Explore the beauty of America’s interior waterways between the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Michigan in distinctive legs that can be taken individually or collectively.
Day 1: Board your ship today in Memphis, built on a bluff rising high above the mighty Mississippi River. Enjoy onboard entertainment this evening.
Day 2: Enjoy a full day in Memphis! Visit Mud Island River Park and stroll through a scale model of the Lower Mississippi River, then discover the region’s history at the Mississippi River Museum. An optional guided tour of Memphis includes a visit to Graceland, Elvis Presley’s beloved home; Sun Studio, where “The King” recorded his earliest demos. Drive by the Lorraine Motel and witness the site where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968. The hotel houses the National Civil Rights Museum, a fitting tribute to Dr. King’s dream of equality.
Day 3: This morning cruise the Mississippi and enjoy breathtaking scenery and photo opportunities. Dock in Greenville, MS which is nestled on the shore of beautiful Lake Ferguson in western Mississippi. This sleepy southern town is known for its floating casinos and the Winterville Mounds Historic Site, a ceremonial center constructed by Native American tribes as early as 1000-1450 AD. This evening enjoy a lecture on the Mississippi River and the great floods of 1927.
Day 4: Known as “The Key to the South,” Vicksburg, MS, is the hometown of President Jefferson Davis. Enjoy the day in Vicksburg or choose an optional full day tour to nearby Natchez, MS. Spring departures will visit three breathtaking antebellum mansions, including Longwood, known for its octagonal shape and Byzantine-style dome; Stanton Hall, sprawling one full city block; and Rosalie Mansion, boasting original and period furniture and beautiful gardens. Winter departures will visit The Towers, an antebellum home dressed in elaborate Christmas displays and decorations, as well as Stanton Hall and Longwood mansions.
Day 5: In 1863, the “Siege of Vicksburg” was a turning point in the Civil War. Tour the battlefield during an optional excursion to Vicksburg National Military Park, then visit the National Cemetery and a restored Union gunboat, “The Cairo.” The tour continues at the Biedenharn Museum of Coca-Cola, a restored 1890 building where Coca-Cola was first bottled in 1894. Then experience an afternoon of cruising on the mighty Mississippi River! As the current carries you gently southward, watch the shores and skies for the many species that call this river home, including beavers, white-tailed deer, red-shouldered hawks, and the elusive Bald Eagle.
Day 6: Welcome to Louisiana’s capital city, Baton Rouge, where we will dock next to the USS Kidd. An optional historical tour takes you to the Old State Capitol, Pentagon Barracks military post and fort, beautiful Magnolia Cemetery, and the Warden’s House, built as part of the Louisiana State Penitentiary in 1839. Onboard entertainment this evening introduces you to Cajun-style music.
Day 7: Continue your voyage down the Mississippi River to vibrant New Orleans. Admire views of the Huey P. Long Bridge and the fabled Natchez Steamboat, the only classic American steamboat in New Orleans, before docking just one block from the historic French Quarter and bustling Canal Street.
Day 8: New Orleans is yours to explore with a full day in port! An optional guided tour highlights the effects of Hurricane Katrina and the city’s recovery. Tonight a chef from the world renowned New Orleans School of Cooking gives an onboard demonstration, followed by dinner and local musical entertainment.
Day 9: Disembark this morning in New Orleans.
Extend your trip:
1 Pre/Post night in New Orleans from $229.00
2 night Extension in New Orleans from $458.00
