Midwest River Cruises
3,000+ miles of waterways
Cruise the American Heartland by Small Ship
The Midwest reveals itself differently from the river. Interstate highways skip the small towns along the bluffs, but small ships dock in the heart of them, and what you find is a side of the country that feels more rooted and more authentically American than most coastal itineraries ever reach.
Five distinct waterway systems make up the Midwest program. The Mississippi carries ships the full length of the river, from the French Quarter and Creole cuisine of New Orleans north through the Civil War battlefields of Vicksburg and Natchez, the antebellum estates of the Lower Mississippi, Mark Twain’s Hannibal on the Upper Mississippi, and the bluff country of Wisconsin and Minnesota all the way to St. Paul.
Individual sailings cover the Lower and Upper Mississippi separately, and longer Grand Heartland and Complete Mississippi voyages run the full length. The Ohio River program runs between Pittsburgh and St. Louis, calling at Cincinnati, Marietta, Moundsville, and Louisville’s bourbon country along the way.
The Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers connect Memphis, Nashville, and Chattanooga on the Music Cities and Tennessee Rivers itineraries, with a Smoky Mountains overland extension. The Great Lakes cover all five lakes with sailings ranging from 8 to 13 nights, from the Thousand Islands and Niagara Falls in the east to Lake Michigan and the Upper Peninsula in the west.
Sailings run from spring through fall on most waterways, with the Lower Mississippi running year-round.
Midwest River Cruises FAQs
How do the Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee River programs differ from each other?
The Mississippi is the longest and most culturally layered, passing through jazz and blues heritage, Civil War history, and Mark Twain country over itineraries ranging from 8 to 22 nights. The Ohio focuses on the industrial and early American history of the upper Midwest, running between Pittsburgh and St. Louis in 8 to 15 nights. The Cumberland and Tennessee rivers anchor the Music Cities program, connecting Memphis, Nashville, and Chattanooga with a strong emphasis on American music heritage.
Which Midwest waterway runs year-round?
The Lower Mississippi is the most consistent year-round option, with sailings from New Orleans to Memphis running through winter and spring as well as summer and fall. The Great Lakes, Ohio River, and Tennessee programs run seasonally from spring through fall.
I want to cruise the full Mississippi from New Orleans to St. Paul. Is that possible?
Yes. The Complete Mississippi River voyage covers the full 2,300-mile length of the river from New Orleans to St. Paul over 21 nights. The Grand Heartland cruise covers a similar route in 15 nights. Both run a limited number of departures per year and book up well in advance.
Are the Great Lakes included in the Midwest program?
Yes. Great Lakes itineraries range from 8-night sailings on Lake Michigan or between Syracuse and Buffalo to a 13-night crossing from Buffalo to Milwaukee covering all five lakes. See the Great Lakes destination page for full details on each itinerary.
How do I figure out which Midwest cruise is right for me?
The range runs from 7-night Tennessee River sailings to 21-night complete Mississippi voyages, so the most useful starting point is usually a conversation about how much time you have and which part of the country interests you most. Call 800-578-1479 and our agents will match you with the right waterway, length, and departure dates.