Mississippi River Cruises
Paddlewheels turning, jazz on the breeze and the antebellum South slipping by. A Mississippi river cruise is Americana at its most romantic — no passport required.
A Mississippi river cruise blends Southern history, music and cuisine with the easy comfort of an all-American riverboat — from grand paddlewheelers to sleek modern ships. Sail the Lower Mississippi between New Orleans and Memphis past antebellum plantations and Civil War towns, or the Upper Mississippi through bluff country from St. Louis to St. Paul. A river cruise specialist matches the ship, route and season.
Why Cruise the Mississippi?
No passport needed
A world-class river cruise entirely in the USA.
Living Americana
Jazz, blues, Southern cooking and river history.
Paddlewheeler or modern
From the American Queen to Viking’s new riverboats.
Upper or Lower river
Antebellum South or Upper-river bluff country.
Along the Mississippi
New Orleans
Jazz, Creole cuisine and the French Quarter.
Antebellum South
Natchez, Baton Rouge and river plantations.
Memphis
Beale Street, blues and barbecue.
Upper Mississippi
Bluff country from St. Louis to St. Paul.
Popular Mississippi Itineraries
- New Orleans to Memphis — the antebellum South
- Memphis to St. Louis
- Upper Mississippi — St. Louis to St. Paul
- Round-trip New Orleans getaways
- Fall-foliage & holiday-themed sailings
Ready to cruise the Mississippi?
Tell us your dates, route and ship style and we’ll compare the best sailings. Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from a river cruise specialist.
Get up to 5 Mississippi cruise quotes!Why Smart Traveler?
Smart Traveler is a service of the travel division of Best of the USA, Inc. Entrust your trip to seasoned professionals specializing in cruises, tours, vacation packages, all-inclusive resorts and international airfares. With over 50,000 travel advisors in our growing database, we’re sure to have the experts right for your travel needs!
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Insider access to rates and partnerships unavailable to the average traveler.
Mississippi River Cruises — Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time for a Mississippi river cruise?
March–November is the season; spring and fall bring mild weather and foliage, while the holidays add festive themed sailings.
Paddlewheeler or modern riverboat?
Classic paddlewheelers lean nostalgic and grand; modern ships (like Viking’s) lean contemporary and all-inclusive. A specialist matches your style.
Lower or Upper Mississippi?
The Lower river (New Orleans–Memphis) is antebellum South and music; the Upper river (St. Louis–St. Paul) is bluff country and small towns.
How do I get a Mississippi cruise quote?
Request up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from a river cruise specialist and compare ships, routes and dates.