Upper Mississippi River Cruises
St. Louis to St. Paul bluffs
Cruise the Upper Mississippi River by Small Ship
The Upper Mississippi is the Mississippi most people picture when they close their eyes: wide, slow, and flanked by wooded bluffs that rise sharply from the river’s edge. Small ship cruises on this stretch sail between St. Louis and St. Paul over 8 nights, passing through river towns that feel frozen somewhere between the Civil War and the early 20th century.
Hannibal, Missouri is the most famous of them. Samuel Clemens grew up here, worked for a time as a riverboat pilot on this very river, and eventually turned both into literature as Mark Twain. The town preserves the whitewashed fence, the caves, and the hilltop view that became the backdrop for Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Further upriver, Dubuque, Iowa and La Crosse, Wisconsin sit tucked against the bluffs where the river narrows and the scenery gets wilder, and Red Wing, Minnesota marks the approach to St. Paul with its pottery heritage and views of Barn Bluff rising above the water.
For travelers who want more, the Complete Mississippi River voyage covers the entire length of the river from New Orleans to St. Paul over 22 nights, and the Grand Heartland cruise runs the same general route in 15 nights. Both run once or twice a year and tend to fill early.
Upper Mississippi River Cruises FAQs
How far north does the Upper Mississippi actually go?
The Upper Mississippi on these itineraries runs from St. Louis, Missouri to St. Paul, Minnesota, passing through Iowa, Wisconsin, and the bluff country of the upper Midwest. St. Paul sits near the headwaters region, about 1,800 miles upstream from New Orleans.
What does Mark Twain have to do with a Mississippi River cruise?
Samuel Clemens grew up in Hannibal, Missouri along the river and worked as a licensed steamboat pilot on the Mississippi before taking the pen name Mark Twain. The name itself is a riverboat term for two fathoms of water depth. Hannibal is a port of call on Upper Mississippi itineraries and preserves the boyhood home, caves, and waterfront scenes that Twain turned into Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.
Is there a cruise that covers the whole river?
Yes. The Complete Mississippi River cruise sails the full length of the river from New Orleans to St. Paul over 22 nights. The Grand Heartland cruise covers a similar route in 15 nights. Both run a limited number of departures per year and tend to book out well in advance.
What time of year do Upper Mississippi cruises run?
Sailings run from summer through fall, typically July through October, which brings warm weather on the river and harvest-season scenery as the Midwest transitions into autumn.
How do I find the right Mississippi River cruise for my schedule?
The range runs from 8-night Upper Mississippi sailings to 22-night complete river voyages, so the best starting point is a conversation about how much time you have and which ports matter most to you. Call 800-578-1479 and our agents will match you with the right itinerary and dates.