Mississippi River Cruises in America's Deep South

The arrival of the riverboats changed the landscape and lives of the people along the rivers of the Old South forever. Great sugar and cotton plantations sprang up, and trade boomed along the entire Mississippi River system.

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Follow in the heritage of Mark Twain and explore the Deep South region. Visit columned mansions of plantation country; the poignant cemeteries and memorials of the Civil War; the early settlements of the French Acadians; and the bustling major riverports of New Orleans, Memphis and Nashville.

Hear the music that was born of hardships and triumphs - Delta blues, Dixieland jazz, gospel and zydeco. Revel in local Creole and Cajun tastes like ‘red beans and rice’ and ‘cafe au lait’ and enjoy the spectacular sights along the river, which are much the same as they were over a century ago.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Beginning its recovery, life in the ‘Big Easy’ blends legendary jazz, fine architecture, laid back ‘laissez-faire’ lifestyle and world-renowned cuisine - Cajun to Creole, beignets to jambalaya.

Memphis, Tennessee

Home of the Blues, Elvis’ Graceland, fascinating Mud Island and the famed bomber aircraft, the Memphis Belle, this historic port city offers a combination of culture and charm.

Nashville, Tennessee

Once a major rail hub and riverport, ‘Music City, USA’ is now the mecca of country music and host for the annual International Country Music Fan Fair.

Mississippi River

From its confluence with the Ohio River, the Mississippi continues a journey that ends 2,000 miles away in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Today, and throughout its relatively short recorded history - from the exploits of cotton kings to the impact of the paddlewheel steamboat - the lower Mississippi captures the imagination and lures adventurers with its mystique and romance.

Ohio River

Nearly a thousand miles long, the Ohio River once carried explorers seeking fame and fortune and settlers heading west. In its wake are islands, peaceful rural vistas, quaint river towns and bustling cities which evolved as a direct result of their proximity to ‘the beautiful river’.

Cumberland River

The now tranquil Cumberland River region wasn’t always so peaceful. Settled in 1748 by a group of Virginians, their settlements were unprotected by a fort and often raided by Cherokees, Chickamaugas and Creeks. Later, the area along its lovely 687 mile length figured prominently in Civil War confrontations. From these historic conflicts arose legendary figures including Davy Crockett and Sam Houston.