximately $160 and air fuel surcharges. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full payment of air is received.
The Best Mississippi River Cruises Are All About Charming Small Towns, Legendary Music, and Regional Cuisine
The mighty mississippi is one of the longest and most storied waterways in america. cruises on the river offer a unique vantage point from which to experience the history and culture of the country’s heartland..
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Many Mississippi River cruises often begin or end in New Orleans—and that’s not a bad thing.
Kevin Ruck/Shutterstock
Sometimes, there’s no better way to travel than to explore deeper right in your own backyard. For history buffs, foodies, and music lovers alike, a cruise along the United States’ own Mississippi River offers a bounty of opportunities to experience the rich culture of America’s heartland.
The iconic river is one of the most notorious waterways in the country. It’s famous for several reasons: It’s the dividing line between the eastern and western United States. It introduced the golden age of the steamboat era. It serves as the backdrop of so much American literature and winds through music-history meccas such as New Orleans and Memphis, known as the birthplace of jazz and blues, respectively.
So it should come as little surprise that Mississippi River cruises are by far the best-selling and the most popular river cruises in the United States, according to travel advisers.
While cruising on the Mississippi, travelers will find that old-world Southern charm meets modernity on comfortable, contemporary ships that sail along the river and its tributaries. Guests have their pick of cruising on classic reimagined paddle-wheel riverboats reminiscent of a bygone era that, these days, instead of running on steam power, run on lower-emission diesel fuels. Or, modern riverboats provide all the comforts and convenience of newer vessels, like pools, while offering interior design touches and programming that pay tribute to America’s storied, and sometimes challenging, past.
It’s worth noting that there aren’t a ton of U.S. river cruise lines to choose from when planning a Mississippi River cruise. There had been three major players operating on the Mississippi River, but in February 2024, American Queen Voyages shut down operations due to COVID-19 pandemic–era financial problems that the company said it never fully recovered from, leaving two: American Cruise Lines and Viking .
If you love New Orleans, you’re in luck—numerous Mississippi River cruises include time in the Big Easy as the river runs right alongside the famous Louisiana city.
kavram/Shutterstock
Even with just two river cruise lines making up the lion’s share of the Mississippi River cruise market, there is a wide variety of itineraries for travelers to choose from for their journey through this historic waterway and its surrounding region.
American Cruise Lines operates five ships on the Mississippi River, which include two paddle wheelers, American Splendor and American Heritage , along with three modern river boats: American Melody , American Symphony , and American Serenade . The company offers eight river cruises on the Mississippi and four cruises that further explore its tributaries on the Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee rivers.
Viking is the newest addition to the U.S. river cruise market and the Mississippi River. The company launched its first ship, the 386-guest Viking Mississippi , in late 2022. Currently, Viking offers 10 different itineraries on the Mississippi.
Where do Mississippi River cruises go?
The Mississippi River flows south from its source in northern Minnesota’s Lake Itasca through and along 10 states, including Wisconsin, Missouri, and Tennessee, before it empties out at its mouth in Louisiana and into the Gulf of Mexico.
River cruises travel much of the Mississippi’s 2,340-mile stretch, primarily focusing on small towns and cities between New Orleans and Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota. Itineraries are usually divided into two categories: Lower Mississippi cruises, which run between New Orleans and St. Louis, and Upper Mississippi cruises that sail between St. Louis and Minneapolis–St. Paul.
Some Mississippi itineraries also include sailing on the river’s tributaries, such as the Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee rivers, where travelers might choose to dive deeper into the Mississippi Delta’s cultural history during visits to places like Paducah, Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee.
Oak Alley Plantation is situated on the banks of the Mississippi and is a common stop on river cruises.
Photo by David Hertle/Unsplash
What kind of excursions are offered?
Mississippi River cruises offer travelers a way to explore the roots of Americana, the things that make up the cultural heritage of the U.S.
These cruises travel through some cultural hubs in the South and Midwest, places where travelers will no doubt find excursions tracing the history of jazz and blues, slavery and racism (a conversation that is often confronted during plantation tours and when visiting civil rights memorials), agriculture and farming, and American art and literature. You can expect to tour some of the largest and most famous cities along the river, such as New Orleans, Memphis, and St. Louis, while discovering the hidden gems and unique achievements of more off-the-beaten-path communities like Hannibal, Missouri, best known as the town where Mark Twain grew up, and Burlington, Iowa, home of the extremely crooked street Snake Alley.
