The more than 2,300-mile Mississippi River invites travelers to discover its multifaceted heritage, with a vast range of deeply rooted culture, music and history. A cruise is a fantastic way to discover many of the riverfront cities on a single trip, from the comfort of your modern riverboat or traditional paddle-wheeler.
This roundup of top itineraries can help you choose from cruises of various lengths and options for the Lower and Upper Mississippi. Note that all fares are listed as double occupancy (based on two people per cabin); prices also might not reflect taxes, port fees or gratuities. Check with the cruise line before booking.
Here’s a list of the best Mississippi River cruise itineraries you can book in 2023 or 2024.
American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines operates small ships accommodating between 90 and 180 passengers that are built, flagged and crewed in the U.S. – and it’s the only company in the world operating a 100% U.S.-flagged fleet of riverboats and cruise ships. ACL’s itineraries traverse waterways across 35 states, with 11 itineraries dedicated to the Mississippi River. Cruisers can choose to sail on modern riverboats with a sleek interior design or while away their time aboard classic paddle-wheelers reminiscent of days gone by.
ACL offers variety as well as versatility: This line boasts both the longest and shortest sailings on this list with cruises ranging from 5 to 60 days in length, including The Great United States. This newly announced 60-day voyage spans four major rivers and 20 states, making it the longest U.S. river cruise in history.
Complimentary hotel and transportation packages are available from every departure city before your cruise. You can book certain premium packages for added perks, such as two nights spent next door to Graceland in Memphis – with VIP tickets and a city tour included in the price.
Music Cities Cruise: Memphis to Nashville
Length: Eight days
Price: Starts at $3,610 per person
Spend a week getting lost in the sounds of the Memphis blues, rock ‘n’ roll and country music legends on the seven-night Music Cities Cruise. A hotel stay the night before your sailing is included, but embarking in Memphis means you also have the chance to splurge on a two-night pre-cruise package near Elvis’ former home Graceland.
Ports of call include Paducah, Kentucky; Dover, Tennessee; and Clarksville, Tennessee, with an overnight in Nashville and an included excursion to a show at the Grand Ole Opry. Two scenic sailing days feature picturesque views of America’s Heartland along the Mississippi, Ohio and Cumberland rivers as well as Lake Barkley.
This itinerary is available in May and again in July through October in 2023 on one of the line’s new riverboats, including American Serenade, which joined the fleet in 2023. In 2024, available dates for the cruise run from June through November.
Grand Heartland Cruise: St. Paul to New Orleans
Length: 15 days
Price: Starts at $9,455 per person
This 15-day voyage allows you to explore America’s rich history in towns along the Upper and Lower Mississippi River. The immersive voyage covers six states and 12 cities including St. Paul, Minnesota; Dubuque, Iowa; St. Louis, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee; Natchez, Mississippi; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and more.
Take a step back in time while visiting Mark Twain’s boyhood home in Hannibal, exploring stately historic estates in Natchez and Civil War sites in Vicksburg. At the end of a busy day ashore, you’ll have plenty to chat about with fellow passengers during the evening cocktail hour.
American Heritage – ACL’s traditional paddle-wheeler – and three modern riverboats set off on this journey in October 2023 as well as from August to October in 2024.
Highlights of the Mississippi River Cruise: Round-trip from New Orleans
Length: Five days
Price: Starts at $2,405 per person
Enjoy a complimentary overnight in New Orleans before embarking on your voyage from the Crescent City to sail along the Lower Mississippi River. Ports of call on this cruise include the historic estate of Houmas House in the small Southern town of Darrow, Louisiana. Cruisers will also have a day in Baton Rouge, the capital of the state – and where Cajun and Creole cuisine aficionados will be in culinary heaven with the endless array of offerings in the city.
In the small settlement of Vacherie in St. James Parish, learn more about the origins of Louisiana’s Creole heritage and cuisine: a blend of Spanish, French, West African and Native American cultures.
This shorter itinerary is available in June, November and December of 2023.
Complete Mississippi River Cruise: New Orleans to St. Paul
Length: 22 days
Price: Starts at $14,935 per person
If you want to see the entire Mississippi in one shot, check out this multiweek sailing that begins in New Orleans and ends in St. Paul, Minnesota. Along the way, you’ll sail 1,393 miles, visit 10 states and experience a staggering 20 ports of call as you tour Louisiana and then head northbound to Minnesota.
In the South, walk the battlefields of the Civil War and sample delicious Southern barbecue before listening to the rhythms of jazz, the blues and rock ‘n’ roll. Then, explore the small and larger cities along the upper parts of the river. Remember to take time to gaze out at the picturesque scenery and the rolling farmlands of America’s Midwest before disembarking in St. Paul.
Three of ACL’s modern riverboats sail this itinerary in June and August in 2023 and 2024.
The Great United States
Length: 60 days
Price: Starts at $51,000
This two-month long journey – the longest domestic itinerary ever created – will check all the boxes for U.S. history and Civil War buffs, music and nature lovers, culinary enthusiasts, and beer and distilled spirits aficionados alike as the ship traverses America’s iconic waterways through 20 states and 50 ports of call.
This epic journey showcases the natural beauty and living history of the U.S. from sea to shining sea. The sailing embarks in Portland, Oregon, on the Pacific Coast before traveling east to the Atlantic shore along four major rivers that highlight some of the country’s most stunning coastlines. Upon arrival in New York Harbor, guests will have an unforgettable view coming into port of one of the most iconic landmarks in the U.S.: the Statue of Liberty.
Passengers can follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark along the Snake and Columbia rivers; cruise along Ol’ Man River in search of Mark Twain and Elvis; see the vibrant colors of fall during peak season on the Hudson River; and take in the coastal breezes (and fresh seafood) along New England’s rocky coastline.
This curated adventure also includes two flights: Jackson, Wyoming, to New Orleans as well as St. Paul to Portland, Maine, plus a land package through Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. All-inclusive pricing covers the pre-cruise hotel stay, all flights and hotels between cruise segments, an ACL jacket and gear pack, daily excursions, all meals and beverages, gratuities and port charges, entertainment, and Wi-Fi. The inaugural cruise sets sail on August 14, 2024, and booking is now open.
Source: usnews