Mississippi River Cruises
Step back in time on one of our authentic Mississippi river cruises and experience the charm, history and hospitality of the Deep South. Cruise aboard traditional paddlewheelers as you journey along the mighty Mississippi, visiting legendary cities like New Orleans, Memphis, Vicksburg and more.
A Mississippi steamboat cruise offers not only the opportunity to explore some of America’s most culturally diverse and rich destinations, but also unparalleled relaxation. Expect to gently drift beside scenic shorelines while indulging in luxurious accommodations and mouthwatering regional cuisine.
Expect intimate access to America’s cultural heritage as you venture through the Deep South, too, on board Mississippi river boat cruises, from Civil War battlefields to the sounds of blues and jazz emanating from clubs and venues, or the beauty of grand plantation homes. And at the end of a day of exploring the beauty of the Deep South, head back on board your cruise of the Mississippi for optimal comfort and convenience, heading to your next destination knowing that you’ll never miss out on the most enriching and exciting experiences that the region has to offer.
Whether you’re embarking on a Mississippi boat cruise from New Orleans or another historic port, a Mississippi cruise is an unforgettable way to explore America's heartland at a pace where you can truly savour every moment of this unique corner of the globe.
To begin your adventure in America you can browse full collection of Misissippi river cruises or speak to our cruise specialists for tailored advice.
Mississippi River Cruise Collection
Special OfferExclusive 12-night unique fly-cruise holiday with stays in Graceland and New Orleans from just £5899pp!
Memphis (Tennessee, USA), Scenic Cruising, Vicksburg, Natchez, St Francisville, Baton Rouge, Oak Alley, New Orleans
Special OfferComplimentary pre-cruise hotel stay!
New Orleans (Louisiana, USA), Baton Rouge, Natchez (Mississippi), Vicksburg, Cruising the Mississippi, Memphis (Tennessee), New Madrid (Missouri), Paducah (Kentucky), C
Special OfferComplimentary Pre-Cruise Package!
New Orleans (USA), Oak Alley, Natchez, Vicksburg, St Francisville, Baton Rouge, Houmas House, New Orleans
Special OfferComplimentary Pre-Cruise Package!
St. Louis (Missouri), Hannibal , Fort Madison (Iowa), Davenport (Iowa), Dubuque, La Crosse (Wisconsin), Red Wing (Minnesota), St. Paul
New Orleans, Louisiana, Oak Alley, Louisiana, Houmas House, Louisiana, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Saint Francisville, Louisiana, Natchez, Mississippi, Vicksburg, Mississip
Saint Paul, Minnesota, Red Wing, Minnesota, La Crosse, Wisconsin, Dubuque, Iowa, Davenport, Iowa, Fort Madison, Iowa, Hannibal, Missouri, Saint Louis, Missouri, Mississ
New Orleans, Louisiana, River Cruising, Oak Alley, Louisiana, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Saint Francisville, Louisiana, Natchez, Mississippi, Vicksburg, Mississippi, River
Nashville, Tennessee, Clarksville, Tennessee, Dover, Tennessee, Cruising Lake Barkley and the Cumberland River, Paducah, Kentucky, Cruising the Mississippi and Ohio Riv
Chattanooga, Tennessee, Decatur, AL, Florence, Alabama, Savannah, Tennessee, Paducah, Kentucky, Clarksville, Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee, Clarksville, Tennessee, Paducah, Kentucky, Savannah, Tennessee, Florence, Alabama, Decatur, AL, Chattanooga, Tennessee
UK - Graceland (Tennessee, USA), Memphis, Mississippi & Ohio River, Paducah (Kentucky), Lake Barkley, Dover (Tennessee), Clarksville, Nashville, London (UK)
Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), Marietta (Ohio), Maysville (Kentucky), Cincinnati (Ohio), Louisville (Kentucky), Henderson , Paducah, Cape Giradeua (Missouri), St Louis
Discover the Mississippi River
Cruising the Mississippi
As you cruise the Mississippi, you’ll have an unparalleled insight into America’s heartland, experiencing its culture, history, and life along the river firsthand onboard elegant paddle steamers and riverboats that fully immerse you in the region.