Traditional excursions might include walking tours and scenic drives led by local guides, museum visits, tours of historic buildings and homes, and stops at local parks, landmarks, and neighborhoods that tell the story of the area.
American Cruise Lines and Viking offer at least one included excursion in each port, in addition to excursions that guests can purchase for an additional charge.
When’s the best time to go on a Mississippi River cruise?
Both American Cruise Lines and Viking offer year-round sailings on the Mississippi River, so travelers can hop on one of these itineraries whenever convenient for them.
According to American Cruise Lines, choosing the best time of year for a Mississippi River cruise comes down to personal preference and what kind of weather guests want to experience on their trip. The company said it offers the most sailing dates during late spring and early summer, but it’s added more departures throughout its summer season and into early fall as interest grows.
With Viking, the best season to go on a Mississippi cruise depends on which part of the river you want to spend time on, whether that’s the Upper or Lower sections of the river, or sailing the entire span from New Orleans to St. Paul.
Viking Mississippi’s captain says the company usually operates on the Upper Mississippi from July through September, and Lower Mississippi cruises take place throughout the rest of the year.
While American Cruise Lines’ paddle wheelers are fashioned like old-timey riverboats, the interiors (like this stateroom) are anything but, featuring contemporary comforts.
Courtesy of American Cruise Lines
How much do Mississippi River cruises cost?
Prices for Mississippi cruises vary depending on trip length, pre- and post-cruise add-ons, airfare, transfers, time of year, single or double occupancy, and any applicable discounts.
An eight-night Upper Mississippi cruise between St. Louis and St. Paul with American Cruise Lines operating on June 13, 2025, for example, starts at $5,635 per person, based on double occupancy. But the price for that same itinerary with a July 4 departure date drops to $5,135.
American Cruise Lines includes all shipboard meals, entertainment, tips and gratuities, alcohol, and other port charges and fees in the price of the cruise. The company also sells domestic airfare with preferential fares on all itineraries and has special offers on select sailings.
Prices for a 15-day cruise with ACL begin at $10,440 for departures in 2025. Its longest itinerary operating on the Mississippi—a 22-night voyage—starts at a discounted rate of $15,140 for departures in May and June 2025 and includes complimentary airfare.
Most Viking cruises range from eight to 15 days, but the company offers some 22-day cruises on the Mississippi as well.
Eight-day cruises with Viking start at $3,499 per person in 2025 and can rise to as much as $6,999 per person during the peak travel season. Two-week cruises in 2025 start at $8,999, while the 22-day cruises range in price from $13,998 to $19,999 per person.
The best cruises on the Mississippi River
A Mississippi River cruise can be an excellent way to get an American music education as you travel to and through some of the country’s most important blues, jazz, and rock ‘n’ roll destinations, like Memphis.
Photo Spirit/Shutterstock
Music Cities Cruise from Memphis to Nashville
This eight-night cruise with American Cruise Lines on the Mississippi, Ohio, and Cumberland rivers from Memphis to Nashville takes guests on a journey into the world of the region’s most iconic music legends, from Johnny Cash to B.B. King and Elvis Presley. Guests will explore Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and will be treated to a live country music show at the Grand Ole Opry. In addition to music, guests on this voyage will learn about battles fought during the Civil War in Dover, Tennessee, at Fort Donelson National Battlefield, along with the art of distilling Tennessee whiskey and bourbon.
Book now: from $4,295 per person
Heart of the Delta from New Orleans to Memphis
This 12-day Viking itinerary from New Orleans to Memphis is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, Mississippi River cruise that Viking offers, according to staff. Guests on this itinerary will get to see this region’s most sought-after cities as the boat sails from New Orleans to Memphis, visiting Baton Rouge, Darrow, and more in Louisiana, along with stops in Natchez and Vicksburg in Mississippi. Guests will find majestic rows of moss-covered trees that lead to historic homes and former plantations where guided tours of the properties reveal how the French, native Acolapissa, and West African people intertwined. Other aspects of the cruise include learning about Cajun and Creole culture and indulging in culinary tastings.