Onboard our selection of Mississippi River cruises, you’ll witness historic towns float past your onboard suites, sprawling plantations stretching as far as the eye can see, and thriving communities that have made this River a vibrant cultural hub for centuries.
So, get ready to step aboard a classic Mississippi paddle boat or steamer to see centuries of tradition and heritage unfold right before your eyes, alongside Southern hospitality at its finest, which defines this iconic American experience.
Life Along the River
Explore the towns, plantations, and culture that have shaped the Deep South to be the much-loved hub of culture and rich heritage that it is today.
Stretching 2,340 miles and through 10 states in the U.S. from Minnesota to Louisiana, witness the transition between different destinations, home to their own unique and distinct traditions, cuisines, and histories, which is a sight to behold.
Some of the most popular destinations along a Mississippi river cruise include New Orleans, with its jazz and delectable Creole cuisine, Memphis for being the home of Graceland and its incredible blues heritage, and smaller towns like St Francisville, which offer a glimpse into antebellum life.
Paddle Steamers & Riverboats
Travel in style aboard a traditional Mississippi paddle steamer or a modern paddlewheel cruise ship, which harkens cruisers back to a golden age of river travel in this spectacular American destination.
Vessels like American Heritage combine nostalgic charm with contemporary comfort, featuring grand salons, spacious viewing decks, and sociable bar and dining areas. It's these iconic Mississippi paddle boats that connect cruisers deeper with the Deep Southern landscapes they’re exploring, and recreate the 19th-century era of romantic travel, without skimping on modern luxuries.
Whether you gravitate towards a luxury Mississippi river boat cruise or a more intimate-but-still opulent-Mississippi steamboat cruise, you’ll journey along America’s most storied waterway and experience this glorious region in all of its authentic splendour.
Music, Cuisine & Culture
From Delta blues and Dixieland jazz to gumbo, jambalaya and beignets — a Mississippi cruise is a sensory journey through American music and culinary history.
When you cruise this mighty waterway onboard opulent Mississippi paddle steamers, you can expect to experience the authentic flavours and sounds of America’s Deep South both onboard and offboard.
Whether it’s during live performances by local musicians onboard your chosen Mississippi river cruise vessel, or savouring soulful Southern cuisine in local restaurants as jazz resonates in the streets around you, you’ll be entirely immersed in the culture and cuisine of this waterway during a Mississippi boat cruise.
Cruises from New Orleans
Many signature Mississippi River cruise itineraries begin in New Orleans, also known as the ‘Big Easy’. The city is a convenient starting point for many travellers flocking from outside the U.S. to start their Mississippi cruise, with ample international flight connections and a fascinating culture from which you can kickstart your Deep South experience.
Before boarding your Mississippi paddle steamer of paddlewheeler, be sure to venture to the French Quarter to immerse yourself in its history and old-age charm, before indulging in the culinary delights of Creole cuisine at any one of the city’s exceptional eateries, and ending the night soaking up the jazz and blues scene with locals and travellers alike.
By starting your Mississippi boat cruise trip in New Orleans, you’ll enjoy the entire spectrum of Southern experiences that make a cruise along this marvellous waterway so incredible.
View all cruises starting in New Orleans below
Special OfferComplimentary Pre-Cruise Package!
New Orleans (USA), Oak Alley, Natchez, Vicksburg, St Francisville, Baton Rouge, Houmas House, New Orleans
Special OfferComplimentary pre-cruise hotel stay!
New Orleans (Louisiana, USA), Baton Rouge, Natchez (Mississippi), Vicksburg, Cruising the Mississippi, Memphis (Tennessee), New Madrid (Missouri), Paducah (Kentucky), C
New Orleans, Louisiana, River Cruising, Oak Alley, Louisiana, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Saint Francisville, Louisiana, Natchez, Mississippi, Vicksburg, Mississippi, River
New Orleans, Louisiana, Oak Alley, Louisiana, Houmas House, Louisiana, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Saint Francisville, Louisiana, Natchez, Mississippi, Vicksburg, Mississip
Cruise Highlights Along the Mississippi
Key Cities on the Lower Mississippi
New Orleans
The ‘Big Easy’ is a hub of iconic Southern cuisine and soulful music. Begin your Mississippi steamboat cruise or paddlesteamer in the city’s vibrant French Quarter, with tours showcasing its rich heritage, eateries serving homemade and hearty Creole dishes, and enticing jazz clubs. Onboard your vessel, expect culinary delights to be served, alongside incredible experiences from local musical performances to culinary demonstrations from top chefs.
Oak Alley, Baton Rouge, St Francisville
Oak Alley’s iconic 300-year-old oak canopy leading to its plantation is another highlight of a Mississippi Cruise, where you can learn of the estate’s significance and complex history. While in St. Francisville, you can expect Southern hospitality at its finest, with this preserved river town being the perfect blend of charming boutiques and historic churches that add even more heritage to your cruise on the Mississippi.
Louisiana’s capital of Baton Rouge is a highlight of a Mississippi cruise, blending plantation heritage with political history. Your Mississippi River cruise via Louisiana will offer a glimpse into its plantation history, alongside the city’s most iconic and monumental historical sights, from the Governor’s Mansion to the Rural Life Museum, offering an authentic glimpse into Creole culture.
Upper Mississippi Destinations
Memphis
Explore the thriving city of Memphis, a cornerstone of American music history, where music still pulses around every corner and legends have walked its streets.
A highlight of any Mississippi river cruise travelling through Memphis is a visit to Graceland, the once home of the King of Rock - Elvis Presley. But, many forget the city is drenched in historic significance, too, with its National Civil Rights Museum being a firm favourite attraction amongst visitors.
Nashville
Renowned as the heart of country music, Nashville is one of the deep South’s entertainment hubs, offering a musical flair to your Mississippi River cruise journey.
Its heady blend of American history and music heritage makes it one of travellers’ favourite destinations on a Mississippi cruise itinerary. Explore the Country Music Hall of Fame, visit the world-renowned Grand Ole Opry, or meander down Broadway, where live performances echo around every corner.
St Louis, Hannibal, Dubuque
Endeavour into the Mississippi’s lesser-discovered, but equally fascinating, midwest towns, filled with history and charm, and each with its own story to tell. St. Louis’s vibrant cultural scene and the Gateway Arch stand out in travellers’ memories, while Dubuque offers spectacular river views and historic architecture, and Hannibal brings literary history to life. For a deeper exploration into the Mississippi onboard a Mississippi steamboat cruise, be sure to pick an itinerary visiting these equally amazing towns.
Mississippi River Cruise FAQs
Mississippi river cruises are best enjoyed either in mid-spring to early summer (April to June), or in autumn (from September to November), when the weather is pleasant and river conditions are perfect for cruising.
We offer most Mississippi river cruises without flights to give guests complete flexibility. Speak to our experts about extending your Mississippi river cruise itinerary with pre and post cruise stays, flights and transfers to make a personalised ATOL protected Mississippi river cruise package.
A Mississippi cruise typically includes a select number of onboard meals, guided excursions in destinations along your itinerary route, onboard entertainment, and your accommodation on your chosen Mississippi paddle steamer or riverboat.
Mississippi steamboats, paddleboats, and more modern river cruise vessels are all used by different cruise providers along this waterway, each offering a memorable and comfortable experience.