Book now: from $5,999 per person
Grand Mississippi Yoyage
Travelers on either of Viking’s epic 22-day cruises (Grand Mississippi Voyage or Mississippi River Odyssey) from New Orleans to Minneapolis–St. Paul will get the full Mighty Mississippi experience as they wind through the American South up through Middle America, also known as “America’s Breadbasket” in a nod to the region’s agricultural and farming roots. A visit to the French Quarter, the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans, will immerse guests in the area’s southern Gothic architecture before exploring the history behind the city’s famed Mardi Gras celebrations. Scenic sailing days will also give guests a chance to unwind and take in the sights along the river at their leisure.
Book now: From $13,998 per person
Mark Twain–themed Upper Mississippi cruise
American Cruise Lines’ eight-night Mark Twain–themed cruise on the Upper Mississippi between St. Louis and Minneapolis–St. Paul will show travelers why the famed American author and humorist is such an important figure in this part of the country. Guests will indulge in everything Mark Twain in Hannibal, Missouri, the author’s hometown where he based his two most famous novels, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn . Visit his childhood home and museum before wandering around this quaint small town steeped in Americana. Beyond Twain, guests can expect to explore the downtown public art scenes of small towns visited along the way, including Dubuque and Burlington, Iowa; the latter of which is where you can walk the windy hillside road of Snake Alley.
Book now: From $4,610 per person
Mississippi River Cruises 2024
- Start Date Select Month October 2024 November 2024 December 2024 January 2025 February 2025 March 2025 April 2025 May 2025 June 2025 July 2025 August 2025 September 2025 October 2025 November 2025 December 2025 January 2026 February 2026 March 2026 April 2026 May 2026 June 2026 July 2026 August 2026 September 2026 OR, More specific start
- River Cruises
- Small Ship Cruises
- Archaeological Site Visits
- Urban Exploration
- Village Visits
- American Heritage
- American Melody
- American Serenade
- American Splendor
- American Symphony
- Viking Mississippi
- Mississippi River
America’s Great River
- Explore St. Louis' arts scene
- Enjoy American music styles
- Learn Civil War history
- Experience New Orleans' culture
- Visit the Quad Cities
Heart of the Delta
- Enjoy the music of Memphis
- Get a taste of Cajun cuisine
- Discover Civil War history
- See the historic homes of Natchez
New Orleans & Southern Charms
- Enjoy Cajun and Creole cuisine
- Indulge in New Orleans' music
- Learn the history of Vicksburg
America’s Heartland
- Discover history of the Mississippi
- Explore Dubuque, Iowa
- Experience Mississippi river towns
- Admire local artisan work
Lower Mississippi River Cruise
- Admire the diversity of New Orleans
- Discover the cultures of the delta
Grand Heartland Cruise
- Visit mansions and art galleries
- See the Gateway Arch and St. Louis
- Visit Natchez’s antebellum homes
- Experience Memphis' musical legacy
Upper Mississippi River
- Explore the culture of St. Louis
- See Mark Twain's hometown, Hannibal
- Witness wildlife and nature
- Admire local artwork in Red Wing
Historic Mississippi River Cruise
- Explore the antebellum of Natchez
- Visit historic Civil War sites
- Discover Oak Alley's historic charm
- Visit charming ports and cities
Complete Mississippi River
- Explore Natchez's Grand Homes
- Visit Oak Alley
- Delve into Baton Rouge's history
- Unravel Vicksburg's Civil War
Music Cities Cruise
- Explore Memphis
- Discover Paducah
- Experience Lake Barkley
- Enjoy Nashville
Top Mississippi River Travel Destinations
- Baton Rouge
- Cape Girardeau
- Mississippi
- New Orleans
Mississippi River Trips by Departure Date
- 2024 Mississippi River trips (10)
- 2025 Mississippi River trips (17)
- 2026 Mississippi River trips (9)
- November 2024 (7)
- March 2025 (6)
- April 2025 (6)
- November 2025 (6)
Top Experiences in Mississippi River
- Mississippi River Cruises (18)
- Mississippi River River Cruises (16)
- Mississippi River Cultural (14)
Mississippi River Trips by Duration
- 8 day trips (3)
- 9 day trips (9)
- 12 day trips (3)
Mississippi River Trips by Activity
- Mississippi River urban exploration (12)
- Mississippi River archaeological site visits (12)
- Mississippi River village visits (12)
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