Absolutely! We encourage all travellers, including solo travellers, to experience this magnificent waterway, as many Mississippi River boat cruises welcome solo travellers onboard with dedicated cabins. Just be sure to check with our team whether your preferred itinerary’s vessel has these cabins onboard before you book your trip.
Customer Reviews
Queen Of The Mississippi
by R.WakefieldWe thoroughly enjoyed this 7 day cruise down the Mississippi at the end of April. Before joining the cruise we spent two nights in Memphis, staying centrally at the Holiday Inn, Downtown, opposite the Peabody hotel, famous for the parade of ducks in the lobby each day. Nearby we visited the Civil Rights Museum, tastefully built behind the facade of the motel where Martin Luther King was assassinated. We also went to the river museum, took a trolley up and down Main Street, and in the evening spent some time in Beale Street, thronged with people, with the Blues booming out from clubs and restaurants. We could also have visited Graceland, about 10 miles out of town.
We joined the boat mid-morning on Saturday. It is a replica of a traditional Steam/Paddle boat. As it was built in 2012 all the amenities are up to date. There were 150 passengers of which 6 were from the UK, 2 from Australia and 2 from Canada. The rest were American. Dining was open seating, the food was good, with complimentary beer and wine at lunch and dinner. The service from the crew was excellent. There were talks about the river in the afternoon and musical entertainment in the evening. We set off on our 400 mile cruise on the winding Mississippi at lunchtime. The river is up to a mile wide the whole way, with a tree- lined embankment. In the afternoon we were fascinated to watch the commercial traffic going up- river. The largest we saw consisted of 42 large barges strung together in rows of 6 by 7 and pushed by a boat called a towboat.
The next day we arrived in Vicksburg and toured the famous civil war battlefield. Then it was on to Natchez and St Francisville, where we went past and also visited some beautifully restored antebellum homes as well as a working cotton plantation. After that we came to Baton Rouge, the state capital of Louisiana, where on a tour we went to the fascinating Louisiana State Museum and the old State Capitol. We had expected to pay for some of the tours, but at the end of the cruise they all turned out to be complimentary. The next day we came to what was probably the highlight of the cruise, a visit to Oak Alley Plantation, a former sugar plantation, with an imposing mansion, approached by a quarter-mile canopy of magnificent giant live oak trees, believed to be more than 300 years old. They are called live oaks because they are evergreeen. Finally, before reaching New Orleans, we were able to do some kite flying from the open deck, taking care to avoid approaching bridges and passing barges.
We disembarked in New Orleans at 8.30am on Saturday morning for a two night stay. We went straight to our hotel, where fortunately our room was ready. Suggest staying at either of the two Marriott hotels in Canal Street close to the French Quarter. Then it was out for more sightseeing, first to Jackson Square, the hub of the French Quarter, a carriage tour round the Quarter, went into the cathedral and French Market and had coffee and doughnuts at the renowned Cafe du Monde. Later we took the hop-on-hop-off bus round this vibrant city, which included a stop at the Mardi Gras Museum, where the floats are made for the annual parade, and took a trolley round the Garden District, lined with more beautiful houses. In the evening we found two good restaurants near our hotel, Galatoires and Dickie Brennans and joined the crowds walking up and down Bourbon Street, with jazz being played everywhere, both on and off the street. All in all a wonderful holiday, which we can highly recommend.
Mississippi Paddlewheeler Cruise
by R.FisherEverything went really well with our Mississippi river cruise holiday. We managed to get a lift with the flight crew to our hotel in Memphis which was a good start! Both hotels,were located in a good position. We had a great night in the BB Kings in Baele Street, Memphis, and the Jazz and Blues Club in Bourbon Street, New Orleans.
The boat was great with a nice room and the food was excellent. We had a great time in New Orleans as well.
Despite our reservations, there were no problems with the return connecting flights. All the security stuff at New Oreals which meant when we arrived at Washington Airport we could transfer easily to our connecting flight.
Thank you for all your help in arranging our holiday.